Before this article begins, we at Paul Hype Page & Co would first and foremost like to state that we truly hope the information in this article never applies to you. Cancellation of an Employment Pass (EP) can be a tedious and arduous process.
If you are reading this right now, you are probably expecting your own EP to soon be cancelled because your employment in Singapore will soon be ending or the EP is expiring after its validity of 2 years. For this reason, if you would like to extend your time in Singapore, you will need an Employment Pass renewal.
Options after EP is Cancelled
On that note, Singapore is a country which is replete with business opportunities. Therefore, you should not be disheartened even though your current employment might be ending soon. This is because you now have the possibility of owning a Singapore-based business yourself and apply the right work.
In deciding on the visa to have for your own company, consider the visa you were previously holding:
Reasons for Cancellation of an Employment Pass
There are various reasons why one might choose to have an EP cancelled.
Employment Pass Cancellation Procedure
The Employment Pass cancellation will be auto approved by MOM once the initiation for EP cancellation is done.
Who can cancel?
Their employer or an authorized immigration agency, in person or online.
What documents required?
What happens upon cancellation?
NOTE: After an EP is cancelled, all related passes tied to the main pass such as the Dependant’s Pass (DP) and Long Term Visit Pass (LTVP) will be automatically cancelled at the same time. Thus, such DP holders can no longer in Singapore and will also receive an STVP which will be valid for 30 days.
What to Do Before Leaving Singapore
Most people who have had their EP cancelled will spend the remaining 30 days in Singapore to complete any remaining formalities because the 30-day validity period of the STVP may not be extended. Those who have plans to continue working and living in Singapore may apply for jobs during this period. However, those who are offered a job must apply for a new EP.
Similarly, those who plan to remain in Singapore to set up a business will also be required to apply for an appropriate pass. This is where we at Paul Hype Page & Co offer our services. We offer a package that covers both the processes of company incorporation and EP application.
Those who violate the terms of the STVP’s validity will be punished accordingly or possibly even deported. Such offenders are also likely to be barred from receiving any further Singapore work passes.
Formalities to attend to:
Formalities to attend to:
1. Tax Clearance for Foreign & SPR Employees (IR21)
Confirm with your employer as employers have the responsibility to file the Form IR21 and withhold all monies due to the employee for tax clearance purpose. This applies to all work pass holders including Personalised Employment Pass (PEP) holders.
2. Accommodation payment and deposit matters
Those who have been renting must inform their landowner, settle any payments, collect their deposit. They must also close accounts with any utility providers and collect any unclaimed deposits.
3. Bank account maintenance or closing
The banks with which the person leaving has accounts must be notified, as well as any relevant credit card and insurance companies. All payments are to be made before departure.
4. Schools or organisations your Dependents may be tied to
Those who have dependents in Singapore must also ensure that all institutions to which dependents are attached are appropriately notified.
Recommendation: If you are facing the end of employment and cancellation for your EP, we strongly recommend that you see this as an opportunity by kickstarting your own business.
FAQs
There is no law which stipulates that one who has had an EP cancelled cannot apply for another.
The five countries which are the preferred destinations of those leaving Singapore are Malaysia, Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Indonesia. These countries account for over 200,000 of the people who leave Singapore every year.
According to the latest statistics, Singapore’s net migration rate is 13.1. This means that on average, out of every 10,000 people in Singapore, there will be 131 more people entering the country than leaving it.
Hi,
If I resign am I able to continue to have the lease on the property I am renting after ep expires for 3 months? My girlfriend is living here so i want to continue renting it for a while, and i will be back on stvp. Or is tenancy no longer valid?
Hi Jim,
You will need a valid EP to lease a HDB in Singapore.
Best Regards,
Paul
What reason to indicate for cancellation of Employment Pass if the employee resigned and not leaving Singapore because looking for job.
Hi Patrici,
You can select this option:
Pass holder will be obtaining a new work pass to work in Singapore.
Best Regards,
Paul
Hello.
I have applied for a visa for another country and just awaiting for it. But my spass will also expire soon. Am I still allowed to continue the process? or is there any other way?
Hi Jane,
In short, you may continue the process and we have alternative solution for you.
Please read our full reply in the forum link below:
https://www.paulhypepage.com/forums/business-forums-singapore/my-s-pass-is-expiring-soon-can-i-apply-for-visa-for-another-country-2/
Feel free to interact with us in the forum if you need further clarification. We will be happy to assist.
Best Regards,
Paul
Hi! Due to Covid and work reasons, and some health (mental) issues, I am back in my home country for a few months but still on my local singapore contract and payroll.
Question is, I may be staying in my home country for more than 6 months now due to covid.
Can I check if I remain employed by the Singapore company and local contract but outsourced or seconded to work for our head office while being paid by Singapore, will my EP be cancelled ? Can it remain valid despite that I am working for our head office since I am on local singapore contract and payroll? Thanks!!
Hi Stephen,
Your question has been answered under our forum.
https://www.paulhypepage.com/forums/business-forums-singapore/will-my-ep-be-cancelled/
Feel free to interact with us in the forum if you need further clarification. We will be happy to assist.
Best Regards,
Paul
Hi- my partner’s entrepass renewal was rejected and was originally due to expire on 23rd Feb. Will the STVP start from 23rd Feb or from the date of when the decision was made (i.e. today)? Thanks
Hi Z,
Your question has been answered under our forum.
https://www.paulhypepage.com/forums/business-forums-singapore/renewal-of-entrepass/
Feel free to interact with us in the forum if you need further clarification. We will be happy to assist.
Best Regards,
Paul
Hi,
I wish to enquire the following:
1) My EP Renewal got rejected and my existing employer is going to file an Appeal. I understand it takes 3 weeks to get the Appeal outcome. In this period of 3 weeks, provided I get an offer from some other company and this other company (future employer) is ready to file a fresh EP application, can my existing employer withdraw the Appeal before 3 weeks or they have to wait till the Appeal outcome is given by MOM (which can be 3 weeks atleast)
Hi Dharmesh,
Your question has been answered under our forum.
https://www.paulhypepage.com/forums/business-forums-singapore/ep-application/
Feel free to interact with us in the forum if you need further clarification. We will be happy to assist.
Best Regards,
Paul
My EP has been cancelled today, Dec 23rd and I am supposed to receive a Short Term Visit Pass valid until Jan 22nd. I have been offered a new job by a different company, but they have yet to apply for an EP as they must complete the 30-day job posting on the MOM government job website. Will I be able to extend my short term visit pass to stay in Singapore and wait for my EP application results?
Hi Scott,
Your question has been answered under our forum.
https://www.paulhypepage.com/forums/business-forums-singapore/extend-my-short-term-visit-pass-to-stay-in-singapore/
Feel free to interact with us in the forum if you need further clarification. We will be happy to assist.
Best Regards,
Paul
My husband’s EP is ending on Dec 31st and I am on a dependent pass and currently working on LOC. After Dec 31st, we will move to STVP. My husband has got a new job and his new company will apply for his EP on Dec 20th. Can his EP be processed before Dec 31st? Can I work on my existing LOC after Dec 31st?
Hi RS, please be informed that your husband’s new employer can submit his new EP application before current EP is expired.
The process itself will need a minimum of 1 months. Once his new EP is approved, then you can apply for new DP and LOC. While his previous EP is cancelled, you do not have a DP and LOC. Thus, you should not be working
Please note that after your work pass is cancelled, you will be given STVP for 30 days to stay in Singapore. If you need further extension, you may request it directly from MOM or ICA.
Please contact us via Paul Hype Page to discuss further.
Thank you for your question.
Warm regards
Paul
Hi, EP renewal card can be issued when employee is outside of Singapore? She is holding EP card without validity data and QR code.
Hi Ram,
Please be informed that the employee need to be in Singapore to issue her card even though for a renewal.
Please contact us via Paul Hype Page to discuss further.
Thank you for your question.
Warm regards
Paul
Hi, i have been retrenched by my company due to business needs and have the STVP for 30 days. I managed to apply for a new job and signed the job offer. Currently they are applying my SPASS to mom however they said the processing could be delay for some reason. Can I request to extend my STVP while waiting for my pass to be approved? Thanks!
Hi James,
Yes, you can request to apply for further extension from ICA/MOM.
Please contact us via Paul Hype Page to discuss further.
Thank you for your question.
Warm regards
Paul
Hi,
My EP validity become to end, unable to renew due not enter SG for health check.
Do we must return our EP card to MOM cause currently reside at JB. If not return it, any fine impose?
Thanks buddy
Hi Gabe,
You must return the original pass card within 1 week from the cancellation by posting it to Work Pass Division, Ministry of Manpower, 18 Havelock Road, Singapore 059764. You can use EP Online’s “card return” function to tell us why you are unable to return the card.
Please contact us via Paul Hype Page to discuss further.
Thank you for your question.
Warm regards
Paul
I am awaiting for the Approval of my Student Pass. I have recently left my previous employment on 28 Aug 2020. I will pursue further studies and have enrolled in a Diploma Course in one of the schools here in Singapore. They have already applied for my student pass. My current Visit Pass is valid till 30 Sep 2020.
Is it possible to request for an extension of my visit pass while waiting for my student pass approval? How is the process for doing that (online or do I have to go to ICA building)?
Hi,
You need to apply extension directly from MOM/ICA.
Please contact us via Paul Hype Page to discuss further.
Thank you for your question.
Warm regards
Paul
Hi sir
My s pass was cancelled last week
Due to travel restrictions . because after holiday I not able to come back
So now my pass was cancelled by my company .
Can I apply again once the situation is stable ??
Hi Selvam,
Yes, you may apply it again.
Please contact us via Paul Hype Page to discuss further.
Thank you.
Hello,
Do i need to present my SPass at Singapore Immigration before my departure. My contract ended and i will be going home. can i return it back to MOM a day before my flight.
Hello,
You are not required to show your S Pass if you have cancelled it. You can return it to MOM once you have cancelled it. Please contact us via Paul Hype Page to discuss further.
Thank you for your question.
Warm regards
Paul
Hi ,
My employer has applied renewal request two months before expiry date but kept pending for till a week before expiry date(pending for 50 days) and my employer requested for STVP after 50 days. MOM has approved STVP as well as extended my EP for one more month from original expiry date. Still my EP renewal is pending state and i got 13 days left till new expiry date . meanwhile i started searching new jobs and got selected into one.Please let me know what i need to do to apply new EP by new employer and what to do with existing EP renewal application .Please let me know what will happen If i ask my existing employer to revoke my renewal request and ask new employer to apply for new EP . Will i get one more month extension of STVP If my existing employer revokes my EP renewal request so that i will get one month time for new EP to be approved . Please suggest on my situation.
Thanks.
Please be informed that you can apply new employment pass while still holding an existing employment pass. Upon cancellation of your employment pass, you will be given 30 days short-term visit pass to stay in Singapore.Please contact us via Paul Hype Page to discuss further.
Thank you for your question.
Warm regards
Paul
Hi,
I’m resigning soon from my current job and my last day is on 31st July. I was told that I will be given a 30-day Social Visit Pass upon returning my EP after my last day. is it possible for me to apply for a short term visit pass while on Social Visit Pass for me to extend my stay in Singapore to more than 30 days? Or is it possible to just apply to extend my social visit pass? I heard that due to COVID, ICA is not as strict with the 30-days. Is this true?
Any clarification is very appreciated! thanks so much!
Hi,
Please be informed that you will be given Short-Term Visit Pass upon cancellation of your EP. You can apply an extension for your Short-Term Visit Pass from MOM or ICA directly. The approval is depends on their assessment.
Thank you.
Hi, I am in the midst of waiting my EP approval because I am changing job from 1 company to another. In fact I have signed the Letter of Offer on mid March to my new employer. For whatsoever reason, the new EP application was done on mid May and as of now the new EP application is yet to be approved. My previous company has not cancelled my EP (good will basis) but they have informed that they will cancel it by end July. Assuming the worst case which I still not manage to get the EP approval after 30 days upon the cancellation, any way that I can further extend my stay in Singapore?
Hi Kenneth
It is possible for you to extend your STVP after your EP has been cancelled with ICA. To discuss this matter further, please contact us at Paul Hype Page.
Thank you for your question.
Warm regards
Pau
My employment is ending in July 30th & my EP will be cancelled so I want to leave Singapore and go back India immediately due to less availability of flights. So my last salary will be credited after 10-15 days of last day of employment. So my question is how long my bank account will be active so that I can transfer my salary to India.
Hi Balaji
Your bank account will remain active even when you leave the country. You can also request your employer to credit your final salary to you on your last working day. This can help to reduce any issues on your end. If you would like to discuss this further, please contact us via Paul Hype Page.
Thank you for your comment.
Warm regards
Paul
Can a foreigner maintain a bank account in Singapore after cancelling his EP?
Hello Sue,
It is possible for a foreigner who has had an Employment Pass canceled to have a Singapore bank account as long as the foreigner is in possession of any other valid visa. Such visas include the S Pass, Student Pass, or Dependant Pass.
Other items required for the opening of a bank account by a foreigner in Singapore include proof of identity through a passport or an identity card, proof of residence in the form of telephone or utility bills, and sometimes a reference of introduction letter.
For further information on Singapore visas or bank accounts, please contact us.
Thank you for your question.
Paul
Hi,
My EP cancelled on April 6 2020. My Vist pass will expire on May 6 2020. Already my new EP applied and still pending . For this situation, Shall i extend my visa?
If it is possible to extend, Please advise how to extend.
Hello Dinesh,
The course of action which you should take depends on whether you are seeking a short-term or a long-term extension.
If you are interested in a short-term extension, after your EP expires or is cancelled, you may make use of a Short Term Visit Pass which is valid for 30 days. For any further extensions, you must directly appeal to either the Ministry of Manpower or the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority.
If you would rather remain in Singapore on a long-term basis, you may apply for a new EP after you have obtained a new job in Singapore. You may also do so if you have incorporated a new Singapore-based business of your own.
All of the matters discussed are topics with which we can assist you. Contact us if you would like to know more.
Thank you for your question.
Paul
Can I ask my friend to help me return my employment pass to MOM?
Hello Ai Ching,
All EP returns must be done via mail to the Ministry of Manpower’s Work Pass division.
Please contact us for further information about the EP.
Thank you for your question.
Paul
My cousin is S-pass holder. Now his pass was cancelled and he has Short Term Visit Pass for 1 month. His grandmother was passed away and need to go back 10 days to his home town. After that,
Can he come back to Singapore as his Short Term Visit Pass is valid until 14 February?
Please answer for this question.
Hello Thet Swe,
Anyone who owns a Short Term Visit Pass may enter Singapore as long as it is valid. Therefore, your cousin will be allowed to return to Singapore at any date before February 14.
Thank you for your question.
Paul
I am a foreign student in JC and how long can I stay in Singapore after I cancel my PR?
Hello Shin,
After you have cancelled your PR status, your Re-Entry Permit will no longer be valid. Thus, once your PR is no longer valid, you will have to leave Singapore.
For further information on Singapore PR status, visas, and migration, please contact us at any time.
Thank you for your question.
Paul
I got my work permit. After worked for less than 14 days, I resigned due to I found the agreement that I signed is unreasonable and I had to terminate before my probation period is over. Will this short work permit affect my future Employment Pass application?
Second question is a new employer apply for my EP then cancelled the application due to they did not accept that I did not inform them about the short term work permit. Do I need to inform about this EP withdrawal by this employer in my future EP application?
Hello Vincent,
If you are unsure about the likelihood of the outcome of your future EP applications, you may use the Ministry of Manpower’s Self-Assessment Tool to find out.
MOM keeps a record of all your application (approved and rejected) and passes.
If you would like further information about the EP, please contact us at any time.
Thank you for your questions.
Paul
Hi, may i ask im a korean that holding a work permit here but recently i had resigned from my work and got hire by a new company. To cancel my current work permit do i have to buy airplane ticket as i am not returning back to my country?
Hello Lonia,
You will need to leave Singapore when you cancel your work permit.
You may return to Singapore once you obtain new work pass IPA.
During the period which you have to leave Singapore, you may be in any other country.
Please contact us for any further information regarding the renewal of or application for an Employment Pass or any other work visa. We will provide you with additional advice on what steps you should next take.
Thank you
Paul
hi,
Last day of work is 31st July.
can i apply pep at the same time apply for short term pass,so that i able to buy more time to be in singapore to look for next job.and is there a choice for the applicant to choose either a single entry or multiple entry for short term pass?
Hello John,
You can only have 1 pass at a time, but you can start applying for your PEP while holding a STVP – A Short Term Visit Pass may only be used for single entry.
Paul
Hi,
After EP is cancelled, do I need to go back to the home country before coming back to Singapore using my tourist visa (90 days)?
Thanks
Hello Roemary,
Upon cancellation of the EP, you can request for a Short-Term Visit Pass which will be valid for 30 days. With it, you may remain in Singapore for as long as it is valid.
Please contact our team for further information on work passes. We will be glad to assist you.
Paul
Hi,
I wish to enquire about the short term visit pass after EP cancellation. I wish to go to another country for 3 days after my last day at work. Assuming my EP will be cancelled on the last working day and i’ll be issued STVP for 30 days, can I go to Indonesia for 3 days and come back to Singapore to complete my leaving formalities? If not, what is the way to do this?
Dear Tania
STVP after EP cancelled.
Firstly, check if your STVP is a multiple entry STVP or single entry.
If it is multiple entry, you may go back to Indonesia and come back into Singapore again. If single entry, you may not
Regards
Paul Hype Page