Everything you want to know About Singapore Employment Pass

Employment Pass in Singapore allows foreign professionals, managers, specialists and executives to work and live in Singapore. People with a job offer in Singapore are eligible for an Employment Pass. An employer or an appointed employment agent can apply on behalf of the applicant.

Everything you want to know About Singapore Employment Pass

Employment Pass in Singapore allows foreign professionals, managers, specialists and executives to work and live in Singapore. People with a job offer in Singapore are eligible for an Employment Pass. An employer or an appointed employment agent can apply on behalf of the applicant.

The application for an Employment Pass needs a careful review to decide on the right kind of pass, Employment Pass requirements and the Ministry of Manpower’s latest regulations.

According to the Singapore Companies Act 2007, if a foreigner is to become a director of a company, the foreigner shall need to be a valid Singapore Employment Pass holder.

If you want to set up your company in Singapore, you may also consider a work visa pass.

Eligibility for Employment Pass

Only eligible foreign nationals are considered for issuing Singapore Employment Pass and open to all nationalities. The eligibility criteria are

Must have a job offer in Singapore
Must work in a managerial, executive or specialist capacity
Must earn a minimum monthly salary of SGD 5000, more experienced applicants need higher salaries
An Employment Pass application needs to be submitted by either the sponsoring company or an authorised corporate service provider with an Employment Agency (EA) license, which is necessary for employment agencies operating in Singapore.
Must possess an acceptable qualification, a university degree, professional qualification or specialized skills from accredited institutions and verifiable through global agencies e.g. Dataflow or Risk Management Intelligence (RMI) or International Accreditation bodies or awarding country's educational authorities

The minimum monthly salary requirement as one of the foremost eligibility criteria for application of Employment Pass may primarily be intended to ensure that the foreign Pass holders have salaries similar to those of local Singaporeans and the employers are discouraged to hire foreigners at a lower cost.

Documentation Requirements for Employment Pass

You need to upload the following documents while applying for an Employment Pass online

Personal Particular page of applicant's Passport
CV of the applicant for employment history
Company's latest business profile or instant information registered with ACRA
A detailed description of products, services and activities of the company
Tenancy agreement of the place of business in Singapore
Photograph of applicant
Applicant's educational certificates such as degree certificate
The detailed job description of the applicant stating responsibilities and endorsed by the company
Documents in a language other than English needs translation by an official transaction service and a translated copy attached

Everything You Need to Know While Changing Your Company Secretary in Singapore

Application and Issuance of Employment Pass- Procedural Steps and Timeline

You need not be physically present in Singapore while applying for an Employment Pass. The EP applications can be submitted online to the Ministry of Manpower by your employer or an appointed employment agent in Singapore. Before you apply for an Employment Pass, you need to be well aware of all the requirements and eligibility criteria stipulated by the Singapore Ministry of Manpower.

Before applying for an Employment Pass (EP), all employers need to advertise the job on MyCareersFuture. The minimum monthly salary requirement for being eligible for EP is SGD 4500 and may be higher for senior experienced persons. The process of application and issuance consists of the following steps

Before Applying for the EP

Before the Applicant arrives in Singapore, the employer or the appointed employment agent (EA) must carry out the following steps that take 3 weeks for most cases if you have a Singapore registered office, otherwise 8 weeks from the date of submission of online application

Once the IPA is received, the applicant arrives in Singapore and the following steps are to be followed within 6 months of issuance of IPA

Putting a request for issuance of EP by Logging in to EP Online
Providing a home or office address where the Pass is to be delivered
Making the payment of fees, SGD 225 for each pass and SGD 30 for each multiple journey Visa, if applicable
Printing of Notification Letter which has a validity of one month and handing over to the applicant to start work and travel in and out of Singapore, if needed
Submitting the supporting documents
Getting the EP issued
Nominating up to 3 authorized recipients of the pass along with their mobile no, email ID, Passport no etc.

Once the Notification Letter is used, the following steps are to be carried out for immediate issuance of EP Card

Information required to be provided for the issuance of EP Card

The EP Card has a validity of two years and the frequency of renewal is three years.

Advantage of Employment Pass Over Other Singapore Work Visa

EP holders enjoy several advantages over other work Pass holders and the most common amongst the foreigners

EP holders can become owner or director of a company when S Pass holders can’t

Can enter any line of work which doesn’t apply to other Pass holder categories and even personalized EP holders

No additional specific criteria as applicable to personalized EP or EntrePass holders

Employment Pass and Dependant Pass

EP holders can apply for Dependant’s Pass (DP) and Long term visit Pass subject to fulfilment of certain criteria and can make it easier for their family members to come to Singapore.

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Notification Requirements of Employment Pass

The Ministry of Manpower needs to be notified in the event of

Renewal of Employment Pass

In the event of an EP holder continuing working beyond two years of EP validity, the employer can apply for renewal of Pass. EP renewal application can be done up to 6 months before the pass expires. The renewal application needs to reach MOM at least 2 months before expiry.

The employer or EA can make the application and the renewed pass remains valid for 3 years if supported by passport validity. Renewal of EP attracts SGD 225 fees for each Pass and missing the deadline requires an application for a new pass. The renewal is not guaranteed and subject to current regulatory regulations of MOM.

In case the EP Card is lost, the employer of the cardholder must apply for a replacement within 1 week.

Difficulty in comprehending Singapore’s strict eligibility criteria along with the complexities involved in the Employment Pass application process can often be a daunting task for employers and applicants alike. The Ministry of Manpower’s understanding may also greatly differ from those of the applicants. Outsourcing an external PRO service provider with a local presence offering work visa services in Singapore should always be a wise and preferred choice.

EP Renewals

Before September 1, 2024: Verification proof was required only if the qualifications from the awarding institutions were not listed in the application’s drop-down menu.

From September 1, 2024: Verification proof will be mandatory for all qualifications reported to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) during the EP renewal process. (Source: https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/employment-pass/documents-required#changes-to-verification-requirement)

Updates to Singapore Employment Pass

Starting September 1, 2023, candidates applying for the Employment Pass must achieve a minimum of 40 points under the new points-based Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS). This updated COMPASS system assesses applications based on a range of criteria including salary, qualifications, company diversity, local employment support, skills bonus, and economic priority bonuses. Some cases may qualify for exemptions from COMPASS.

Applicants are exempt from COMPASS if they meet any of the following criteria:

Steps for Replacing an Employment Pass Card

1. Report and Apply for Replacement

If an Employment Pass card is lost, stolen, or damaged, the company or employment agent must apply for a replacement within one week.

For stolen cards, include a police report (in English) with the application.

2. Notify MOM if Overseas

If the Employment Pass holder is outside Singapore, the company must immediately inform MOM. MOM will issue a letter allowing the holder to re-enter Singapore.

3. Submit Replacement Application

Applications for replacement cards should be completed through MOM.

A non-refundable fee is required at the time of submitting the application.

4. Receive Replacement Card Letter

Once the application is approved, MOM will provide a replacement card letter with instructions for collecting the new card.

5. Collect the New Card

The new card must be collected from the Employment Pass Services Centre within four working days.

No appointment is mandatory, but the following documents are needed:

Original passport
Replacement card letter
Damaged card (if applicable)
Fill out the declaration form for any lost or stolen cards
Police report (for stolen cards)
Return of Lost Card

If the lost card is found, it must be returned to MOM.

Cancelling an Employment Pass

Timing: Please cancel within one week if the pass holder leaves employment or if the pass expires.

Pre-Cancellation: Obtain tax clearance from IRAS and arrange airfare for the pass holder’s return.

Cancellation Process: Use MOM to cancel the pass.

Post-Cancellation:

Return of Pass: The Employment Pass card must be returned to MOM within one week after cancellation.

Departure: Pass holders must present the Short-Term Visit Pass to immigration authorities when leaving Singapore.

FAQs

How long does it take to get an Employment Pass in Singapore?

Processing times vary based on the application method. Online applications usually take about three weeks, while manual submissions can take at least eight weeks from receipt.

Is a medical test required for an Employment Pass?

A medical exam is not typically required for an Employment Pass, but it may be needed in certain cases. The approval letter will specify if a medical test is necessary.

Can I bring my family to Singapore on an Employment Pass?

Employment Pass holders earning at least S$6,000 per month are eligible to bring their family members to reside in Singapore. Each family member needs to submit a separate application. Legally married spouses and children under 21 can obtain a Dependent Pass.

What if I lose my job while holding an Employment Pass?

If you lose your job, you have 30 days to stay in Singapore and find a new job. If you don’t secure a new Employment Pass within this period, you must leave Singapore and re-enter once a new pass is approved. Exceeding the 30-day limit may result in penalties and future work pass difficulties.

What Happens If I Change Employers?

If an Employment Pass holder switches jobs, the new employer must apply for a new Employment Pass. This applies to moves between subsidiaries and parent companies as well. Mom will evaluate the candidate’s qualifications and eligibility as part of the new application process. There is no need to cancel the current Employment Pass before applying for the new one.

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Everything you want to know About Singapore Employment Pass