Apply for a Special Pass Singapore (Complete Guide)

If your work permit or visa in Singapore has expired or been cancelled, you cannot just stay on without any valid pass. In such cases, a Special Pass is issued to allow you to stay in Singapore legally — but only for a specific reason and for a limited time.

This guide explains what a Special Pass in Singapore is, who gets it, how long it lasts, how to extend it, and what you can and cannot do while holding one.

What Is a Special Pass in Singapore?

A Special Pass (SP) is an official pass that allows a foreigner to stay in Singapore legally after their original visa or work pass has expired or been cancelled. It is not a regular work pass or visa. It is only given for very specific reasons.

The Special Pass card legalises your stay in Singapore temporarily. Without it, you would be considered an overstayer — which is a serious offence under Singapore law.

Two government authorities issue Special Passes in Singapore:

• ICA (Immigration and Checkpoints Authority) — for cases related to immigration matters, court attendance, and stateless persons
• MOM (Ministry of Manpower) — for work-related cases such as salary disputes, work injury claims, and MOM investigations

What Is an e-Special Pass?

Since 2024, Singapore has introduced the e-Special Pass (e-SP) — a digital version of the Special Pass card. Instead of a physical card, you receive a digital document.

Both the physical SP card and the e-Special Pass serve the same purpose. The only difference is the format.

• For ICA-issued e-SP: You can check your last allowed day of stay on the e-Pass Enquiry Portal online
• For MOM-issued SP card: You can check validity by scanning the QR code at the back of the card using the SGWorkPass (SGWP) app

If you are unsure whether your Special Pass is still valid, always check through the official online methods above — do not assume.

Who Gets a Special Pass in Singapore?

Not everyone can get a Special Pass. It is only issued to foreigners in specific situations.

Common reasons a Special Pass is issued:

• You are helping MOM or the police with an investigation
• You need to attend court in Singapore
• You are making a salary claim against your employer
• You are making a work injury claim
• You are a stateless person residing in Singapore
• Your work pass was cancelled but you need more time to settle matters before leaving
• You are waiting for a new passport to be issued and cannot leave yet
• There are no available flights back to your home country due to special circumstances

In most of these cases, the employer or the relevant authority applies for the Special Pass on the worker’s behalf.

Can You Work in Singapore with a Special Pass?

No. A Special Pass does not allow you to work in Singapore.

If you are found working in Singapore while holding only a Special Pass — without a valid work pass — it is illegal. Both you and your employer can face serious penalties under Singapore law.

There is only one exception: A stateless person holding a Special Pass may work in Singapore if their employer gets a Letter of Consent (LOC) from MOM specifically for that purpose. The employer must apply for this LOC through MOM at go.gov.sg/mom-hire-stateless-person. Without this LOC, even stateless SP holders cannot work.

How Long Is a Special Pass Valid?

A Special Pass is valid for a short period only. The exact duration depends on your situation and why the SP was issued.

The expiry date of your stay is:

• Printed in red on the back of the ICA-issued SP card
• Found on the e-SP document for ICA-issued e-Special Pass holders
• Verified through the SGWorkPass app for MOM-issued SP cards by scanning the QR code

Once your Special Pass expires, you must either leave Singapore or get it extended before the expiry date. Staying beyond the expiry date makes you an overstayer.

How to Apply for a Special Pass Extension in Singapore

If you need more time in Singapore — for example, your case is still ongoing or your flight has been rescheduled — you can apply to extend your Special Pass.

Important rule from MOM (2026): You must submit your extension request 7 to 14 days before your current Special Pass expires. If you submit too early, the request will be rejected. If you submit too late, your pass holder may already be overstaying and face fines.

For Work Permit holders, the extension can be submitted online:

• Foreign workers (non-FDW): Through WP Online for businesses and employment agencies
• Foreign domestic workers (FDW): Through the FDW eService portal

Common valid reasons for extension:

• Waiting for a new passport to be issued
• Pending medical results required for work pass renewal
• Ongoing MOM or police investigation
• No available flights to home country
• Salary or work injury claim still in progress

If your situation does not fit any of the standard reasons, you may need to contact MOM directly and explain your case.

Special Pass for Work Permit Holders — What Employers Must Know

If you are an employer of a foreign worker whose work permit has been cancelled, you have specific responsibilities.

As an employer, you must:

• Cover the cost of your worker’s food, accommodation, and medical treatment while they hold a Special Pass
• Ensure the worker’s safety and wellbeing
• Maintain a security bond of SGD 5,000 for each foreign worker you employ
• Make sure your worker leaves Singapore once the Special Pass expires and all matters are settled

If any part of the security bond conditions are broken — either by the employer or the worker — the bond may be forfeited.

Applying for a Special Pass for your work permit holder:

The employer applies on behalf of the worker. The application requires basic company details, the worker’s details, the reason for the SP application, and supporting documents. At least three coloured photographs of the worker’s accommodation must also be included.

The form must be signed by:

• A partner or sole proprietor if the company is a sole proprietorship or partnership
• A director registered with ACRA if the company is a private limited company

If the director wants to authorise an employee to sign the form, written authorisation must be sent to MOM first and MOM must approve this before the employee can sign.

If your worker needs any documents translated for this process — such as work injury reports or employment records in a foreign language — you can get them handled through a professional MOM document translation service to make sure everything is accurate and accepted.

Special Pass for Salary Claims and Work Injury Cases

Two of the most common reasons work permit holders get a Special Pass are salary disputes and work injury claims.

Salary claim: If your employer has not paid your salary and you want to file a claim with MOM, a Special Pass keeps you legally in Singapore while your case is being handled.

Work injury claim: If you were injured at work and need to stay in Singapore for medical treatment or to complete your claim, MOM issues a Special Pass to allow this.

In both cases, your employer is responsible for your accommodation and daily needs during this period.

If your salary-related documents or medical reports are in another language, they will need to be translated into English before MOM can process your case. A certified legal translation service ensures your documents are ready without any delays.

What Happens If Your Special Pass Is Lost or Stolen?

If your Special Pass card is lost or stolen, do these two things immediately:

1. File a police report — this is required before you can apply for a replacement
2. Visit MOM or ICA — go to the relevant authority that issued your SP and request a replacement card

Do not delay. Without a valid SP card or e-SP, your stay in Singapore is not legalised.

Can You Rent a Room or Flat While on a Special Pass?

Yes, but with conditions.

A homeowner in Singapore can rent to a Special Pass holder only if the SP is still valid. The homeowner must:

• Check the SP card or e-SP against the holder’s original passport
• Verify the validity of the SP with the issuing authority (ICA or MOM)
• Check with HDB or URA on eligibility rules for foreign subtenants

If the Special Pass has expired and the holder has not left Singapore, they are an overstayer. Renting to an overstayer is illegal in Singapore.

Can a Special Pass Holder Leave Singapore and Come Back?

Generally, no.

In most cases where MOM has held your passport for investigation or legal proceedings, you are not allowed to leave Singapore until the matter is resolved. This is especially true for cases involving MOM investigations.

If you believe you need to travel, speak to your lawyer or contact MOM directly. Do not attempt to leave without permission if your passport is being held.

Documents You May Need Translated for Special Pass Cases

Many workers who receive a Special Pass in Singapore come from countries where their documents are not in English. MOM and ICA both require documents in English.

Common documents that may need translation in Special Pass cases:

• Work injury reports from home country doctors
• Employment contracts in a foreign language
• Police clearance certificates from home country
• Birth certificates or identity documents for stateless persons
• Court documents in foreign languages

If you need a police clearance certificate translated or any other document for your Special Pass case, getting it done by a certified translator means MOM and ICA will accept it without any issues.

Workers from Myanmar, Indonesia, Philippines, Bangladesh, India, China, and other countries often need their documents translated. A proper work permit document translation covers all the documents MOM needs for work-related Special Pass cases.

Key Things to Remember About Special Pass Singapore

• Special Pass is not a work pass — you cannot work in Singapore with it (except stateless persons with LOC)
• It is issued by ICA or MOM only — no other authority can issue it
• It has a short validity period — check your expiry date immediately
• Extension must be requested 7 to 14 days before expiry — not earlier, not later
• If your pass expires and you have not left Singapore — you are an overstayer
• Employers are responsible for their worker’s welfare during the SP period
• Lost SP must be reported to police immediately before replacement can be issued
• e-Special Pass (e-SP) is the digital version — same rules apply

FAQs

My work permit was cancelled by my employer. Will I automatically get a Special Pass?

No, a Special Pass is not given automatically. It is issued only when there is a specific reason for you to stay in Singapore — such as a salary claim, work injury case, or ongoing investigation. If you have a valid reason, your employer or MOM will arrange the Special Pass. If not, you are expected to leave Singapore after your work permit is cancelled.

My employer cancelled my work permit because I got injured at work. What should I do?

This is a situation where MOM can issue a Special Pass so you can stay in Singapore to complete your work injury claim. Contact MOM directly or speak to a lawyer. Do not leave Singapore without settling your claim, as it may affect your rights.

My Special Pass is expiring in 3 days and my case is still not resolved. What do I do?

This is urgent. Contact MOM or your employer immediately. Normally the extension request must be submitted 7 to 14 days before expiry — so at 3 days, you are already late. Contact MOM’s contact centre at 6438 5122 right away and explain your situation.

Can my family members come to Singapore to visit me while I am on a Special Pass?

A Special Pass covers only the individual it is issued to. It does not give any rights to family members. Family members would need to apply for their own visitor passes through ICA to come to Singapore.

I am on a Special Pass due to an MOM investigation. How long will the investigation take?

MOM does not provide a fixed timeline for investigations. The duration depends on how complex the case is, what kind of investigation it is, and how many cases MOM is handling at that time. You will need to wait for MOM to complete its process.

Can I open a bank account in Singapore while on a Special Pass?

This depends on the bank’s own policies. A Special Pass alone may not be sufficient for most banks to open an account. You would need to check directly with the bank you want to approach.

What is the difference between a Special Pass and a Short-Term Visit Pass?

A Short-Term Visit Pass (STVP) is given to tourists and short-term visitors who enter Singapore for travel or social visits. A Special Pass is given to foreigners who are already in Singapore and need to stay on after their existing pass has expired or been cancelled — for legal, medical, or work-related reasons. They serve very different purposes.

My documents for the Special Pass case are in my home country language. What should I do?

Any document you submit to MOM or ICA must be in English. If your documents are in another language, get them translated by a certified translator before submitting. This applies to medical reports, employment contracts, police clearance certificates, and any other supporting documents.

Need Help With Document Translation for Your Special Pass Case?

If you are going through a Special Pass situation in Singapore — whether it is a work injury claim, salary dispute, or MOM investigation — your documents must be in English for MOM or ICA to process your case.

We provide certified translation services Singapore for all MOM and ICA documents. Our translators are experienced in work-related cases and deliver accurate translations fast. All translations are accepted by MOM and ICA.

Get your MOM documents translated today and make sure your Special Pass case moves forward without any document delays.