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The employer or an appointed employment agent applies for the Employment Pass (EP) in the Ministry of Manpower's EP eService. The application fee is S$105. MOM says online applications are processed or given an update within 10 business days. Once approved and issued, the pass fee is S$225 and the card follows within 5 working days.
Checked on MOM's apply page, last updated by MOM on . This is an independent guide. It does not file anything for you.
Who submits the application?
The candidate does not. The employer or an employment agent applies on the candidate's behalf. An overseas company without a Singapore office has to apply through a local sponsor, as MOM sets out on its key facts page. The candidate's job is to give written consent, complete a form and then prepare to arrive.
Before the application, the employer must have met the job-advertising rule on MyCareersFuture and checked that the candidate meets the salary floor and COMPASS points. The checklist is on our requirements page.
What are the steps from consent to card?
MOM's page runs in this order, and the steps above show the short form. The extra detail follows.
The first stage is the consent and the form. The second is the filing in the EP eService with supporting documents. The employer pays S$105 at filing. After that MOM decides. If it approves, it sends an in-principle approval letter. That letter is the green light for travel, not yet the pass.
The candidate arrives, does a medical exam if MOM asks, and the employer then provides the details MOM needs and pays the issuance fee. MOM says the pass is issued immediately at that point. If fingerprints and a photo are required, the candidate registers them within 2 weeks. The card arrives within 5 working days after registration. The candidate can also set up the digital pass on the SGWorkPass app.
What does it cost?
| Item | MOM fee |
|---|---|
| Application | S$105 |
| Pass issuance, per pass | S$225 |
| multiple-entry visa, if applicable | S$30 |
The application fee can be paid by GIRO, Visa, Mastercard or Amex. MOM does not set agent fees on this page. If you pay an agent, ask for the fee in writing and what it covers.
How long does each stage take?
| Stage | MOM timing |
|---|---|
| Decision, standard online case | Processed or given an update within 10 business days |
| Decision, overseas company with no Singapore registration | Within 6 weeks for most cases |
| After approval | 6 months to enter Singapore and get the pass issued |
| Biometrics, if asked | Within 2 weeks of arrival |
| Pass issuance | Immediate |
| Card delivery | Within 5 working days after registration |
To follow progress, use the steps in how to check your EP status.
What goes wrong most often?
MOM's pages do not publish a list of common errors, so we only note what the process itself shows. An application cannot start without the candidate's written consent. An approval letter that lapses after 6 months means starting again. A candidate whose salary falls below the floor, or who falls short on COMPASS, gets a rejection letter with reasons. Read work pass rejection for the next options.
What happens after the pass is issued?
The holder can ask for a Dependant's Pass for family members if eligible, covered in the Dependant Pass guide. The employer must also tell MOM when circumstances change and renew before expiry. For timing, see the work pass renewal guide.
Should you use an agent?
You can file without one if the employer has Corppass access and understands the rules. Many firms use an employment agent for the portal work and for pre-checks. If you want help, use the quote form on this page. We pass your request to suitable providers and may earn a referral fee. The steps and fees above come from MOM.
Sources
- MOM, apply for an Employment Pass: https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/employment-pass/apply-for-a-pass (steps, S$105, S$225, S$30, timings, card delivery).
- MOM, Employment Pass key facts: https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/employment-pass/key-facts (employer or agent applies, overseas sponsor).
