Personalised Employment Pass (PEP) — Complete 2026 guide
The personalised employment pass (PEP) is a Ministry of Manpower (MOM) work pass for high-earning foreign professionals who are not tied to a specific employer — uniquely portable among Singapore work passes. In 2026 the qualifying salary threshold is a fixed monthly salary of S$22,500 (raised from S$18,000 in September 2023), and the pass is issued once for a non-renewable three-year term.
Raffles Corporate Services works with a panel of corporate and employment law firms; this article is general information, not legal advice.
What the PEP is — and how it differs from the EP
The PEP is governed by the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act 1990 and MOM’s PEP guidelines. Unlike an Employment
Pass, the PEP is not tied to a sponsoring employer — the pass-holder may change jobs without re-application, and may
spend up to six continuous months between jobs while remaining in Singapore. The PEP is non-renewable; after three
years the holder must transition to another work pass (typically an Employment Pass or ONE Pass).
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Eligibility — 2026 thresholds
- Existing EP holders: fixed monthly salary of at least S$22,500 at the time of PEP application.
- Overseas applicants: last drawn fixed monthly salary of at least S$22,500 within the last
six months. - Industry sectors: open to all sectors except sole-proprietorships, partnerships, and certain
restricted occupations. - Age: no statutory minimum or maximum, but MOM applies an unwritten “active career” test.
Cost and timeline benchmarks
- PEP application fee: S$105.
- PEP issuance fee: S$225.
- Multiple Journey Visa (if applicable): S$30.
- Processing time: 4–8 weeks from a complete submission.
- Pass validity: 3 years, non-renewable.
Application step-by-step
- Confirm eligibility against the S$22,500 fixed monthly salary threshold.
- Prepare supporting documents — passport, education certificates, last 6 months payslips, latest employer’s letter.
- Submit via MOM’s MyMOM Portal.
- Pay application fee of S$105.
- On approval, request the In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter.
- Enter Singapore (if overseas) and complete the issuance step at the Employment Pass Services Centre.
Ongoing obligations
PEP holders must (i) earn at least S$144,000 in a calendar year; (ii) not be unemployed for more than 6 consecutive
months; and (iii) notify MOM of any change in employment within 7 days. Failure to meet the annual salary threshold
results in pass cancellation under MOM’s PEP conditions. See The Singapore Personalised Employment Pass (PEP) 2026: Complete Guide for adjacent
work-pass options.
Common mistakes
The recurring application failures: (1) submitting with a base salary below S$22,500 even when total remuneration
exceeds the threshold — MOM tests fixed monthly salary, not total compensation; (2) PEP holders who fail the S$144,000
annual income test in year two, triggering cancellation; and (3) applying for the PEP within the last 12 months of a
3-year EP cycle, after which MOM applies stricter scrutiny.
Authoritative references
The applicable rules sit with the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) PEP page, immigration formalities
with the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA), and industry-positioning context with the
Economic Development Board (EDB).
FAQs
Can family members accompany a PEP holder? Yes — spouses on Dependant’s Pass and children on
Dependant’s Pass, subject to MOM’s eligibility criteria.
Can a PEP holder start their own business? Yes — the PEP permits self-employment, contracting,
and directorship, unlike the standard EP which restricts the holder to the sponsoring employer.
How long can a PEP holder be between jobs? Up to six continuous months in Singapore without
employment.
Is the PEP a route to permanent residence? The PEP itself is not a PR pathway, but PEP holders
may apply for Singapore PR through the standard ICA application.
Is the PEP renewable? No — after three years, the holder must transition to another work pass.
Need help with this? Call, SMS or WhatsApp +65 8501 7133, or email [email protected]. Little Big Employment Agency (EA Licence 19C9790) works with a panel of corporate and employment law firms; this article is general information, not legal advice.