Employment Pass (EP) is a work visa granted by the Ministry of Manpower to foreign professionals, managers, and investors who desire or were sent to work in Singapore. This scheme was established to attract talent to the city-state, helping achieve the goal of becoming a regional business hub. This visa allows you to live in Singapore and travel in and out of the country without applying for entry visas.

What are the criteria to become eligible for an Employment Pass?

Employment Pass is open to everyone, regardless of nationality or citizenship. The candidate must meet the following conditions to be eligible for application:

• Have a job offer in Singapore.
• Work in an executive, managerial, or specialised job.
• Have good qualifications, such as a university degree, professional qualifications, or specialised skills.
• Have a minimum qualifying salary of SGD 5,500 (progressively increases with age from age 23, up to SGD 11,500 at age 45 and above) if working in the Financial Services sector or SGD 5,000 (progressively increases with age from age 23, up to SGD 10,500 at age 45 and above) if working in any sector except for financial services.

Use this self-assessment tool to check if the candidate for the pass is eligible before you apply. However, be reminded that this tool does not guarantee the actual outcome of the application.

What requirements are needed for the application?

You will need to submit these documents:

• The candidate’s passport page showing personal particulars (if their name differs from the name in other documents, attach an explanation letter and supporting documents)
• Latest business profile of the company or information registered with ACRA

If the institution is not found in the form’s drop-down list, you must upload the following supplemental documents:

China

• Education certificate
• Verification proof from either of these sources
  • Center for Student Services and Development
  • Background screening companies

India

• Education certificate
• Verification proof from a background screening company
• Transcripts or mark sheets for all semesters showing the college attended

All other countries

• Education certificate
• Verification proof from a background screening company

How to apply for an Employment Pass?

The application procedure contains the following steps:

1. Submission of Application

You can submit an application via myMOM portal. To apply, you must:

• Get written consent from the candidate
• Email this form to the candidate to obtain their required information
• Log in to the myMOM portal to accomplish the application and upload the needed documents
• Pay the SGD 105 fee via GIRO, VISA, or MasterCard
• Check the application status after ten (10) business days. If you receive an email from the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) requesting additional documents, submit them using this form.
• If approved, log in to Employment Pass (EP) Online and print the in-principle-approval (IPA) letter.
• Forward the copy of the IPA letter to the pass holder. This letter has a pre-approved single-entry visa for the holder to enter Singapore
• The letter permits a 6-month window for you to bring the holder to Singapore and get the employment pass issued. It also says if the holder needs to undergo a medical examination, which can be done upon arrival in Singapore.

2. Issuance of pass

The candidate must be in Singapore within six (6) months of in-principle approval. The steps for the issuance of an employment pass are the following:

• After logging in to the myMOM portal, submit the required information and documents. The information needed are the following:
  • Holder’s passport details
  • Holder’s Singapore contact details
  • Holder’s current Short-Term Visit Pass or immigration pass details
  • Holder’s residential address in Singapore, which must meet the housing requirements
  • Residential or office address to receive the holder’s card
  • Details of up to three (3) authorised recipients to receive the card
    • Mobile number
    • Email address
    • NRIC/FIN/passport number

You may also need to upload copies of the following documents in PDF form:

• Holder’s passport page showing the date of arrival in Singapore
• Accomplished medical examination or declaration form
• Accomplished declaration form, attached to the holder’s IPA letter and signed by authorised HR personnel or an employee holding a managerial position

• Pay the fee via GIRO, VISA, or MasterCard (SGD 225 for each pass and SGD 30 for each Multiple Journey Visa)
• You, as the employer, and the candidate will receive the notification letter by email once the employment pass is issued. This letter allows the candidate to work and travel in and out of the country while waiting for the card. It also states if the pass holder needs to have their photo and fingerprints taken for the registration of the pass card, and it is only valid for a month from the date of issue.

3. Registration of fingerprints and photo (if required)

Check the notification letter if the pass holder needs to register their fingerprints and photo. This is two (2) weeks after the pass is issued. To register, create an appointment for the holder to visit the Employment Pass Services Centre. They should bring along the following documents:

• Original passport
• Appointment letter
• Notification letter

4. Receiving the Card

The card will be delivered to the given address within five (5) working days after registration and document verification at EPSC. If they do not need to register, the card will arrive within five (5) working days after document checking. Then, the authorised recipients (up to three) will get an email or SMS with the delivery details at least one (1) working day before the delivery. In the instance that the card delivery fails (after two unsuccessful deliveries), you will have to get the card at EPSC. The holder or an authorised person can obtain it three (3) working days after the second attempted delivery. They have to bring along these documents to collect the card:

• Holder’s original passport
• Notification letter

When should I appeal against a rejected application?

You can only appeal if you address the issues in your rejection advisory. The outcome will likely change if there is new information in your appeal. The submission of the appeal should be within three (3) months of getting the rejection notice. You will need to submit a new application if you miss this time window. Most appeals are processed within six (6) weeks. Click this link to make your appeal.

How do I renew my pass?

You can apply for the renewal of employment pass up to six (6) months before the pass expires. Log in to the myMOM portal and follow the steps on the webpage.

What are the passes for the family of EP holders?

The employment pass holder should earn at least SGD 6,000 a month before being able to bring in family members. Here are the family members the holder can bring to Singapore and the type of pass they will need:

• Legally married spouse – Dependant’s Pass
• Unmarried children below 21 years old – Dependant’s Pass
• Common-law spouse – Long-Term Visit Pass
• Unmarried disabled children over 20 years old – Long-Term Visit Pass
• Unmarried step-children below 21 years old – Long-Term Visit Pass
• Parents (only for holders earning at least SGD 12,000) – Long-Term Visit Pass

As the holder’s employer, you will have to submit a separate application for every family member. The application can be submitted together with the employment pass or separately.

Conclusion

The required documents and process in applying for an Employment Pass (EP) can be daunting and dragging. But with the assistance of a professional firm, you can ensure that all documents are complete and accurate to avoid delays and maximise approval. Efficiently securing this work pass can be a significant step for your company to achieve its goals. 

At Corporate Services Singapore, we help foreign entrepreneurs and business owners navigate Singapore’s immigration and employment policies while advising you on pre-application requirements for the various work visas.