Singapore Employment Pass: Everything You Need to Know
If you’re thinking of pursuing a career in Singapore, you might need an Employment Pass to work there. This guide will provide you with all the information you need to get started. Whether you’re an individual looking to expand your career or a business seeking to hire foreign talent, we’ve got you covered. From outlining the basic requirements to breaking down the application process into manageable steps, we’ll guide you every step of the way. With this guide, you’ll be able to submit your Employment Pass application with ease and confidence. So why wait? Get started with our guide today!
Employment Pass Is a Most Common Long-Term Work Visa to Singapore
The most common long-term visa to Singapore for skilled workers, as well as for working owners and directors of companies, is Employment Pass (EP). Usually it is issued for a period of 1-2 years initially, and then can be extended for 2-3 years at a time (up to 5 years max). Work visa holders can bring family members with them to Singapore.
For entrepreneurs starting new companies in Singapore, there is also the Entrepreneur Pass (EntrePass). This visa is very similar to EP, but with its own pros and cons. We discuss this visa in the separate article.
Basic Requirements of Employment Pass Application
In order to obtain EP, a foreigner must meet the following basic requirements:
- obtain and secure a job offer from an employer in Singapore to provide. In situations where an applicant is the owner of its on company and wishes to work from it, there is still a contract arrangement between the employer and then company, as both are separate legal entities.
- Under the current requirements, the salary of the candidate for the position must be at least S $ 5,000 per month (as of September 2022). In practice, the salary level for successful candidates is usually higher. For example most company directors work for their companies for $ 7,000 per month or more. Financial Positions are also expected to be filled with higher salaries. The current minimum salary for foreign workers in finance is set by MOM at $5,500. Ultimately, much will depend on the type of activity of the company and the position held by the candidate.
- the qualifications and education of the candidate must meet the requirements of his tentative job. If the education credentials do not specifically match the position applied for, the candidate must demonstrate good level of knowledge of the industry and experience in this position.
The Singapore company which will be handling and sponsoring EP application must have all attributes of proper business in Singapore. That is, the main factors for successful EP application in Singapore are real company with good performance and a decent qualification of the candidate. Other than that, each case is reviewed by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) individually. The revenue of the company must be sufficient to cover all necessary expenses, including the proposed salaries. At the same time, it must be in line with the industry’s standards. A physical office is also required. It is expected that the company will hire local workers. These requirements are not set in stone, and at the same time are not exhaustive. They can greatly vary from case to case. You can also keep in mind such factors as uniqueness and innovativeness of business. Whatever can contribute to the local economy and infrastructure will be treated as more welcome. Singapore wants to see business diversification and welcomes foreign specialists who bring diversity create new types of business, technology and jobs.
It is quite easy to get your EP approved, provided that the most of the requirements are met.
What Is the Process for Obtaining an Employment Pass in Singapore?
After the decision of hiring a particular foreign specialist or manager has been made, it is necessary to formalize the application process in a prescribed way. To do this, you must complete the following steps. Most of the time, the company is capable of handling its own EP applications. In certain cases it is advisable to engage a specialized Employment Agency, as they are well versed in these matters.
The application is submitted online through the EP Online system provided by MOM. However, the company must create a work pass account first. It can be dome by the company director or secretary and will be approved within a few days.
Main Steps of Application and Obtaining EP
- Filling out a questionnaire for the candidate. It may take around 30-40 minutes or more, depending on the previous working history. Copies of IDs and educational documents must be attached attached. If they are not in English, they must be translated and attached together in the same files.
- There is requirement to state a place where the duties will be performed. Thus, it is usually necessary to secure a physical office prior to the application.
- You must pay 105 Singapore dollars to complete the application.
- The review time will be normally 3-4 weeks. However, it often takes up to 2 months. During this time, MOM may request some additional clarification regarding the details of employment and qualifications of the candidate.
- In case the application is not approved from the first attempt, an appeal can be submitted. It should detail the reasons why the Singapore company requires this particular employee. Appeal review may take another 1-2 months. In practice, about half of successful applications are approved only after the appeal.
- Upon approval of the application by the Ministry, an In-Principle Approval (IPA) Letter is issued. It serves as an entry visa that allows the applicant to come to Singapore. To finalize the paperwork, there will be fingerprinting and photo taken at the MOM office. This is done by the appointment which should be dome in advance. After this, EP card, which also serves as a local ID for the foreigner in Singapore, will be issued. The cost of issuing the card is $ 180. EP card allows fast-track automatic clearance upon arrival to and departure from in Singapore.
- It should be noted that IPA letter is valid for 6 months; if during this period the candidate has not issued a card and at the same time has not applied for an extension, his work visa is canceled and the process must be started again if necessary.
- Having received EP, the employees must notify the Ministry of the address where they will reside. The address can be any rented or purchased property, but not a commercial address. The Ministry is quite strict to ensure that companies do not abuse the receipt of work visas for those persons who do not permanently reside in Singapore.
