Overview
Generally, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) allows businesses to submit EP renewals for their foreign employees up to 6 months before the pass expires, provided they are working for the same employer. The duration of the renewed pass will start from the date the current pass expires. If businesses fail to renew the pass, they will be required to apply for a new one for their foreign employees. It is important to note that renewals are not guaranteed.
If the renewal is successful, the employee will receive an In-Principle Approval (IPA) valid for 3 months. Businesses need to ensure that they get the pass issued before the IPA or current pass expires; whichever is earlier, as foreigners staying in Singapore without a valid pass is an offence.
What are the Changes?
Effective September 1, 2024, all EP renewals must adhere to the following requirements to be considered eligible:
Stage 1: Minimum EP Qualifying Salary; and
Stage 2: Earning at least 40 points under the Complementarity Assessment (COMPASS) framework.
We recommend conducting a Self-Assessment Test (SAT) to determine:
1. The fixed monthly salary required to fulfil both minimum EP Qualifying Salary and the COMPASS framework; and
2. Whether an accreditation check on the awarding institution is required to be added to the authenticity check on the academic certificate.
Verification of Academic Qualification
Effective September 1, 2024, all academic qualifications declared to MOM in EP renewals would have to be verified for its authenticity. If the awarding institution (i.e., school) cannot be found on MOM’s prescribed list of institutions, the accreditation status of the institution must also be verified.
Such verification checks, if not conducted through a government or awarding institution’s verification portal or the OpenCerts portal, must then be carried by one of the MOM-approved background-screening companies. These companies typically take at least 15 working days to process a case. We recommend to start the verification checks of your employee early to avoid missing the deadline for pass issuance before the current pass expire.
)-(1)eba171f9-9226-4a5a-8a16-4be10902e36e.png?sfvrsn=f67f7cf4_1)
Learn More about our Employment Pass Services |Contact Us
Reach out to our specialists:
Josephine Loh
T: +65 6594 7180
JosephineLohYY@rsmsingapore.sg
Liew Jia Yi
T: +65 6594 7177
LiewJiaYi@rsmsingapore.sg