Singapore Employment Pass Service

IMPACT OF NEW SINGAPORE EMPLOYMENT PASS COMPASS SCHEME

EP candidates must pass a points-based Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS) starting on September 1, 2023. This is a new point-based system with four fundamental criteria used to evaluate your EP application. Applications receive points only if they satisfy or surpass the given criteria. Employers can choose top-notch foreign professionals through COMPASS, which also increases workforce diversity while retaining a strong Singaporean core.

Through the Employment Pass Compass Scheme, businesses are expected to benefit from better clarity and certainty for their manpower planning. A comprehensive collection of personal and business-related criteria is used by COMPASS to evaluate EP applications.

How does this change affect your future Singapore Employment Pass (EP) application or renewals?

Clamping down on MNCs

Size of local employment and diversity of the company’s workforce has a direct impact on your Singapore Employment Pass application or renewal. Companies with low local employment and employees of the same foreign nationalities will have a more difficult time applying for EP application or renewal.

What does it mean for me?
Your EP approval is in the hands of your employer’s HR policies. Higher chance for your EP renewal or future Employment Pass applications to be rejected if your company fails to meet the requirements (low or no points will be scored from these criteria).

Small companies have bonus points

Small companies or solo entrepreneurs will benefit from this new Singapore Employment Pass scheme as they automatically secure 10 points if they have less than 25 employees.

What does it mean for me?
If you were to apply for your own Singapore Employment Pass under your new company, you will automatically get 10 points to your application.

Higher salaries are valued in EP applications and renewals

Your salary matters, with higher monthly salaries favoured in EP applications and renewals as the fixed monthly salary is compared to local PMETs in the sector.

What does it mean for me?
You can decide your salary in your company according to industry’s benchmarks to secure more points.

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Employment Pass Eligibility Criteria (Non-COMPASS)

Here are the eligibility criteria to apply for the EP till 31 August 2023:

Work in managerial, executive, and specialised job
At least a fixed minimum salary of S$5,000 per month
Generally, a recognized diploma or degree from a reputed university is expected
Professional qualifications, specialist skills, and work-related experience are also considered

TIP: Instead of waiting for a job offer, you can incorporate your own company and apply an Employment Pass (EP) via an appointed agent.

For existing foreigners working in Singapore, it is possible to change jobs and transfer or apply for a new employment pass.

COMPASS Employment Pass Eligibility Criteria

For the new COMPASS framework starting 1 September 2023, EP applicants must score at least 40 points to qualify. Here’s a breakdown of the points according to employer’s and applicant’s criteria:

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OPENING THE DOORS TO SINGAPORE’S EMPLOYMENT PASS SPECIALIST

Trusted by many of our clients globally, our in-house MOM-licensed agent have 93% success rates when applying for Singapore Employment Passes. The benefits of appointing us are:

Insider’s knowledge

Guidance on the preparation of key EP application documents that MOM is looking for

Faster case approvals

MOM officers prioritise speaking to their appointed agents instead of individuals – our fastest EP approval is just 2 weeks!

Higher appeal chance

Liaising with MOM to get insights to EP rejection & necessary documents to boost approval

Paul Hype Page & Co. corporate service professionals

What is Required for Successful Employment Pass Applications?

The documents needed are mostly basic information of yourself as well as the employing Company. From 1 Sep 2023, educational qualifications (diploma-level and above) are required to be verified by the company for all Employment Pass applications in Singapore.

Employing company to prepare:

Post job advertisement to abide with MOM’s Fair Consideration Framework and gives the same consideration to local candidates (this can be served as supporting if MOM were to request it)

Ensure Company bank account is opened and have sufficient funds to cover the candidate 12 months’ salary payable and business operation expenses

Have tenancy agreement of the workplace

Prepare business plan in detail

What is the product/service offered
Why the need to operate in Singapore
What is the manpower projection
Who are the potential clients

Engage with potential clients (better if they are Singapore clients) and prepare the Letter of Intent or contracts signed.

If the business has started operating, ensure all invoices issued are neatly kept and can be tallied with the proof of payment made by clients in the Company bank account

Ensure the Company complied with the annual filing (tax filing with IRAS, financial statement preparation and annual return filing with ACRA)

EP Applicant to prepare:

Get a signed employment contract with the employing Company

Ensure the position and salary are tallied with EP application

Secure letter of recommendation from past employers as well as potential clients

Ensure the job description is suitable with the position applied and candidate had past experiences in it

Resume must be up to date and entail all the achievements throughout the years

Good education background and achievement in career is a must
Ensure the salary offered for EP is similar to the current salary received

TIMELINE & PROCEDURE FOR SINGAPORE EMPLOYMENT PASS

The estimated timeline for Singapore EP application is between 2-4 months, depending on the case. In some instances, it could drag up to 6 months if multiple rounds of appeals are requested.

Traditional EP Application	Company Set up With EP
NA	Day 1) Register an account on our patented platform. Fill up our incorporation and/or employment pass form. Day 5) After compliance team approval, Incorporate the company with our nominee services
Growth	For growth, John will look for the next employer to work for.
2 to 3 months Employment Pass application Day 1) Review client’s Employment pass application and advise on the additional documents that might be needed such as Business Plan, Tenancy Agreement and etc Day 3) Submit Application to MOM and open company’s bank account. The company’s bank account should have capital of 12 months of the EP applicant’s declared salary. Day 20) MOM may approve or request for additional documents Day 30) Submit document after communication with MOM officer and working with client on the needed documents Day 35 to 60 days) MOM will approve the application and once client secure employment pass, you are considered a local resident director. Hence, no longer needing the nominee director service
The company should have a minimum 12 months of the applicant’s salary in the company bank account. E.g. 12 months of $6,000 is $72,000 capital required	If you engage with our incorporation service, we can fund the company with up to $300,000 to secure a higher approval rate.
Traditional EP Application in a Downturn	Company Set up With EP
EP is cancelled and issued 30 days short term visit pass (STVP) to leave the country	EP has 1 year validity and can renew before expiry

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Singapore Employment Pass FAQs

Moving to Singapore can be daunting if you’re not familiar with the visa processes – here are the top questions regarding Singapore Immigration & Visa applications that will clear your doubts!

How can a foreigner register a company in Singapore with an Employment Pass?admin2022-07-16T12:22:19+08:00

How can a foreigner register a company in Singapore with an Employment Pass?

The process for a foreigner to register a company in Singapore is similar to that of a local, with the exemption of the need to apply for an Employment Pass to physically be and work in Singapore.

You can read more about it here.

How to transfer ownership of your Singapore Employment Pass from your existing company?admin2022-07-02T11:40:02+08:00

How to transfer ownership of your Singapore Employment Pass from your existing company?

You cannot transfer ownership of your Singapore Employment Pass, but you can apply for a separate Employment Pass under your newly formed company on your own. Once the new EP is approved, you can cancel the EP that is tied to your current employer.

What’s the difference between Singapore Employment Pass and Personalised Employment Pass?admin2022-07-02T11:41:51+08:00

What’s the difference between Singapore Employment Pass and Personalised Employment Pass?

The 2 differences between a Singapore Employment Pass (EP) and Personalised Employment Pass (PEP) are:

Singapore EP is applied under the company’s name while the PEP is applied under your own name
Singapore EP is renewal after expiry while the PEP is non-renewable after 3 years.
Singapore EP has a minimum salary requirement of S$5,000 (from Sep 2022 onwards) while the PEP has a minimum annual salary requirement of S$144,000 which estimates to a monthly salary of S$12,000.

How much does it cost to set up a company in Singapore as an expat?admin2022-07-02T11:38:16+08:00

How much does it cost to set up a company in Singapore as an expat?

The minimum paid up capital to set up a company in Singapore as an expat or foreigner is S$1.

What is the minimum salary for Singapore Employment Pass?Paul Hype Page2022-11-03T12:27:34+08:00

What is the minimum salary for Singapore Employment Pass?

The current minimum qualifying salary is S$5,000 per month to apply for the Singapore Employment Pass.

Is IELTS required for Singapore Employment Pass?Paul Hype Page2022-11-03T12:26:49+08:00

Is IELTS required for Singapore Employment Pass?

No, to become an Employment Pass holder, one does not necessarily require IELTS to be eligible.

How can a Singapore Employment Pass Holder Change Job?Paul Hype Page2022-11-03T12:26:09+08:00

How can a Singapore Employment Pass Holder Change Job?

Changing jobs as a Singapore Employment Pass holder is simple – there are two situations that you may wish to consider:

• Apply a new job and request your new employer to apply the Employment Pass on your behalf
• Appoint an agent to incorporate a Company and apply the Employment Pass for you
Here are some pointers that you should note when changing jobs:
• You cannot keep your existing Employment Pass while switching jobs. You must apply for a new Employment Pass.
• You cannot concurrently have 2 Employment Pass ID cards. To receive the new one, you need to cancel the old card.
• There is no need to cancel your current pass while the new EP application is being applied as it will not deter your new EP application.

We recommend that you wait for your In-Principal Approval (IPA) letter before resigning to ensure that you EP is approved. It takes roughly 100 days to change your job as an EP holder in Singapore.

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

What’s the difference between a Dependant’s Pass (DP) and a Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP)?Dylan2022-11-03T12:20:13+08:00

What’s the difference between a Dependant’s Pass (DP) and a Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP)?

The difference between a dependant’s pass (DP) and a long-term visit pass (LTVP) is the relationship between yourself and the individual.

For DP, it is applied for legally married spouse or unmarried children under 21 years old for those who hold a Singapore Employment Pass or S Pass.

Got questions for Singapore employment pass?

Speak to our consultations today to gain clarity to your questions today.

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