If you work in Singapore and don’t want to be tied to a single employer, the Personalised Employment Pass (PEP) is for you. This article will guide you through how to apply for a PEP, the eligibility criteria, the required documents, and other relevant information.
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What is the Singapore Personalised Employment Pass (PEP)?
The Singapore Personalised Employment Pass (PEP) is a special type of employment pass for high-earning existing Employment Pass holders or foreign professionals. The PEP offers greater flexibility than an Employment Pass. A PEP allows you to switch jobs in Singapore without having to reapply for an entry visa—as long as the holder is not unemployed for more than six months.
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How is the Personalised Employment Pass (PEP) different from the Employment Pass (EP)?
Both are similar in several aspects. Both passes allow the holder to live and work in Singapore, enter and exit Singapore without an entry visa, and bring family members to Singapore via the Dependant’s Pass and Long Term Visit Pass. Like the EP, the PEP is not subject to a company’s quota and does not require a foreign worker levy.
However, Personalised Employment Pass holders need to meet a few additional requirements:
- You are not allowed to start a business in Singapore, which includes being an employee of your own company or engaging in entrepreneurial activities. However, you can be a salaried director of your company (but not a shareholder).
- Personalised Employment Pass holders must earn a fixed salary of S$144,000 per annum for the duration of the pass.
Advantages of PEP:
Compared to other work passes, the PEP offers you greater job flexibility:
- You can work in any sector. However, the PEP does not exempt you from the registration requirements to practice in professions such as medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, architecture, law, etc., in Singapore.
- You do not need to reapply for a new pass when changing jobs; you only need to notify the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).
- You can stay in Singapore for up to 6 consecutive months without a job to look for new employment.
How to Qualify for a Personalised Employment Pass?
You can apply for a Personalised Employment Pass (PEP) if you meet the following criteria:
- If you are an Employment Pass holder with a minimum monthly salary of S$12,000 and a fixed annual salary of at least S$144,000 in the previous year.
- If you are an overseas professional whose last drawn fixed monthly salary was at least S$18,000. Your last drawn salary should not be more than 6 months from the date of the PEP application.
Circumstances that make you ineligible for application include:
- Employment Pass holders under the Sponsorship Scheme.
- Freelancers or foreigners who intend to work on a freelance basis.
- Sole proprietors, partners, or directors who are shareholders in an ACRA-registered company.
- Journalists, editors, sub-editors, or producers.
⚠️Note: While holding a PEP, you are not allowed to start a company or engage in any form of entrepreneurial activity. If you intend to do so, you should apply for an EntrePass or the Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass.
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What Documents are Needed to Apply for a Singapore Personalised Employment Pass?
If you are an existing Employment Pass holder, you do not need to provide any additional documents. However, you will need to fill in the following details on your Personalised Employment Pass application form:
- Passport details
- Employer’s name and address (if applicable)
- Job and salary details (if applicable)
- Overseas contact details (overseas professionals may provide local contact details upon approval)
- Details of Dependant’s Pass holders (if applicable)
- Details of Long Term Social Visit Pass holders (if applicable)
If you are not an Employment Pass holder, you will need to provide the following additional documents:
- A copy of your passport’s personal particulars page
- Employment contracts for your new and/or previous jobs (if applicable)
- Payslips and bank account statements for the last three months
- Latest tax notice
- A copy of your latest resume and relevant educational certificates
⚠️Please note that any non-English documents must be translated by a professional translation agency, High Commission/Embassy, or a notary public and submitted together with the original documents.
How Long Does the Personalised Employment Pass Application Process Take?
Most applications are processed within eight (8) weeks.
The application fee for a Personalised Employment Pass is S$105 per application, with an additional fee of S$225 per pass upon collection. Additional fees may apply depending on the applicant’s needs, such as S$30 for a Multiple Journey Visa.
Once your application is approved, you will receive an In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter, which is valid for six (6) months. You should collect your pass from the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) within this period. You will also need to bring any other documents requested in the IPA letter.
The Personalised Employment Pass is valid for three years. Your dependants holding a Dependant’s Pass will be allowed to stay in Singapore as long as your pass is valid.
My Personalised Employment Pass Application was Rejected. What Should I Do?
If your PEP application is rejected, you can file an appeal if you can address the issues raised in the rejection letter. An appeal is a waste of time unless you can provide new and relevant information.
You must file the appeal within 3 months of receiving the rejection letter. If you miss this window, you will have to submit a new application.
MOM generally takes 8 weeks to process appeals, and sometimes longer.
What Do I Need to Do to Maintain My Personalised Employment Pass?
To continue holding a PEP, you must:
- Not be unemployed in Singapore for more than 6 consecutive months at any time. Otherwise, your PEP will be cancelled.
- Earn a fixed salary of at least S$144,000 per calendar year, regardless of the number of months you have worked. (If your PEP was approved after 1 September 2023, you must earn a fixed salary of at least S$270,000 per calendar year.)
You need to keep the authorities updated with your contact and employment information. There are two ways to notify them:
1) The PEP Notification Form
2) The Employment Pass Online Account (EPOL). To access your EPOL account, you need to log in using your SingPass.
Use the PEP Notification Form to update the following information:
- Changes in employment status, which must be notified within 7 days. Your employer must also report your change in employment status to the authorities using the employer notification form.
- Changes to local contact details
- Annual salary, which must be declared by 31 January of the following year.
Use the EPOL account to update the following information:
- Changes or updates to your travel documents
- Lost or damaged PEP card—you will need to apply for a replacement via EPOL
- Change of residential address
How to Renew My Personalised Employment Pass?
Unlike other work passes, the Personalised Employment Pass cannot be renewed after its three-year term expires. Upon expiry, you can continue working in Singapore with an Employment Pass (EP), or you can apply for Permanent Residence (PR).
You can also cancel your PEP at any time. Once cancelled, you will not be able to apply for a new Personalised Employment Pass.
What Passes Can Personalised Employment Pass (PEP) Holders Apply for Dependants?
1. Dependant’s Pass
a) You can apply for a Dependant’s Pass for your legally married spouse.
b) You can apply for a Dependant’s Pass for your children under 21 years of age.
2. Long Term Visit Pass (LTVP)
a) You can apply for an LTVP for your common-law spouse.
b) You can apply for an LTVP for your unmarried disabled children above 21 years old.
c) You can apply for an LTVP for your unmarried step-children under 21 years old.
d) You can apply for an LTVP for your parents.
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