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The employer renews a work pass with MOM, the Ministry of Manpower. An Employment Pass costs S$225 to renew and an S Pass S$100, both from up to 6 months before expiry. A Work Permit costs S$35 and is renewed 7 to 12 weeks before it expires.
Checked against the MOM renewal pages.
SingaporeCompanySetupGuide.com is an independent guide, not MOM. We do not file renewals. If you want an agent or provider to do it, the quote form on this page passes your request on to firms that may pay us a referral fee.
When should you renew each type of pass?
The window depends on the pass.
| Employment Pass | S Pass | Work Permit | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Earliest you can apply | 6 months (180 days) before expiry | 6 months (180 days) before expiry | 12 weeks before expiry |
| Latest | Before the expiry date | Before the expiry date | 7 weeks before expiry |
| Who applies | Employer or appointed agent | Employer or appointed agent | Employer or appointed agent |
| Where | myMOM Portal | EP eService | WP Online |
| Renewal fee | S$225, plus S$30 for each multiple-entry visa if used | S$100 | S$35 |
| Processing | Within 10 business days | Within 10 business days | Outcome is immediate |
| Length of renewed pass | Up to 3 years | Up to 3 years | Depends on passport and permit |
Renew early. Time left on a current Employment Pass is added to the new one, up to 6 months, and an S Pass renewal starts when the current pass ends, so nothing is lost. If the Employment Pass deadline passes, you have to apply for a new pass.
What does an Employment Pass renewal need?
MOM sets three tests for the holder. They have to:
- Earn at least the Employment Pass qualifying salary. See the salary page.
- Work for the same employer in a managerial, executive or specialised job.
- Pass the points-based COMPASS test. A fixed monthly salary of S$22,500 or more is exempt. The COMPASS page explains the scoring.
Renewal is not guaranteed. Before you submit, update your company's turnover information for the past 3 years in the portal. A qualification already verified does not need to be verified again at renewal.
If the renewal succeeds you get an in-principle approval letter, valid for 3 months. Follow its instructions to have the pass issued. Do it before either the letter or the current pass expires, whichever is first, or an overstaying fine applies. The new term starts when the old pass ends.
For an EP (Sponsorship) holder the route is a renewal form and supporting documents, submitted online, and MOM says most cases take within 6 weeks. You can start 3 months before expiry. If the holder is also a company director, the company director page covers the extra points.
What does an S Pass renewal need?
The renewal follows the same flow but the checks differ.
- The holder must still meet the S Pass eligibility rules.
- The passport must be valid for at least 7 months.
- Your company must have enough S Pass quota for its sector.
- Turnover information for the past 3 years must be up to date.
- Where the worker lives in a dormitory that can hold 7 or more workers, or works in a CMP sector, you must buy the Primary Care Plan and declare it on the portal before renewing.
The renewed pass can run up to 3 years, but it cannot go past 1 month before the passport expires. The in-principle approval letter is valid for 60 days. If the pass is issued after the old one expires, levy still has to be paid, and levy penalties or an overstaying fine may be added.
What does a Work Permit renewal need?
A Work Permit renewal is done in WP Online, and the system shows you the list of workers eligible. Gather these first:
- A scan of the passport personal particulars page. For a 2 year permit, the passport needs at least 25 months of validity.
- A new security bond for non-Malaysian workers. The bank or insurer must send the details to MOM before you renew, and the start date can be set up to 1 day after the permit expires.
- Extended medical insurance, or a new policy. Many employers buy it from the same bank or insurer as the bond.
- The renewal notice and application form, which you print from WP Online.
- A full medical examination form, if the renewal notice says one is needed.
- Card delivery details, if the notice says a new card will be issued.
Register the worker's residential address and mobile number in OFWAS at least an hour before you renew. Then submit, upload documents and pay S$35 by GIRO, VISA, Master Card or eNETS debit. If workers need the Primary Care Plan, declare it first.
Late renewal does not stop the levy, and an overstaying fine may apply. If you cannot renew in time, MOM allows you to request an extension.
What should you do after the pass is renewed?
Check the notification letter. It says whether the worker keeps the existing card or gets a new one. Keep the existing card, and do not return it unless told to. MOM states a card returned by mistake costs S$65.40 including GST to replace. A new card must be cut in half and thrown away when the replacement arrives.
Tell the holder to set up the SGWorkPass app with their Singpass. It shows the digital pass and employment details. If the holder has family in Singapore on dependant passes, read the dependant pass page and check their own dates.
Renewal does not affect CPF for a foreigner, who is exempt. If the holder later becomes a permanent resident, CPF starts and you need a CSN. See CPF registration for employers.
Can a provider renew the pass for you?
An appointed employment agent can file the renewal for you. Accountants, corporate service providers and immigration firms often do. The legal duty and the decision stay with you as the employer, so agree in writing who tracks the expiry dates, who pays MOM and who keeps the in-principle approval letter. Ask what the agent charges on top of MOM's fee. This guide does not quote an agent fee because none is published by an official body.
Use the quote form on this page to ask for renewal help. We pass the request to suitable providers.
Sources
- MOM, Renew an Employment Pass, https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/employment-pass/renew-a-pass (6 month window, S$225, COMPASS, IPA validity, card return cost).
- MOM, Renew an S Pass, https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/s-pass/renew-a-pass (6 month window, S$100, passport and quota rules, 60 day letter).
- MOM, Renew a Work Permit, https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/work-permit-for-foreign-worker/renew-a-work-permit (7 to 12 weeks, S$35, documents, OFWAS, late renewal).
