• Eligibility: Highly skilled foreign full-time employees
• Validity Period: Initially issued for 2 years, renewable for up to 3 years if needed
• PR Eligibility: Can apply for PR after working for 6 months
• Work Restrictions: Full-time work, can be assigned to mainland China or Hong Kong, only needs to reside in Singapore for 1 to 2 months each year
• Job Change: Not allowed. As the EP is company-sponsored, changing jobs will result in the cancellation of the original EP, and a new EP must be applied for to continue working
• Family Accompaniment: If the EP holder’s salary is above $6,000 per month, they can apply for dependent passes for their family members. Spouses and children under 21 can apply for Dependent Passes, while parents and children over 21 can apply for Long Term Visit Passes.

Processing Time: It typically takes about three weeks to receive feedback on the EP application. If your supporting documents do not meet the requirements, it may take longer. Once your EP approval status is confirmed, it will take another four days to issue your final work permit card.

Singapore Employment Pass Appeals: If an EP is rejected, the employment agency or company has the right to appeal within three months. The appeal will only be considered if new information explaining the rejection is provided. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) requires at least three weeks to process online appeals.

Cancellation of Employment Pass: Expired EPs must be canceled within one week, which also applies if the EP holder stops working for the sponsoring company for any reason. The cancellation is handled by the employment agency or company. Before canceling the EP, the company must obtain tax clearance from IRAS. The company also needs to purchase a return flight ticket for the EP holder. The cancellation can be done via the MOM platform. Once the cancellation is complete, the EP holder will receive a short-term visit pass and a cancellation confirmation letter, provided they are still in Singapore. All other passes and permits issued based on the EP will also be canceled. The EP card must be returned to MOM within one week of cancellation.

Replacement of Employment Pass Card: If the EP card is damaged, lost, or stolen, a new card can be issued. The employment agency or company must apply for a replacement within one week, including an English police report if applicable. If the EP holder loses, has stolen, or damages the card while overseas, the company must notify MOM promptly to allow the EP holder to return to Singapore. If the replacement application is approved, MOM will provide a letter outlining the instructions for collecting the replacement card. The EP holder has four working days to collect the new card. Collection can also be done at the EP service center without an appointment.

Documents required for replacement:

• Police report (if stolen)
• Declaration of lost or stolen card
• Damaged card (if applicable)
• Replacement letter
• Passport

Reporting Changes to MOM: The company must report any of the following changes to MOM as soon as possible:

• EP holder is missing
• EP holder has taken a new position within the company
• New company address
• Company name change
• EP holder is transferred to a parent company or related subsidiary
• Changes in EP holder’s personal details
• Decrease in EP holder’s salary

When the Employer Changes: If the EP holder wants to find a new job with a different company, the new employer must apply for a new EP. The new application will also be assessed based on qualifications and eligibility. The existing EP does not need to be canceled before submitting a new application.

Professional Assistance for Work Pass Applications: The Singapore government and its various agencies are very strict about approving permanent residence (PR) applications, as well as work passes, S Passes (S-Pass), and EntrePass applications. Rejections are common. However, it is important to maintain a positive attitude and seek professional agency services when completing PR or work pass applications. Our agency in Singapore provides assistance with PR applications and various other applications, such as Long Term Visit Pass, S Pass (S-Pass), Work Permit (WP), etc.

We offer services provided by review agencies that ensure a hassle-free process throughout the PR application. Some individuals may start with an S Pass as students and later obtain an EP or WP, depending on their income as young graduates. We can also help your family members apply for Long Term Visit Passes.

Immigration service agencies can often ensure better outcomes in PR or S Pass (S-Pass) applications, or obtaining work permits, thanks to their knowledge and diverse experience. We have assisted thousands of people with their applications, with most being approved in various fields, including work permits and S Pass (S-Pass), as well as other more challenging work passes.

So, if you want to know how to set up your own business in Singapore, or if you need advice on how and when to leave Singapore while waiting for results, if you’re unsure how to complete the application, or if you need tax information applicable to you or your business, please contact us today for a free consultation. Don’t wait until it’s too late to achieve the best possible outcome.

In a short time, we can answer all your questions about Singapore, including how long it takes to become a Singaporean citizen.

We also understand what might pose risks to your PR status approval, such as staying in the pending stage for too long, which could result in not having enough time to complete your application before the deadline. Once your application is complete, we can also help you track the pending status results.

Remember, for most online applications, you only have one week to complete the application. Our initial consultation is free! Contact us today for favorable advice and a great chance to succeed with your application.

Updated on 18 July 2024