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  • At a glance
  • Submit an application
  • Get the pass issued
  • If required, register fingerprints and photo
  • Receive the card
  • Related questions
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    • Apply for an Employment Pass

    You can apply for an Employment Pass online as an employer or appointed employment agent.

    At a glance

    Step Who does this How long it takes
    Submit an application Employer or employment agent (EA)

    If you apply online: Processed or given an update within 10 business days.

    For overseas company without a Singapore-registered company: within 8 weeks for most cases.
    Prepare for arrival in Singapore Candidate  Not applicable 
    Get the pass issued Employer or EA Immediate processing after complying with vaccination requirements
    (If required) Register fingerprints and photo Candidate Not applicable
    Receive the card Authorised recipients or candidate Receive within 5 working days after fingerprint and photo registration, or document verification

    • See pass map for an overview of what you need to do before, during and after you apply for an Employment Pass.
    • Use the Self-Assessment Tool to check if your candidate qualifies. You should not apply if the Self-Assessment Tool shows that your candidate does not qualify.
    • Apply for family passes after the main pass is issued. Although you can apply for family passes at the same time as the EP, you will lose the application fees for each family pass if the EP application gets rejected.
    You are required to advertise your job opening on MyCareersFuture to consider all applicants fairly, before you can apply for an Employment Pass.

    Submit an applicationShow

    You can submit an application using EP eService. 

    Processing time: Processed or given an update within 10 business days.

    How to apply

    Candidates do not need to be in Singapore when you apply.

    1. Get a written consent to apply for Employment Pass from the candidate.
    2. Complete the candidate’s form. It contains information you’ll need for the application and can be sent to the candidate to fill in. 
    3. Submit the EP application and upload the required documents.
    4. Pay the $105 fee by GIRO, Visa, Mastercard or Amex.

    Learn what to do if the educational institution is not listed on the application form

    How to check your application status

    You may check your application status online after 10 business days.

    If your application is still pending after 10 business days, please check your email for our request of additional documents.

    If additional information or documents are required:

    • Your processing time may take longer than 10 working days.
    • You will need to submit the documents. Click on ‘Work Passes’ on the left menu > Choose the application record > Select ‘Submit documents’. Alternatively, select ‘View details’ to see the action required from you.
    • Otherwise, our email will inform you to submit them using our online form.

    If the pass is approved

    1. Print the in-principle approval (IPA) letter
    2. Send the pass holder's copy of the IPA to the candidate.

      3. The IPA:

      • Is a pre-approved single-entry visa for the candidate to enter Singapore. It gives the candidate 6 months to enter Singapore and get their pass issued. 
      • States whether the candidate needs to go for a medical examination, which can be done after they arrive in Singapore.
    3. Make arrangements to bring in your candidates.

    You should only bring in candidates when the pass is approved, as we will not be able to extend their visit pass.

    For overseas company without a Singapore-registered office

    For companies not registered in Singapore: you need to get a local sponsor to submit the application.

    Processing time: within 8 weeks. Some cases will take more time.

    How to apply

    Candidates do not need to be in Singapore when you apply.

    1. Get a written consent to apply for Employment Pass from the candidate.
    2. Download the Employment Pass (Sponsorship) application form (for online submission).
    3. Complete the application form as a softcopy to get the bill reference number.
    4. Print the application form and get it signed.
    5. Pay the $105 fee by PayNow or FAST.
    6. Submit your application online. You will need Corppass, apply for Corppass if you do not have one. Include the following:
      • Completed and signed application form
      • Screenshot of banking page confirming your payment
      • Supporting documents listed in the application form

    Watch this video to find out how to fill in educational details in the application.

    How to check your application status

    You may check your application status online after 8 weeks.

    If additional information or documents are required:

    If the pass is approved

    1. We will email the in-principle approval (IPA) letter to the contact person indicated in the application. 
    2. Send the pass holder's copy of the IPA to the candidate.

      3. The IPA:

      • Is a pre-approved single-entry visa for the candidate to enter Singapore. It gives the candidate 6 months to enter Singapore and get their pass issued. 
      • States whether the candidate needs to go for a medical examination, which can be done after they arrive in Singapore.
    3. Make arrangements to bring in your candidates.

    You should only bring in candidates when the pass is approved, as we will not be able to extend their visit pass.

    If you have questions on the application, send us your enquiry on EP (Sponsorship) application matters.

    Prepare for arrival in SingaporeShow

    Before departing

    The candidate should:

    After arriving

    The candidate should:

    Get the pass issuedShow

    When: Within 6 months of in-principle approval (IPA)

    Processing time: Immediate

    The candidate must be in Singapore when you carry out these steps to get the pass issued: 

    1. Log in to EP eService and provide the required information and documents.
    2. Pay the fees using GIRO, Visa, Mastercard or Amex:  
    3. Once the pass is issued, the candidate and you will both receive the notification letter by email. The notification letter is valid for 1 month from the date of issue and:
      • Allows the candidate to start work and travel in and out of Singapore while waiting for the pass card.
      • States if registration of fingerprints and photo is required.

      If the candidate needs more time to complete the card registration procedures, you can request to extend the validity of the notification letter.

      What you'll need

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

      • Candidate's passport details
      • Candidate’s Singapore contact details
      • Candidate's current Short-Term Visit Pass (STVP) or immigration pass details
      • Candidate's Singapore residential address, which must meet the housing requirements
      • Singapore residential or office address to receive the candidate’s card
      • Details of up to 3 authorised recipients to receive the card (their mobile number, email address and NRIC number, FIN or passport number) 

      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 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.

      If you need more time to get the pass issued as your candidates 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.

      Example: If the STVP expires on 10 February, please only submit the request from 3 February.

    If required) Register fingerprints and photoShow

    When: Within 2 weeks after pass is issued

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

    If required, the candidate needs to complete registration within 2 weeks after pass is issued.

    For registration, you must make an appointment for the candidate to visit the Employment Pass Services Centre (EPSC).

    For the appointment, the candidate should bring:

    • Original passport
    • Appointment letter
    • Notification letter

    Receive the cardShow

    When: Within 5 working days after registration or document verification

    We will deliver the card to the given address within 5 working days after the candidate registers and gets documents verified at EPSC.

    If the candidate does not need to register, we will deliver the card 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.

    Your employer or employment agent can also check the card delivery details.

    Download SGWorkPass to scan QR code on your new card to check status, expiry date and more.

    If card delivery fails

    After 2 unsuccessful deliveries, the candidate or an authorised person can collect the card at EPSC after 3 working days. They do not need an appointment.

    Bring along these documents for card collection:

    • Candidate's original passport
    • Notification letter

    If you authorise someone to collect it on your behalf, make sure they bring these along:

    • An authorisation letter from the employer
    • NRIC or passport for verification