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.
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.
