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Apply for a Work Holiday Pass

You can apply for a Work Holiday Pass by submitting the required documents through the online application portal. It takes around 3 weeks to process an application.

At a glance

Who can apply Candidate
How much it costs When you get the pass issued:
How long it takes Within 4 weeks for most cases
Related eServices

How to apply

Step Who does this Result
Submit an application Candidate In-principle approval letter or rejection letter
Prepare for arrival in Singapore Candidate Candidates must comply with the latest travel requirements
Get the pass issued Appointed employment agency or candidate
Notification letter
(If required) Register fingerprints and photo Candidate Acknowledgment of card delivery
Set up digital work pass Candidate Digital work pass
Receive the Work Holiday Pass card Authorised recipients or candidate Work Holiday Pass card
  • If you have held a Work Holiday Pass before, you can only reapply for another Work Holiday Pass after 12 months from the day you last held the pass.
  • If you are planning to submit your application early, make sure it is not more than 3 months from your intended travel date. 
 

Submit an applicationShow

Processing time: Within 4 weeks for most cases. Some cases will take more time. 

To submit an application for a Work Holiday Pass under the Work Holiday Programme:

  1. Prepare the following required documents:
    If you are You need
    Graduate
    • A copy of the personal particulars page of your passport.
    • A copy of the degree certificate or transcripts.
    Undergraduate
    • A copy of the personal particulars page of your passport.
    • A letter from the university stating your matriculation, name, nationality/citizenship and date of birth. The letter must not be dated more than 3 months before the date of application.
    • A copy of your university student card.
    • (For international students at the university) A copy of your student visa.
  2. Submit the application with the required documents.
 
  • If the documents from your university are not in English, submit a copy of the original document and an official English translation certified by the university.
  • Documents must be in PDF or JPEG format.
  • Each document’s file size should not be more than 2MB.

We will email you if additional information or documents are required. Your processing time may then take longer than 4 weeks.

If your application is approved, you will get an in-principle approval (IPA) letter by email.

The Work Holiday Pass is valid for 6 months. You must get the pass issued within 3 months of the date of the IPA letter.

If you are unable to issue your Work Holiday Pass before your IPA expires, you may submit a request for an extension. The request should be made at least two weeks before the expiry of the IPA.

Prepare for arrival in SingaporeShow

Before the candidate arrives, ensure that they comply with the latest travel requirements.

Get the pass issuedShow

When: Within 3 months of in-principle approval

Processing time: Immediate

You must be in Singapore to get your pass issued.

Party submitting the request Please do so
You
  • [If you have a Singpass account] In EP eService
  • [If you do not have a Singpass account] At Employment Pass Services Centre (EPSC)
Employment agent
 In EP eService

EP eService  

For candidates with Singpass accounts or employment agents to get the pass issued:

  1. Log in to our 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 the employment agent will receive a notification letter by email.

EPSC

For candidates without Singpass accounts, you can get your pass issued over the counter at our EPSC. Please refer to the following steps:

  1. Make an appointment to have your pass issued at our Employment Pass Services Centre.
  2. Bring the supporting documents for your appointment.
  3. Pay the fees using Visa, Mastercard, Amex, NETS or CashCard: 
  4. You will be issued a notification letter.

If your credit or debit card was not issued in Singapore, please ensure it has been activated for overseas use.

The notification letter:

  • Allows the candidate to start work and travel in and out of Singapore while waiting for the pass card.
  • States if the candidate needs to have their fingerprints and photo taken for the card registration.
  • Is valid for 1 month from the date of issue. 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 or immigration pass details
  • Candidate’s Singapore residential address, which must meet the housing requirements for you to get the pass issued.
  • 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 and NRIC number / FIN / passport number) 
  • Candidate’s passport page showing the date of arrival in Singapore 
  • Completed declaration form (attached to the candidate's in-principle approval letter)
  • Return travel ticket confirming that the candidate will leave Singapore by the end of the 6-month pass validity

(If required) Register fingerprints and photoShow

When: Within 2 weeks after pass is issued (if required)

Check the notification letter for whether you need to register your fingerprints and photo.

For registration, you or your employment agent must make an appointment for you to visit EPSC. You need to register within 2 weeks after the pass is issued.

Bring along these documents for the appointment:

  • Original passport
  • Appointment letter
  • Notification letter
  • Their mobile phone (with local mobile number) with both Singpass and SGWorkPass apps downloaded

During registration, we will capture the candidate's fingerprints, take their photo and register them for a Singpass account which allows them to access their digital work pass in SGWorkPass app.

Set up digital work passShow

When: On the day of card registration

After they are registered for a Singpass account, inform the candidate to:

  1. Download SGWorkPass (if they have not done so yet)
  2. Log into the app with their Singpass
  3. View their digital work pass and employment information

SGWorkPass app allows them easy and secure access to their digital work pass. They can check their status, expiry date and procure services earlier, without having to wait for delivery of their physical work pass cards.

If the candidate is not required to report to EPSC for card registration, please inform them to set up their digital work pass.

 

Receive the Work Holiday Pass 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 you register and get your documents verified at EPSC. If you do not need to register, we will deliver the card within 5 working days after checking your documents.

Inform your candidate to set up their SGWorkPass app to view their digital work pass and employment information.

The authorised recipients will get an SMS or email with the delivery details at least 1 working day before the delivery.

When collecting the card, you will need to show these documents for identification:

Person receiving the card Required documents
Candidate Passport or digital work pass
 Authorised person NRIC, FIN or passport

If you do not receive the card within 5 working days, check if you have uploaded the correct documents.

You can also get your employment agent to check the card delivery details in EP eService. 

If card delivery fails

After two unsuccessful deliveries, you’ll have to collect the card at EPSC.

You or an authorised person can collect it 3 working days after the second attempted delivery. You don’t need an appointment.

Bring along these documents for card collection:

  • Candidate's original passport or digital work pass
  • Notification letter

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

  • An authorisation letter from the pass holder
  • NRIC or passport for verification
  • Candidate’s original passport
  • Notification letter

More on Work Holiday Pass (under Work Holiday Programme)