2022 Singapore EP Visa Application Requirements and Process Primer

Introduction to the Singapore Employment Pass (EP)

The Singapore Employment Pass (EP) is a scheme for foreign professionals, managers, executives and specialists. Under this scheme, applicants who find a local employer in Singapore can apply for an Employment Pass for 1 to 2 years, with unlimited entry and exit during the applicant's stay, which can be extended as long as the applicant is still employed.

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) of Singapore will review the work permit applications based on the applicant's salary, qualifications, work experience and the nature of the work.

EP pass applicants must have a fixed monthly salary of not less than $2,500, and EP pass holders can apply for dependent visas for immediate family members.

The Singapore Ministry of Manpower encourages companies to give preference to local employees. Therefore companies wishing to apply for EP for foreign employees need to advertise the position in the local Job Bank for more than 14 days and interview a certain number of local citizens to explain why they ultimately did not hire a Singaporean employee.

What are the EP application requirements

Foreign professionals who meet the following requirements can apply for EP.

1. already have a job offer in Singapore.

2. Be engaged in management, administration and other professional work.

3. Have a monthly salary of at least S$3600 (applicants with more experience will be required to meet higher salary requirements).

Young graduates from good institutions with a monthly salary of S$3600 will be eligible.

Older, more experienced candidates will need a higher salary to qualify.

4. Those who are eligible to apply usually require a university degree from a good institution, professional qualifications or professional skills.

MOM does not have a list of approved institutions, but evaluates applicants on their respective merits based on a wide range of criteria, such as global and national rankings, as well as admissions criteria. Candidates who do not possess acceptable qualifications will not necessarily be rejected. Likewise, having acceptable qualifications does not guarantee approval. The specific outcome is ultimately determined based on the individual circumstances of the applicant.

Three types of EP passes  

P1 Pass

If the applicant's monthly basic salary is above S$7,000

①You can apply for a Dependant's Pass for your spouse and children under the age of 21

②You can apply for Long-Term Social Visit Pass for parents (including spouse's parents), unmarried daughters over 21 years old, Handicapped children, Step-children

③You can apply for PR, and the chance is very high

④No labor tax (Levy)

P2 pass

If the applicant's monthly basic salary is more than S$3,500 but not more than S$7,000, he/she will be issued

①You can apply for a Dependant's Pass for your spouse and children under the age of 21

②You can apply for Long-Term Social Visit Pass for parents (including spouse's parents), unmarried daughters over 21 years old, Handicapped children, Step-children

③You can apply for PR, and the chance is also very high

④No labor tax (Levy)

Q1 Pass

For foreigners with a basic monthly salary of more than S$2,500 and who hold a recognized degree, professional qualification or professional skills.

①You can apply for a Dependant's Pass for your spouse and children under 21 years of age

②You can apply for PR, and the chances are very high

③No labor tax is required (Levy)

Singapore EP Application Process  

①Confirm the visa type:

- First do the SAT (Self-Assessment Tool) to assess the conditions for which visa type you can apply

- After confirming the suitability for EP application, the company will post the job vacancy on Job Bank

②Prepare visa documents

- Collect basic personal information

- If you have completed your studies in China, you need to apply for English certification at "China Degree Certification Network".

- Personal work experience and salary, internship also need to be written

- After collecting all the information, the company will help to submit the application

③ Waiting for review

- The review usually takes 1-3 weeks

④Application is approved

- Once the application is approved, you will receive an IPA letter, which requires your signature and the company's signature, as well as a medical examination at the hospital upon request.

- Medical examination: You need to make an appointment with the hospital for medical examination in advance

⑤ Official work

- HR will help to update the status of visa application from approved to issued;

- Since you are still working from home, the physical EP card is mailed directly to your home, usually within 3 weeks after the application is submitted.

The first EP application is valid for 2 years from the day of Issued.

Note that the policy is subject to change at any time and the official information should prevail at all times.