Quick answer: The Training Employment Pass Singapore (TEP) is a short pass for training. It lets a foreign student or trainee train here for up to 3 months. The trainee must earn at least S$3,000 a month in fixed pay, or study at an acceptable institution. The employer applies to MOM, and most cases take about 3 weeks. Fees are S$105 to apply and S$225 when the pass is issued.
The Training Employment Pass Singapore is a short-term pass from the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). Companies use it for interns and for overseas staff who learn on the job here. People often call it the “TEP pass”. This guide explains who qualifies, how long it lasts, the steps, the fees and the papers you need.
What Is the Training Employment Pass Singapore?
The TEP is a work pass for training, not for a normal job. It lets a company host a foreign intern or trainee for a short time.
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|
| Who it is for | Eligible foreign students or foreign trainees |
| How long it lasts | Up to 3 months |
| Can it be renewed? | No |
| Passes for family | Not available |
| Levy or quota | None |
| Who applies | The employer |
A levy is a charge some employers pay for each foreign worker. A quota is a cap on how many foreign workers a company can hire. The TEP has neither, which makes it simpler than many other passes.
Who Is Eligible for a Training Employment Pass Singapore?
MOM looks at two kinds of trainees. Each has its own rule.
Foreign students
- The training in Singapore must be part of their course of study. For example, an internship that their degree requires.
- They must study at an acceptable institution, or earn a fixed monthly salary of at least S$3,000.
MOM publishes a sample list of acceptable institutions. It is based on the universities that get the full 20 points under COMPASS criterion 2. COMPASS is MOM’s points system for Employment Pass applications.
Trainees from your foreign office or subsidiary
- They must earn a fixed monthly salary of at least S$3,000.
“Fixed monthly salary” means basic pay plus fixed allowances. Bonuses, overtime and commission do not count. Is the trainee paid by an overseas office? Then a salary slip translation into English lets MOM see the fixed pay clearly, in case it asks.
When MOM may say no
- The candidate already held a TEP for the same type of training.
- The company has a high number or share of TEP applications or holders.
How Long a TEP Lasts and Its Key Rules
A TEP lasts up to 3 months. It cannot be renewed. So plan the training to fit inside that time.
The training plan should match the pass. MOM asks for the objective, the type of training, the location and the length. If the plan says 3 months, do not stretch the work beyond that.
The TEP holder cannot bring family on this pass. MOM does not offer a family pass for it.
Hosting a Foreign Trainee or Intern? Get Their Training Papers Into English Before You Apply
How to Apply for a Training Employment Pass: Step by Step
- Submit the application. The employer logs in to EP eService on myMOM. It fills in the form, uploads the papers and pays S$105.
- Get the result. MOM sends an in-principle approval (IPA) letter or a rejection. An IPA means MOM agrees in principle. It gives the trainee 6 months to enter and get the pass issued.
- Prepare for arrival. The trainee checks the latest entry rules and travels to Singapore.
- Get the pass issued. The employer logs in to EP eService, gives the required details and pays S$225.
- Register fingerprints and photo, if needed. The notification letter will say. If needed, the trainee registers within 2 weeks after issue.
- Set up the digital pass. The trainee logs in to the SGWorkPass app with Singpass.
- Receive the card. MOM delivers it within 5 working days after registration.
We often get calls from HR teams a few days before an intern flies in. Want to avoid that rush? Send the papers early to an express translation service while the form is still in draft.
TEP Fees and Processing Time
| Item | Amount or time |
|---|
| Application fee | S$105 per pass |
| Issuance fee | S$225 per pass |
| Multiple Journey Visa (if needed) | S$30 per visa |
| Processing time | Within 3 weeks for most cases |
| IPA validity | 6 months |
A Multiple Journey Visa is only for trainees whose nationality needs a visa for Singapore. Some cases take longer than 3 weeks, especially if MOM asks for more papers.
Documents for a TEP Application
MOM lists these documents:
- The personal particulars page of the trainee’s passport.
- A detailed training programme. It must state the objective, the type of training, the location and the length.
MOM may ask for other documents during its review. For students, the employer should also keep proof that the training is part of the course.
Papers in another language
MOM’s rule is clear. Upload the original document together with an English translation as one file. A translation service provider can do it.
Suppose the overseas office wrote the training programme in Japanese. Before you upload it, translate a training plan for MOM and merge both pages into one PDF.
Training Plan or University Letter in Another Language? We Translate It for Your TEP Upload
Common Mistakes With a TEP
- Treating it as a job. The TEP is for training. The plan must show what the trainee will learn.
- Missing the salary rule. A trainee from a foreign office needs at least S$3,000 a month in fixed pay.
- Forgetting the course link. For students, the training must be part of the course.
- Asking for more than 3 months. The pass cannot go beyond that, and it cannot be renewed.
- Uploading two files. The original and the translation must be one file.
Students sometimes send only a photo of a foreign-language degree or diploma. Order a proper graduation certificate translation if MOM or the host company asks for one.
After the Training Ends
The employer must cancel the TEP within 1 week after the last day of training. It can send the cancellation up to 14 days early. Is the trainee still in Singapore? The employer can ask for a Short-Term Visit Pass of up to 30 days.
Some trainees do well and get a job offer. That needs a new pass, such as an Employment Pass or S Pass. Before you plan that move, test a full EP application first with MOM’s free online tool.
Where Translation Fits in a TEP
Most TEP papers are short. But one foreign-language page can hold up the whole case. These are the papers we see most often:
- Training plans written by an overseas office.
- University letters confirming the internship.
- Employment letters from the overseas company.
- Proof of enrolment from the university.
For students, the school’s grade record is a common extra request from host companies. In that case, a translated university transcript shows each subject and grade in plain English.
Ready to Apply for a Training Employment Pass? Send Every Non-English Document to Us Today
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a TEP holder take a part-time job on the side?
No. MOM says all work pass holders must only work for their designated employer. They must not take extra jobs or earn extra income in Singapore. MOM says this also applies to training pass holders doing on-the-job training.
Who pays for the trainee’s flight home?
The employer does. When it cancels the pass, the employer must buy an air ticket with check-in luggage for the trainee. The only exception is when the trainee agrees in writing to pay.
Is a TEP the same as a Work Holiday Pass?
No. The Work Holiday Pass is a separate scheme for students and graduates of certain universities. MOM suggests the TEP for students who have an internship but cannot get a Work Holiday Pass. The TEP allows internships or training for 3 months.
What if the trainee’s name is spelled differently on two documents?
Upload an explanation letter with the application. Add proof of the change, such as a deed poll. This helps MOM match the passport to the other papers.
Conclusion
The Training Employment Pass Singapore suits short internships and on-the-job training of up to 3 months. The trainee needs S$3,000 a month in fixed pay or a place at an acceptable institution. The employer applies, pays S$105 and S$225, and usually gets an answer in about 3 weeks.
Plan the training to fit the 3 months, and write a clear training plan. Then check every paper. Any page not in English should go in with its translation as one file.
