Employment Pass Eligibility Certificate (EPEC) in Singapore

Introduction

The Employment Pass Eligibility Certificate (EPEC) is for foreigners who wish to have some time to look for a job in Singapore. The EPEC grants the holder up to a 1-year Social Visit Pass (SVP). The EPEC is issued on a one-time basis and is non-renewable.

You may apply for EPEC if you hold acceptable tertiary/professional qualifications. You should apply only when you are ready to come to Singapore.

Terms and Conditions

In order to apply for an Employment Pass Eligibility Certificate ("EPEC")online, you must agree to the following terms & conditions. [list=1]

* Application for an EPEC does not constitute an application or renewal of an Employment Pass. The EPEC is not a pre-requisite to an application for or a renewal of an Employment Pass.
* The EPEC is issued on a one-time basis and is non-renewable.
* The information as set out in your application for an EPEC is true and correct to the best of your knowledge.
* With reference to your EPEC application, you are to give consent to the Government of Singapore to obtain from and verify information with any person, organization or any other source for assessing your application.

Eligibility Criteria

The Employment Pass Eligibility Certificate (EPEC) allows foreigners who are i) holders of selected university qualifications, or ii) current or former holders of selected skilled migrant visas to stay in Singapore for up to one year to facilitate their job search in Singapore. The EPEC is issued on a one-time basis and is non-renewable.

Successful EPEC applicants are required to apply for their one year Visit Pass from the Immigration and Checkpoint Authority (ICA) to allow them to stay in Singapore.

The EPEC is not a work pass. Upon securing employment in Singapore, EPEC holders will have to submit an Employment Pass (EP) application to the Work Pass Division for consideration. The application will have to be submitted and approved before you can start work.


Application Process

The EPEC application can be submitted online. Upon receipt of your application, an email acknowledgment will be sent to inform you of your EPEC application reference number.

You will be notified of the application outcome via email. Alternatively, you may also check your application status online by providing us with your EPEC application reference number and passport number.

There is no processing fee for an EPEC.


Documents Required

You will be notified via email to upload the following documents as soft copy attachments if we require additional information to review your application:

• A certified true copy of your tertiary academic qualification, transcript or your professional qualifications;
• A copy of your skilled migrant visa (only if applicable);
• A copy of your passport particulars page; and
• A recent passport size photo taken within the last three months.

For non-English degree certificates/transcripts/professional qualifications, you must submit a copy of the original, as well as the official English translation certified by the University/College, or the respective embassy.


Processing Time

An application will be processed within seven working days from the date of receipt of the application.If additional supporting documents are required, you will be notified via email.



Applicants will be notified of theirapplication outcome via email. The Employment Pass EligibilityCertificate (EPEC) will subsequently be mailed to their mailingaddress. To avoid unnecessary delay, please provide us with the correctemail and mailing address in your online EPEC application. It will takebetween three to four weeks for the EPEC to be delivered to an overseasmailing address.

If you do not receive your EPEC within three to four weeks from the date of the approval notification email, please email us at mom_wpd_epec@mom.gov.sg to enquire or request for a copy of the certificate to be re-sent.