Singapore Employment Pass: Application & Complete Guide [2026]  

Candidates who do not meet the minimum salary requirement will be automatically disqualified.

If the salary requirement is met, candidates are then assessed on a combination of other factors, unless exempted. These include the following:

• University degree or equivalent educational qualifications from a reputable institution. A proven track record of relevant work experience may offset the lack of formal academic credentials.
• Professional qualification
• Contribution to nationality diversity within the organisation.
• Employers that create opportunities for local employment and build complementary teams of local and foreign professionals.
• Roles that are in short supply locally, usually ones that require highly specialised skills.

These factors are assessed under the points-based Complementarity Assessment Framework, also known as COMPASS.

Candidates are exempt from COMPASS if they have a fixed monthly salary of at least SGD 22,500, are applying as an overseas intra-corporate transferee, or are filling the role for one month or less.

You may also use the Employment Pass Self-Assessment Tool to estimate the likelihood of approval. The tool can indicate whether an application is likely to be rejected or have a high chance of passing, but it does not guarantee approval.

The Employment Pass (EP) is employer-sponsored. This means that the employer must submit the EP application, and a confirmed job offer must already be in place before the Employment Pass application can be lodged.

If the employer is an overseas company without a Singapore-registered entity, the application must be submitted through a local sponsor or an authorised agent.

Let’s look at the application process.

The employer must advertise the role on MyCareersFuture Singapore, a government job board, and consider candidates fairly in accordance with the Fair Consideration Framework. The advertisement must clearly state the salary and accurately reflect the role in the Employment Pass application.

The job listing must be open for at least 14 consecutive days. Employment Pass applications may be rejected if MOM decide that advertisements are discriminatory or inaccurate.

Job advertising requirement is exempted if any of the following conditions apply:

• The company employs fewer than 10 employees.
• The fixed monthly salary for the position is $22,500 or more.
• The role is short-term and typically lasts no more than one month.
• A local transferee will fill the position.

Before applying for a work pass, the employer must obtain written consent from the foreign employee. This protects the interests of both parties in the event of a dispute.

The MOM considers any document that shows the foreigner’s agreement to be employed as valid written consent, such as a signed employment contract. There is no fixed format for this consent, but verbal agreement is not accepted.

You will need the following documents.

• Completed candidate form, which contains the information required for the application and can be sent to the candidate to fill in.
• Copy of the personal particulars page of the candidate’s passport. If the name differs from other documents, include an explanatory letter with supporting documents such as a deed poll.
• Company business profile as registered with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA).
• Documents confirming the candidate’s qualifications, such as a copy of the latest resume and relevant educational certificates.
• The company’s turnover information for the past three years, which should be up to date.
• Detailed description of job duties
• Detailed description of the activities and/or products of the employing Singapore company

Additional documents are required for certain professions, such as healthcare professionals, lawyers, and employees in food establishments. The list can be obtained from the relevant professional bodies, for example, the Medical Council for doctors. In general, additional supporting documents may also be required by the government.

If the company is registered in Singapore, the employer is the one submitting the application. For companies not registered in Singapore, a local sponsor is required to submit it. Candidates do not need to be in Singapore at the time of this submission.

Applications are submitted through the Employment Pass (EP) eService on myMOM Portal. Provide the required information, supporting documents, and pay the SGD 105 fee via GIRO, Visa, Mastercard®, or Amex.

Online applications are typically processed within 10 business days. For overseas companies without a Singapore-registered entity, most applications are processed within 8 weeks. You can track the application status within the eService.

If you are required to submit additional documents, go to the eService portal, select “Work Passes”, then “Application record”, and finally “Submit documents”.

A successful application will receive an In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter from MOM. The employer should send a copy of the IPA to the candidate. The IPA serves as a pre-approved single-entry visa, allowing the candidate to enter Singapore to complete the final formalities for their Employment Pass.

Only bring in candidates after the pass has been approved, as the visit pass cannot be extended if they arrive before approval.

The candidate should verify that their overseas vaccination records are up to date in the National Immunisation Registry (NIR) and ensure they meet the latest travel and entry regulations. 

Upon arrival, the candidate will need to present the IPA letter to the immigration officer and complete any required medical examinations. 

Once the candidate is in Singapore, log in to EP eService to submit the required information and documents, then pay SGD 225 via GIRO, Visa, Mastercard®, or Amex. 

After the pass is issued, both the candidate and employer receive an email valid for one month, allowing the candidate to work and travel while waiting for the pass card and noting if fingerprints or photos are required. 

In this process, you’ll need to provide the following.

Check the notification letter to see if the candidate must register fingerprints and a photo. If required, registration must be completed within 2 weeks of the pass being issued.

To do this, book an appointment with the EPSC (the Employment Pass Services Centre), and bring:

• Original passport
• Appointment letter
• Notification letter
• Mobile phone with a local number, Singpass, and SGWorkPass apps installed

At the EPSC, the candidate will register fingerprints and a photo, and set up a Singpass account to access the digital work pass.

MOM will deliver the card to the given address within 5 working days after the candidate registers and documents are verified at EPSC. Authorised recipients will receive an SMS or email with delivery details at least 1 working day before delivery.

Employers or employment agents can also check the card delivery details via EP eService.

To collect the card, the candidate must show their passport or digital work pass. An authorised person must show their NRIC, FIN, or passport. If the card is not received within 5 working days, check that the correct documents were uploaded.

In the event of 2 unsuccessful deliveries, the candidate or an authorised person can collect the card at EPSC after three working days without an appointment.

Employment Pass holders can bring certain family members to Singapore if they meet specific eligibility criteria.

Eligibility requirements:

• Earn a minimum of SGD 6,000 per month.
• Hold a valid Employment Pass.
  

Eligible family members and their required passes:

• Dependant’s Pass: Legally married spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21, including legally adopted child(s).
• Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP): Common-law spouse, unmarried handicapped children aged 21 and above, unmarried step-children under 21 years old, and parents. Do note that to bring your parents, you need to earn a minimum salary of at least SGD 12,000.

An Employment Pass (EP) can be renewed up to 6 months before it expires. The renewal must be submitted using the EP renewal application form by the employer or an appointed Employment Agent (EA). A renewed EP can be issued for up to 3 years, with an issuance fee of $225. 

Renewing early will not affect the remaining validity of the current pass, as the new pass only starts after the existing one expires. If you miss the renewal deadline, you will need to submit a new EP application.

To qualify for renewal, the candidate must meet the EP qualifying salary, continue working in a specialised role with the same employer, and satisfy the COMPASS requirements.

The Employment Pass applies when a business owner hires global talent to work in Singapore. Employers should assess role suitability, salary alignment, and documentation early, as these factors directly affect approval outcomes and processing time, which can be lengthy. Planning from the hiring stage helps minimise delays. Employment Pass applications submitted through a Singapore-registered company are generally processed faster than those involving foreign-registered entities. 

If you are an overseas entrepreneur looking to incorporate a Singapore company, you can do so remotely through a licensed service provider.

Statrys supports overseas founders with end-to-end Singapore company registration, including all requirements such as a Singapore-registered address, as well as ongoing administrative services like accounting, and a Singapore multi-currency business account for daily operations.