Changes in Employment Pass Framework in Singapore
The Singapore Government recently announced changes to the employment pass criteria in Singapore, this will take effect on 1 January 2012:
| Pass Type |
Old Qualifying Salary (before 1 July 2011) |
Current Qualifying Salary | From Jan 2012 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | S$2,500 | S$2,800 | S$3,000 |
| P2 | S$3,500 | S$4,000 | S$4,500 |
| P1 | S$7,000 | S$8,000 |
S$8,000 (no change) |
The key features of the EP changes are:
-
Q1 Pass: Educational qualifications requirements will be tightened so that only those from good quality institutions1 (see list) will be eligible. The applicant will have to earn a salary of at least S$3,000, with the requirements depending on his qualifications and experience:
- Young graduates from good institutions could qualify if they earn at least S$3,000
- Older applicants would have to command higher salaries to qualify, commensurate with the work experience and quality they are expected to bring
- P2 Pass: The qualifying salary will be raised from S$4,000 to S$4,500.
- P1 Pass: There will be no change in the qualifying salary for P1 Pass which remains at S$8,000.
All new EP applications will be subject to the enhanced EP framework from 1 January 2012. For existing EP holders, Ministry of Manpower will phase in the new requirements over the next 1-2 years (depending on when their current passes expire). This will give businesses time to make the necessary adjustments.
Existing EP holders whose passes expire:
- Before 1 January 2012: receive a one-time renewal of up to two years based on the pre-July 2011 EP criteria.
- Between 1 January 2012 and 30 June 2012 (both dates inclusive): receive a one-time renewal of up to one year on the existing EP criteria.
- On or after 1 July 2012: The new EP criteria shall apply.
Existing EP holders who change employers after 1 January 2012 will have their applications considered under the new EP criteria.
EP holders with dependants in Singapore by 1 January 2012 will retain these privileges as long as their passes remain valid and do not change employers.
Employers may use the online Self-Assessment Tool on the MOM website to assess if their potential employees will meet the new eligibility criteria. The Self-Assessment Tool will be updated in view of the changes made to the EP framework. It will be ready by the fourth quarter of 2011.
Note
1 List of quality institutions can be found on Ministry of Manpower's web site (http://sat.mom.gov.sg)