All You Need To Know About Singapore Employment Pass (EP)

What is a Singapore Employment Pass?

The Singapore Employment Pass (EP) is a type of work visa that is designed for managers, executives, specialists and other skilled professionals who wish to work in Singapore. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) also allows entrepreneurs to apply for an EP after they have incorporated a company in Singapore. This enables them to relocate to Singapore in order to run company operations. There is no official quota forFf the EP.

Singapore Employment Pass can be applied if you are:

• An entrepreneur, executive or managing director of a Singapore company and wish to relocate to manage your company operations;
• A locally-incorporated Singapore company and need to hire an employee from overseas;
• You have an employment offer from a Singapore employer. In this case, your employer will make the EP application on your behalf.

What do you need to have before applying for an Employment Pass (EP)?

All Employment Passes application are carefully assessed by MOM and on a case by case basis. MOM takes into consideration a number of factors such as the applicant's qualifications, work experience, job scope, economic contribution, employer track record and ability to complement Singapore's local workforce. To be considered for an Employment Pass, you must possess one or more of the following:

• A recognized Diploma/Degree qualification
• Professional qualifications (professional or educational)
• Specialist skills
• Relevant work experience

In some instances, an applicant who does not possess recognized educational qualifications may not necessarily be rejected for an EP, if there are other compensating positive factors in favour of his/her application, namely:

• Good job profile, salary, work experience;
• Good employer track record, high company paid-up capital and tax contribution;
• Possess strategic and in-demand skills in sunrise industries.

Conversely, having recognized educational qualifications does not guarantee a successful EP application.

What is the eligibility for an Employment Pass?

In addition to the above, a candidate must earn at least $3,900 a month to qualify for an EP. Older applicants will have to command a higher salary that is commensurate with the work experience and quality they are expected to bring.

Jobs Bank Requirement

The Ministry of Manpower requires companies that wish to hire Employment Pass Holders to first advertise the relevant position in the Singapore Workforce Development Agency’s Jobs Bank. However, certain exceptions apply.

The following are exempted:

• Jobs in firms with less than 10 employees
• Jobs that pay more than $15,000 per month
• Intra-corporate transferees (i.e. candidates holding senior positions/professionals with the advanced level of expertise)
• Short-term positions (less than 1 month)

What is the submission and timeline for Employment Pass

Unless your case demands so, Rikvin submits all Employment Pass (EP) applications electronically to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) so that you can learn of your application outcome sooner.

• It takes MOM around 3 weeks or longer to process the application.
• Upon receiving the In-principle Approval (IPA) notification, we will make arrangements for the collection of your EP.

*Note for entrepreneurs

The EP application can only be done once your company has been incorporated. It is not necessary to be physically present in Singapore while the application is being processed.

Read more about Singapore Employment Pass at Rikvin.com.

A business writer since 1998. He holds a master's degree from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Alberta.