Quick answer: The Personalised Employment Pass (PEP) is a Singapore work pass for high earners that is not tied to one employer. To apply, you need a fixed monthly salary of at least S$22,500. The PEP lasts up to 3 years, cannot be renewed, and lets you stay in Singapore for up to 6 months without a job while you look for new work. You must earn at least S$270,000 a year to keep it.
This guide explains who can apply for a PEP in Singapore, the documents and fees, how to apply, the rules you must follow after approval, and how the PEP compares with a regular Employment Pass.
What Is the Personalised Employment Pass (PEP)?
The PEP is a work pass from the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) for high-earning Employment Pass holders and overseas professionals. Unlike an Employment Pass, the PEP belongs to you, not to your employer.
| Key fact | PEP rule |
|---|
| Who it is for | High-earning EP holders and overseas foreign professionals |
| Minimum salary to apply | Fixed monthly salary of at least S$22,500 |
| Who applies | The candidate applies directly |
| Validity | Up to 3 years |
| Renewal | Not renewable, issued only once |
| Changing jobs | No need to reapply |
| Time allowed without a job | Up to 6 months continuously |
| Levy or quota | None |
| Family passes | Available for eligible family members |
PEP Eligibility: Who Can Apply?
To apply for a PEP in Singapore, you must have a fixed monthly salary of at least S$22,500. MOM sets this level to match the top 10% of Employment Pass holders.
There are two groups of applicants:
- Employment Pass holders in Singapore whose fixed monthly salary is at least S$22,500
- Overseas foreign professionals whose last drawn fixed monthly salary was at least S$22,500, earned within the 6 months before applying
You do not need to be employed at the time you apply. If you live overseas and earned at least S$22,500 a month in the last six months, you can still be eligible.
Who is not eligible for a PEP?
- Employment Pass holders under the sponsorship scheme
- Freelancers, or anyone who plans to work on a freelance basis
- Sole proprietors, partners, or directors who are also shareholders of an ACRA-registered company
The PEP also does not allow you to start a business. If that is your plan, MOM points you to the EntrePass or the Overseas Networks & Expertise (ONE) Pass instead.
Documents Required for a PEP Application
Everyone needs the passport page showing their personal details, including any amendments. If your name in the passport is different from your other documents, you also need an explanation letter and proof, such as a deed poll.
| If you are working in Singapore | If you are working overseas |
|---|
| Payslips for 3 consecutive months | Payslips for 6 consecutive months |
| Latest 3 months’ personal bank statements, if applicable | Latest 6 months’ personal bank statements |
| Latest IRAS Notice of Assessment, if applicable | Employment contracts with current and previous employers |
| Employment contracts with current, previous and future employers, if applicable | Employment contract with a future employer, if applicable |
| Employment history and education certificates, if applicable | Employment history, education certificates and latest tax statement, if applicable |
MOM may ask for other documents while reviewing your application.
Documents not in English
For any non-English document, MOM asks you to upload the original and its English translation together as one file. This often applies to overseas payslips, bank statements and tax statements from countries such as China, Japan, Korea, Germany or the Middle East. Overseas payslips often list housing, car or meal allowances in local terms, and a payslip translation that keeps each item separate lets MOM see your fixed monthly salary at a glance.
Applying for a PEP? Get Your Payslips and Bank Statements Translated Into English First
How to Apply for a PEP: Step by Step
- Check your eligibility and prepare the documents listed above.
- Apply online through MOM’s PEP application portal and pay the S$105 application fee by Visa, Mastercard or Amex.
- Wait for the outcome. Most applications are processed within 6 weeks, and you can check the status after 2 weeks. MOM may email you for more information.
- Get your In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter. It works as a single-entry visa and gives you 6 months to enter Singapore and get your pass issued. Our guide explains what an IPA letter means and what to do after you receive it.
- Get the pass issued while you are in Singapore and pay the S$225 issuance fee. Register your fingerprints and photo if MOM asks you to.
- Receive your PEP card. It is delivered to your Singapore address 5 working days after registration or document verification.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|
| Application fee | S$105 per pass |
| Issuance fee | S$225 per pass |
| Multiple Journey Visa (if needed) | S$30 per visa |
Rules You Must Follow After Getting a PEP
Holding a PEP comes with conditions. If you break them, MOM can cancel your pass.
- Earn at least S$270,000 a year. This fixed salary must be earned each calendar year, however many months you work. If your PEP was applied for before 1 September 2023, the annual requirement is S$144,000.
- Do not stay unemployed for more than 6 months. If you do, you must cancel your pass.
- Declare your annual income to MOM by 31 January of the following year.
- Tell MOM about changes to your job or personal details.
- Avoid restricted jobs, such as media and religion-related roles.
- Get a professional licence if needed. You can work in any sector, but regulated jobs such as medicine, law and architecture still need registration with the relevant body.
- Replace a lost, stolen or damaged card, and cancel the pass if you no longer need it.
Professional bodies usually ask for your degree and transcripts when you register. If they were issued in another language, a degree translation for work pass applications should keep the institution name, degree title and dates exactly as on the original.
PEP vs Employment Pass: What Is the Difference?
Many people compare the PEP with a regular Employment Pass (EP). The main difference is flexibility. An EP is tied to one employer, while a PEP stays with you when you change jobs.
| Feature | Employment Pass (EP) | Personalised Employment Pass (PEP) |
|---|
| Minimum salary | From S$5,600 a month, higher with age and for financial services | S$22,500 a month |
| Who applies | Employer or employment agent | Candidate |
| Tied to an employer | Yes | No |
| COMPASS points test | Yes, 40 points needed | No |
| Changing jobs | New employer must apply for a new EP | No need to reapply |
| Time allowed without a job | Pass ends with the job | Up to 6 months |
| Validity | Up to 2 years first, up to 3 years on renewal | Up to 3 years |
| Renewal | Renewable | Not renewable |
From 1 January 2027, the EP minimum salary rises to S$6,000 for new applications, and to S$6,600 in financial services. EP holders preparing their papers often start with EP translation services for degrees and past employment letters, as these are the documents most often in another language.
What about the ONE Pass?
The Overseas Networks & Expertise (ONE) Pass is another personal pass for top talent. It has a higher salary bar of S$30,000 a month, but unlike the PEP it can be renewed and allows you to run a business. If you want to stay in Singapore beyond 3 years, compare both passes before you apply.
Passes for Your Family
PEP holders can bring eligible family members to Singapore:
| Family member | Pass |
|---|
| Legally married spouse | Dependant’s Pass |
| Unmarried children under 21, including legally adopted children | Dependant’s Pass |
| Common-law spouse | Long-Term Visit Pass |
| Unmarried stepchildren under 21 | Long-Term Visit Pass |
| Parents | Long-Term Visit Pass |
Married children and children aged 21 or above cannot get a family pass, but they can apply for their own work pass. If your spouse wants to work, they need their own work pass.
Family pass applications usually need a marriage certificate and children’s birth certificates. For certificates issued in another language, marriage certificate translation services can prepare the English version before you apply.
Bringing Your Spouse and Children on a Dependant's Pass? Translate Their Certificates in One Order
What Happens When Your PEP Expires?
The PEP is issued only once and cannot be renewed. To keep working in Singapore after it expires, your employer needs to apply for an Employment Pass or S Pass for you. You do not need to cancel your PEP before the new pass is applied for.
Many PEP holders also apply for Singapore Permanent Residence while they are working in Singapore, so they are not dependent on one pass.
Getting Your PEP Documents Translated
Overseas professionals usually send the most foreign-language documents: payslips, bank statements, tax statements and employment contracts. Education certificates may also be needed.
Upload delays are common when translations are done in different places and the names or figures do not match. That is why arranging MOM-accepted document translation for the whole set is worth doing before you open the online form.
Ready to Apply for Your Personalised Employment Pass? Send Us Every Non-English Document Today
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a medical examination for a PEP?
It depends on your case. Your In-Principle Approval letter states whether you need a medical examination after you arrive in Singapore. If it is required, complete it before your pass is issued.
Do I need a Singapore address before my PEP is issued?
Yes. To get the pass issued, you need a Singapore residential address that meets the housing requirements, an address for card delivery, and the details of up to 3 people authorised to receive the card.
Can I travel in and out of Singapore while holding a PEP?
Yes. Your PEP lets you return to Singapore while it is valid. If your nationality needs a visa to enter Singapore, you also need a Multiple Journey Visa, which costs S$30 and can be requested when your pass is issued.
Do PEP holders pay income tax in Singapore?
You may be liable for Singapore income tax on what you earn here. Check your tax position with IRAS, and remember that MOM separately asks you to declare your annual income by 31 January each year.
Conclusion
The Personalised Employment Pass gives high earners the freedom to change jobs and stay in Singapore for up to 6 months between jobs. You need a fixed monthly salary of at least S$22,500 to apply and S$270,000 a year to keep the pass, and it cannot be renewed after 3 years.
Prepare your payslips, bank statements and contracts early, and get any non-English documents translated before you apply. We are a professional translation agency in Singapore, and PEP and Dependant’s Pass documents are among the papers we translate most often.
