Quick answer: The Work Holiday Pass Singapore (WHP) lets young students and graduates work and holiday here. Under the Work Holiday Programme, you must be 18 to 25. You must also study at, or have graduated from, a university in one of 10 countries or regions. The pass lasts 6 months and costs S$175. Australians and New Zealanders aged 18 to 30 can also apply under a separate 12-month programme.
The Work Holiday Pass Singapore is issued by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). It lets you take short jobs while you travel. People also search for it as “WHP Singapore”. This guide explains both programmes, who qualifies, the quota, the steps, the fees and the papers.
What Is the Work Holiday Pass Singapore?
The WHP is a pass for young people who want to work and travel. You apply for it yourself. You do not need an employer to apply for you.
There are two ways to get a Work Holiday Pass:
| Work Holiday Programme | Work and Holiday Visa Programme |
|---|
| Who it is for | Students and graduates of universities in 10 countries or regions | Citizens of Australia or New Zealand |
| Age | 18 to 25 | 18 to 30 |
| How long it lasts | 6 months | 12 months |
| Can it be renewed? | No | No, it is issued only once |
| Family passes | Not available | Not available |
| Levy | No | No |
A levy is a charge some employers pay for each foreign worker. Employers of WHP holders do not pay one. That makes it easier for a company to hire you.
Who Is Eligible for a Work Holiday Pass Singapore?
Work Holiday Programme
You must meet all of these rules:
- You are aged 18 to 25 when you apply.
- You study at, or graduated from, a university in one of these places: Australia, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Switzerland, the United Kingdom or the United States.
- That country’s or region’s government recognises your university.
- Undergraduates: you have been a full-time resident student of the university for at least 3 months before you apply.
- Graduates: you were a full-time resident student of the university.
Work and Holiday Visa Programme
- You are a citizen of Australia or New Zealand.
- You are aged 18 to 30 when you apply.
- You hold a university degree. Or you have done the same as 2 years of full-time university study.
Not eligible?
MOM suggests another route for students with an internship. The employer can apply for a Training Employment Pass for up to 3 months. That pass accepts translations from a service provider. So translations for a TEP application can be done outside the university.
Work Holiday Pass Quota: How Many Places Are There?
The Work Holiday Programme has a cap of 2,000 pass holders at any one time. This is a running total, not a yearly count. When a holder’s pass ends, a place opens up again.
MOM’s pages for the Work and Holiday Visa Programme do not list a cap. So apply as early as your plans allow, for either programme.
Students often ask us whether they need translations for this pass. The answer surprises many of them, as the next sections explain. Unsure about your own papers? Check with our main translation website before you pay any fee.
Planning to Stay On After Your Work Holiday? Get Your Degree Papers Ready in English
How to Apply for a Work Holiday Pass Singapore
- Apply online. Use MOM’s eService called “Apply for Work Holiday Pass”. Upload your documents and submit.
- Wait for the result. If approved, MOM emails you an in-principle approval (IPA) letter. An IPA means MOM agrees in principle to give you the pass.
- Travel to Singapore. Check the latest entry rules first. You must be in Singapore to get the pass issued.
- Get the pass issued. Do this within 3 months of the date on the IPA letter. Pay the S$175 fee.
- Register fingerprints and photo, if needed. Your notification letter will say. If needed, register at the Employment Pass Services Centre (EPSC) within 2 weeks.
- Set up the digital pass. Log in to the SGWorkPass app with Singpass.
- Get your card. MOM delivers it within 5 working days after registration or document checks.
Work Holiday Pass Fees and Processing Time
| Item | Amount or time |
|---|
| Pass fee | S$175 per pass |
| Multiple Journey Visa (if needed) | S$30 per visa |
| Processing time | Within 4 weeks for most cases |
| Time to get the pass issued after IPA | 3 months from the IPA date |
The same S$175 fee applies under both programmes. A Multiple Journey Visa is only for people whose nationality needs a visa to enter Singapore. Some cases take longer, for example when MOM asks for more information.
How Long the Pass Lasts and the Work Rules
| Rule | Work Holiday Programme | Work and Holiday Visa Programme |
|---|
| Pass length | 6 months | 12 months |
| Study or training limit | Not stated by MOM | Up to 4 months for Australians, up to 6 months for New Zealanders |
Extra rules for Australians and New Zealanders
- You cannot work freelance.
- You cannot work for the same employer for more than 6 months.
- You must work for an employer registered with ACRA or ROS. ACRA registers companies, and ROS registers societies and clubs.
- The study limit includes internships, courses and on-the-job training.
Jobs that need a licence
Some jobs need registration before you can practise. Examples are medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, architecture and law. You must meet those rules first.
Job Offer in Singapore After Your Holiday Pass? We Translate Your Certificates for MOM
Documents for a Work Holiday Pass
The documents are the same under both programmes. Files must be PDF or JPEG and no larger than 2MB each.
| Graduates | Undergraduates |
|---|
| Passport personal particulars page | Passport personal particulars page |
| Degree certificate or transcripts | Letter from the university (see below) |
| Copy of your university student card |
Undergraduates who are international students also add a copy of their student visa.
The university letter must state your matriculation, name, nationality, date of birth and year of study. Matriculation means you are formally enrolled. The letter must be dated no more than 3 months before you apply.
The translation rule for this pass
This rule is different from most MOM passes. Are your university papers not in English? Then MOM wants a copy of the original. It also wants an official English translation certified by the university.
So for the WHP itself, ask your university for the translation. An outside translation does not replace it.
Common Mistakes With a Work Holiday Pass
- Applying after you turn 26. The age rule is checked on the day you apply.
- Using an old university letter. It must be dated within 3 months of your application.
- Letting the IPA lapse. Get the pass issued within 3 months.
- Files too large. Each upload must be 2MB or less.
- Using the wrong translation. MOM wants the university’s certified version for this pass.
Keep your outside translations for later steps, such as job hunting. A full grade transcript in English is handy when an employer wants to see your subjects.
Moving From a WHP to an Employment Pass
Many WHP holders get a job offer before their pass ends. The WHP cannot be renewed. So the employer must apply for a new pass, such as an Employment Pass (EP) or S Pass.
For an EP, MOM’s rule on translations is different from the WHP. It accepts the original and an English translation from a translation service provider, uploaded as one file. Is your degree in French, German or Japanese? Then getting degree papers ready for an EP early saves days.
Where Translation Fits, and Where It Does Not
Here is a simple way to remember it:
| Step | Who translates? |
|---|
| WHP application | Your university certifies the English translation |
| A later EP, S Pass or Training Employment Pass | A translation service provider can do it |
| Job applications to Singapore employers | Any clear, accurate translation the employer accepts |
A common problem we see is a graduate who leaves the diploma at home. Bring a scan of every certificate when you travel. Then, when an employer asks for it in English, a translated diploma or degree certificate can be ready quickly.
Switching From a Work Holiday Pass to a Full Work Pass? Send Us Your Documents
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be a citizen of the country where my university is?
No, not for the Work Holiday Programme. MOM says you qualify if you are a full-time student or recent graduate there. The university must be in an eligible country or region. Your own nationality does not need to match.
Can I extend my IPA letter if I cannot arrive in time?
Yes, you can ask MOM for more time. Send the request at least 2 weeks before the IPA expires.
Do Australians and New Zealanders need to show money?
Yes. You must be able to support yourself while in Singapore. When you apply, you will need to declare enough funds for your arrival, stay and departure.
Can I get the pass issued if I do not have Singpass?
Yes. Book an appointment at the Employment Pass Services Centre (EPSC). You can get the pass issued over the counter there.
Can I start working before my card arrives?
Yes. When the pass is issued, you get a notification letter. It is valid for 1 month and lets you start work while you wait for the card.
Conclusion
The Work Holiday Pass Singapore suits students and young graduates who want to work and travel. The Work Holiday Programme is for ages 18 to 25 at universities in 10 countries or regions. It has 2,000 places at any one time. Australians and New Zealanders aged 18 to 30 have their own 12-month programme.
Apply online, pay S$175 and get the pass issued within 3 months of approval. For the WHP, use the university’s certified translation. Keep outside translations for the next step, such as an EP or job applications.
