Singapore is not just an incredible travel destination; it is also one of the most lucrative countries in the world to set up a business or advance in your career. Many businessmen from far-off destinations as well as from APAC countries wish to start their businesses in Singapore. Also, many world-class companies aspire to expand their businesses in Singapore and at times they have a lot of confusion about Singapore’s Employment Pass. Before starting or expanding your business in Singapore, it is crucial to know how you can bring in key staff into the country.
If you see Singapore as a potential hub for international endeavours and want to mobilize your business into the Singaporean market, you need to know every possible fact about Singapore’s Employment Pass (EP) and EP Online. This article has been developed as a comprehensive document that tells you everything about Singapore’s employment pass. Please keep on reading…
What is Singapore Employment Pass?
Singapore employment pass is an internal work visa provided by the Ministry of Manpower in Singapore. It is issued to foreign professionals, employees, managers, owners, or business directors of Singapore-based companies. Owning this work permit allows you to work and live in Singapore, as well as travel in and out of the country without having to obtain an entry visa.
Eligibility for Singapore’s Employment Pass
The Singapore Employment pass eligibility relies on the following criteria:
- Managing directors or entrepreneurs planning to work for a Singaporean company that wish to relocate to handle company operations
- Locally merged Singaporean businesses that wish to recruit outside talent
- Foreigners with an employment offer from a Singapore resident company. In this case, the employer of the foreign individuals will be responsible for applying for the Employment Pass on their behalf
Requirements for Singapore Employment Pass
Preliminary requirements for Singapore Employment Pass are listed below:
- Individuals applying for EP must possess managerial or executive roles or hold specialized jobs
- Applicants must be full-time employees with a minimum wage of SGD$4,500
- Applicants must have acceptable qualifications. This typically includes a bachelor’s degree from a university, specialized skills, proven track record, or professional qualification.
All applications will be analyzed on a case-by-case basis by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) in Singapore.
Before applying for an EP, all applicants are advised by MOM to utilize the Employment Pass Self-Assessment Tool (SAT) to grab a clear valuation on whether they meet the EP requirements. A positive SAT result is an indicator of a successful Employment Pass application.
How To Apply for The EP in Singapore?
The Singapore Employment Pass application can be filled online and submitted to MOM via EP online portal. Before applying for the Employment Pass, you must verify if you are eligible and meet all the application requirements. Make certain that you have uploaded all the relevant documents along with your application. After that, you can forward your application to MOM either manually or online. Online channels can take more than three weeks to respond.
Manual applications are appropriate for applicants whose prospective employers ask for additional testimonials. For overseas employers that don’t currently own a registered workplace in the country, it is suitable for them to act as a local sponsor and apply for the EP on their employees’ behalf. In this case, only manual pre-filled applications are accepted.
Once you have submitted your application, it will take at least five weeks to get a response. You may expect to wait longer during tax seasons or when third party contributions are required in the process.
Documents Required to Secure a Pass
You need photocopies of the following documents along with a completed EP application form:
- Applicant’s academic certificates
- Personal page of the candidate’s passport
- Company’s complete business profile or the information filed with Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) in Singapore.
All the above testimonies must be in English. Otherwise, English translated versions of these documents must be submitted along with copies of the original testimonies.
For individuals applying from China or India, these extra documents are required:
- Transcript and mark sheet of Indian applicants
- Chinese applicants must submit their Certificate of graduation along with the verified proof of the documents
Employment Pass Duration in Singapore
For first-time candidates, the Employment Pass will invalidate after three years. It can be renewed after that if needed.
Renewing The Singapore Employment Pass
Renewing your Singapore Employment Pass is easier than applying for a new one.
The employment pass renewal in Singapore can be done within six months after your original pass expires. The process is very efficient. The renewal of your pass can take an average of seven working days. Once your pass is approved, the renewed EP remains valid for another two to three years.
What Can You Do If Your Application for The EP Gets Rejected?
In case your application for the EP is rejected, an appeal to review it can be made after three months or so. However, you can only do that if you have valid reasoning for the cause of your rejection. In usual cases, a rejection advisory issues for an ineffective EP application and individuals can check it out on the EP online portal to view the reason of their rejection. This way, you can comprehend the next best steps to take.
Plus, rejected candidates don’t have the right to file an appeal. Only the authorized third parties and the employers responsible for submitting the EP application can make the appeal.
Ministry of Manpower typically takes an average of three weeks to review an appeal.
Is An Employment Pass Holder Eligible for Permanent Residency in Singapore?
Actually, yes!
If you are an EP holder in Singapore who has worked in the country for a minimum of six months, you can apply for Permeant Residency through the PTS (Professional, Technical Personnel & Skilled Workers) scheme.
Mi2U Business Support is a service Provided in Singapore that helps client businesses comply with the regulations, secure work visas for their employees, handle accounting-related tasks, and much more. Get in touch with Mi2U Business Support today!
