Personalized Employment Pass (PEP)

[jpatokal]

Now this is interesting -- MOM seems to have come up with an EP that is not tied to your job:

http://www.mom.gov.sg/publish/momportal ... yment.html

The main catch is that you have to already be working in Sg and fulfill the following criteria:

The following groups will be eligible if they had earned a basic salary of at least S$30,000 in the preceding year and fulfilled the minimum work period as follows:

(i) P Pass holders that have at least two years' working experience on a P Pass;

(ii) Q1 pass holders with at least five years' working experience on a Q1 pass; and

(iii) Foreign graduates from institutions of higher learning in Singapore with at least two years' working experience on a P or Q1 Pass.

And once you have it:

The PEP allows the holder to remain in Singapore for up to six months in between jobs to evaluate new employment opportunities. ... The PEP will be issued only once with a validity of 5 years. It will be non-renewable. A PEP holder will retain the dependant privileges of his original EP type and the minimum annual basic salary requirement of S$30,000 will continue to apply throughout the 5-year duration.

So I presume this will confer the biggest advantage of PR, being able to swap jobs at will, but be easier to obtain. (That said, I'd been working in Sing for under two years when I received my PR.) I wonder if they're also going to make PR harder to get then?

[sundaymorningstaple]

(That said, I'd been working in Sing for under two years when I received my PR.) I wonder if they're also going to make PR harder to get then?

Sounds like an idea that's too late!

[Bafana]

But will the pass allow you to sponser people or do you still need your company to do it?

[sundaymorningstaple]

Will my dependants be affected if I convert to a PEP?

You will continue to enjoy the dependant privileges of your original EP type, or your current eligibility at the point of PEP application, whichever is higher.

A P1/P2 and Q1 Pass holder is eligible to bring his/her spouse and children under 21 years of age on Dependant's Passes. A P Pass holder can also bring his/her parents and parents-in-law on Long-Term Social Visit Passes.

FAQ's

[Bafana]

I read that mate - What I meant is that under PR you can sponser a non-spouse (as in de facto or long time GF, etc) which as far as I know you can't do under an EP. I could be wrong but I think this would still apply.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Baf,

I'd think that one would be S.O.L. regarding the de facto spouse, seems from what I read and also been told (albiet by only a desk officer at MOM) that the rules follow the normal relevant EP rules regarding sponsorships. PR is a different kettle of fish altogether (somewhat more flexible). Having said that, I have noticed that MOM is seemingly lightening up somewhat. (My Burmese community has now gone up from a couple/three of several months ago to 19 as of last week - All S pass holders) so have been making a number of trips to Kallang recently.

[Bafana]

Hi Mate

What does S.O.L. mean?

MAybe all it needs is trip to MOM to ask them rather then beating about the bush - Thanks.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Hi Mate

What does S.O.L. mean? S*** outta luck?

MAybe all it needs is trip to MOM to ask them rather then beating about the bush - Thanks.

Found that that works most of the time (trip to MOM) although sometimes it is good to ask to see an officer in an interview room (they are more willing to discuss things there whereas line clerks don't have much flexibility).

[askmeagain]

I don't think it is so easy as it sounds.

[sundaymorningstaple]

I don't think it is so easy as it sounds.

You are partially right.......... You don't think!

[Bonbon]

yah what you mean, what's the catch

I'll be applying exactly this in a few weeks time on my 2 years anniversary (with Singapore of course) date hahahah

[spgc]

I just spoke to the MoM, they confirmed (after going away from the phone and asking someone) that as a PEP you can sponsor a LTSVP (i.e. your common law partner).

The MoM lady actually said, without being prompted, that I would be the sponsor as opposed to my company (as it would be under EP). The process fairly clear, see

http://www.mom.gov.sg/publish/momportal ... visit.html

Also, I have a colleague here who went through it (under EP) about 18 months ago. It took them about two weeks to process from submission of the form, with associated Notarised Statement and letter from your embassy.

Hope that helps someone.

Cheers

[sundaymorningstaple]

spgc,

Excellent piece of news! Many thanks for coming back with the goods and letting us know. I'm sure this will help a number of our readers both now and in the future.

sms

[KnightRider]

1. Currently I have an insurance based on my EP. Will this continue even after I get the PEP?

2. Currently I am under the P2 pass. If I get PEP and another person who is under Q pass(5 years),also gets PEP, how does one differentiate the pass category. (It just says PEP on the card!)

3. Does PEP allow re-entry within 5 yrs? That is to say, if I am PEP and for some reason I go back to my home country leaving the job here, can I still come back within the 5 yrs to Singapore based on my PEP status?