Singapore Employment Pass (EP)
EP is a work visa issued by the Ministry of Manpower of Singapore to foreign professionals, managers, senior executives, technicians and directors of Singaporean companies. This work visa allows you to live and work in Singapore, as well as travel in and out of the country without applying for an entry visa.
An Employment Pass is usually valid for 1-2 years and can be renewed for up to 3 years. Having an EP also qualifies you to apply for Singapore Permanent Residence (PR) in the future.
How to get an EP?
To be eligible for a Singapore Employment Pass, you will need to:
- There is a job opportunity in Singapore.
- Work in management, executive or professional positions.
- A fixed monthly salary of at least S$5,000 (for those working in the financial services industry, a fixed monthly salary of at least S$5,500. Older, more experienced candidates require a higher salary).
- Possess an acceptable qualification, usually a good university degree, professional qualification or specialist skills.
Please note,
1. The above qualifications are general guidelines. Whether the EP application is approved or not is determined byMinistry of ManpowerMake a decision after review.
2. The Ministry of Manpower will implement the Complementary Expertise Assessment Framework (COMPASS) from September 1, 2023. Foreign applicants must obtain at least 40 points in several assessments including monthly salary, academic qualifications, corporate workforce diversity and support for the employment of locals before they can apply for the new EP.
3. In order to adjust some foreign labor policies, the Ministry of Manpower will increase the salary of newly applied EPs to at least S$5,600 and at least S$6,200 for the financial services industry from January 1, 2025. Those who renew their EP permits must meet the income threshold requirements from January 1, 2026.
What are the benefits?
1. If the monthly salary is higher than $6000, you can apply for a residence visa in Singapore for your family members:
a. Immediate family members (spouse and children under 21 years old) can apply for a Dependent Pass (DP).
b. Disabled children aged 21 or above and unmarried stepchildren under the age of 21 can apply for a Long Term Visit Pass (LTVP).
2. If the monthly salary is higher than $12000, you can apply for a long-term visit pass for your parents.
3. You can apply for Singapore permanent residency. (Introduction to Singapore permanent residency is at the bottom)
Application process for companies
1. Account number required for company registration number: Corppass, CPF, EPOL
2. Post a job advertisement on a job website in Singapore, describing the job duties of the applicant. The advertisement should wait for at least 14 days.
3. Submit EP application at EPOL, the application fee is S$105.
4. Depending on the company and applicant’s situation. Usually, the Ministry of Manpower will notify the company within 2-4 weeks to provide more applicant or company information, including but not limited to (a – g):
a. Applicant’s resume (in English).
b. Employment contract between the applicant and the company (in English).
c. Description of the applicant's duties.
d. The company’s provident fund payment records for the past three months.
e. The company’s salary payment vouchers for the past three months (bank statements, remittance slips, transfer receipts, etc.).
f. The company’s bank statements for the past three months.
g. The company’s existing contracts with major customers and suppliers.
5. Once the company information is submitted, the Ministry of Human Resources will notify the company of the application results in 2-4 weeks.
Documents required by applicants
1. EP application form. This form must be approved by the Singapore company employing the company.
2. Personal resume, detailing the applicant's work experience, experience and skills.
3. Copies of educational certificates and past employment references.
4. A copy of the applicant’s passport personal data page.
5. A copy of the applicant’s national ID card.
6. Singapore’s electronic entry visa.
7. One passport-sized photo taken within the past three months.
Notice:
1. Documents not in English must be officially translated into English.
2. According to the regulations of the Singapore Ministry of Manpower, applicants need to obtain academic qualifications certification from an institution designated by the Ministry of Manpower and submit the certification when applying. The designated certification institutions for different academic qualifications are also different.
More Singapore Work Pass Types
Singapore WP Pass (Work Permit)
The WP pass is a work permit set up by the Ministry of Manpower for foreign employees with no educational requirements. It is mainly issued to skilled or unskilled workers.
Applicant requirements: No salary or educational requirements; no criminal record.
Company requirements: Monthly foreign labor tax (Levy) of 450-950 SGD is required to be paid to the Ministry of Manpower; different industriesmatchForeheadIt shall not exceed the percentage specified by the Ministry of Manpower of the company's total number of employees; the company needs to purchase medical support of at least S$15,000 for WP employees and pay a guarantee of S$5,000.
limit:
1. WP cannot rent an entire house, only rooms are allowed.
2. Marriage between WP and PR or citizen needs approval from the human resources department; only after approval can they get married and have children.
3. You are not allowed to stay in Singapore during the application process.
4. Spouse: You cannot apply for a family pass (DP/LTVP) for your family members, nor can you directly apply for PR permanent residency.
5. Age limit: Applicants must be at least 18 years old and under 50 years old.
6. Children are not allowed to study in Singapore during work, and cannot enter and leave Singapore at will.
Consult Elite to help you find suitable job opportunities.
Singapore SP Pass (S Pass)
Applicant requirements:
1. Education requirements: college, bachelor's degree or technical qualification certification.
2. Salary requirements: Monthly salary of at least 3,000 SGD (S$3,500 for financial services);Salary and work experience must match;Older, more experienced candidates command higher salaries.
* According to the Ministry of Manpower, from September 1, 2025, the salary threshold for SPs will be adjusted to S$3,300 and S$3,800 for the financial services industry.
company request:
Monthly paymentForeign Worker Tax (Levy) SGD 330-SGD 650To the Ministry of Manpower;quotaThe percentage of the total number of employees in the company shall not exceed the percentage specified by the Ministry of Human Resources; the company needs to purchase SP employeesMedical support of at least S$15,000.
Benefits: (Same as EP holders)
1. If the monthly salary is higher than $6000, you can apply for a residence visa in Singapore for your family members:
a. Immediate family members (spouse and children under 21 years old) can apply for a Dependent Pass (DP).
b. Disabled children aged 21 or above and unmarried stepchildren under the age of 21 can apply for a Long Term Visit Pass (LTVP).
2. If the monthly salary is higher than $12000, you can apply for a long-term visit pass for your parents.
3. You can apply for Singapore permanent residency.
Singapore Entrepass
In addition to the Self-Employed Employment Pass (EP), the Ministry of Manpower has launched another pass for entrepreneurs who intend to start a business in Singapore, called the Entrepass. The relationship between the pass holder and the company is not an employment relationship, but the holder is the boss of the company.
The difference between Entrepreneur Pass and EP:
1. It is acceptable to have or not have local directors.
2. You can apply for a permit without registering the company first, and then register the company after approval; or you can register the company first and apply within 6 months of its establishment. It is more flexible.
3. The company can be 100% owned by itself and be the sole shareholder.
4. There is no restriction on academic qualifications.
If you have plans to do business in Singapore, Yili recommends that you apply for an Entrepreneur Pass. All applicants must meet the following conditions:
1. The company must be registered as a Singapore local private limited company.
2. The applicant must hold no less than 30% of the company’s shares.
3. The company must have a capital of at least S$50,000, fully paid up. Or invest in a Singapore startup company (the company has been registered for no more than 6 months).
4. All business dealings must be legal transactions.
5. The company has a local legal office location and provides a lease.
* The following industriesNot operational:
a. Coffee shops, hawker centres, food courts
b. Bars, nightclubs, karaoke
c. Foot massage centres and massage parlours
d. Acupuncture/TCM clinics, Chinese medicine stores
e. Employment agencies, Feng Shui shops
Singapore Entrepreneur PassApplication information:
1. Company name and business address
2. Passport/ID card copy and photo of the applicant
3. Applicant's resume
4. Complete and novel Singapore business plan (the client provides the version, and Xingkai Business will compile a formal English plan based on different clients and business models)
5. Certification of the applicant’s highest academic degree (the document must be stamped with the official seal of the notary office)
6. Other professional qualifications or membership certificates of the applicant
7. Letter of proof of the applicant’s work experience
8. The applicant’s home country’s corporate honors, personal honor certificates, and other relevant materials.
EntrePass Application Steps:
1. Industry selection
Applicants must clearly define the industry and business development plan they wish to pursue, as well as the feasibility of the industry in Singapore.
2. Choose the right patent/copyright/trademark
The patent, trademark or software copyright applied for must be related to the industry operating in Singapore, and the patent holder must be one of the shareholders of the company applying for the permit. (Details are introduced in the "Value-added Services-Trademark Registration" of this website.)
3. Material preparation (1 week)
Prepare applicant's personal information and applicant's company information.
Note: If the applicant has a company in China, it must be provided; if there is no company in China, personal work experience must be strengthened.
4. Business plan and application form filling (2 weeks)
Elite can providebusiness plan and assist you in completing the application form.
5. Submit materials (approval cycle is 6 weeks)
Submit application form, personal information, company information, and business plan.
Note: If you register your company first and then apply for an Entrepreneur Pass, please prepare the materials for step 6 first and then submit them together.
6. Obtain the approval in principle letter (6 weeks)
If you register a company first and then apply for an Entrepreneur Pass, please move this step forward to step 5 and prepare the company registration materials before submitting them. .... If you register a company first and then apply for an Entrepreneur Pass, please move this step forward to step 5.
7. In-Principle Approval and permit processing (2 weeks)
After getting the full approval letter, prepare the documents according to the instructions in the approval letter and go to the Employment Pass Services Centre to apply for the permit. (1 week)
8. Normally operating company
Finally, after the company has been operating normally for 12-14 months, the applicant can apply for permanent residency (PR) with his/her spouse and children under the age of 21. Whether the application is approved depends mainly on the applicant's personal conditions and the operation of his/her Singapore company. If the company has not contributed to Singapore's economy, employment, provident fund payment, taxation, etc., it will be difficult to approve the application for Singapore permanent residency (PR).
Personalised Employment Pass (PEP)
- A foreign professional working overseas and your last fixed monthly salary drawn overseas was at least S$18,000.
- The applicant’s last salary draw was within 6 months prior to the application.
- EP Employment Pass holders with a fixed monthly salary of at least S$12,000.
benefit:
- Generally, you can work in any department. However, PEP also requires applicants to meet the registration requirements of medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, architecture, law and other professions in Singapore before they can engage in this profession. (Most professions do not require a professional qualification certificate)
- If you change jobs, you do not need to reapply for a new pass; you only need to inform the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).
- Applicants are allowed to stay in Singapore for 6 consecutive months without working to look for new employment.
- The pass is usually valid for 3 years.
- Those who obtain a PEP permit can also apply for a long-term visa or family visa in Singapore for their children or parents more easily. The conditions are the same as those of SP/EP.
- Children of people who obtain a PEP permit can change schools in Singapore at will without having to hold a student visa