Work Passes Singapore: An Overview of the Different Types and Their Requirements

Singapore is a popular destination for foreign workers due to its booming economy and high standard of living. However, the country has strict regulations when it comes to foreign employment, and all foreign workers are required to hold a valid work pass before they can legally work in Singapore. In this article, we will provide an overview of the different types of work passes in Singapore and their requirements.

Types of Work Passes in Singapore

There are several types of work passes in Singapore, each designed for different types of foreign workers. These include the Employment Pass, the S Pass, the Work Permit, and the Personalized Employment Pass (PEP). Let’s take a closer look at each of these work passes and their requirements.

Employment Pass

The Employment Pass is the most common type of work pass in Singapore and is designed for foreign professionals, managers, and executives who are working in managerial, executive, or specialized jobs. To be eligible for an Employment Pass, applicants must have a job offer in Singapore and meet the following requirements:

1. A bachelor’s degree or higher qualification from a recognized university or institution;
2. At least three to five years of relevant working experience for managerial and executive jobs, and at least one year for specialized jobs;
3. Be proficient in English language (at least 3 band grades for Singaporeans);
4. Have relevant certifications/qualifications;
5. Have no criminal record; and
6. Be medically fit (if applying for an S Pass, he must have a medical certificate from the approved clinic instead of going through the MOE Medical Checkup).
7. Must be a permanent resident of Singapore.

If the above criteria are met, the Employment Pass will be granted by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) after completion of an application form. The applicant must pay an application fee in addition to a Work Permit Application Charge (WPAC) amounting to $200, which is non-refundable. The work pass is valid for two years and can be extended up to three years depending on eligibility requirements.

It is important that employers take note that if an employee loses their employment pass or it expires before their contract has ended, they can face fines for each day after the employee has lost his Employment Pass or it expired before their contract has ended.

Conclusion

1. Employment Pass is the most common type of work pass in Singapore. It is designed for foreign professionals, managers, executives who are working in managerial, executive or specialized jobs.
2. Employers are reminded that if an employee loses their employment pass or it expires before their contract has ended, they can face fines for each day after the employee has lost his Employment Pass or it expired before their contract has ended.
3. Employers could face fines totalling up to $10,000 per day for each employee found to have violated the conditions of an employee’s employment pass.
4. Employers should also note that all employees holding Employment Pass should undergo a medical check-up at MOM-appointed clinics from time to time throughout their employment period in Singapore.