Republic of Singapore · work unsponsored
Personalised Employment Pass (PEP)
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
Source check: all 5 official citations reconfirmed 13 September 2026
Non-employer-tied work pass for high-earning EP holders or overseas professionals earning above SGD 22,500 per month.
- Processing time
- Typically 8 weeks.
- Government fees
- Application fee SGD 105; issuance fee SGD 225.
- Typical duration
- 3 years; non-renewable.
- Sponsorship required
- No
- Leads to permanent residency
- No
In short
As of 8 July 2026, the Personalised Employment Pass (PEP) for Republic of Singapore is an unsponsored Singapore immigration route. Sources: official Republic of Singapore government pages, reviewed 8 July 2026.
Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/singapore/personalised-employment-pass#answer
What is the Personalised Employment Pass (PEP) in Republic of Singapore?
Personalised Employment Pass (PEP) is an unsponsored Singapore route. Indicative government fees are Application fee SGD 105; issuance fee SGD 225; indicative processing time is Typically 8 weeks; typical duration is 3 years; non-renewable. This route does not lead to permanent residence.
Verified against Ministry of Manpower (MOM) on 18 April 2026.
Overview
The Personalised Employment Pass (PEP) is not tied to any employer. It is available to existing EP holders earning at least SGD 22,500 per month or to overseas professionals with equivalent earnings. The PEP cannot be renewed — holders must switch to EP, ONE Pass, or another pass before expiry. PEP holders cannot start a business or be self-employed.
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓Current EP holder with a last-drawn fixed monthly salary of at least SGD 22,500; OR overseas professional with a last-drawn fixed monthly salary of at least SGD 22,500 in the preceding 6 months.Ministry of Manpower (MOM) ↗
- ✓Must not be a foreigner on a sponsored Dependent's Pass seeking to switch to PEP.
Common blockers
- !Salary below SGD 22,500/month.Ministry of Manpower (MOM) ↗
- !Already holds or has previously held a PEP (it is a once-in-a-lifetime pass).Ministry of Manpower (MOM) ↗
Typical evidence
- ·Payslips or tax documents proving last-drawn salary of SGD 22,500+.Ministry of Manpower (MOM) ↗
- ·Passport.Ministry of Manpower (MOM) ↗
- ·Current EP details (if switching from EP).
Application pathway
Confirm salary eligibility
Verify your last-drawn salary meets the SGD 22,500/month threshold.
Apply online via MOM portal
Submit the PEP application individually — no employer submission required.
Receive IPA and activate
If approved, activate the pass within the IPA validity period.
Plan next pass before expiry
PEP cannot be renewed. Switch to EP, ONE Pass, or another valid pass before the 3-year expiry.
After approval: prepare for your next step
For Personalised Employment Pass (PEP), use the actual decision and the issuing authority’s instructions to establish what has been granted. A successful application, permission to enter, permission to work and a residence document are not interchangeable.
- 1. Check the decision. Confirm the name, passport, status granted, start date and any next action. Resolve an error with the authority before relying on the document for travel or employment.
- 2. Establish the travel step. Read any entry window, activation, collection or in-country registration instruction. For an extension or change of status, do not assume leaving the country is required or safe while a further step remains pending.
- 3. Confirm what you may do. Check whether employment, self-employment, remote work or study is permitted under the status granted. Do not infer unrestricted work rights from the absence of an employer sponsor.
- 4. Organise the household. Check each accompanying person’s permission separately, then arrange healthcare, accommodation, access to money and the relevant local registrations. A tax number or bank account does not by itself prove a right to work.
- 5. Keep the ongoing conditions visible. Record the actual expiry, renewal process, permitted absences and any duty to report changes. An initial grant does not automatically establish permanent residence or citizenship.
Plan the practical side of your stay
Once you have checked the official route, you can prepare for day-to-day life in Singapore. These optional services are separate from the application and do not establish visa eligibility.
Official application links
Where to actually go next
These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.
- ApplyApplicantApply for a Personalised Employment Pass ↗
Candidate submits the PEP application directly and completes pass issuance after receiving in-principle approval.
Ministry of Manpower (MOM) · verified
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Employment Pass (EP)
Work pass for foreign professionals, managers, and executives earning above the qualifying salary, issued to employers.
Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass (ONE Pass)
Premium 5-year pass for top-earning professionals, business leaders, and outstanding achievers — not tied to a single employer.
Frequently asked questions
Can PEP holders start a business?+
No. PEP holders can only be employed — they cannot be self-employed or start a business. For entrepreneurial flexibility, consider the ONE Pass (if earning SGD 30,000+) or EntrePass.
Can I renew my PEP?+
No. The PEP is a once-in-a-lifetime, non-renewable pass valid for 3 years. Before it expires, you must secure an EP, ONE Pass, or other valid pass to continue working in Singapore.
Is there a Singapore work pass I can apply for myself, without an employer sponsoring me?+
Yes — the Personalised Employment Pass (PEP) is not tied to any employer and you apply for it yourself via the MOM portal, but it requires a last-drawn fixed monthly salary of at least SGD 22,500. The employer-sponsored Employment Pass and S Pass, by contrast, must be submitted by a Singapore employer. Verify the current threshold and process on MOM.
What is the difference between the ONE Pass and the Personalised Employment Pass (PEP)?+
Both are not tied to a single employer, but the ONE Pass requires a fixed monthly salary of at least SGD 30,000, lasts 5 years and is renewable, and lets holders start a business; the PEP requires at least SGD 22,500 per month, lasts 3 years, cannot be renewed, and does not allow self-employment or starting a business. Check MOM for current criteria.
Can I move to Singapore on a PEP and look for work without an employer first?+
The PEP is available to overseas professionals who earned a fixed monthly salary of at least SGD 22,500 in the preceding 6 months, and it is not tied to any employer — but it is a once-in-a-lifetime, non-renewable pass valid for 3 years, and holders cannot be self-employed or start a business. Before it expires you must switch to an EP, ONE Pass, or other valid pass. Confirm the rules on MOM.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
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We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.
Primary source: Ministry of Manpower (MOM)
Last checked: 18 April 2026