PEP approved while still holding EP

[bosleynguyen]

Hi All Fellows.

I knew PEP scheme from reading threads in this forum and applied for it few weeks ago and I have been given an in-principle approval letter.

My concern now is that as I am still holding my EP. I have to ask my employer to cancel my EP first and apply for the issuance of PEP. This will result in some period (~ 1 week) which I am not allowed to work.

Is there anyway to make the conversion from EP to PEP immediately without any waiting time in between?

Thank you for your consultation and wish you all the best in the year of dragon, the year of asia.

[zzm9980]

Really, there is a time window in between where you can't work? I've never heard about that before, and seems counter-productive for MOM...

How long did your application take? And what are your particulars if you don't mind sharing? P1, P2, etc? How long did you have that pass? I'm guessing Vietnamese by the name.

[nutnut]

I can't remember how I did this exactly, best thing to do is go down to EPEC centre at Clarke Quay and ask them what you should do! I didn't have any break, but it was a while back and I struggle to remember what I had for breakfast!

[sundaymorningstaple]

When you apply for the PEP to be issued, the EP will be canceled by MOM automatically upon issuance of the PEP.

[Mi Amigo]

Indeed. When I went from EP to PEP a few years ago, all this was explained in the documentation that MOM sent me. Certainly there should be no 'gap', provided you follow the process. More details here:

http://www.mom.gov.sg/foreign-manpower/ ... fault.aspx

[bosleynguyen]

Thank you peers for quick replies

I am a Vietnamese reflected by nickname and on P2 cat, got PhD in NUS and working here for more than 2 year.
I applied for it on 6th Jan and got it on 10th Jan but I was away and my EP is still valid so that I haven't processed it. In the in principal approval letter mentioned that "foreigners who are currently holding an EP are required to get their employer to cancel their current work pass via EP Online before they can proceed with issuance of their Pass".
I have contacted with my comp HR but she is not sure and finding out for me later. Yesterday, I made a call to MOM officer, she told me to ask my comp to cancel it first before I can apply for the issuance of PEP online. This will result some waiting period for my PEP to be issued. She told me during the waiting time, I will not be allowed to work as I won't have any valid work pass.
It seems to be complicated. Why don't they cancel it and issue me my PEP on the spot so that it's simple and convenient. Should I make a visit to EPEC center by making an appointment online?

Appreciated your advice

[bosleynguyen]

Indeed. When I went from EP to PEP a few years ago, all this was explained in the documentation that MOM sent me. Certainly there should be no 'gap', provided you follow the process. More details here:

http://www.mom.gov.sg/foreign-manpower/ ... fault.aspx

Thank you for your input. I went online and did the same thing several times. This message appeared

"ERROR
E3000001 : Your request for Issuance is not allowed as the foreigner is currently a EP holder. The existing EP has to be cancelled before a new Pass can be issued to the foreigner."

[zzm9980]

Hrm, linked page says this specficially:

The notification letter

After payment of the fees, please proceed to print the online notification letter. This notification letter will:

Serve as an evidence that the foreigner can continue to stay in Singapore during the validity period of the notification letter for employment/training with the employer stated on the same letter (if any) pending card collection.

Sure sounds like you can still work as long as your PEP IPA has your company's name on it?

[bosleynguyen]

UPDATE

It may help someone else when they later do it.
I came to MOM this morning by making an appointment yesterday. Got the queue as normal and a nice lady attended to me. She advised me to call my HR to cancel my EP and she will proceed the issuance of PEP on the spot as Singapore goverment already implemented the biometric online data card so that one person is allowed to hold one card at a time. I am now waiting to collect the card and still allowed to work without any rest and money leaking.

Thanks you peers for good comments

[ayang1]

UPDATE

It may help someone else when they later do it.
I came to MOM this morning by making an appointment yesterday. Got the queue as normal and a nice lady attended to me. She advised me to call my HR to cancel my EP and she will proceed the issuance of PEP on the spot as Singapore goverment already implemented the biometric online data card so that one person is allowed to hold one card at a time. I am now waiting to collect the card and still allowed to work without any rest and money leaking.

Thanks you peers for good comments

Thank you for this information! I am having the exact same problem right now, and the presented information is not completely intuitive.

ERROR
E3000001 : Your request for Issuance is not allowed as the foreigner is currently a EP holder. The existing EP has to be cancelled before a new Pass can be issued to the foreigner.
E3000137 : Issuance is not allowed as foreigner and his/her dependant(s) are holding valid pass(es) issued by MOM. The foreigner's existing pass and his/her related passes (e.g. Dependant's Pass, Long Term Visit Pass) have to be cancelled before the pass can be issued. Cancellation of passes can be done via EPOL.

[singaporeflyer]

UPDATE

It may help someone else when they later do it.
I came to MOM this morning by making an appointment yesterday. Got the queue as normal and a nice lady attended to me. She advised me to call my HR to cancel my EP and she will proceed the issuance of PEP on the spot as Singapore goverment already implemented the biometric online data card so that one person is allowed to hold one card at a time. I am now waiting to collect the card and still allowed to work without any rest and money leaking.

Thanks you peers for good comments

Thank you for this information! I am having the exact same problem right now, and the presented information is not completely intuitive.

ERROR
E3000001 : Your request for Issuance is not allowed as the foreigner is currently a EP holder. The existing EP has to be cancelled before a new Pass can be issued to the foreigner.
E3000137 : Issuance is not allowed as foreigner and his/her dependant(s) are holding valid pass(es) issued by MOM. The foreigner's existing pass and his/her related passes (e.g. Dependant's Pass, Long Term Visit Pass) have to be cancelled before the pass can be issued. Cancellation of passes can be done via EPOL.

The information shown is very clear. It means that you are already on an EP/DP issued to you by the MOM which is attached to your employer.

Once your employer login into EPOL (MOM System to apply/issue/cancel EP) and then cancels your current EP/DP, then you will be able to issue your PEP.

all EP passes through many stages like Approved (By MOM) - > Issued (By your employer to you or by yourself to you in the case of PEP)