AsiaBiz Services

Personalised Employment Pass (PEP) is a new scheme to facilitate the contribution of global talents to Singapore.

PEP is a work visa which allows foreign professionals to work in Singapore for up to 5 years and not be tied to one single employer. Since PEP is awarded based on individual merits, you can apply this visa individually without first securing a job in Singapore. There is a grace period of six months from the collection of the visa to secure employment.

Currently, the Employment Pass or EP can only be granted on the basis of confirmed employment with a specific employer. Whether the employment ends or the EP holder leaves, the work pass is immediately cancelled and the EP holder has to leave Singapore unless he finds employment with a new company. Moving to a new job with a different company or employer requires a new application, and therefore a new EP. Since PEP is not tied to any employer and will be granted on the strength of an EP holder’s individual merits, a PEP holder is able to remain in Singapore for up to six months in between jobs to evaluate new employment opportunities.

PEP Eligibility Requirements

You are eligible to apply for the PEP as long as you meet any of the following requirements:

• Overseas Applicant earning a minimum salary of S$8,000 per month (last drawn salary should not be older than 6 months at the time of application).
• A former P1 category Employment Pass holder who resides overseas (likewise, please note that you should not be unemployed for more than a continuous period of six months at the point of application).
• A current P1 category Employment Pass holder.
• A current P2 category Employment Pass holder with at least two years of working experience under the P2 category and has earned a fixed salary of at least S$ 34,000 in the preceding year.
• A current Q1 category Employment Pass holder with at least five years of working experience under the Q1 category and has earned a fixed salary of at least S$ 34,000 in the preceding year.
• A foreign graduate from institutions of higher learning in Singapore with at least two years of working experience on a P or Q1 category Employment Pass (please take note that your annual income should be a minimum of S$34,000).

*PEP pass holders are not allowed to start their own company in Singapore. However, they are allowed to hold a minority Shareholding in the company including acting as one of the Directors.

Benefits of having a PEP

• PEP holders have job flexibility. They can generally take on employment in any sector. PEP holders do not need to re-apply for a new pass when changing jobs.
• PEP holders are also given the flexibility of a continuous period of up to six months without a job to evaluate employment or work opportunities. They are not required to leave Singapore during this time.

Who is eligible for PEP?

The following foreign professionals are eligible for PEP:

• Overseas foreign professional whose monthly salary overseas was at least S$7,000
  The last drawn monthly salary overseas should be no more than six months from the time of the application.
• Former P1 Pass holders who currently resides overseas
  Former P1 Pass holders should not be unemployed for longer than a continuous period of six months at the point of application.
• P1 Pass holders
  P1 Pass holders will be accorded In-principle Approval for the PEP upon application.
• P2 Pass holders
  P2 Pass holders that have at least two years of working experience on a P Pass. They should earn a fixed salary of at least S$30,000 in the preceding year.
• Q1 Pass holders
  Q1 Pass holders with at least five years of working experience on a Q1 pass. They should earn a fixed salary of at least S$30,000 in the preceding year.
• Foreign graduates from tertiary academic institutions in Singapore
  Foreign graduates from tertiary academic institutions in Singapore with at least two years of work experience on a P or Q1 Pass. They should earn a fixed salary of at least S$30,000 in the preceding year.