Did you know that when you (or your employer) apply for an Employment Pass (EP) in Singapore, there are additional considerations in addition to the basic eligibility criteria like your work experience and specific skill set?
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) evaluates each EP application based on the merits of both the individual applicant and the hiring company.
Other factors that come into play are:
- Applicant’s salary
- The applicant’s age
- Roles and responsibilities
- The company’s reputation
- Paid-up capital the company
- Current citizenship of the applicant
We highlight some of the factors that can affect your Singapore EP application in this infographic.
Table of Contents
Your Profile
The Singapore Employment Pass (EP) is primarily for foreign professionals with a job offer in Singapore who meet the eligibility criteria.
Therefore, to increase your chances of a successful EP application, you should hold an executive, managerial or specialised job title such as
- Chief Executive Officers
- Chief Operating Officer
- Chief Information Officer
- Chief Marketing Officer
- Chief Financial Officer
- Account Executive
- IT Manager
- Project Manager
- Marketing Director
Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for a Singapore EP would be:
- Having an employment offer in Singapore,
- Working as an executive, or manager in a managerial, or a specialised field,
- All (except financial services): Earning a minimum monthly salary of $5000 and incrementally rises with age, starting at 23 years old and reaching $10,500 for individuals aged 45 and older.
- Financial services: Earning a minimum monthly salary of $5,000 and incrementally rises with age, starting at 23 years old and reaching $11,500 for individuals aged 45 and older.
- Possessing acceptable credentials, typically a good university degree, professional qualifications, or specialised skills
If you’re unsure if you meet the eligibility criteria for an EP, you can use the Employment / S Pass Self-Assessment Tool (SAT). As a general rule, if the SAT indicates that the candidate is eligible, there is a 90% chance of your application being successful.
As a result, if the SAT reveals that the candidate is ineligible, you should not apply for the Employment Pass because it will be denied.
Relevant Skills
As with any job application, to increase your chances, you should ensure that you have the necessary skills required for the job. For example, in the Finance industry, Risk Management Managers are encouraged to hone their skills by acquiring certification in FICS Risk Management.
To find out more about the recommended requisites for your industry and/or occupation, you can refer to Rikvin’s article on Strategic Skills in Demand in Singapore.
Educational Qualifications
To be eligible for the Employment Pass, you need to have the appropriate acceptable qualifications.
To increase your chances of a successful EP application, ensure that your educational qualifications are from an accredited institution:
- Global verification agencies such as Dataflow or Risk Management Intelligence (RMI)
- International accreditation bodies
- Awarding country’s educational authorities
You may also refer to the Ministry of Manpower’s advisory on the educational documents required for Employment Pass submission.
Professional Background
To improve your chances of a successful EP application, make sure you have enough relevant work experience, as the EP application is designed for skilled foreign professionals, managers, and executives.
To find out more about how to increase your chances of a successful EP application, check out our comprehensive Singapore Employment Pass (EP) article. Alternatively, you can also download a copy of the Singapore Employment Pass Guide (EP)
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