Singapore Employment Pass (EP)
What is a Singapore Employment Pass (EP)?
The Ministry of Manpower grants each EP with a validity of 1 or 2 years, and is renewable as long as the pass holder remains employed in the company. With an EP, you can travel in and out of Singapore with minimum hassle at the immigration. As an EP holder, you are also eligible to apply for permanent residency in Singapore.
Do I need an EP?
You will need an EP if you’re an entrepreneur who’s just incorporated a Singapore company and wishes to move here. Or if you’re a corporation looking to relocate your staff such as managing directors and management staff of the company.
Employment Pass Eligibility Requirements
To be considered for an EP, you must have a minimum fixed monthly salary of S$2,500 and possess one or more of the following:
- Recognised educational diploma/degree
- Professional qualifications
- Specialist skills
Your application is evaluated by the Ministry of Manpower based on your merits. There are also other factors may affect your application, such as:
- Salary
- Age
- Roles & responsibility
- Related work experience
- Company’s background
- Company’s paid up capital
- Current citizenship
A recognised educational qualification does not guarantee a successful EP application. You’ll also need to satisfy other criteria such as relevant work experience and/or professional skills. Similarly, an applicant without a recognised educational qualification may not necessarily be rejected for EP if he has other compensating factors.
Documents Required for Employment Pass (EP)
We will need the following documents for submission of Employment Pass visa application in Singapore:
- Resume or CV stating your educational and employment history
- Copies of educational certificates and past employment testimonials
- A copy of your passport details
Any documents that are not in English must be translated into English by an official translation service.
Pass Types
There are three categories of Employment Pass: P1, P2 and Q1 Pass. The P Pass is for foreigners seeking managerial, executive or specialist jobs. The EP does not fall under any quota system nor is there a monthly levy charge for EP.
- P1 Pass
For applicants earning a fixed monthly salary of more than S$7,000. - P2 Pass
For applicants earning a fixed monthly salary of more than S$3,500 and up to S$7,000, and he/she possesses recognised qualifications. - Q1 Pass
For applicants earning a fixed monthly salary of more than S$2,500 and he/she possesses recognised qualifications.
Employment Pass Eligibility Summary Table
| Pass Type | Factor One | Factor Two | Factor Three |
|---|---|---|---|
| P1 | Fixed monthly salary > S$7,000 |
Professional, Managerial, Executive, Specialist jobs | |
| P2 | Fixed monthly salary > S$3,500 |
Professional, Managerial, Executive, Specialist jobs | Recognised qualifications |
| Q1 | Fixed monthly salary > S$2,500 |
Recognised qualifications | In lieu of recognised qualifications, we may also consider compensatory factors such as skills and years of experience (we recommend a minimum of 5 years relevant work experience) |
Procedure and Timeline
We can apply for your EP in 3 Simple Steps. We submit all Employment Pass applications electronically to Ministry of Manpower as the application process is shorter. This means you will also learn of your application outcome sooner.
STEP 1
We shall apply for authorisation code required to submit EP applications online for newly incorporated company. It takes 7-14 days for Ministry of Manpower to send the authorisation code.
STEP 2
Once we obtained the authorisation code, your EP application will be submitted online. The Ministry of Manpower takes between 1-15 days to issue an approval.
STEP 3
Once the application is approved, the Ministry of Manpower will issue an In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter via email. The IPA letter must be produced upon collection of the EP at the Work Pass Division at Ministry of Manpower. An IPA letter is valid for Six months from the date of notification of approval.
To collect your EP you’ll need to bring:
- A copy of the IPA letter
- Recently taken passport size photograph
- Original passport with the entry embarkation cards
- Medical exam report* (if the In-Principle Approval states that you require one)
- Any other documents that are requested in the approval letter
* You can get a medical examination done in your own country through an established clinic/hospital or in Singapore. Most clinics in Singapore can provide medical examination and report within a day.
Employment Pass Validity
- Validity period for first-time applicants is up to two years
- Validity for EP renewals is up to three years
Entry Visa into Singapore
If you are overseas and require an entry visa to Singapore, your IPA letter will include a single journey entry visa. Upon your arrival in Singapore, we will make an appointment with Ministry of Manpower on your behalf for finger printing. Your pass will be ready in 4 days after you complete the procedures.
You may collect the pass at Ministry of Manpower personally or authorise AsiaBiz to collect it on your behalf.
Rejection of Employment Pass Application
In the event that your Employment Pass application is rejected, AsiaBiz shall lodge an inquiry with the Ministry of Manpower. Based on the reasons provided by the Ministry, we will submit an appeal that will address the issues outlined by the government body and also include all additional documents, if any, that they request for. The Ministry of Manpower will take a minimum of three weeks or more to review your appeal.
Change of Employer
You must apply for a new pass whenever you change employers. There is no need to cancel the existing pass before applying for a new pass. The Ministry of Manpower evaluates each application for a new pass based the applicant’s qualifications, work experience, and employer credentials. Once the new pass is approved, you shall have to arrange for the old pass to be cancelled by your old employer issuing a letter requesting the same.
Renewal of Employment Pass
The Ministry of Manpower will send an Employment Pass Renewal Form to your employer two months before your EP expires. You should submit the renewal application at least 4 weeks prior to the expiration of your EP. Upon approval, your employer will receive a letter of notification and your new pass is ready for pick up at the Ministry of Manpower.
Permanent Residence Eligibility
EP holders of P1, P2 and Q status are eligible to apply to become a Permanent Residence through the Professional, Technical & Skilled Workers scheme. There is no designated waiting period but one of the documents required is 6 months of salary record, therefore you should plan your application at least 6 months ahead. However, it is advisable for Q1 pass holders to wait at least 2 years before applying for permanent residency.
Passes for Family Members
All Employment Pass holders can apply for Dependant Pass and/or Long-Term Visit Pass for their family members.
| Pass type granted to EP holder | Dependant Pass | Long-term Visa Pass |
|---|---|---|
| P | Yes for
|
Yes for
|
| Q1 | Yes for
|
No |