Work Permits for Singapore
To be legally employed in Singapore expats will need to obtain an employment pass, which is the equivalent of a work permit or a work visa in other destinations.
In line with their high demand for foreign workers, the Singapore government makes it fairly straightforward to get this pass – provided your skills, experience, qualifications and personality meet the criteria. No quotas are in place, and eligibility is not linked to skill shortages. Furthermore, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has recently launched an online system that's streamlined the process and reduced waiting times considerably.
Expats should note that they can only apply for their own employment pass if they're opening a company in Singapore, otherwise, they will have to first secure an employer sponsor, and then have their employer file the application for them.
The Employment Pass (EP) is granted to professionals, managers, specialists and generally skilled workers earning more than a designated income, the amount varies according to the pass type, each month. There are three categories of pass, P1, P2 and Q Pass, which each relate to the type of job and privileges afforded.
The EP also qualifies the holder for dependant privileges, which allows expats to bring their spouse and children legally abroad with little complication.
Expats who can't find an employer sponsor, but who would like to work in Singapore, can apply for a Social Visit Pass (SVP) for up to 12 months. If this is granted, expats will be allowed to enter Singapore and seek work for the given time period.
Until about a year ago, extending your EP used to entail many trying trips to the MOM building on Havelock.
It was an exercise marked by a busy cacophony and mind-numbingly long waiting times.
Nowadays though, the MOM has gone high-tech, and extending your EP is a much less painful process. Of course, you still need to await your extension application letter that MOM sends you. This, amongst other things, determines which medical test - if any - you need to undergo. Once the medical procedures are done, you log onto the MOM web site and register for an EP Online Account. This account is usually processed within a single day.
Using this account, you can apply online for an e-Appointment at the Employment Pass Services Centre with the MOM EP Registration Department, located at The Riverwalk.
At the Employment Pass Services Centre, you'll get your thumb and passport picture scanned so both can be incorporated onto your new EP card. By the way, at this point you'll be amazed at the low-volume buzz of the goings-on and the lack of the droves of people waiting for their turn, as was the case at the MOM building previously. In addition, there are assistants available at every turn, who will swoop in and offer assistance the moment you look like you're not sure where to go next - excellent.
(By the way, if you didn't bring your passport pictures, you can have them taken in the next room.)
Otherwise, only your passport and your filled out EP extension letter are required to complete the intake.
Once all the intake proceedings have been followed through, you're directed to the payment counter, where you can pay cash or by NETS, the uniquely Singaporean cashless debit system.
Generally, your new EP will be ready for collection a week later. Make sure you bring your EP form, your passport and your old EP card at the time of collection.
In line with their high demand for foreign workers, the Singapore government makes it fairly straightforward to get this pass – provided your skills, experience, qualifications and personality meet the criteria. No quotas are in place, and eligibility is not linked to skill shortages. Furthermore, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has recently launched an online system that's streamlined the process and reduced waiting times considerably.
Expats should note that they can only apply for their own employment pass if they're opening a company in Singapore, otherwise, they will have to first secure an employer sponsor, and then have their employer file the application for them.
Types of employment passes in Singapore
The Employment Pass (EP) is granted to professionals, managers, specialists and generally skilled workers earning more than a designated income, the amount varies according to the pass type, each month. There are three categories of pass, P1, P2 and Q Pass, which each relate to the type of job and privileges afforded.
The EP also qualifies the holder for dependant privileges, which allows expats to bring their spouse and children legally abroad with little complication.
- P1 – an employment pass for those who will be earning a salary equal to or greater than 8000 SGD per month, and who have acceptable degrees, professional qualifications or specialist skills.
- P2 – an employment pass for those who will be earning a salary equal to or greater than 4000 SGD (will change to 4500 SGD as of Jan 2012), and who have acceptable degrees, professional qualifications or specialist skills.
- Q – an employment pass for those who will be earning a salary equal to or greater than 2800 SGD (will change to 3000 SGD as of Jan 2012), and who have acceptable degrees, professional qualifications or specialist skills.
Other passes
- The S Pass is awarded to middle-level skilled applicants earning at least $1,800. S Pass holders making less than $2,500 per month cannot bring in their dependants.
- A Work Permit (WP) is awarded to unskilled or temporary workers, like domestic servants and labourers.
- A Miscellaneous Work Pass is issued for 90 days and is mostly used by consultants and temporary workers.
Steps to getting an employment pass in Singapore
Employment passes can be applied for by mail, or online via the MOMs “EP Portal”.
Find an employer sponsor. In Singapore, unless you own your own business, it's necessary to have a well-established, registered local company apply for your employment pass on your behalf. Even if you are working in Singapore for an overseas company, a local company must sponsor your application.- Provide the necessary documents. Give your employer recent passport-sized photographs and copies of qualifications, diplomas and passport details so that they can upload or attach alongside the completed application form. Some professions (doctors, dentists, nurses, lawyers) may require additional accreditation from a local Singapore professional body. All documents need to be in English. Documents to be submitted electronically must be in PFD format.
- Wait for approval. According to the Singapore MOM, nearly 80 percent of applications are assessed within 7 days. That said, it's better to expect assessment to take a month. If approved, your employer will receive an “In-Principle Approval” letter, which is valid for six months.
- Retrieve your employment pass. In order to collect your employment pass you must be present in Singapore. Once you arrive your company will request that the pass be issued, the fee (30 SGD) will need to be paid, and you will be given a notification letter.
- Register at the employment pass services center. Take your notification letter and the documents it advises you to bring to the employment pass services center. Here, you will have your photo and fingerprints taken, and then after four working days you can collect your employment pass.
Expats who can't find an employer sponsor, but who would like to work in Singapore, can apply for a Social Visit Pass (SVP) for up to 12 months. If this is granted, expats will be allowed to enter Singapore and seek work for the given time period.
How to extend your employment pass in Singapore
Until about a year ago, extending your EP used to entail many trying trips to the MOM building on Havelock.
It was an exercise marked by a busy cacophony and mind-numbingly long waiting times.
Nowadays though, the MOM has gone high-tech, and extending your EP is a much less painful process. Of course, you still need to await your extension application letter that MOM sends you. This, amongst other things, determines which medical test - if any - you need to undergo. Once the medical procedures are done, you log onto the MOM web site and register for an EP Online Account. This account is usually processed within a single day.Using this account, you can apply online for an e-Appointment at the Employment Pass Services Centre with the MOM EP Registration Department, located at The Riverwalk.
At the Employment Pass Services Centre, you'll get your thumb and passport picture scanned so both can be incorporated onto your new EP card. By the way, at this point you'll be amazed at the low-volume buzz of the goings-on and the lack of the droves of people waiting for their turn, as was the case at the MOM building previously. In addition, there are assistants available at every turn, who will swoop in and offer assistance the moment you look like you're not sure where to go next - excellent.
(By the way, if you didn't bring your passport pictures, you can have them taken in the next room.)
Otherwise, only your passport and your filled out EP extension letter are required to complete the intake.
Once all the intake proceedings have been followed through, you're directed to the payment counter, where you can pay cash or by NETS, the uniquely Singaporean cashless debit system.
Generally, your new EP will be ready for collection a week later. Make sure you bring your EP form, your passport and your old EP card at the time of collection.
