Overview of Singapore Work Permit Schemes

The purpose of this guide is to provide an overview of various work permit schemes available in Singapore. Singapore has become the ideal business and commercial hub in Southeast Asia partly due to its creative immigration policies designed to attract seasoned entrepreneurs and working professionals from around the world.

For more detailed information on the S Pass work permit scheme, refer to Singapore S-Pass guide.

Work Permit Scheme: Personalised Employment Pass (PEP)

The Personalised Employment Pass (PEP) is a special type of Employment Pass that is not tied to a specific employer. The biggest benefit of having a PEP work permit is that you can switch jobs without re-applying for a new employment pass provided that you are not unemployed for more than six months. Candidates must meet specific requirements before a PEP is approved.

Validity: PEP is issued for 5 years and  non-renewable.  

Eligibility: Well paid professionals who want to work in Singapore for an employer. PEP holders cannot start their own business in Singapore.

Quota System: No. Each PEP application is considered based in its own merit.

Permanent Residence Eligibility: PEP holders are eligible to apply for PR status in due course. 

For details on PEP work permit, refer to Personalised Employment Pass (PEP) guide.

Work Permit Scheme: Miscellaneous Work Pass

The Miscellaneous Work Pass is issued to foreigners working in Singapore on short-term assignments. More specifically, you will be issued a Miscellaneous Work Pass if you are:

• involved in activities directly related to the organisation or conduct of any seminar, conference, workshop, gathering or talk concerning any religion, race or community, or political end;
• a foreign religious worker giving talks relating directly or indirectly to any religion; or
• a foreign journalist, reporter or an accompanying crew member not sponsored by any Singapore Government agency.

Validity: Depends

Quota System: No. Each Misc Work Pass application is considered based in its own merit.

Permanent Residence Eligibility: Misc Work Pass holders are not eligible to apply for PR status.

Work Permit Scheme: Training Employment Pass

The Training Employment Pass is issued to foreigners undergoing practical training attachments for professional, managerial, executive or specialist jobs in Singapore. You may apply for the pass if you are:

• An undergraduate -The training attachment in Singapore must be part of the trainee’s degree programme from an acceptable educational institution.
• An intra-company trainee – Companies can bring employees from their foreign offices/subsidiaries to Singapore for professional or executive training. Intra-company trainees should have a degree or diploma.

To qualify for the Training Employment Pass, you should:

• Earn a fixed monthly salary of more than $2,500; and/or
• Hold acceptable tertiary or professional qualifications.

Employment Pass Eligibility Certificate (EPEC)

The Employment Pass Eligibility Certificate (EPEC) is not exactly a work permit but a special type of social visit pass that allows the applicant to come and stay in Singapore for 6-12 months and look for a job. Once you have secured a job, you will still need to file an employment pass application. 

Validity: EPEC is issued for 6-12 months and  non-renewable.

Eligibility: Professionals with tertiary education working overseas.

Quota System: No. Each EPEC application is considered based in its own merit.

Permanent Residence Eligibility: EPEC holders are not eligible to apply for PR status. Once EPEC holders have obtained an Employment Pass, they are eligible for PR under the Employment Pass category.

For more information on EPEC, refer to Employment Pass Eligibility Certificate guide.

Multiple Journey Business Visa

The Singapore Multiple Journey Business Visa is not a work permit and is meant for foreign business executives from visa-requiring countries who travel to Singapore frequently to attend to their business matters. The key benefit of this visa is that you don’t need to apply for an entry-visa each time you plan to visit Singapore. Multiple visits are allowed each up to 30 days of stay, without a need for a separate visa application each time.