Getting the highly sought-after Singapore employment pass or EP is a work visa that any professional foreigners want. Recently, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) wanted to be more strict with the requirements for applying for an Employment Pass so they made changes and updates. The sponsor company of an applicant should now provide additional requirements just to support the grant of employment pass.
However, it doesn’t mean that employers need to be worried if they wish to hire foreigners. The Singapore Employment Pass is a type of work visa program that is tailored for foreign workers who want to work as specialized skills, directors, executives, and managers in Singapore.
In this article, we will discuss the important updates on the employment pass application to get a comprehensive understanding of the recent changes in employment and help you pass in your next employment pass or personalized employment pass Singapore application.
Salary Changes
S Pass
Last 1 October 2020, they changed the minimum salary criteria and increased it from S$2,400 to S$2,500 for new S Pass applications. For more experienced and older candidates, the salary criteria will also be increased in tandem. The new salary requirement will take effect to renewal applications from 1 May 2021.
Employment Pass
MOM also updated the employment pass application. Last 1 September 2020, MOM updated the minimum required salary for new applications for Employment Pass, which will be increased from S$3,900 to S$4,500. For older applicants in their 40s and more experienced workers, the qualifying salary was also increased in tandem. Starting 1 May 2021, the updated salary requirement will take effect on renewal applications. New Singapore employment pass candidates in the financial services industry must be qualified in the minimum salary criteria of at least S$5,000 starting 1 December 2020.
For example, Jennie is working as a corporate manager in a hotel in Singapore. Her minimum salary is S$4,000 per month. She is already an employment pass holder which will expire in April 2021. Since the Ministry of Manpower increased the minimum salary criteria for getting an employment pass, Jennie won’t be able to renew her Singapore employment pass because her salary didn’t meet the required rate which is S$4,500. Her minimum salary must be increased to at least S$4,500 for her to renew her work visa.
Eligibility
Applying for a Singapore employment pass is open to different nationalities. For foreign professionals who want to apply for an employment pass, they need to have a job offer from Singapore. You should be working in a specialized job, executive, director, or managerial position. You should also have certifications from an exceptional university, have specialized expertise, and professional qualifications. And the most important requirement is to have a minimum qualifying salary of at least S$4,500.
Once you already acquire your employment pass, you will also be able to take advantage of other perks and greater opportunities. You can easily apply for personalised employment pass Singapore scheme and permanent residency. If you are planning on switching companies or employers in the future, then you can apply for personalised employment pass Singapore visa. It will be easier for you to apply for a permanent resident visa if you have a personalised employment pass Singapore visa, in which you can bring your family and start a new life in the country. But for you to be eligible for all of these, you need to make sure first you are qualified to apply for an employment pass.
Fair Consideration Framework (FCF)
The Ministry of Manpower has highlighted that employers or sponsor companies must be fair in hiring and offer due consideration and prioritize local job applicants. Giving work priority to foreign applicants is unacceptable. Employers will face prosecution and will have their work pass privileges cut back if they will be proven to practice any type of discriminatory hiring.
Prior to Singapore employment pass applications, employers and sponsored companies should equally consider all applicants. The Fair Consideration Framework (FCF) demands them to advertise their hiring first on MyCareersFuture.sg (MCF) to ensure that these positions are recognized to job seekers in the country and employers to task for poor practices such as disregarding qualified local candidates and pre-selecting a foreign candidate.
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Get your Employment Pass
Singapore will stay a connected and open hub for international businesses. The Ministry of Manpower updated the Singapore employment pass and S Pass criteria to keep them current and responsive. The government agency will keep on providing businesses powerful support for strengthening and expanding the Singaporean core.
Apply for your work visas such as work permit, S Pass, Employment Pass, or Personalised Employment Pass Singapore scheme through Ren Ai Group. We are experienced in working with many foreign workers to secure seamless and effortless work visa processing. Visit the website to know more about how we can help you.
