Outline
Do you have plans to look for other opportunities, but your current Employment Pass is restricting you from doing so? Fear not, because you can always put in a new Employment Pass (EP) application while working for your current employer.
Changing jobs as a Singapore Employment Pass holder is simple – there are two situations that you may wish to consider:
Here are some pointers that you should note when changing jobs:
Is it permissible to accept a new job offer while working for other Company in Singapore?
Yes, it is permissible to accept a new offer. It is advisable for you to resign and cancel your current Employment Pass only when your new employer has secured an Employment Pass tying you to their company.
Once your new employer has managed to secure an EP, the In-Principal Approval (IPA) letter will give you 6 months to proceed with card issuance.
This allows you to tender your resignation with your current employer and undergo the notice period without hassle.
What if I wish to start a business in Singapore?
Singapore is a country that boasts many business opportunities and the government often welcomes foreign investment. It’ll be a waste of talent if you continue working for someone when you can always leverage on your potential and gift.
Paul Hype Page & Co. offers packages that can help you to incorporate a company in Singapore as well as apply Employment Pass on your behalf.
By engaging with Paul Hype Page, the workflow will be as below:
You can look into this article if you’re wondering what you need to prepare before setting up your company and applying an Employment Pass.
Wait for an In-Principal Approval (IPA) letter before resigning
Applying for an Employment Pass is not easy and we do not wish for our clients to be jobless after resigning before securing a new position.
There are tightening regulations on top of reduced quotas for issuing new Employment Passes. In 2022, the Ministry of Manpower announced an increased in minimum monthly qualifying salary of S$5,000 from S$4,500.
Along with this new change, a new point-based system will be introduced in September 2023 called the COMPASS framework.
This is why it is recommended to wait for an IPA letter before resigning so that you do not end up in a sticky situation.
You may look into this article to understand some of the crucial reasons why an Employment Pass is rejected.
It takes 100 days to change your job
Day 1: Obtain an offer letter from your new employer.
Day 2: Apply for an EP under your new employer.
Day 30-60: Once successful, you will receive an IPA letter valid for 6 months.
Day 90: Tender your resignation and serve the notice period (1 month in this example) with your current employer.
Day 91: Once completed, your current employer will assist to cancel the Employment Pass and issue you the Short-Term Visit Pass (STVP) to remain in Singapore.
Day 92: Proceed to card issuance at MOM for your new Employment Pass with the new employer.
Day 100: You are ready to start working with your new employer
Our thoughts
A big congratulations if you found a better opportunity. What we have to say is, consider setting up your own company and applying for an EP under your own company and have a contract relationship with the new employer.
As this process already points out, keeping your EP with your employer means you are restricted to them. A part of grasping good opportunities is to grab at them when you can. Having your own company essentially allows you to work with multiple “employers”, and also contributes to a road of financial and personal freedom.
FAQs
If you are ready to start your Employment Pass application, click here to fill up the Employment Pass Questionnaire. Our in-house agent will help you with this process.
You may also use the Self Assessment Tool (SAT) to check your eligibility for the Employment Pass or S Pass before applying or appealing.
Job scope and qualifications do not match. Educational background and experience must align with the job requirements.
The previous employer did not hire locals or maintained an imbalanced local-to-foreign ratio, showing weak contribution to Singapore’s workforce.
The role can easily be filled by a local candidate.
The applicant does not meet salary or educational qualification benchmarks.
Short job tenures or frequent job changes (less than two years) raise red flags with MOM regarding stability and intent.
After applying for an EP online, the following image can be seen:
- Pending: MOM is still reviewing your documents.
- Approved: MOM has granted the pass, and you can now proceed to card issuance.
- Rejected: The application has been declined, and you may file an appeal within three months.
Approved applicants should schedule an appointment with MOM to receive and activate their Employment Pass.
- S Pass holders cannot own or be a director of a company and are limited in certain industries.
- Personalised Employment Pass (PEP) holders have higher salary requirements and face restrictions on some job types.
- EntrePass holders must meet strict innovation, investment, or entrepreneurial criteria.
By contrast, the Employment Pass offers flexibility, fewer restrictions, and accessibility, making it the most preferred work visa among foreign professionals in Singapore.
Since August 2014, MOM requires most companies to advertise job vacancies on the MyCareersFuture portal for at least 14 days before applying for an EP, ensuring fair consideration for local candidates.
Exemptions apply to:
- Companies with fewer than 25 employees
- Jobs paying more than SGD 12,000 per month
- Intra-corporate transferees (senior managers or specialists)
- Short-term positions (less than one month)
If your EP application is rejected:
- Review MOM’s stated reasons carefully.
- Prepare an appeal letter addressing the issues raised.
- Submit additional documents (like improved salary proof or new company financials).
Appeals take a minimum of three weeks, and all must be filed within three months of rejection. After that period, a new application must be submitted.
The Self-Assessment Tool (SAT), available on MOM’s official website, helps employers and applicants check their eligibility before applying for an EP.
It assesses:
- Nationality
- Educational qualifications
- Work experience
- Expected salary
If the SAT shows ineligibility, it is recommended not to proceed, as such applications are likely to be rejected. However, the SAT is an advisory tool, and MOM ultimately makes the final decision after full evaluation.
Yes, you can check your visa validity, it should be printed on your visa.
It is best to apply and submit your entry visa one month before you arrive in Singapore during peak season (e.g March to May); for the non-peak season, it is also recommended to submit your application at least 7 days before your arrival to avoid disappointment.
All visas offered by the Singaporean government provide various advantages to those who obtain them. However, the advantages offered by the Employment Pass are more numerous, accessible, and commonly needed or desired when compared to the advantages offered by other visas. Therefore, the Employment Pass has become the most frequently issued, desired, and recommended visa in Singapore.
People of various educational levels, skill levels, and salaries are interested in moving to, living in, and working in Singapore. These differences prevent the same visa from being used for every foreigner who plans to work in Singapore. Thus, to overcome this potential problem, the Singaporean government must offer different types of visa to cater to the needs of as many foreign workers as possible.
Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!
Related Business Articles
