Contents
Eligibility / who can apply for EP?
- Anyone can apply for an employment pass, regardless of nationality.
- An employment offer from Singapore must be made to the foreign professional.
- A managerial, executive or specialized position must be available.
- Candidates must be fully immunized against COVID-19 by February 1, 2022, in order to be approved for an employment pass.
- Candidates must possess sufficient credentials, which typically include a college degree, professional certifications, and/or specialized knowledge.
- Earn a fixed monthly wage that is comparable to the top third of the age group of the local PMET workforce.
- The Employment Pass for a candidate must be requested by an employer or authorized third party.
- We recommend using the Self-Assessment Tool (SAT) to determine whether a candidate satisfies the requirements for an Employment Pass. The tool can be used by candidates to determine their eligibility.
Procedure to apply and obtain an Employment Pass (EP) in Singapore
Step 1 Submit the application
- Applications can be submitted online by businesses. Companies from other countries that don’t have a Singaporean registered office must manually submit an application over the mail with a local sponsor. A S$105 application fee is due from the firm or employment agent for both manual and online applications.
- MyMOM Portal accepts online applications, and it often takes three weeks or more to process them. (This portal will take the place of the earlier service, EP Online, as of June 15, 2020.)
- Manual mail-in applications must be submitted in person at a SingPost facility and take at least eight weeks to process. All necessary paperwork, including the Employment Pass Application Form, must be included.
Step 2 Receive the in-principal approval
- The applicant will obtain the IPA through myMOM if the application is accepted. After receiving the IPA, the applicant has six months to travel to Singapore and ask MOM to issue the employment pass.
Step 3 Request MOM to issue EP
When requesting that MOM provide an Employment Pass, the applicant must be present in Singapore. Companies and employment agencies must submit the following through the myMOM site in order to receive the pass.
- Candidate’s passport details
- Candidate’s Singapore contact details
- Information regarding the candidate’s existing Short-Term Visit Pass (STVP) or immigration pass.
- Candidate’s Singapore home address, which must comply with the housing standards.
- To receive the candidate’s card, provide a Singapore residential or business address.
- The issuing of the pass requires payment of S$225.
- identifying information for up to 3 authorized card receivers (their mobile number, email address and NRIC number, FIN or passport number)
- Must also upload a PDF of the Completed medical examination form or medical declaration form.
- Page of the candidate’s passport indicating their entry date in Singapore
- completed declaration form (joined to the candidate’s letter of preliminary approval). The form must be signed by an authorized member of the human resources department or by an employee who has at least a managerial level.
Step 4 Get a notification
- The candidate may work and travel in and out of Singapore during the month that the notification letter is in effect. The notification letter will also include whether the candidate needs to have their fingerprints recorded and their picture was taken.
Step 5 Register fingerprint and photo if required
Within two weeks of receiving their Employment Pass, new applicants as well as applicants who last applied more than five years ago must register their fingerprints and have their pictures taken. The Employment Pass Services Center must schedule an appointment for prospective applicants. Candidates must be prepared with the following documents at the appointment:
- Original passport
- Appointment letter
- Notification letter
Step 6 Receive the card.
- After the candidate registers and has their documents validated at EPSC, we will deliver the card to the specified address within 5 working days.
Documents required
- The candidate’s passport’s personal information page.
- The most recent business profile or immediate information about the company as it is listed with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA).
- The candidate’s academic credentials (e.g., degree certification)
- Written authorization from the applicant permitting the business or employment agent to submit an application on their behalf.
- any other records that MOM may ask for
Cost
- For each pass, $225. $30 for each Multiple Journey Visa (where applicable).
Validity
- An Employment Pass can be renewed after its initial validity period of one to two years. You can apply for Singaporean permanent residence (PR) more easily if you have an EP.
Processing time
- It is generally processed within 10 business days or updated.
How to submit the application using myMOM?
- Log in or create the myMom portal.
- Fill in the application and upload the required documents.
- Pay the $105 application cost with a GIRO, VISA, or MasterCard.
- After ten working days, check the status of your application. Obtaining more information might make it take longer. You can send the needed documents if MOM sends you an email throughout the application process asking for more details.
- Log into EP Online to print the in-principle approval (IPA) letter if the pass is approved, then give the candidate a copy of the IPA. You have six months under the IPA to bring the candidate to Singapore and obtain the pass.
How to Check the Application Status of Employment Pass (EP) in Singapore
- Login to the myMom portal.
- Verify your application’s status after ten working days. It can take longer if you gather additional information. If MOM sends you an email throughout the application process requesting more information, you can reply with the required documentation.
EP Online transactions Peak hours/periods
Daily from 10 am to 12 pm, and 2 pm to 4 pm.
Mondays and days just before or after a public holiday.
