What the PEP changes
The Personalised Employment Pass (PEP) is for high-earning EP holders and overseas foreign professionals. It is not tied to one employer, permits job changes without a fresh pass and allows work across sectors, subject to restricted occupations and professional registration. Medical, dental, pharmacy, architecture and legal registration requirements still apply. It has no foreign-worker levy or quota.
Entry salary and annual maintenance requirement
The applicant must earn a fixed monthly salary of at least S$22,500, benchmarked to the top 10% of EP holders. An overseas professional’s last drawn salary must be within six months before application. To retain a PEP, earn at least S$270,000 fixed salary per calendar year regardless of months employed. For applications made before 1 September 2023, the published annual requirement is S$144,000. Monthly application eligibility and annual retention are separate tests.
Unemployment and excluded activities
The pass permits up to six continuous months without employment to seek work; unemployment beyond six months requires cancellation. It is not available to EP sponsorship holders, freelancers or those intending freelance work, sole proprietors, partners, or a company director who is also its shareholder. PEP holders cannot start a business or undertake entrepreneurial activity; EntrePass or ONE Pass may instead be relevant. Certain media- and religion-related occupations are restricted.
Once-only validity and next pass
The PEP is issued only once, lasts up to three years and cannot be renewed. To continue working after expiry, obtain an EP or S Pass where eligible. The employer can submit the replacement application without first cancelling the existing PEP. Notify MOM of employment and personal changes and declare annual income by 31 January of the following year.
Application cost and timing
The candidate applies online. Application costs S$105 and most cases take six weeks; status can be checked after two weeks and further evidence may extend processing. An approved IPA gives six months to enter Singapore and issue the pass, subject to any medical requirement. Issuance costs S$225, with S$30 for a Multiple Journey Visa where applicable.
Issuance, digital pass and physical card
Be in Singapore for issuance. A Singpass holder or agent uses EP eService; without Singpass the candidate attends EPSC by appointment. Prepare passport, immigration details, local contact and residential address, card delivery details and any requested medical declaration. The notification letter lasts one month and permits work and travel pending the card. Complete required fingerprint/photo registration within two weeks, set up SGWorkPass and receive the card normally within five working days after registration or verification.
Family passes and sequencing
A legally married spouse and unmarried children under 21, including adopted children, can use Dependant’s Passes. A recognised common-law spouse, unmarried stepchildren under 21 and parents can use Long-Term Visit Passes. Family passes are not offered to married or over-age children under this page’s standard categories. The family page recommends waiting for PEP approval; the application page says to apply after the main pass is issued. Waiting until issuance satisfies both. Family applications take about six weeks, and applying concurrently risks losing family application fees if the PEP is rejected.
Official source
Written independently from official MOM source material.