A work visa called an Employment Pass (EP) is intended for international managers, company directors, and professionals with particular talents who wish to live and work in Singapore.
Application for an Employment Permit in Singapore can be challenging and stressful due to handling complicated documentation and satisfying strict government standards.
This article provides an overview of the prerequisites and steps you must understand before starting.
Do I Need an Employment Pass or an Entrepreneur Pass?
Singapore authorities will view you as an entrepreneur if you are identified as a stakeholder of a recently incorporated company. As a result, you ought to apply for an Entrepreneur Pass rather than an Employment Pass. The shareholding problem does not apply to businesses that have been legally established in Singapore for a period of time greater than six months. In Singapore, you are free to apply for an Employment Permit.
You might also take into account the recently announced work visa, the ONE Pass Singapore if you intend to establish your business in Singapore.
Singapore Employment Pass Eligibility and Salary Requirements
For applicants for Employment Passes, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has increased its standards. Candidates must fulfill the requirements listed below in order to be accepted by MOM:
- Persons of any nationality can apply for an Employment Pass.
- The foreign professional must have a job offer in Singapore.
- The position must be for a managerial, executive, or specialist role.
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- The candidate must earn a fixed monthly salary of at least S$5,000 for graduates of reputable universities. This applies to candidates who are new graduates of reputable universities.
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- More experienced candidates are required to have commensurately higher salaries.
- Candidates must have acceptable qualifications, usually including a university degree, professional qualifications, and/or specialized skills.
- As of February 1, 2022, candidates must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to be aprroved for an Employment Pass.
Documents Required for Singapore Employment Pass
- The candidate’s passport’s personal information page
- The most recent business profile or immediate information about the company as it is listed with the Accounting and Corporate Regulation Authority (ACRA)
- The candidate’s academic credentials (e.g., degree certification)
- Signed authorization from the applicant permitting the business or employment agent to submit an application on their behalf
- Any other records that MOM may ask for
How to Get an Employment Pass for Singapore
To apply for an Employment Pass in Singapore, a company or a registered employment agent must complete the following six steps:
Step 1: Submit an application
Step 2: Receive the In-Principal Approval (IPA) letter
Step 3: Request MOM to issue the Employment Pass
Step 4: Receive a Notification letter
Step 5: Register fingerprints and have a photo taken (if necessary)
Step 6: Receive the Employment Pass card
How to Increase Your Chances of a Successful Singapore Employment Pass Application
We highlight some of the factors that can influence your Singapore EP application:
- Your Profile
The Singapore Employment Pass (EP) is primarily for foreign professionals with a job offer in Singapore who meet the eligibility criteria.
Therefore, to increase your chances of a successful EP application, you should hold an executive, or managerial.
- Relevant Skills
As with any job application, to increase your chances, you should ensure that you have the necessary skills required for the job.
- Educational Qualifications
To be eligible for the Employment Pass, you need to have the appropriate acceptable qualifications.
To increase your chances of a successful EP application, ensure that your educational qualifications are from an accredited institution:
- Global verification agencies such as Dataflow or Risk Management Intelligence (RMI)
- International accreditation bodies
- Awarding country’s educational authorities
4. Professional Background
To improve your chances of a successful EP application, make sure you have enough relevant work experience, as the EP application is designed for skilled foreign professionals, managers, and executives.
Renewing an Employment Pass
In Singapore, an Employment Permit has a two-year expiration date and a three-year renewal option.
The firm or employment agency must submit all renewal requests via myMOM. You have up to six months before the pass expires to request a renewal.
Also, the application for renewal must reach MOM at least two weeks before the Work Permit expires. The candidate will need to apply for a new pass if the current pass is not renewed before it expires.
The Bottom Line
Having a Singapore Employment Pass entitles you to reside and work in the country. No matter where you’re from, you can be among the best prospects for expert, management, and executive jobs in the nation’s corporate sector.
You must ensure that all your documents are real before applying for any of the mentioned positions. You will need to personally present additional testimonials if the business requests them. Your qualifications will be reviewed by the Ministry of Manpower to determine your suitability for the position.
