Step By Step Guide: How To Obtain Singapore Employment Pass in 2025

Step 1: Check Eligibility & Understand Requirements 

Before a foreign specialist/professional from overseas can be hired by a local employer, the employer needs to show evidence that all efforts have been made to advertise and hire local candidates first. This would include putting up a job advertisement at a government managed job portal known as mycareersfuture.  Unless exempted, the job advertisement must be for at least 14 days so that sufficient time is allowed for local job seekers to apply for the vacancy posted. Despite all efforts and yet no suitable local candidate can be found, then the employer can proceed to make the necessary Singapore Employment Pass Application for the selected foreign applicant. Singapore Employment Pass is the highest level of work pass category which allows well educated professionals to work and reside in Singapore.

Step 2: Collate and Consider All Local Applicants for Fair Hiring Practice

Employers are required to consider and collate all local applicants data for the job vacancies posted at mycareersfuture over the 14 days advertising period. Other information on recruitment efforts made are also needed.

The information required include how many local candidates have applied for the vacancy, how many were shortlisted and interviewed for the role?

The authorities would also require information on why local candidates cannot be found and why they are not selected. Finally, employer needs to provide information on how the EP applicant was eventually found and hired for the vacancy.

Step 3: If No Suitable Candidates Can Be Found, Check Whether Foreign Applicant Fulfill Criteria for a Singapore Employment Pass

The following are some of the key criteria to consider before submitting any application for a Singapore Employment Pass:

With effect from 1 September 2023, all employers intending to hire foreigners on Employment Pass in Singapore are required to meet the new criterion known as Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS) to assess the eligibility of foreign applicants to apply for the Singapore Employment Pass as well as the employer’s existing business and employees profiles. 

The key purpose of this new Singapore complementarity assessment framework is to enable employers to select and hire high-quality foreign professionals to work in Singapore while improving the workforce diversity and maintaining a strong Singaporean core group of employees.

Under the new framework, all Singapore Employment Pass applications will be assessed on four foundational criteria, namely Salary, Qualifications, Diversity and Support for Local Employment. Further to the four foundational criteria, there are two bonus criteria that recognise applications bringing in skills that are not readily available in Singapore and support strategic economic priorities, which create jobs for Singaporeans.

To qualify for Singapore Employment Pass, the candidate must score 40 points from the four foundational criteria, or by scoring points under the bonus criteria. There are concessions for start-ups and small firms with less than 25 employees to meet the 40 points requirements.

Renewal applications are exempted from COMPASS for 1 year from 1 September 2023 but will be subjected to the same assessment framework from 1 September 2024.

Prepare Necessary Supporting Documents

• Copy of the companies business profile and description of your job tasks of the employing company
• Application Form 8
• Authorisation Form
• Copy of Passport
• Copy of latest resume and Educational Certificates/Academic Qualifications
• Copy of CV
• References from prior employers

Step 4: Submit a Singapore Employment Pass Application online (Directly or Through Authorised Recruitment Agency)

Most EP applications can be done online. Usually the application process can take between 3 to 4 weeks and longer up to 6 to 8 weeks if the initial application is rejected or the authorities require further background checks.

The employers can submit directly or appoint a HR specialist / employment agency in Singapore such as JobPlus to apply and submit on their behalf. A professional assistance is certainly recommended as the application process can be more cumbersome given the ever evolving requirements and criteria.

The following are the basic steps:

1. Get a written consent from sponsoring employer (if an employment agency in Singapore such as JobPlus assists you with the procedure)
2. Log in to EP Online, upload the necessary documents and forms
3. Check status online after 3 weeks
4. If pass is excepted, log in to EP Online and print your in-principle approval letter (IPA)

Step 5: Once Approved, the EP Needs To Be Activated Before EP holder can start work.

Upon in-principle approval, the Singapore Employment Pass is ready to be activated within 6 month.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and travel restrictions, successful applicants need to apply for entry approval from MOM first before arriving in Singapore.  The employer is also responsible to ensure that all the foreign employees comply with all the latest government advisory and guidelines. For example, upon arrivals, successful applicants would need to undergo quarantine for a certain number of days or go for a swab test to obtain a health clearance certificate before proceeding with pass activation and work.

Once activated, an arrangement can be made for the applicant to go to the Ministry of Manpower with the following:

• Original passport
• Appointment letter
• Notification letter
• Copy of immigration e-arrival card;
• Completed Declaration forms together with in-principle approval letter (IPA)