Singapore Employment Pass: An Introduction
- Modified: 30 June 2025
- 12 min read
- Running a Business
Lim Wan Er
Author
Always game for a good cup of iced latte and soggy fries, Lim Wan Er indulges in a solo vacation at least once a year for the sole purpose of exploring the local cuisine.
Deepti Laddha
Reviewer
Deepti Laddha, our Head of Corporate Operations in Singapore, brings a decade of experience to her role, supporting our business writers in crafting insightful and engaging articles. With a strong background in corporate services, Deepti is a rich source of knowledge and expertise. We can count on her to assist in transforming any definition, concept or complicated jargon into helpful tips that help our readers take their businesses to the next level.
Looking to relocate to Singapore for work? You’ll need an Employment Pass, also known as an EP. This is a type of renewable Singapore work visa which allows you to live and work in Singapore, whether you’re an employee, business owner or somewhere in between. It’s the most common relocation option for foreigners who want to open a business or move to Singapore.
Key Takeaways
- The Employment Pass is for foreign professionals earning at least S$5,600 per month in managerial, executive, or specialised roles, with recognised qualifications. It is intended for skilled individuals who can contribute to Singapore’s economy and fill important roles in various industries.
- Applications are submitted online to the Ministry of Manpower and typically take around three weeks to process. Providing all required documents accurately can help ensure a smooth and timely application.
- Unlike other work passes, the Employment Pass has no quota limitations, which means eligible candidates can apply regardless of the number of foreign workers already employed by the company. This makes it a popular choice for both employers and foreign professionals.
What Is an Employment Pass?
An Employment Pass (EP) is a work visa issued by Singapore's Ministry of Manpower (MoM) to foreign professionals employed by companies based in Singapore. It is designed for skilled workers, including managers, executives, and directors, who are eligible to work for Singaporean companies.
Typically valid for up to two years, the EP can be renewed upon expiry. It is comparable to work visas in other countries like the USA, Australia, and the UK, which are granted to qualified professionals to support skilled employment needs.
Entrepreneurs can also apply for an EP after incorporating in Singapore, enabling them to relocate and run their business operations. However, unless they have been incorporated for six months or more, they should apply for an Entrepreneur Pass.
There are no official quota limitations when issuing Employment Passes which makes the application processes for an EP fairly quick. In contrast, the S Pass has a maximum quota meaning that if you exceed a certain percentage of S Pass holders in your organisation, you need to increase your local workforce or reduce the number of foreign employees.
Why Do I Need an Employment Pass in Singapore?
An Employment Pass allows foreign professionals, managers and executives to work in Singapore and is regulated by the Ministry of Manpower. You have to meet a series of eligibility criteria for the EP, including:
- Having a job offer in Singapore
- Working in a managerial, executive or specialised role
- Earn a fixed salary of at least $5,600 per month
- Have acceptable qualifications such as a degree from a university or other professional qualifications alongside specialised skills
Having an EP also allows you to move in and out of the country without the need for an entry visa, and it makes it easier to apply for permanent residence.
Looking to apply for an Employment Pass? Our Employment Pass application services can guide you through the process, ensuring that your application meets all requirements and increasing your chances of success. Contact us today!
Processing Time for an Employment Pass in Singapore
Employment Pass applications are usually processed within a minimum of 3 weeks.
If the Ministry has rejected your employment pass application, don’t worry: you can appeal for it online within three months to re-assessment. The appeal shall take minimum of three weeks to be assessed.
It’s important to be aware that you should only appeal if you can address the issues in the rejection advisory. You may need to submit further information or documents to the MoM to help highlight your eligibility.
You can save time and stress by having Osome do this for you. Our experts will be able to help you understand why your previous application was unsuccessful and make the necessary changes to help submit your employment pass application.
How To Apply for an Employment Pass in Singapore
All Employment Pass applications must now be submitted online via the Ministry of Manpower. Manual applications are no longer accepted.
Applicants need to provide supporting documents as part of the online process. On average, it takes around three weeks for applications to be processed, though it may take longer during peak periods.
You can track your application status through the myMOM Portal. Once approved, you’ll receive an In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter — this is required to collect your pass, along with your passport and any other documents MoM may request.
Osome can handle the entire application for you, so you won’t need to fly into Singapore until your pass is ready and issued.
Understand the requirements
All foreigners who intend to work in Singapore must have a valid work visa before they can start their employment.
You need an EP in Singapore for managerial, executive or specialist roles. This visa allows you to live and work in Singapore, as well as travel in and out of the country. It can also be used to start a business in Singapore. There are a number of requirements and essential documents you must provide when applying for an EP in Singapore. Be advised that any non-English documents will need to be translated into English by an official translator.
The application process via MoM is varied and nuanced. There is no set formula or golden rule for a successful application. Applications are not automatically approved and each is judged individually on its merits.
Make sure you meet the criteria
To get your EP approved, you must meet the following criteria:
- Earn at least S$5,600 a month (or S$6,200 in the financial sector)
- Hold professional experience that matches the job description
- Be university-educated or hold professional qualifications at a similar level
- Achieve a minimum of 40 points under the points-based Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS)
If you meet all of the above criteria, there are some additional factors which may affect the success of your applications. These include nationality, age, and the type of position you hold, as well as how established the company is. The sector and economic viability of the company are also considered, along with the ratio of foreign to local employees in the business. We cover these in more detail in the next section.
Applicants should also be aware that, candidates are required to meet a minimum of 40 points under the new points-based Complementary Assessment Framework (COMPASS). You can find out more about the planned changes to the Employment Pass application process on the MoM website.
Final application process
To apply for an EP, the Ministry of Manpower requires copies of the following documents in English:
- Personal particulars page of the candidate’s passport, with an explanation letter if names differ
- Company’s latest business profile registered with ACRA
- Verification proof of candidate’s qualifications, e.g., certified via recognised verification portals or accredited background screening providers
Certain roles (e.g., healthcare professionals, lawyers, football coaches) require additional documents from their professional bodies.
Make sure your verification documents are submitted properly to prevent any delays in processing your application.
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What Other Factors Might Impact the Outcome of My Employment Pass Application?
Whilst you need to meet the criteria we’ve shared so far in this article, the Ministry of Manpower takes into account many other factors when issuing employment passes. In particular, the candidate’s background and the business’s hiring credentials impact whether you’re likely to get approved. As we touched on earlier, there are some other areas the MoM may look at when processing applications including:
- Your nationality
- Your age and salary
- The type of position or level of responsibility you hold in the company
- How established the business is including paid-up capital and past revenue
- What sector the business operates within
- The economic viability of the business
- The ratio of foreign to local employees
Let’s look at these in more detail to help you understand how they might affect the success of your application.
Company industry or sector
In Singapore, some sectors are prioritised over others, usually those which contribute more to the country’s economic growth. This means that applications for the EP are more likely to be accepted if the company wants to employ someone within one of these industries.
However, the Singapore government has now brought in a new programme called Tech@SG, with the aim of providing more lenient pass-issuing procedures. If this is a success, there is a chance that foreigners seeking business and work in Singapore could experience more favourable pass regulations in the future.
Salary or earnings
The Ministry of Manpower requires the salary of all candidates to be in line with their skills and experience, as well as be considered competitive in Singapore.
Salary is one of the key factors affecting the issue of an EP, and if two applicants have the same criteria elsewhere, the applicant with the higher salary is more likely to be successful in their application.
Remember that the minimum salary requirement for the EP is S$5,600 per month, increasing to S$6,200 for those under employment in the financial sector.
If your current company has a branch in Singapore, applying for an internal transfer can improve your chances of securing an Employment Pass — companies are often more willing to navigate the application and appeal process for existing staff.
Head of Corporate Services
Qualifications, skills and experiences
Much like the salary, an applicant’s skills and experience should be appropriate to the role, and qualifications should be relevant. After looking at the CV or resume, the MoM will interrogate the job description and try to understand the candidate’s knowledge of the role and responsibilities, and how they plan to make an economic impact.
If a role requires highly specific qualifications or special skills that are not commonplace in the local workforce, the candidate’s application will be treated favourably. You will also be more likely to have a successful application if you provide testimonials or references from previous employers. This helps to validate your skills, and show that they are of a high standard.
Company Finances and EP Applications
While there is no fixed paid-up capital requirement for an Employment Pass (EP), the financial health of your company can impact your application's success. Ministry of Manpower assesses factors such as your company's revenue, capital, and business pipeline to determine its ability to sustain the EP holder's salary.
If your company has limited financial history, you may need to provide supporting documents to demonstrate its viability. If you're unsure about your eligibility, the Osome team can help guide you through the process.
Application and renewal of Singapore Employment Pass online
A visa that allows you to work and reside in Singapore from S$ 950. We will take care of the application and handle the process quickly and easily.
Appealing an Employment Pass Rejection
If your EP application is rejected, don’t panic. There are still steps you can take to keep the process moving and improve your chances of having it approved.
If your application is rejected, you have the right to appeal the decision for up to three months after the rejection. This appeal can only be made by the employer or a hired employer agency and must be lodged by whoever submitted the original application for the candidate.
In most cases, the MoM will list the reasons for rejection and highlight where additional information is required. It’s important that you review the reasons for rejection carefully to make sure you fully understand what is required. It would be highly frustrating to submit the wrong information for your appeal, only to have your application rejected again!
The appeal process can take anywhere from three to six weeks after it is submitted. If you need some support with your application or have had an application rejected and need help understanding what’s required, get in touch with one of our advisers who’ll be happy to help.
Renewing Your Employment Pass
Employment Passes are usually valid for one to two years. However, the renewal request can actually be submitted up to six months before the pass expires. Please note that renewal requests can only be submitted by the employer or a licensed agent.
Renewing your EP is a fairly easy process. The letter sent by the MoM will have a pre-printed form that will have to be signed by both the employer and employee. This should then be submitted to the EPOL system.
The renewal request must be submitted through the Employment Pass online system, and it must reach the Ministry of Manpower at least three weeks before your pass is due to expire in order to give enough time for processing. If you don’t renew it before the expiration date, you’ll have to apply for a completely new EP.
As with the original application, once your EP has been approved, you’ll receive an in-principle letter of approval. When you get your new pass, you should return the old card to the MoM.
Bear in mind that policies change all the time, so if you have previously received an EP, you are not automatically entitled to receive one again. Make sure that you still meet all the required criteria, and that you or your company do not present any reason for the MoM to reject your renewal.
Cancelling Your Employment Pass
If you are no longer employed or your employment contract expires, your company must cancel your employment pass within one week.
Cancellation of an Employment Pass can be completed online and the card must be returned to the MoM within one week. The business you work for is responsible for making sure that the EP cardholder has paid their taxes. They must get tax clearance from the IRAS and will usually withhold the employee’s last month’s salary until the IRAS provides a tax clearance certificate.
Once the pass has been cancelled, a letter acknowledging the cancellation will be sent to the pass holder, along with a short-term visit pass (valid for 30 days), if they are still in the country. Any dependents’ passes will also be cancelled, along with work permits and other passes associated with the original EP.
If you change employers, you need to apply for a new one to make sure that you still meet all the required criteria. The MoM will evaluate the application for the new pass based on your qualifications, experience and employer credentials. You must cancel your old pass in order for the new EP to be issued.
What Happens if You’ve Lost or Damaged Your Employment Pass Card?
If your Employment Pass is missing or has been damaged, you’ll need to notify the MoM and get your pass replaced.
Note that if you find a lost or presumably stolen card after you have received a replacement, you must return the original card to the Ministry of Manpower.
How to report a missing or damaged card?
If your EP has been lost, damaged or stolen, your company or agent needs to apply for a replacement within one week. If your card has been stolen, you must include a police report with your notification, which should be in English.
If you or the holder of the EP is overseas and their card has been lost, stolen or damaged, the MoM must be notified immediately so that they can issue a letter to allow them to re-enter the country without a valid EP.
How will the replacement card be issued?
If your EP card needs replacing there are some associated fees. After you’ve submitted your request via Employment Pass online, you’ll have to pay:
- S$60 to replace a damaged card
- S$100 to replace a card that’s been lost for the first time
- S$300 to replace a lost card every other time after the first replacement
- How established the business is including paid-up capital and past revenue
Once your application is approved, the Ministry for Manpower will send a card replacement letter which provides instructions on how to collect your new card. You will have four working days to collect it from the Employment Pass service centre. You don’t need an appointment but you will need to take some essential documents with you:
- An original copy of your passport
- The card replacement letter from the MoM
- Your old or damaged card (if you have it)
- A completed declaration form - if your card was stolen, a police report
What Happens Once Your Employment Pass Is Approved?
Applications for an EP take around two weeks to be processed, though sometimes it can take longer. You can track your application status on the myMoM Portal by inputting your application number. Once your pass is approved, there are a few things that will happen next:
- First, your IPA or in-principal approval letter will be issued to you online or posted to your business or agent if you applied manually
- This letter includes a single-entry visa to allow you to enter Singapore to collect your EP. It’s very important that you use this visa rather than a previous visa or a visa-free status, in order to avoid complications when the EP is issued
- The IPA letter also includes all the information you need to collect your pass, including that your application has been approved and that you are permitted to travel to Singapore for work
You have six months to enter Singapore, get your EP issued and begin your new role.The letter may also state that you need to have a medical examination which can be undertaken in your home country or once you get to Singapore. When collecting your EP, you will need to present the following:
- Your original passport
- Your immigration card
- A stamped IPA letter
- Details of your residential address
- Medical assessment report (if required)
- Any other documents requested in the IPA
There is also a requirement for thumbprinting and document verification as part of the EP processing. When you go to the processing office, you’ll need to carry the above document with you as well as your educational certificates and photocopies.
Once you have collected your photos and finished the biometrics process, your EP will take around 4-5 days to prepare. It will then be sent to your company or agent by registered post.
Always game for a good cup of iced latte and soggy fries, Lim Wan Er indulges in a solo vacation at least once a year for the sole purpose of exploring the local cuisine.
