Singapore E Pass & S Pass Visa

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Singapore E Pass & S Pass Visa

In Singapore, a range of work passes and permits are available, determined by the foreign worker’s qualifications and job role. For instance, mid-skilled professionals like technicians, accountants, and journalists require the S Pass when working in companies.

Responsibility for the issuance and management of all work pass applications rests with Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower (MOM).

Who Qualifies for the S Pass in Singapore?

You are eligible to seek the S Pass in Singapore if you meet the following criteria:

You hold a mid-skilled occupation (e.g., technician, analyst, accountant, journalist).
You have secured employment within Singapore, and your employer is responsible for the S Pass application on your behalf.
You will receive a fixed monthly salary of at least S$2,300. This minimum salary requirement applies to recent graduates or workers with limited experience.
For foreign workers with greater experience, higher S Pass minimum salary requirements apply.
You possess appropriate qualifications, including a university degree or diploma. Technical certificates, issued for courses lasting at least one year, are also accepted.
You possess relevant work experience.

Applying for the S Pass

The procedure for obtaining the S Pass involves three main stages, with your employer or an appointed Employment Agency managing the majority of the application process.

Submission of the S Pass Application

Your employer based in Singapore assumes responsibility for submitting your S Pass application. This is carried out through EP Online, an online application platform accessible on MOM’s official website.

Your physical presence in Singapore during the application submission is not mandatory.

The sequence of the S Pass application entails the following steps:

You provide your employer with a letter of consent, affirming your agreement to be employed by them and granting them authorization to apply for the pass on your behalf.
Your employer accesses EP Online and completes the S Pass Application Form.
They attach all the requisite documents specified in the S Pass Application Form (the list of required documents is provided below).
The S Pass application processing fee (S$75) is paid.
In case of approval, your employer receives an In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter. It is your employer’s responsibility to furnish you with the IPA letter, which serves the following purposes:

Grants entry into Singapore as a single-entry visa.
Notifies you if a medical examination is required upon your arrival in Singapore.
Enumerates any documents necessary for obtaining your pass.

The anticipated processing time for the S Pass application is approximately three weeks. After receiving the IPA letter, you have a 60-day window to enter Singapore.

Necessary Documents for S Pass Application

Upon your employer’s submission of the S Pass application, the following documents must be provided:

Completed S Pass Application Form.
Letter of consent from you.
Photocopy of the personal details page of your passport.
Copy of your marriage certificate (if applicable).
Latest business profile of the employing company.
Copies of your diplomas and other certifications.
If you are from India, additional documents required are Transcripts and Marksheets.

Educational certificate verification might be requested. If needed, verification can be obtained from Dataflow or another global verification agency.

Letter of Support or Registration from a Registration Agency, Professional Body, or Accreditation Agency. The respective professionals responsible for issuing supporting documents based on occupation are as follows:

For doctors: Singapore Medical Council
For dentists: Singapore Dental Council
For healthcare professionals like diagnostic radiographers, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, radiation therapists, and speech therapists: Allied Health Professions Council
For nurses: Singapore Nursing Board
For pharmacists: Singapore Pharmacy Council
For Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners (TCM): Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners Board
For lawyers: Legal Services Regulatory Authority
For football players or coaches: Sport Singapore

If your employer represents the Singapore branch of an overseas company:

A copy of the approval letter from International Enterprise Singapore, granting permission to establish a representative office in Singapore.
A letter from the company’s headquarters detailing the purpose of the application, your anticipated duration of employment, and a commitment to your maintenance and repatriation.

If you will be working in a food establishment: A copy of the license issued by the Singapore Food Agency (SFA).

Obtaining the Issued S Pass

Your employer is responsible for initiating the process to have your S Pass issued. However, this time, your presence in Singapore is required.

The procedure for requesting the issuance of the S Pass is outlined as follows:

Your employer submits a request for pass issuance through EP Online.
They provide any necessary documents (as detailed below).
They provide contact details for up to three individuals authorized to receive your S Pass Card.
The S Pass fee (S$100) is paid.

Upon the successful issuance of the pass, your employer will receive a notification letter. This letter must be printed and handed over to you. The notification letter serves the following purposes:

Permits you to enter and exit Singapore while awaiting receipt of your S Pass Card.
Informs you if you are required to register your photo and fingerprints as part of the process.

Required documents for S Pass issuance:

Your passport details.
Photocopies of your passport’s personal details page and any relevant changes.
Details of your medical insurance, which your employer must obtain (minimum coverage of S$15,000 annually, including hospitalization and surgery).
Details of your work injury compensation insurance, mandatory for employees performing manual labor or earning less than S$1,600 per month.
Details related to your Short Term Visit Pass or immigration pass.
Your Singapore residence address.
An address where MOM can deliver your S Pass Card.
Disembarkation/Embarkation card.
If necessary: Form confirming completion of the medical examination.

To register your photo and fingerprints, if required:

You must register your photo and fingerprints under certain circumstances:

If this is your first time applying for the S Pass.
If it has been five years since your last registration.

Registration is carried out at the MOM Services Centre, and an appointment is necessary (arrangeable via MOM’s website). When visiting for registration, ensure you have the following documents:

Your passport.
The appointment letter.
The notification letter.
Any documents mentioned in the IPA and notification letters.

Within four days of submitting documents and registering, your S Pass Card will be issued.

Is there an S Pass Levy and Quota?

Yes, employers in Singapore are required to adhere to both the S Pass quota and fulfill the S Pass levy obligations.

S Pass Quota

The S Pass quota stipulates a specific proportion of foreign workers that an employer is permitted to hire relative to the local workforce composition. The local workforce comprises Singaporean citizens and permanent residents employed by the company.

The S Pass quota is as follows:

S Pass Levy

Employers hiring S Pass holders are obligated to pay a monthly levy (fee) for each worker. The levy rate is determined based on the percentage of foreign workers within the company’s workforce.

The levy rates are as follows:

Can the S Pass be Renewed?

Certainly, it can. Initially valid for up to two years, the S Pass can be extended for an additional three years.

The responsibility for managing the renewal of the S Pass rests with your employer or a designated employment agency. They must initiate the online S Pass renewal application no later than six months before your current S Pass expires.

The same fees as in the initial application are applicable for renewal.

Moreover, your passport must possess a validity of at least seven more months at the time of submitting the renewal application.

Bringing Family Members to Singapore on an S Pass

Indeed, all S Pass holders are entitled to bring their family members to reside with them in Singapore. Depending on your relationship with the family member, you can facilitate their entry through:

Dependant’s Pass, available for:

Long Term Visit Pass (LTVP), available for:

Your employer is required to apply for the Dependant’s Pass or LTVP on your behalf. This can be done concurrently with your own S Pass application or after you have already settled in Singapore.

Feel Free To Get In Touch!

How Meeras Resource Can Assist You:

Effortless S Pass Processes: As your dedicated consultant, Meeras Resource streamlines your S Pass application and renewal. We ensure all documents are prepared accurately and guide you through the complexities of Singapore’s work pass regulations.
Expert Guidance: With deep expertise in S Pass requirements, quotas, and levies, we provide clear explanations and ensure compliance. We offer comprehensive consultations and facilitate family integration, making your transition seamless.
Tailored Support: At Meeras Resource, we offer personalized solutions based on your unique situation. We keep you informed at all stages and provide efficient communication, ensuring a smooth experience throughout your S Pass journey.

Singapore E Pass & S Pass Visa