Singapore
Work Authorization Summary Sheet
- SINGAPORE
Primary Immigration Category for Temporary Expatriates
Employment Pass (EP) – For foreign nationals transferred to or hired in Singapore as a professional.
Key Criteria:
- There must be a local, fully incorporated, sponsoring Singapore company – Or you may incorporate a company in Singapore, hire yourself as the Director/ Managing Director in your company and paying yourself a fixed monthly salary.
- Minimum monthly salary of at least $3,900 SGD (More senior professionals will require higher salaries (e.g. $6,000 – $10,000 SGD)
- Main applicant may apply for a Dependent Pass for their dependent by having a monthly fixed salary of $6,000 SGD
- Candidate must have a professional background of a secondary education degree and applicable work experience.
Validity Period & Extensions
Initial work permit length: 1-2 years
Extension process: Application to extend work status should be initiated at least 6 months prior to expiration. Extension will be reviewed based on the performance of the company.
Maximum period allowed in status: After 1-2 years in Singapore on an EP, a Permanent Residence application may be filed.
Dependents
- Spouses are work authorized with Letter of Consent
- Non-married partners allowed
- Same-sex partners not allowed
- Children study authorized
- Maximum age for dependent children
Steps in Immigration Process
- Submission of Pass application to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM)
- In-Principle Approval (IPA) issued by MOM
- Employment Pass Services Centre (EPSC) appointment for registration and biometrics
- Issuance of EP card
Timing
Estimated lead time: 6-8 weeks.
| Step Description | Time Estimate |
|---|---|
|
Document gathering |
1-2 weeks
|
|
File application for In-Principle Approval (IPA) to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) |
2-4 weeks
|
|
Issuance of In-Principle Approval (IPA) – which is valid for 6 months to travel to Singapore |
1-2 days |
|
Make an appointment with the Employment Pass Services Centre (EPSC) for registration and biometrics |
1-3 days |
|
Entry into Singapore |
1 day |
|
Attend EPSC appointment and await EP card issuance |
5-7 days |
|
Issuance of EP card |
1-2 days |
Be Aware!
- Applications must be submitted to the government via online accounts that the employer must hold with the Ministry of Manpower (Corp Pass and MyMOM portal). These can be complex to maneuver thus we handle the creation of the account and the management of the case submissions.
Other Common Work Authorization Categories
- Entrepreneur Pass – For serial entrepreneurs, high-caliber innovators or experienced investors who wish to venture into and operate a business in Singapore
- Personalized Employment Pass – For niche group of professionals earning a high, fixed monthly salary
- Global Investor Program (GIP) – For Seasoned and innovative entrepreneurs and investors investing at least 2.5 million SGD into high growth business
