Singapore Employment Pass

Healy Consultants has helped hundreds of clients obtain their Singapore employment passes. While the nature of our clients' employment pass requirements vary, Healy Consultants service standards do not. Following is information on the work pass visa options available in Singapore:

In Singapore there is a large variety of employment pass options. The requirements for each type of pass vary, and it is important to take note of the impact each employment pass may have on you and your family. The Ministry of Manpower is a useful source of detailed information.

Employment Pass (EP): This is best for foreigners who wish to work in Singapore and already have an employer sponsoring them to work there. The pass is split on three levels, dependent on the salary offered by the employer: i) Q1: minimum S$2,800 monthly; ii) P2: minimum S$4,000 monthly; and iii) P1: minimum S$8,000 monthly. There may also be education and skills requirements, such as having a recognized university degree or a skill certificate, but these are judged on a case-by-case basis. It is important to note that the EP is specific to a job and employer and if the EP holder changes job or employer, they must apply for a new EP, with the new employer. Each EP can be valid for up to 60 months (5 years) and is renewable; however, the duration of the pass is granted at the discretion of the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), typically 2-3 years. The family of P1 and P2 holders are eligible for both Dependent's Passes and Long Term Visit Passes. The family of Q1 are eligible for Dependent's Pass only.

Personalized Employment Pass (PEP): This Singapore personalized employment pass is most appropriate for: i) foreigners with a salary of at least S$8,000 monthly; ii) foreigners who graduate from a Singapore university; iii) current/former P1 holders with previous salary above S$30,000 annually; iv) current P2 and Q1 holders with previous salary above S$30,000 annually. All PEP candidates must not have been unemployed for over 6 months before applying. There are also more specific work experience requirements dependent on salary and status. The PEP is valid for 5 years and is non-renewable. The Singapore PEP is not job specific and PEP holder's do not need to change employment pass when changing jobs. PEP holders' families are eligible for both Dependent's Pass and Long Term Visit Pass.

EntrePass: This Singapore employment visa is specifically for entrepreneurs who have incorporated a company in Singapore. To be eligible for an EntrePass a person must have a company that is registered with ACRA. The company must have a minimum of S$50,000 paid up capital and the EntrePass applicant must have: i) at least 30% ownership; and ii) be actively involved in the running of the firm. The pass is split on two levels dependent on salary: P and Q1. Entrepreneurs in various industries of work are not eligible for an EntrePass such as coffee shops, foot reflexology, bars and night clubs. Family members of EntrePass holders are eligible for both Dependent's Pass and Long Term Visit Pass, dependent on standard criteria.

Employment Pass Eligibility Certificate (EPEC): This certificate is not a work pass but is intended to facilitate job search for foreigners in Singapore. It best applies to: i) foreigners with qualifications from short listed universities; ii) current/former skilled migrant visa holders. Once approved, an EPEC is valid for up to 12 months and is not renewable. The EPEC does not authorize a person to live in Singapore, and the EPEC holder must apply for a 1 year Visit Pass from the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority as soon as the EPEC is approved. An EPEC holder who finds a job while the EPEC is valid, must apply and obtain approval for an employment pass before beginning any form of work. The family of EPEC holders are not eligible for a DP or LTVP and therefore cannot live in Singapore unless they obtain a separate alternative pass of their own.

Foreign Worker Work Permit (FWWP): This Singapore employment pass applies to foreigners who do not earn more than S$2,000 monthly and are above 16 years of age. The pass also requires that candidates come under 'skilled worker' category and various requirements exist dependent on the industry of work. In accordance with the skills involved for the job and the nationality of the FWWP holder, the permit is valid until the holder is a maximum of 60 years of age, or 6/18/unlimited years, whichever comes sooner. The family of work permit holders are not eligible for a DP or LTVP and therefore cannot live in Singapore unless they obtain a separate alternative pass of their own.

Foreign Domestic Worker Work Permit (FDWWP): This employment visa is best for foreigners who wish to work in Singapore as a Domestic Worker. Eligibility varies depending on whether the applicant has worked in Singapore before or is applying to work in Singapore for the first time. i) First time applicants must be between 23 and 50 years of age upon application and have a minimum of 8 years of formal education with documentation as proof. ii) Applicants who have work experience in Singapore are simply required to be a minimum of 18 years of age upon application. The FDWWP is valid the duration of the approved domestic worker job or until the holder is a maximum of 60 years old, whichever comes sooner. The family of foreign domestic workers are not eligible for DP or LTVP and cannot live in Singapore unless they obtain a separate alternative pass of their own.

S Pass: This Singapore work pass is appropriate for foreigners who are skilled and earn a minimum of S$2,000. The applications for S Pass are judged on a points system, based on: i) salary - minimum S$2,000; ii) skills and education - i.e. university degree or skills certificate; iii) job type - industry and position; and iv) work experience - years in relevant field. The S Pass is valid for 2-3 years and is renewable. The family of S Pass holders can be eligible for a Dependent's Pass if the S Pass holder earns over S$2,800.

Dependent's Pass: This Singapore pass is applicable to direct family members of EP, PEP, EntrePass and S Pass holders. To qualify as a dependent of a singapore EP/PEP/EntrePass/S Pass holder, a person must either be: i) a spouse of the holder; ii) a child of the holder, under 21 years old; iii) a legally-adopted child of holder, under 21 years old; or iv) a step-child of holder, under 21 years old. The dependent's pass is valid for the duration of the EP/PEP/EntrePass/S Pass on which it is dependent. It should be noted that a dependent's pass is an authorization to live and study in Singapore, but not to work. If a dependent's pass holder wishes to work in Singapore, instructions can be found on the Ministry of Manpower website. When the child of the EP/PEP/EntrePass holder is no longer eligible (e.g. above 21 years old) they may be eligible for a Long Term Visit Pass.

Long Term Visit Pass (LTVP): This Singapore visa is applicable only for direct family members of EP status P1 or P2, PEP status P1 or P2 and EntrePass status P. Direct family members are limited to: i) common-law spouse; ii) unmarried daughters, above 21 years of age; iii) handicapped children, above 21 years of age; iv) step children; and v) parents and parents-in-law. The LTVP is valid for up to 60 months (5 years) or the duration of the EP/PEP/EntrePass, whichever is shortest. Like the DP, the LTVP is not an authorization to work in Singapore and LTVP holders require their own form of employment pass to work there. The LTVP allows the holder to live in Singapore, but if the LTVP holder wishes to study in Singapore, they may need a Student Pass.

Further information about setting up a company in Singapore can be found in our Singapore company registration guide. Further information on Singapore migration, contact email@healyconsultants.com or call us in Singapore at (+65) 6735 0120.