Guide to Singapore Personalised Employment Pass (PEP)
Are you considering a move to Singapore and looking for work? If so, a Personalized Employment Pass (PEP) may be the perfect option for you! Whether you’re an individual looking for new opportunities or a business aiming to recruit foreign talent, this guide is designed to provide you with all the information you need to know about the PEP, from qualification requirements to the necessary documents for the application.
1. Key Facts About PEP
These are the key features of PEP:
- Candidates can apply from outside and from within Singapore. There will be different salary requirements for each scenario. That is, if the applicant is outside Singapore, his last job had to earn him or her at least $18,000 per month in Singapore dollars. If he or she is working in Singapore, he must be earning $12,000.
- Duration of PEP is up to 3 years.
- PEP is issued only once and cannot be renewed. The meaning of this condition is the assumption that during these three years the holder of this pass will receive a Permanent Residence in Singapore. It is expected because he is a qualified and high-earning individual, by definition. If for some reason permanent residence was not granted or simply was not intended, there is still an option to revert to a normal Employment Pass (EP) under any company he can work for. After this, Employment
- Pass can be extended as per normal. But keep in mind that during PEP validity its holder must not be out of work for more than six consecutive months. In such a case, the visa will be void.
- PEP holders may bring family members with them. They will be issued a long-term visa for the duration of the applicant’s main visa. This is the same option that is available to EP and EntrePass holders.
2. Qualification Requirements
To receive PEP approval, candidates must meet the following requirements:
- The salary is at least S $ 18,000 for the last job outside Singapore, or $ 12,000 for the last job in Singapore. The candidate’s position must be managerial, executive or professionally specialised.
- There are some exceptions to those who can apply. The candidate cannot work as a freelancer. Also, he or she cannot be a sole proprietor or partner in a Singapore company, or director and/or shareholder of another Singapore company. If the candidate plans to start a new business in Singapore, probably it will be a better idea to apply for EntrePass.
- PEP holders can change jobs in Singapore, but must not be unemployed for more than 6 consecutive months.
- The visa is issued by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), which assesses each case individually based on the candidate’s track record and the set of specialised skills he or she brings to the Singapore economy.
- Candidates without formal qualifications but with unique skills or experience can also be approved for the PEP. On the other hand, a candidate’s high qualifications does not mean that he will receive this visa automatically.
3. Documents Required for Application
If you do not work in Singapore, you will need copies of the following documents to submit:
- Copy of the passport
- Copies of educational documents
- Copy of the last employment contract
- Details of the employment contract that was offered in Singapore.
- A tax return confirming income from a previous job.
- Payslips and supporting bank documents for the previous three months.
- Resume and associated credentials
All documents must be in English or translated into English.
If you are already working in Singapore, you do not need to re-submit copies of your diplomas as they were previously submitted with your work permit application. But when applying, you must still provide the following copies of documents:
- Copy of the passport
- Employer’s name and address, if available.
- Details of an offer from a
- Singapore employer.
- Local contact information
4. Filing an Application
The application can be downloaded from the MOM website. Then it has to be filled up, signed and uploaded to their website. Copies of the required documents should be attached to the application.
The application fee is S $ 105.
The processing time is about 8 weeks.
If approved, the candidate is sent a “Approval in Principle” notice that is valid for 6 months.
Within these 6 months, the candidate must arrive in Singapore, pay $ 225 for the issuance of the card and complete the process by receiving a PEP card. If this is the first-time long visa to Singapore, they will be fingerprinted and photographed. This biometric data is integrated into the card.
5. Conditions and Extension
PEP imposes certain obligations on the holder, in particular to ensure that the authorities have accurate information about any changes in the status of the PEP holder. If you are PEP holder, you must notify MOM of the following changes:
If you change jobs, you must notify MOM within 1 week of starting your new job or leaving your last job.
In case of any changes in place of residence or contact information. Also, if you change any personal information, such as a new passport, change of name, change of marital status, etc.
At the end of each calendar year, you must declare the annual salary received.
6. Visas for Family Members
PEP holders can bring the following family members with them to Singapore including:
Spouse in legal marriage or civil partner;
Children under the age of 21 who are not married (including those legally adopted).
These family members will receive a dependent visa – Dependant Pass. Dependent Pass holders can work in Singapore after obtaining MOM approval.
It is also possible to bring parents to live if the candidate. In this case, they will be issued a Long-term visit pass. The same visa can be obtained for common-law spouses. Holders of such visas can also apply for work in Singapore. They will have to obtain a work visa according to the existing procedures.
