Being an expat in a foreign location, you can still realize your dream of becoming your own boss. We at Singapore Incorporation Pte. Ltd. provide you with all the support and assistance you require to incorporate your Singapore company. You can set up a company or run company operations without having to relocate to Singapore or being physically located here!

The Employment Pass (EP) is the main kind of Singapore Work Visa meant for entrepreneurs, executives and skilled professionals who wish to work in Singapore. The term Employment Pass is commonly known as EP, E pass or Employment Visa in Singapore and is used interchangeably in this page. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) allows foreign professionals to apply for a Singapore Employment Pass after they have incorporated their Singapore Company to enable them to live and work in Singapore. There is no official limit or quota for the Singapore Employment Pass.

Oftentimes, relevant work experience also plays a significant role in determining your eligibility. Employment Pass is the preferred choice for most foreigners who want to set up a company in Singapore and work and live in Singapore for a minimum period of 12 months.

• You are a foreign entrepreneur, executive or managing director of a Singapore company and wish to relocate to Singapore to manage your company operations;
• You are a locally-incorporated Singapore company and need to hire foreign employees;
• You have an employment offer from a Singapore employer. In this case, your employer will process the EP application on your behalf. Our Employment Pass Application Services include: -Only at $S 980 per Applicant! Excluding MOM fee (S$360), EPOL application fee (one-off – S$180) and Job Bank Advertisement (one-off – S$180) 
• Assistance in completing the self assessment tools with MOM
• Pre-application advising on Employment Pass (EP) and gathering of necessary information
• Online filing of Employment Pass application
• Tracking EP application application status while under processing
• Liaise with Direct MOM officer in charge when necessary
• Responding to MOM’s request for additional information as necessary
• Arranging for issuance of Work Pass upon in-principle approval
• Filing of unlimited appeal in case of rejection of EP application

Employment Pass Eligibility Requirements:

The Ministry of Manpower determines your eligibility based on the factors listed below. To be considered for an Employment Pass, you must have a fixed monthly salary of at least S$3,600 and possess one or more of the following:

• Acceptable educational qualifications, e.g.a diploma or degree
• Professional qualifications
• Specialist skills
• Related work experience

In some instances, an applicant who does not possess recognized educational qualifications may not necessarily be rejected for an EP, if there are other compensating positive factors in favour of his application, namely:

• Applicant job profile, salary, citizenship, etc.
• Repute of the company, employer’s track record, Company paid up capital, tax contribution, etc.
• Strategic and in-demand skills set; Government highlighted key industry for development, etc.

Below are the procedures for Employment Pass application:

• To provide Singapore Incorporation for the following required documents must be submitted to Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower (MOM) ○ the passport and Singapore work pass/ student pass/ any other pass (if any) ○ 2 highest education certificates ○ working testimonial (if any) and a resume/ CV ○ completed application form with details of applicant * For married candidates, please provide item 1, 2 & 3 of your spouse.
• The processing time is 1 week usually. (Manual application will take 5 weeks for processing, therefore, it is advisable to submit online by 3E Accounting always)(From 1 Jun 2015, MOM will no longer accept hardcopy application forms for the Employment Pass application)
• If the application does not approve in the first assessment, MOM will require additional information (e.g. business plan, testimonial, Employment letter / contract and etc) and we will submit an appeal on your behalf at no additional cost. The appeal process will take 5 weeks usually.
• Upon approval, you can visit Singapore to collect your work pass within 6 months from the date of approval.
• In summary, the application could be completed in 1 week to 3 months time.

You are not required to stay in Singapore while applying for the work pass.

EMPLOYMENT PASS TYPES:

The table below summarizes the Singapore E pass requirements, categories and eligibility: There are 3 categories of Employment Passes namely P1, P2 and Q1.

EP SUBMISSION TIMELINE:

Margin Wheeler submits all Employment Pass (EP) applications electronically to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) so that you can learn of your application outcome sooner.

• It takes MOM between 1-15 working days to process the application.
• Upon receiving the In-principle Approval notification, we will make arrangements for the collection of your EP.

The application for the employment pass can only be done once the company has been incorporated. It is not necessary to be physically present in Singapore while the application is being processed

APPROVAL AND COLLECTION OF EMPLOYMENT PASS:

Once the application is approved, the Ministry of Manpower will issue an In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter via email. The IPA letter must be produced upon collection of the EP at the Work Pass Division at the Ministry of Manpower. An IPA letter is valid for six months from the date of notification of approval. To collect your EP you will be required to present:

• A copy of the IPA letter
• Recently taken passport size photograph
• Original passport with the entry embarkation cards
• Medical exam report* (if the In-Principle Approval states that you require one)
• Any other documents that are requested in the approval letter

* You may get a medical examination done in your own country through an established clinic/hospital or in Singapore. Most clinics in Singapore provide medical examinations and reports within a day.

ENTRY VISA INTO SINGAPORE:

If you are overseas and require an entry visa to Singapore, your IPA letter will include a single journey entry visa. Upon your arrival in Singapore, we will make an appointment with the Ministry of Manpower on your behalf for fingerprinting. Upon completing the procedures, your pass will be ready in 4 working days. You may collect the pass at the Ministry of Manpower personally or authorize Margin Wheeler to collect it on your behalf.

VALIDITY OF EMPLOYMENT PASS UPON APPROVAL:

The validity of an EP varies and is as follows:

• First-time applicants – up to 2 years
• EP renewals – up to 3 years

SINGAPORE EMPLOYMENT PASS REJECTION:

In the event that your Employment pass application is rejected by the authority, our specialists will establish a firm appeal in defence of your position. Singapore Incorporation will investigate why your application has been rejected. Based on the reasons provided by MOM, we will submit an appeal that will address the issues outlined by MOM and also include additional documents as per their request, if any. Please note that it may take three weeks or more to process an appeal, depending on the complexity of the case. Our fees include one free appeal in the event your initial application is unsuccessful.

CHANGE OF EMPLOYER:

Employment Pass holders must apply for a new pass whenever they change employers. There is no need to cancel the existing pass prior to application for a new pass. The Ministry of Manpower evaluates each application for a new pass based on the applicant’s qualifications, work experience, and employer credentials. A new pass will be issued once the old pass is cancelled.

RENEWAL OF EMPLOYMENT PASS:

The Ministry of Manpower will mail an Employment Pass Renewal Form to your employer’s address two months before your EP expires. You should submit the renewal application at least four weeks prior to the expiration of your EP. Once approved, your employer will receive a letter of notification and the new pass is ready for pick up at the Ministry of Manpower.

IMPORTANT NOTE FOR RENEWALS OF EMPLOYMENT VISA:

• For existing EP holders whose passes expired on or after 1 January 2012, and are affected by these changes, MOM will grant a one-off renewal of up to 2 years per the earlier framework.
• Pass holders who have applied/who apply for renewal before/after 1 January 2012 are treated equally and given the same one-off renewal. Subsequent renewal applications will be assessed based on the prevailing work pass criteria.