Personalised Employment Pass (PEP)

Updated by Lim Che Koon

What is a Personalised Employment Pass (PEP)?

An Personalised Employment Pass is for high-earning existing Employment Pass holders or overseas foreign professionals who want to work in Singapore. PEP offers greater flexibility than an Employment Pass (EP).

Difference between the PEP and the EP

Personalised Employment Pass (PEP)

The characteristics of a Personalised Employment Pass are:

  • This work pass is for overseas foreign professionals earning more than $18,000 a month and Employment Pass holders who earn at least $12,000 a month.
  • The PEP is not tied to an employer and it offers a greater flexibility than an Employment Pass. The PEP holder can move to a different employer without the need to apply for a new PEP, as long as it is within the validity period of the current PEP.
  • The PEP holder can be without a job for up to 6 months to look for for new employment.
  • The validity of a PEP is 3 years and is not renewable upon expiry.
  • There is no foreign worker levy or quota required.
  • The PEP holder can act as a local director but are not allowed to be shareholder of a company.
  • The PEP application takes about 8 weeks to process
  • The PEP holder is eligible to apply for long term passes for spouse, children and parents.
Employment Pass (EP)

The characteristics of an Employment Pass are:

  • This work pass is for foreign professionals, managers and executives earning at least $3,900 a month with acceptable qualifications and working experience. Older and more experienced candidates are expected to earn higher salaries to qualify.
  • The validity of the EP is usually 2 years for new applications and 3 years for renewals.
  • An Employment Pass holder needs to apply for a new EP if the holder plans to change employers.
  • There is no foreign worker levy or quota required.
  • The EP holder can be the director and/or shareholder of a company.
  • The EP application takes about 3 weeks to process.
  • The EP holder is eligible to apply for long term passes for spouse and children if the monthly salary is at least $6,000 and for parents if the monthly salary is at least $12,000.

Who is eligible for a PEP?

In order to qualify for PEP, the applicant must:

  • draw a fixed monthly salary of at least S$18,000 within the last 6 months, or
  • earn at least S$12,000 if you are currently an Employment Pass (EP) holder

In addition to meeting one of the salary criteria, you must also:

  • possess a recognized degree from a well-established education institution
  • prove that you have 3-5 years of professional expertise in the relevant field and showcase your prominent employment history

How to apply for a PEP?

Unlike the EP, an employer doesn’t need to apply for a PEP on your behalf, you can apply for it on your own. 

If you are a new applicant, you need these documents :

  • Your educational certifications and qualifications
  • Relevant employment contacts
  • Documentations that prove your employment background
  • A copy of your passport’s particulars page
  • Salary slips from the last 3 months
  • Bank statements & latest tax statement

Other requirements include:

  • You must not be unemployed in Singapore for more than 6 months
  • You must earn a fixed salary of at least S$144,000 per calendar year, regardless of the number of months you are employed.
  • You also need to alert MOM as to your annual salary, any time you start or leave a job, and any time you update your contact details.
If you PEP is rejected by MOM, you can submit an appeal, which takes at least 8 weeks or more to be reviewed by MOM. 

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