Understanding The Employment Pass Process In Singapore

Suitable for foreign professionals, managers and executives with a job offer in Singapore who meet the eligibility criteria are eligible for the Employment Pass (EP). Applicants need to have a fixed monthly salary comparable to the top one-third of local PMET salaries, starting from $5,000 and increases progressively with age, up to $10,500 for those in the mid-40s.

The initial duration of the pass is up to 2 years for first time candidates and up to 3 years for renewals.

Employers can choose whether to provide medical insurance for EP holders.

Features of the pass:

• Availability of passes for eligible family members.

• No foreign worker levy or quota required.

Employers submitting Employment Pass (EP) applications must first advertise the job on MyCareersFuture for at least 14 days and consider all candidates consider all candidates fairly. For example:

Source: Ministry of Manpower

Employers are exempted from the job posting requirements is they meet any of the following criteria:

• Your company has fewer than 10 employees.

• The fixed monthly salary for the vacancy is $22,500 and above.

• The role is short-term, i.e. not more than 1 month.

• The role is to be filled by a local transferee.

EP applicants also need to pass the points-based Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS) scoring 40 points from the framework.

Note: Candidates who do not meet stage 1 (minimum salary criteria) will not be eligible for an EP, regardless of the points they would have scored under COMPASS. The 2-stage eligibility framework applies to new EP applications from 1 September 2023, and renewals of EPs expiring from 1 September 2024.

Source: Ministry of Manpower

For example, if you have a small firm where:

• Firm-related attributes: The organisation has a small PMET employment of 1.

• Candidate attributes: The candidate is an Operations Manager and holds a bachelor’s degree from a foreign university (not in the top-tier list). The candidate’s salary is at the 70th percentile compared to local PMET salaries in this sector.

Source: Ministry of Manpower

Verification proof requirements

You must ensure that candidates’ qualifications are authentic and were awarded by accredited institutions. Candidate’s qualifications are verified once only and no further verification will be required on subsequent submissions

Source: Ministry of Manpower

Apply for the Employment Pass

The employing company or a registered Employment Agency can apply for the candidates’ EP via MyMOM Portal. For overseas registered companies that do not have a Singapore-registered office, you must get a local Citizen or a Singapore Permanent Resident to act as your local sponsor for the EP application.

The processing time is approximately 10 working days, but may be subjected to delays should MOM require additional information or documents. Ultimately, the processing time and application outcome is at the discretion of the Ministry of Manpower officers.

Documents required for the EP application include:

Current passport with a minimum validity of 7 months

Education certificates and transcripts

Education verification report issued by the list of MOM approved background screening companies

Marriage Certificate (Only required if you have an accompanying dependent)

Birth certificate of children (Only required if you have an accompanying child)

Updated Resume

Prepare For Arrival in Singapore

If the EP application is approved, the candidate and employer will receive an In-Principal Approval Letter which is valid for 6 months. It serves as a single entry visa for the candidate to enter Singapore, hence there is no need to obtain a separate arrival visa. Remember to check the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority’s (ICA) website for entry requirements.

Post-Arrival Formalities to Issue the Employment Pass (EP)

The EP should be activated after the candidate has completed any post-arrival formalities which can include medical checkups, obtaining a local residential address, and a local contact number.

Once the pass is issued, the candidate and the employer will receive the notification letter by email. The notification letter is valid for 1 month from the date of issue and:

Allows the candidate to start work and travel in and out of Singapore while waiting for the pass card.

The letter will state if registration of fingerprints and photo is required.