Singapore PGWP for International Students

An Overview of the Singapore Post-Study Work Visas for International Students

A comprehensive guide to understand the different work visa options for Singapore, choose the one is most suitable and beneficial for you, and how to apply

Usually, one wouldn’t need any convincing for wanting to work in Singapore, but in case you still need some, here’s something to consider – As per the World Competitiveness Ranking, 2022 published by the International Monetary Fund, Singapore was ranked 1st and 2nd for the years 2021 and 2022 respectively for economic performance and 9th for both the years for business efficiency. Surely, from a career perspective, moving to Singapore (if you are eligible) for work seems like a no-brainer.

As a popular hub for economic activity, Singapore has seen incredible growth rates and is one of the globally recognised busiest ports. The country became the centre of a lot of commercial activity and attracted top corporate organisations from around the globe. Singapore is a popular job market for students wanting to find employment after completing their higher education in Singapore. Nevertheless, unlike European or American nations, students cannot stay in Singapore on their Student Pass (Singapore Study Visa) while looking for a job. After completing their education, as per the Post Study Work Visa duration guidelines, students can stay back for one to three months.

A graduate student can avail a short-term visit pass once their student pass has expired or cancelled. With this, individuals can stay in Singapore for up to 90 days. They can then hunt for work opportunities. However, while students can seek job opportunities, they cannot start working. To be able to work in Singapore, candidates should have a valid pass (work visa) in the same way as international students who want to work part-time must do so. For international students wanting to work in Singapore, there are two job categories: professionals and skilled and semi-skilled employees.

Types of Post Study Work Visa

Singapore offers 4 different options for the post study work visa.

	Employment Pass	EntrePass	Personalised Employment Pass	S Pass
Who can apply	An employer or appointed employment agent	Candidate	Candidate	Employer or employment agent (EA)
PGWP Cost	SGD 105 for each pass. When you get the pass issued: $225 for each pass $30 for each Multiple Journey Visit	SGD 105 for each pass. When you get the pass issued: $225 for each pass $30 for each Multiple Journey Visit	SGD 105 for each pass. When you get the pass issued: $225 for each pass$ 30 for each Multiple Journey Visit	SGD 75 for Application and SGD 100 for Issuance/Renewal
How long it takes	First-time candidates: up to 2 years Renewals: up to 3 years	Within 8 weeks for most cases	Within 8 weeks for most cases	Within 3 weeks for most cases

We now delve deeper into each of the above-mentioned work visas in greater detail.

1. Employment Pass

As per the PGWP process, an individual cannot apply for the EP; their employer or designated employment agent (EA) should submit the application. The online application service can be accessed by the student on the website of the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). The PGWP processing time is up to three weeks. On the other, should one choose to apply with an offline application, the Post Study Visa processing time rules state that the same time would be up to eight weeks.

Eligibility criteria for Employment Pass

Following are the post study work visa eligibility criteria applicants looking to obtain an Employment Pass should meet:

Obtaining a job offer in Singapore.
Working in roles pertaining to a managerial, executive, or specialised job.
Securing qualifications like a good university degree, professional qualifications, or specialised skills.

Earn a fixed monthly salary as elucidated in the table below:

Sector	Current minimum qualifying salary for new applications, and for renewals from 1 September 2023	Minimum qualifying salary for renewals before 1 September 2023	Sector	Current minimum qualifying salary for new applications, and for renewals from 1 September 2023
All (except financial services)	At least $5,000 (Increases progressively with age from age 23, up to $10,500 at age 45 and above)	$4,500 (Increases progressively with age from age 23, up to $8,400 at age 45 and above)	All (except financial services)	At least $5,000 (Increases progressively with age from age 23, up to $10,500 at age 45 and above)
Financial services	At least $5,500 (Increases progressively with age from age 23, up to $11,500 at age 45 and above)	$5,000 (Increases progressively with age from age 23, up to $9,300 at age 45 and above)	Financial services	At least $5,500 (Increases progressively with age from age 23, up to $11,500 at age 45 and above)

If you want to assess if you qualify for an Employment Pass, you can use the following link:

[[Self-Assessment Tool for Employment Pass Eligibility]]

Duration of Employment Pass

The Employment Pass is valid for a period of 2 years for first-time candidates, and it can be renewed for 3 years.

However, starting from September 2023, experienced tech professionals with skills in shortage can apply for a 5-year Employment pass. The eligibility criteria for the 5-year Employment pass are:

They work in occupations listed in the COMPASS Shortage Occupations List (SOL)
They earn a fixed monthly salary of at least $ 10,500 for candidates up to 36 years of age (minimum salary increasing with age up to $ 13,500 for age 45 or beyond)
Pass COMPASS with a score of at least 10 points on the Diversity criterion (C3).

Document Checklist for Employment Pass

The documents required for obtaining the Employment Pass are as follows:

The most recent business profile company information registered with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA)

[[More Information about ACRA]]

The personal information page of the candidate’s passport
Certificates of education
Verification proof, which confirms the genuineness of the candidate’s employment and academic record. This is required when the candidate’s qualification has been obtained from an institution not in the MOM site.

Contact details (in Singapore) of the candidate
Details of the short-term visit pass of immigration pass of the candidate
Residential address (Singapore) of the candidate: Also make sure the details adhere to the housing requirements
Address of the place in Singapore where the card will be received
Details, including mobile number, email address and NRIC number, FIN or passport number, of three people who can receive the card.

PDF copies of the following also need to be uploaded:

Candidate’s passport page showing the date of arrival in Singapore 
Completed medical examination form or medical declaration form
Completed declaration form (attached to the candidate’s IPA letter). The employer’s declaration of the form should be signed by an authorised human resource personnel, or an employee holding at least a managerial position.

Application Process for Employment Pass

If you have an employee of foreign origin who you wish to have on your payrolls for an extended duration, you (as the employer) will need to file for an Employment Pass on the employee’s behalf. For this, you would need to follow a four-step process for applying for the Employment Pass which is described below:

1. Submitting the Employment Pass application

As part of submitting the application, here is what you would need to do:

Obtain a written consent from your employee to apply for the Employment Pass on their behalf.
Download the following form and send it to your foreigner employee and ask him or her to fill it up and send it back to you:

[[Candidate’s form for Employment Pass]]

The following is the list of Standard Occupations that you can refer to while filling out the Employment Pass form.

Once the candidate submits the duly filled form to you, please upload the application along with the necessary documents here:

[[Employment Pass E-Service]]

Once this is done, please pay the $105 fee for each application by GIRO, Visa, Mastercard, or Amex
You can use the E-Service link provided about to track the Employment Pass applications (it is recommended to do this every 10 days). In case you are informed by the Ministry of Manpower that additional documentation is required, you can complete what is necessary using the following link:

[[Submit requested documents]]

If the application for the Employment Pass is approved, you could log in to the Employment Pass E-Service portal to print what is called the ‘In-Principle Approval’ (IPA) Letter. You can also send the pass-holder’s copy of the IPA to your employee. The IPA will provide you 6 months during which you can ask your foreign employee to come to Singapore and get the Employment Pass issued. The IPA has a pre-approved single-entry visa for Singapore and will also state whether the employee needs to undergo a medical examination in Singapore.

Once an application is submitted, it is processed and you will get an update within 10 business days.

2. Get the Employment Pass issued

To get the pass issued, it has to be made certain that the employee is in Singapore. Once you have ensured that, you need to follow the following steps:

Provide the information and documents after logging in to the E-Service link.
Pay the appropriate post study work visa cost:

$225 for each pass

(If applicable) $30 for each Multiple Journey Visa

Upon issuance of the pass, a notification letter, whose validity is for a month from the date it was issued, is sent to the candidate and you. As per this letter, the candidate can travel and work from Singapore while they wait for the pass card and notes any requirement of registration of fingerprints.

3. Registration of fingerprints and photo

As per the notification letter, the candidate may or may not be required to register for fingerprints and photo. If the candidate is required to, they should do it by booking an appointment to visit the Employment Pass Services Centre within two weeks. At this appointment, the candidate should carry with them their passport and appointment and notification letter.

4. Delivery of card

The card will be delivered to the given address within 5 working days after the candidate registers and gets documents verified at EPSC or completes the biometric details submission procedure (if required). You can check the card status by logging in to EP Service.

Once you receive the card, you can use the SG Work Pass app to scan the QR Code on your Employment Pass Card.

Appealing against a rejected EP

To submit an appeal against a rejected EP, one can log into Submit an appeal, one can log into EP Online.

[[Appeal against the Rejection of Employment Pass]]

You can do this within 3 months of the rejection of the Employment Pass. The appeal would be successful only if the issues in the rejection advisory have been addressed. You can check whether your employee qualifies for the Employment Pass by using the Self-Assessment Tool. As many as 85% of such appeals are processed within 6 weeks.

How to renew an EP

You can apply to renew an Employment Pass for your employee up to 6 months before the pass expires. For applying for the renewal of Employment Pass, you need to do the following:

Log in to the myMOM Portal and complete the renewal form.
Collect the necessary documents as mentioned on the form.
Once the form has been filled, send the same along with the supporting documents via post to the following address:

Work pass Division,

Ministry of Manpower,

18 Havelock Road,

Singapore 059764

Once the application has been submitted, the outcome of the renewal appeal would be sent via email to the contact person mentioned in the application.

If the renewal appeal is successful, you will get an In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter which is valid for 3 months. The IPA will provide instructions on how to get the Employment Pass issued.

Once you the pass is issued, you need to check the notification to see if you need to continue using your existing card or need to obtain a new card.

EntrePass

An EntrePass is a kind of work visa one needs when they want to start their own business in Singapore and not work for an employer.

Eligibility Criteria

You will be eligible for an EntrePass if you have started a PLC registered with ACRA.

You can be eligible for an EntrePass as an entrepreneur, innovator or investor. Following are the criteria that you will need to meet in order to become eligible.

Entrepreneur

The following categories list the eligibility criteria for entrepreneurs:

Your registered company was able to raise $100,000 from a government investment vehicle, venture capitalist (VC) or business angel. Examples of these will include Vertex Ventures, Qualified investors on the StartupSG Equity scheme, and Venture partners on the Early-Stage Venture Fund (ESVF) scheme.
Your registered company has received the status of an incubatee at an incubator or accelerator in Singapore. The examples these Incubators or Accelerators in Enterprise Singapore’s Startup SG Accelerator Programme or Accredited Mentor Partners under Startup SG Founder.
Should you have an exhaustive experience in business, especially in establishing scalable businesses and now seek starting a tech or venture-backed business in Singapore, you should meet the following criteria:

Founded and sold a tech company

Received funding from investors
Incubated by an incubator or accelerator
Prove your business networks, through a letter of intent from prospective customers, how your track record can help your proposed business grow in Singapore.

Innovator

The following categories list the eligibility criteria for innovators:

In case you, or your registered company, has an intellectual property (IP) that is registered with an approved national IP institution, make sure of the following:

IP must be registered with an approved national IP institution
Your IP ensures it adds advantage to your proposed business and cannot be replicated
The IP should be owned by a shareholder or the company. In case a shareholder has invented the IP, an expired IP can be considered as well.

If you, as an innovator, or your registered company has done research in collaboration with an institution under Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), an Institute of Higher Learning (IHL), you need to make sure of the following:

The research collaboration should be along the lines of what your business specialises in
A person of contact should be appointed to verify the details of the research collaboration
Your involvement in the research collaboration

If you have technical or domain expertise in an area related to your proposed business, you should have achievements or received recognition.

Investor

If you are investor who has invested in businesses and, now, look to grow businesses in Singapore through an investment-related company, you have to ensure the following:

Invest money in other local tech startups
Provide supporting documents to show:

Your track record of investing in scalable businesses

Plans – including quantum, period and pipeline – to invest in other local innovative or tech startups
At least 8 years’ experience as a senior management professional or executive in a large corporation.

Following are the business that will not be considered eligible for an EntrePass:

Coffee shops, hawker centres, or food courts

Bars, night clubs, or karaoke lounges
Foot reflexology or massage parlours
Acupuncture or herbal dispensing businesses.
Employment agencies
Geomancy business

Duration of EntrePass

For a new EntrePass or its first renewal, the validity is 1 year, and for second renewal onwards, the validity is 2 years.

Documents checklist for EntrePass

Following is the visa documents checklist you will be required to submit when applying for an EntrePass:

Particular passport pages

Previous employment testimonials in English or resume.
(For businesses registered with ACRA) Company’s latest business profile or instant information from Bizfile.
A 10-page business plan in English, talking about:

Product and service offered
Market analysis

Operation plan
Profile of management team

Supporting documents, including licensing agreements, product certificates and endorsement patents

Depending on the category – Entrepreneur, Innovator or Investor – you will also need to provide additional documents. Follow the list below:

Entrepreneur

If you have funding from a government-recognised venture capitalist (VC) or business angel, you will need to provide documents to show a raised amount of $100,000 in funding. This document can be either an investment agreement or shareholder certificate.
If you are an incubatee at a government-recognised incubator or accelerator or is part of the Accreditation@SGD programme, you need to provide an explanation as to how the incubatee or acceleratee’s work is along the lines of your business.
If you are entrepreneur with a track record:

Have founded and sold a tech company, you should show how you were the main decision-maker of the company along with providing profile and acquisition papers of the company.

Have raised funding from investors, you should provide proof of said funding from third party investors and provide details of current or past ventures
Have been incubated by an incubator or accelerator, you should provide proof that you are an incubatee at the organisation or programme.
Have networks and business contacts, you should provide testimonials or letters of intent, prove how these networks can contribute to your business growth, and explain a potential monetary value of these contacts.
Have received recognition for your achievements and track record, you need to provide documents supporting these achievements and explain how they would add to the growth of the business.

Innovator

If you have an intellectual property (IP), you will need to provide IP registration with an approved National IP Institution.
If you have a research collaboration with an IHL or research institute, you will need to prove how the research is along the lines of the business and contact details of the collaborator.
If you have achieved significant milestones, you will need to give a proof of your expertise through certificates, articles or testimonials.

Investor

If you want to invest in a local company, you will need to provide documents supporting your current investments, research on your area of interest and a list of companies you are considering investing in, and provide your level of engagement with these companies through correspondences, investment agreements, etc.
At the same time, if you have a track record in investment, you need to provide investment agreements, signed letters of interest/intent to local companies and shareholder certificates.
If you have experience as a senior management professional or executive in a large corporation, you need to provide testimonials, resumes or CVs, profile of the companies you have worked in, and your contribution to the company.

Application process for EntrePass

Following is the four-step process that you as a candidate can follow to apply for an EntrePass:

Submitting the EntrePass application

To submit your EntrePass application, you need to do the following:

Download the EntrePass application form by clicking below

[[Form for EntrePass]]

Complete the form as a soft copy to generate the bill reference number. Once you do this, print it out and get it signed.
Pay $105 fee for each application:

For making the payment:

If you use PayNow (this is what you should do by default), you should have an internet banking account with a Singapore bank.

If you use Telegraphic Transfer (only if you cannot use PayNow), you will need to pay in Singapore Dollars including the charges applicable for the transfer.

The application will need to be submitted through Singpass. The application should include the form, proof of payment, and required documents. The status of the processing, which takes eight weeks, can be checked online.

[[Submit EntrePass application]]

If you do not have Singpass, you can submit your application on the following link:

[[ Submit EntrePass application without Singpass ]]

The application is jointly assessed by the Ministry of Manpower and Enterprise Singapore and takes roughly 8 weeks. Upon the approval of the application, an in-principle approval (IPA) letter will be mailed to you. The IPA letter allows the you a time-frame of six months to come to Singapore.

Once an application is submitted, it is processed and you will get an update within 8 weeks (in most cases).

Get the EntrePass issued

To get the pass issued, one needs to be in Singapore. You need to do this within 6 months of obtaining the IPA.

The request can be made by the candidate or through a company representative or employment agent. If you are making the request, you will need to do so at the Employment Pass Services Centre (EPSC). If the Company representative or employment agent is making the request, they will need to log into the myMOM portal.

For getting the EntrePass issued, the following details and documents are required:

Passport details of the candidate
Contact details (in Singapore) of the candidate
Details of the short-term visit pass of immigration pass of the candidate
Residential address (Singapore) of the candidate: Also make sure the details adhere to the housing requirements
Address of the place in Singapore where the card will be received

Details, including mobile number, email address and NRIC number, FIN or passport number, of three people who can receive the card
PDF copies of the following also need to be uploaded:

Candidate’s passport page showing the date of arrival in Singapore 
Completed medical examination form or medical declaration form
Completed declaration form (attached to the candidate’s IPA letter). The employer’s declaration of the form should be signed by an authorised human resource personnel, or an employee holding at least a managerial position.

The following are steps that need to be followed for getting the EntrePass issued:

For pass-holders who wish to get the pass issued over-the-counter at the EPSC

Book an appointment with the Employment Pass Services Centre
Bring the supporting documents mentioned above

Pay the fee:

$225 for each pass
$30 for each Multiple Journey Visa (if applicable)

You can make the Visa fees payment using VISA, Mastercard, AMEX, NETS, or CashCard

Upon issuance of the pass, you will both receive the notification letter by email.

For Company Representative/Employment Agent to get the pass issued using the EP E-Service

Log in to EP E-Service and provide the information and documents.
Pay the fee:

$225 for each pass
$30 for each Multiple Journey Visa (if applicable)

You can make the Visa fees payment using VISA, Mastercard, AMEX, NETS, or CashCard

Upon issuance of the pass, both, you and the candidate (or employee) will both receive the notification letter by email.

The notification letter (obtained by EPSC or E-Service) is valid for 1 month and permits the candidate to work in Singapore while they wait for card registration process to be completed. The letter also provides clarity on where fingerprints and photo are required.

Registration of fingerprints and photo

Delivery of card

Once you receive the card, you can use the SG Work Pass app to scan the QR Code on your EntrePass Card.

Personalized Employment Pass (PEP)

Personalized Employment Pass is a kind of Visa that can be availed of by high-earning Employment Pass holders as well as overseas foreign professionals. The benefits of a PEP are that it is not restricted to a particular employer, and offers higher flexibility than an Employment Pass.

A PEP holder can:

Work in a job in any sector, subject to compliance with registration requirements to practise in Singapore for professionals in the fields of medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, law, architecture, and so on
Switch jobs by merely notifying the Ministry of Manpower without having to apply for a new pass
Can stay in Singapore for a 6-month period continuously for searching a new job

Eligibility Criteria

A candidate is eligible to secure a PEP if he is:

A person on an Employment Pass, and earning a fixed monthly salary of at least $ 12,000
An overseas foreign professional with last drawn fixed monthly salary of at least $18,000

From September 1, 2023, the fixed monthly salary for both the categories would be raised to $22,500 (benchmarked to top 10% of EP holders). (Remember to update the blog after this date.)

Once you have the PEP, you must:

Not remain unemployed while in Singapore for more than 6 months at any point of time
Earn a fixed salary of at least $144,000 in every calendar year (no matter how many months you were employed). If your PEP gets approved after September 1, 2023, this salary requirement will increase to at least $270,000 per calendar year. (Remember to update the blog after this date.)

People who are ineligible for the PEP are:

Employment Pass holders under the sponsorship scheme
Freelancers/Foreigners who plans to work as a freelance basis
Sole proprietors or partners or where a director is also a shareholder in an ACRA-registered company
Journalists/ Editors/ Sub-Editors/ Producers

Duration of Personalized Employment Pass

The validity of a Personalized Employment Pass is up to 3 years and is non-renewable.

Application process for Personalised Employment Pass

Following is the four-step process that you as a candidate can follow to apply for the Personalised Employment Pass:

1. Submitting the Personalised Employment Pass application

Download the EntrePass application form

[[Form for Personalised Employment Pass]]

Complete the form to generate the bill reference number
Print out the application form and get it signed
Pay $105 fee for each application:

For making the payment:

If you use PayNow, you should have an internet banking account with a Singapore bank.

If you use Telegraphic Transfer, you will need to pay in Singapore Dollars including the charges applicable for the transfer.

The application will need to be submitted through Singpass. The application should include the form, proof of payment, and required documents. The status of the processing, which takes eight weeks, can be checked online.

[[Submit Personalised Employment Pass via Singpass]]

If you do not have Singpass, you can submit your application on the following link:

[[Submit Personalized Employment Pass application without Singpass]]

Upon the approval of the application, an in-principle approval (IPA) letter, which allows the candidate six months to come to Singapore, will be mailed.

Once an application is submitted, it is processed and you will get an update within 8 weeks (in most cases).

2. Enter Singapore

The next step is for the candidate to enter Singapore to get the pass issued. Candidates will need to ensure that they comply with the travel requirements.

3. Get the Personalized Employment Pass issued

The request can be made by the candidate or employment agent. If you are making the request, you will need to do so at the Employment Pass Services Centre (EPSC). If the employment agent is making the request, they will need to log into the myMOM portal.

For getting the Personalised Employment Pass issued, the following details and documents are required:

Passport details of the candidate
Contact details (in Singapore) of the candidate
Details of the short-term visit pass of immigration pass of the candidate
Residential address (Singapore) of the candidate: Also make sure the details adhere to the housing requirements
Address of the place in Singapore where the card will be received

Details, including mobile number, email address and NRIC number, FIN or passport number, of three people who can receive the card
PDF copies of the following also need to be uploaded:
Candidate’s passport page showing the date of arrival in Singapore 
Completed medical examination form or medical declaration form
Completed declaration form (attached to the candidate’s IPA letter). The employer’s declaration of the form should be signed by an authorised human resource personnel, or an employee holding at least a managerial position.

The following are steps that need to be followed for getting the EntrePass issued:

For pass-holders who wish to get the pass issued over-the-counter at the EPSC

Book an appointment with the Employment Pass Services Centre
Bring the supporting documents mentioned above

Pay the fee:

$225 for each pass
$30 for each Multiple Journey Visa (if applicable)

You can make the fee payment using VISA, Mastercard, AMEX, NETS, or CashCard

Upon issuance of the pass, you will both receive the notification letter by email.

For Employment Agent to get the pass issued using the EP E-Service

Log in to EP E-Service and provide the information and documents.
Pay the fee:

$225 for each pass
$30 for each Multiple Journey Visa (if applicable)

You can make the fee payment using VISA, Mastercard, AMEX, NETS, or CashCard

Upon issuance of the pass, both, you and the candidate (or employee) will both receive the notification letter by email.

4. Registration of fingerprints and photo

5. Delivery of card

Once you receive the card, you can use the SG Work Pass app to scan the QR Code on your PEP Card.

S Pass

With the benefit of as S Pass, those working as mid-level skilled staff can work in Singapore. To be able to secure an S Pass, you must be making $3,000 a month.

An employer or appointed employment agent must apply for S Pass on behalf of the applicant. If the pass holder changes jobs, the new employer has to apply for a new pass. Candidates in the financial service sector need higher salaries to qualify.

Qualification criteria for S Pass:

You need to have a job in Singapore

You need to earn a monthly income that is comparable to the top one-third of the local APT workforce by age.

Qualifying salaries

Sector	Minimum Qualifying Salary
For all sectors except financial services	Minimum qualifying salary for new applications and renewals from September 1, 2023, is $3000, which increases with age. For those who are 45, the qualifying income is $4500	Minimum qualifying salary for new applications from September 1, 2023, and renewals from September 1, 2024, is $3150, which increases with age. For those who are 45 years, the qualifying income is $4650.	Minimum qualifying salary for new applications from September 1, 2025, and renewals from September 1, 20226 is at least $3,300 (yet to be finalised)
Financial services	Minimum qualifying salary for new applications and renewals from September 1, 2023, is $3500, which increases with age. For those who are 45, the qualifying income is $5500.	Minimum qualifying salary for new applications from September 1, 2023, and renewals from September 1, 2024, is $3650, which increases with age. For those who are 45 years, the qualifying income is $5650.	Minimum qualifying salary for new applications from September 1, 2025, and renewals from September 1, 20226 is at least $3,800 (yet to be finalised)

Changes to levy rates

The Basic or Tier 1 levy rate of the S Pass is also expected to increase, as has been elucidated in the table below:

Current rate: $450

The rates will increase to $550 from September 1, 2023

Rates will further increase to $650 from September 1, 2025

The rates for Tier 2 levy will remain the same – $650.

Duration of S Pass

The validity of a Personalized Employment Pass is up to 2 years and is renewable up to 3 years.

Documents Required:

Personal particulars page of candidate’s passport.[Text Wrapping Break][Text Wrapping Break]If the candidate’s name on the passport differs from that on their other documents, please also upload an explanation letter and supporting documents (e.g., deed poll).

Company’s latest business profile or instant information registered with ACRA.

If an education qualification declared in the application is from an institution not found in the application form’s drop-down list, you need to upload the following additional documents:

Education certificate
Verification proof from a background screening company

Transcripts or marksheets for all semesters stating the college attended.

Application procedure for S Pass:

As an employer of employment agency, you will need to follow the four-step process to have your employee qualify for the S Pass:

Submit the S Pass application

As part of submitting the application, here is what you would need to do:

Obtain a written consent from your employee to apply for the Employment Pass on their behalf.

Download the following form and send it to your foreigner employee and ask him or her to fill it up and send it back to you:

[[Candidate’s form for S Pass]]

Once the candidate submits the duly filled form to you, please upload the application along with the necessary documents here:

[[Employment Pass E-Service]]

Once this is done, please pay the $105 fee for each application by GIRO, Visa, Mastercard, or Amex
You can use the E-Service link provided about to track the S Pass applications after 3 weeks. In case you are informed by the Ministry of Manpower that additional documentation is required, you can complete what is necessary using the following link:

[[Submit requested documents]]

If the application for the Employment Pass is approved, you could log in to the Employment Pass E-Service portal to print what is called the ‘In-Principle Approval’ (IPA) Letter. You can also send the pass-holder’s copy of the IPA to your employee. The IPA will provide you 60 days during which you can ask your foreigner employee to come to Singapore and get the Employment Pass issued. The IPA has a pre-approved single-entry visa for Singapore and will also state whether the employee needs to undergo a medical examination in Singapore.

Once an application is submitted, it is processed and you will get an update within 3 weeks (in 85% of the cases).

Prepare for the foreigner employee’s arrival

There are a few things to take care of before getting the S Pass issued.

Before the Candidate arrives in Singapore

You need to buy:

Medical Insurance

Work Injury Compensation Insurance (for those employees for whom it is applicable)
Primary Care Plan (for employees who have to stay in dormitories or work in sectors such as construction and marine shipyard that may involve physically risky work.)

After the Candidate arrives in Singapore

If applicable, the candidate needs to be sent to a medical examination by a Singapore-registered doctor.

Get the S Pass issued

To get the pass issued, it has to be made certain that the employee is in Singapore. Once you have ensured that, you need to follow the following steps:

Provide the information and documents after logging in to the E-Service link.
Pay the $100 fee for each pass using GIRO, Visa, Mastercard, or Amex.
Upon issuance of the pass, a notification letter, whose validity is for a month from the date if was issued, is sent to the candidate and you. As per this letter, the candidate can travel and work from Singapore while they wait for the pass card and notes any requirement of registration of fingerprints.

Document checklist for S Pass:

Passport details of the candidate
Contact details (Singapore) of the candidate
Details of medical insurance of the candidate
If deemed certified to work, you must buy the Primary Care PlanCandidate’s completed medical examination form. If certified fit to work, buy the Primary Care Plan for those who are required to have it.

Details of work injury compensation insurance of the candidate
Details of short-term visit pass or immigration pass of the candidate
Residential address in Singapore of the candidate. The address should adhere to the housing requirements.
Details of the address where the card will be delivered.
Details of the people, including their mobile number, email address and NRIC number/FIN/ passport number, who will receive the card.

You may also need to upload PDF copies of these documents:

Candidate’s passport page showing the date of arrival in Singapore .
Completed medical examination form or medical declaration form.
Completed declaration form (attached to the candidate’s in-principle approval letter). The employer’s declaration of the form should be signed by an authorised human. resource personnel, or an employee holding at least a managerial position.

Registration of fingerprints and photo

As per the notification letter, the candidate may or may not be required to register for fingerprints and photo. If the candidate is required to, they should do it by booking an appointment to visit the MOM Services Centre – Hall C within two weeks. At this appointment, the candidate should carry with them their passport and appointment and notification letter.

Delivery of card

Once you receive the card, you can use the SG Work Pass app to scan the QR Code on your Employment Pass Card.

A post study work visa is essential for an international student who is looking to work in Singapore. The guide we have outlined above presents the various kinds of visas and their eligibility criteria, documents required and application procedures associated with the different kinds of visas.

One of the easiest ways of securing a post study work visa is to study from a well reputed university in Singapore. The country boasts several universities, colleges and institutions that provide a range of courses in every field of specialisation. If you are too looking to study a program of your choice, you can check out our Study in Singapore page. We would also invite you to drop your contact details below so we can schedule a one-to-one appointment for you with one of our counsellors:

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What are my post-study visa options in Singapore?

Depending on your case and eligibility, you can apply for an Employment Pass, EntrePass, Personalized Employment Pass, or S Pass. The type of work permit you need depends on your salary and qualifications.

How do I apply for a work permit?

You need to have a job offer from an employer in Singapore who will sponsor your work permit application. The employer will need to appeal to relevant authorities before they can hire you. The type of work permit you need depends on your salary and qualifications.

How long does it take to get a work permit?

The processing time for a work permit varies depending on the type of pass and the sector. For an Employment Pass, it can take up to 10 days for online applications. If you are an overseas company without Singaporean registration, the Employment Pass application may take 8 weeks to process. For an S Pass, it can take up to three weeks, for EntrePass and Personalized Employment Pass, it can take up to eight weeks.

Can I switch jobs with a work permit?

You can change jobs if you are on a Personalized Employment Pass. If you are not on a PEP but an Employment Pass, you can switch jobs but your new employer will need to apply for a fresh Employment Pass on your behalf. You will also need to meet the eligibility criteria for the new work permit.

What are the benefits of working in Singapore?

Working in Singapore can offer you many benefits such as a high standard of living, a multicultural society, a stable economy, a low tax rate (personal income tax rates between 0 to 24% and corporate tax rate of 17%), a safe environment and a strategic location in Asia.

What options do I have for bringing my family members to Singapore while on an Employment Pass or S Pass?

Students can apply for a Long-Term Visit Pass for their family – including common-law spouse, unmarried handicapped children aged 21 and above, unmarried step-children under 21 years old, and parents (for those earning a fixed monthly salary of at least $12,000) – if they have an Employment Pass or S Pass. They also have to meet the following criteria:

Earn a minimum fixed monthly salary of $6,000
You are sponsored by a Singapore-registered company.

Documents Required

Common-law spouse:

Any one of the following:

Copy of the common-law marriage certificate.
An affidavit by the work pass holder and their spouse declaring that they are in a common-law relationship recognised under the laws of their home country/region. The affidavit must also be notarised in their home country/region.
A letter from the home country/region’s embassy of the work pass holder or spouse acknowledging that they are in a common-law relationship recognised under the laws of their country/region.

Handicapped children aged 21 and above: A letter or report from a medical practitioner on the child’s condition.

Unmarried stepchildren under 21 years of age:

A copy of the court order on the child’s custody.
A letter from the other biological parent stating there is no objection to bringing the child to Singapore.
Verification of Vaccination Requirements (for entry to Singapore) document issued by HPB is needed for foreign-born children who meet these conditions:

Aged 12 years old and below.
Applying for a new LTVP – this includes those whose LTVPs have expired or been cancelled for more than 30 days.

Existing DP, LTVP and Student’s Pass holders do not need this document.

Parents: A copy of the work pass holder’s birth certificate that states the names of the parents.

You will need the following information to get the pass issued: 

Foreigner’s passport details
Foreigner’s Singapore contact details 
Foreigner’s current Short-Term Visit Pass (STVP) or immigration pass details
Foreigner’s Singapore residential address
Singapore residential or office address to receive the foreigner’s card

Details of up to 3 authorised recipients to receive the card (their mobile number, email address and NRIC number / FIN / passport number)

You may also need to provide PDF copies of these documents to get the pass issued:

Foreigner’s passport page showing the date of arrival in Singapore 
Completed medical examination form or medical declaration form

Completed declaration form (attached to the foreigner’s IPA letter)

If you need more time to get the pass issued as the foreigners are waiting for their medical results, you can extend their STVP. Submit this request within 1 week before the STVP expires and upload the doctor’s memo stating the medical results collection date.

Check the notification letter for whether the foreigner needs to register fingerprints and photo.

To submit an application

Log in to myMOM Portal to fill out the application and upload the required documents.
Pay the $105 fee for each application.

Check your application status after 3 weeks. It may take longer if additional information is required.
If the pass is approved, log in to EP Online and print the in-principle approval (IPA) letter.
Send the pass holder’s copy of the IPA to the foreigner. It has a pre-approved single-entry visa for the foreigner to enter Singapore.

After you receive the IPA, you have the following period of time to bring the foreigner to Singapore before you can get the pass issued:

Type of dependant	Where to register	Timeframe for registration
Dependants of Employment Pass holders	Employment Pass Services Centre (EPSC)	Within 2 weeks after pass is issued
Dependants of S Pass holders	MOM Services Centre - Hall C	Within 1 week after pass is issued

Once the dependant is in Singapore, they need to complete the following steps:

1. Pay the fees

$225 for each pass
(If applicable) $30 for each Multiple Journey Visa

2. Once the pass is issued, the foreigner and you will both receive the notification letter by email.

The notification letter:

Allows the foreigner to travel in and out of Singapore while waiting for the pass card.
States if the foreigner needs to have their fingerprints and photo taken for the card registration.
Is valid for 1 month from the date of issue. If the foreigner needs more time to complete the card registration procedures, you can request to extend the validity of the notification letter:

What you’ll need

For registration, you must make an appointment for the foreigner.

Type of dependant	Where to register	Timeframe for registration
Dependants of Employment Pass holders	Employment Pass Services Centre (EPSC)	Within 2 weeks after pass is issued
Dependants of S Pass holders	MOM Services Centre - Hall C	Within 1 week after pass is issued

The foreigner should bring along these documents for the appointment:

Original passport
Appointment letter
Notification letter
The card will be delivered to the given address within 5 working days after the foreigner registers and gets documents verified.

If the foreigner does not need to register, the card will be delivered within 5 working days after checking the documents.
The authorised recipients will get an SMS or email with the delivery details at least 1 working day before the delivery.