Singapore Employment Pass (EP) Guide 2025: Eligibility, Application & Renewal Steps

 

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It's hard to get your Singapore Employment Pass (EP) sorted, isn't it? All that red tape and bureaucracy....

We feel your pain.

Applying for a Singapore Employment Pass can be difficult, stressful and time-consuming, especially when it comes to fulfilling the complex documents and government requirements for the Singapore EP you need to meet.

Don't worry, Piloto Asia is here to help!

In this comprehensive guide, we will guide you through every step of the Singapore Employment Pass application process, from understanding the eligibility, how to qualify for an EP, gathering the required documents for the Singapore Employment Pass, submitting your EP application and appealing for EP rejection (of course we don't want this to happen but just in case....).

What is an Employment Pass (EP)

An Employment Pass is a work visa that allows foreign professionals to work in Singapore.

To be eligible for an EP, you must have a job offer from a Singapore-based company and meet the minimum salary requirements. If you are successful in your application, you will be granted a work pass by Singapore's Ministry of Manpower (MOM) that is valid for up to two years. The EP can be renewed for up to 3 years.

Employment Pass holders may also be eligible to apply for Singapore Permanent Residence (SPR).

Who can apply for Singapore Employment Pass?

It's not the foreign employee who applies for the Employment Pass; it's the employer or appointed employment agent who does so on behalf of the applicant.

If you are an overseas employer with no registered office in Singapore, you must have a local sponsor submit the Employment Pass application on your behalf.

What are the eligibility criteria for the Singapore Employment Pass (EP)?

For a foreign employee applying for the Employment Pass, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) requires the foreign nationals to pass the following Singapore Employment Pass eligibility criteria:

  • Have a job offer from a Singapore-registered company.

  • The job offer should be a role that is either a specialist, a manager, or an executive.

  • You need to be sponsored by a Singapore-registered company to get an employment pass.

  • From 1 January 2025, new Employment Pass (EP) applicants in the non-financial services sector must meet a minimum qualifying salary of S$5,600 per month. This salary requirement increases with age, with older and more experienced candidates expected to have higher minimum qualifying salaries, up to S$10,700 per month for those aged 45 and above.

  • Meanwhile, new Employment Pass (EP) applicants in the financial services sector must meet a minimum fixed monthly salary of S$6,200. This salary requirement increases with age, with older and more experienced candidates expected to have higher minimum qualifying salaries, up to S$11,800 per month for those aged 45 and above.

  • Foreign professionals applying for an Employment Pass (EP) must possess acceptable qualifications, which typically include a good university degree from a reputable institution, specialized skills, or professional qualifications. The evaluation is based on the quality of the institution and the relevance of the qualifications to the job role.

Update as of Jan 1, 2025

The new Employment Pass (EP) requirements in Singapore are indeed as follows: The minimum qualifying salary for new applicants has increased to S$5,600 per month for non-financial sectors and S$6,200 per month for financial sectors. These revised salary thresholds will also apply to EP renewals starting January 1, 2026.

If you want to know whether you are eligible for the EP, MOM has created a Self Assessment Tool. This tool can be used as a general guideline, but there can be exceptions or additional document requirements for senior-level management and specialized skills jobs.


Can you apply for EP if you are an existing EP holder or foreign professional with high earnings?

If you are an existing EP holder or a high-earning foreign professional, you may qualify for the Personalised Employment Pass (PEP), a flexible work pass that allows you to work in Singapore without being tied to a specific employer. Starting September 1, 2023, the minimum fixed monthly salary required to qualify for the PEP is S$22,500. This non-renewable pass is valid for up to 3 years. After its expiry, you may apply for another pass, such as an Employment Pass (EP), if you meet the eligibility criteria.


Introduction to a New Point-Based System as Part of the Employment Pass Eligibility Criteria

Starting in September 2023, the Singapore Ministry of Manpower will use a new point-based system to evaluate if Employment Pass applicants are qualified. This system is called the Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS).

  • This means that EP applicants must meet not only qualifying salary requirements but also score enough points on the point-based system in order to be eligible for an EP.

  • There are several criteria in the point-based system, e.g.

    • Salary

    • Educational qualifications

    • Diversity

    • Support for local employment

    • Skills bonus (i.e. whether your role is on the shortage occupation list), and

    • Strategic economic priorities bonus (i.e. the Singapore Government is looking for partners to work with on ambitious innovation or internationalisation activities).

Employees with EP’s expiring on 1 Sept 2024 must go through COMPASS for EP renewal.

Note for Employers Sponsoring Your Foreign Workers for EP

When you want to hire a foreign worker, your Singapore company will be evaluated by MOM. There are a few things your company needs to do before you can employ a non-Singaporean employee. MOM needs to verify:

  • The percentage of local employees in the company as compared to the industry average.

  • Is the company committed to hiring and improving Singaporean talent?

  • Company's contribution to Singapore's society and economy.

9 Easy Steps of the Employment Pass Application Process

Here is the summary of the process of applying for an Employment Pass in Singapore. Most of the action items are related to employers or employment agents, while some are related to candidates. We will make a note next to each item for your easy reference.

We will also explain each item in more detail later in this article.

EP Application Procedures

Photo Credit: MOM

A) Before applying for Employment Pass (EP)

  • Step 1: Make sure to consider all candidates - both local and foreigners - fairly before you apply for an Employment Pass. The Fair Consideration Framework states that Singapore companies must advertise the role on MyCareersFuture for at least 14 days before the EP application for the foreign employee. This allows locals to have a fair chance at getting the job. (For employer/employment agent, i.e. EA)

  • Step 2: Understand the Singapore Employment Pass eligibility stated above (For employer/EA & candidate)

  • Step 3: Know what documents are required for the Employment Pass application (For employer/EA & candidate)

B) Before the Candidate Arrives in Singapore

  • Step 4: Submit the Employment Pass Application using myMOM Portal once you have decided on a candidate (For employer/EA). Remember, you need to get written permission from the candidate before applying for the EP on his behalf (For employer/EA & candidate).

    • Note that if you are an overseas company without a local presence, you cannot apply for EP via myMOM Portal. Instead, you will need to download the EP Sponsorship Form and submit the filled Employment Pass form here.

  • Step 5: Wait for the In-principle approval or rejection letter by MOM. The Employment Pass application will be processed by MOM within 3 weeks.

    • If the application is successful, you will receive an in-principle approval (IPA) letter. This letter is valid for six months.

    • If the application is unsuccessful, you will receive a rejection letter.

C) Bring the candidate into Singapore (if successful EP application)

  • Step 6: If the EP application is successful, the next step is for the employer to bring the candidate into Singapore within 6 months of in-principle approval.

  • Step 7: The employer will need to get the Employment Pass issued and register the candidate's fingerprints and photo (if required) (For employer/EA & candidate).

  • Step 8: Receive the pass card from MOM The last step is for the employer to receive the pass card from MOM. The pass card will be valid for two years. (For candidate).

  • Step 9: After that, the employer can apply for a renewal of the Employment Pass (For Employer/EA).

What documents are required to be submitted when applying for an Employment Pass (EP)?

The employer or employment agent must submit the following documents to the Ministry of Manpower to apply for EP.

  1. Copy of the candidate's updated resume.

  2. Copies of the candidate's educational certificates.

  3. Testimonials or references from candidate's previous employers.

  4. Candidate’s passport size photograph that was taken in the past 3 months.

  5. Copy of passport pages with the personal details of the candidate.

  6. Copy of the company's current ACRA business profile, or the details registered with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority.

  7. Copy of detailed description of the candidate's job profile.

  8. Copy of detailed description of products and or activities performed by the employing Singapore Company.

Additional documents for Indian candidates

In addition to the documents mentioned above, the candidates from India need to submit transcripts for all semesters stating the college attended.

Additional documents for Chinese candidates

Apart from the documents mentioned above, the candidates from China need to submit a diploma in English that comes from the following sources:

  • Academic Degrees, and Graduate Education Information, China

  • Career Centre and Higher Education Student Information, China 

  • Dataflow Group: It is a third-party service that helps in background verification for the EP candidate's educational qualifications.


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What is the Singapore Employment Pass Processing Time?

If you are sponsored by a Singapore-registered company, it can take up to 3 weeks for MOM approval. However, if your employer is an overseas company without an office in the city-state, then be prepared for a much longer EP processing time in Singapore - up to 8 weeks!

Sometimes, they may also request more supporting documents in order to fully consider whether or not you are eligible. That means it will take longer than the time mentioned before they make a final decision.

How to Check Singapore Employment Pass (EP) Status Online?

To check the status of your EP application or EP itself,

  1. Go to MOM eServices - Check work pass and application status.

  2. Enter in some basic personal information like date of birth and passport number/FIN.

  3. You will then be able to see the updates on applications you have made within the last 6 months.

  4. You can also check the expiry date of your work pass from there.

Why is your Employment Pass application rejected?

There are several common reasons why an EP application might be rejected by MOM.

  • Trying to apply for a position that does not qualify as a managerial, executive or specialized job.

  • The monthly salary is below S$5,600 - this is the current minimum amount stipulated by MOM as of Jan 2025.

  • The candidate applies for the EP instead of the employer or employment agent.

  • The candidate doesn't have the necessary qualifications that are required for the job you're applying to.

  • Your employer has not been able to provide evidence of a genuine need to hire a foreign worker for the position.

  • There are already enough suitably qualified local Singaporeans who can do the job you are applying for.

  • The hiring process is not deemed fair under the Fair Consideration Framework.

  • Your employer has a history of discriminatory HR practices.

  • Your employer's business operations and financials are not in good standing.

  • There are discrepancies in the information provided by the applicant.

  • Your employer has a bad reputation with MOM.

  • If you are a business owner looking to register a company in Singapore and obtain an EP, having a paid-up capital of less than S$50,000 could result in your EP application being rejected. This is because MOM might perceive your company as not having enough liquidity to pay your salary.

How do I appeal an Employment Pass rejection?

The employing company or the employment agent, whoever applied for the EP earlier, can appeal the rejection within 3 months. The Ministry of Manpower does not entertain appeals from the candidates directly.

When appealing to the EP rejection, it is essential to address the issues mentioned in the rejection letter; otherwise, the result will not change. So don't rush and take your time to put together a well-thought-out appeal.

It will take about 6 weeks for MOM to process your appeal.

Can the Employment Pass holders bring their family members to Singapore?

Can you bring your family to Singapore on an Employment Pass? Yes you can by applying DP and LTVP for them.

An EP holder earning a fixed monthly salary of S$6000 at least, can bring their family to stay in Singapore. For this, their employing company is required to submit a separate application for each family member.

There are two types of passes available to family members.

  • Dependent's Pass

  • Long Term Visit Pass

Dependent Pass vs Long Term Visit Pass

A Dependent Pass (DP) can be granted to the following family members of the Employment Pass holders

  • Legally married spouses

  • Unmarried children under the 21 years

The validity of DP is the same as that of the EP.

Following family members can also apply for a Long Term Visit Pass:

  • A Common-law spouse

  • Handicapped unmarried children above the age of 21 years

  • Unmarried step-children under the age of 21 years

  • Parent of the EP holders meeting the minimum monthly salary requirement of S$12,000

Can I change my job while I am holding an EP?

Employees can change their job while holding an EP. The new employer will need to apply for a new Employment Pass. 

The new application will be viewed based on the merits and other conditions.

Can I renew my Employment Pass?

Yes your EP can be renewed if you meet MOM’s requirements, though the renewal application can only be done by your employer or employment agent.

Your employer will receive the renewal form at the registered office address, usually 3 months before the expiration date. Or the employer can apply for the renewal online, 6 months before the expiration date.

Your EP can be extended for up to 3 years with a successful renewal application. Once given the green light, you will receive an in-principle letter of approval (IPA) and follow the same steps required for obtaining your first EP.

How can I cancel the Employment Pass?

The Employment Pass needs to be cancelled if the employee leaves the job; the cancelled pass card also needs to be returned. All the Long Term Visit Passes, Dependent passes, and the Letter of consent will also be cancelled after cancelling the EP.

When to cancel EP

  • If the employee decides to leave the job, the Employment Pass needs to be cancelled within one week of the notice period's last day.

  • A day after the Employment Pass expiration date.

  • If the EP holder chooses to leave Singapore permanently, the EP can be cancelled within one week of the departure date.

Who can cancel EP?

  • Designated Employment Agent

  • Employing Company

How long does it take to cancel EP?

EP cancellation is immediate.

Before cancelling the EP, the employer needs to follow formalities like clearing the pending salaries, seeking the tax clearance documents, and resolving all the disputes between employee and employer. The employer also needs to ensure that the employee has a return ticket to their home country unless the employee is ready to bear the expenses.We hope this article helped you to get a general overview of the Employment Pass in Singapore; a few conditions may vary based on the Ministry of Manpower's criteria.

We can support your EP application

Drop us an email. Our immigration specialist can help with the EP application for you and your company staff.

FAQ about Singapore Employment Pass (EP)

With over 13 years of experience in the Internet marketing industry, Justin has honed his skills in content marketing for 11 years. He is dedicated to providing solutions to customers' problems and delivering valuable information. Having worked for multinational companies in the UK, USA, and Australia, Justin brings a wealth of expertise to his role as Marketing Manager at Piloto Asia. His top priority is creating top-notch content that helps non-residents gain a better understanding of Singapore's work environment and lifestyle.

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