What is Singapore Employment Pass?

Employment Pass (EP) is the main type of Singapore work visa issued to foreign professionals, managerial personnel(managing director, general manager, CEO), executives or specialists who wish to work in Singapore.

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) allows the foreigner to apply for a Singapore Employment Pass after they have incorporated their Singapore Company to enable them to live and work in Singapore. The EP does not fall under any quota system nor is there a monthly levy charge for EP.

You can apply for Singapore Employment Pass (EP) work visa, if:

• You are a foreign Entrepreneur, professional, managing director or shareholder of a Singapore company who wishes to relocate to Singapore to manage the company operations
• You are a locally incorporated Singapore Company and want to hire foreign employees
• You have an Employment offer from a prospective Singapore employer. In this case, you will have to request the employer company to make the employment pass application on your behalf.

Employment Pass Eligibility Requirements

Singapore Employment Passes are carefully assessed by the Ministry of Manpower by taking into consideration a number of factors such as the applicant’s qualifications, working experience, job profile, economic contribution, employer’s track record and the quality of the applicant to complement and supplement Singapore local workforce.

To be considered for an Employment Pass, you must have a fixed monthly salary of at least S$2,800 and possess one or more of the following:

• Recognized Diploma/Degree qualification from a reputable university
• Professional qualification
• Specialist skills
• Work related experience

The Ministry of Manpower evaluates each applicant based on individual’s merits. Other factors which  are also considered, include:

• Salary of applicant
• Age of applicant
• Role & responsibility
• Reputation of the company
• Company paid up capital
• Applicant's current citizenship
• Employer’s track record

Having a recognised educational qualification does not guarantee a successful EP application as the applicant also needs to satisfy other criteria such as relevant work experience and/or professional skills.

Similarly, an applicant who does not possess a recognized educational qualification may not necessarily be rejected an EP if he possesses other compensating factors.

Pass Types

There are three categories of Employment Pass: P1, P2 and Q1 Pass.
The P Pass is for foreigners seeking managerial, executive or specialist jobs.

• P1 Pass – for applicants earning a fixed monthly salary of more than S$7,000.
• P2 Pass – for applicants earning a fixed monthly salary of more than S$3,500 and up to S$7,000, and possessing recognised qualifications.
• Q1 Pass – for applicants earning a fixed monthly salary of more than S$2,800 and possessing recognised qualifications.