Singapore EP Holder's First 30 Days: The Essential Admin Checklist

You have your Employment Pass. You are in Singapore. Now what? The first 30 days after you arrive as an EP holder involve a surprisingly dense list of administrative tasks — registrations, enrolments, applications, and account openings — that are easy to overlook when you are simultaneously starting a new job in a new country. Miss them and you face delays that compound: a bank account you cannot open without a residential address, an insurance policy you cannot claim without a registered doctor, a tax identity number that takes weeks to process if you do not apply early.

This checklist is designed for EP holders arriving as individuals — not the full family relocation scenario — and covers the administrative tasks that apply specifically to you as a working professional in Singapore. If you are bringing family, there are additional steps for Dependant Pass or LTVP applications, school enrolment, and so on; this guide focuses on you as the EP holder.

Before Day 1: Arrive on the Correct Pass

When you enter Singapore to take up employment, you should enter on your In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter if your EP card has not yet been issued, or on your EP card if it has. The IPA serves as an entry document and as evidence of your approved employment status. Do not attempt to enter on a tourist visa or social visit pass if you intend to work — doing so creates an immigration irregularity that will need to be corrected.

If you entered Singapore on a social visit pass and the IPA was issued subsequently (sometimes this happens for hires who were already in Singapore), your employer should have advised you on converting your immigration status. If in doubt, clarify with MOM’s Employment Pass Services Centre (EPSC) before your first working day.

Week 1: Pass Registration at the EPSC

Your first priority is registering your Employment Pass at the Employment Pass Services Centre at 5 Maxwell Road (MOM Services Centre). This is the step that converts your IPA into an active EP card. You will need:

Your original IPA letter
Your valid passport
Any other documents specified in the IPA letter

Biometrics (fingerprints and photograph) will be taken. Your EP card will be issued on the spot or mailed to you within a few working days, depending on the EPSC’s processing load. You should begin work only after your EP is registered and active — the IPA alone does not authorise you to work.

Your employer may handle EPSC registration on your behalf through a registered employment agent. Confirm whether this is being arranged or whether you need to visit in person.

Week 1: Register for Singpass

Singpass is Singapore’s national digital identity system, and it is essential for virtually every government transaction you will need to conduct — from filing income tax to checking your CPF balance to applying for PR in future. You cannot register for Singpass until your EP is active in MOM’s system.

Register online at the Singpass website or via the Singpass app. You will need your FIN (Foreign Identification Number, printed on your EP card) and your passport. Singpass registration is typically processed within two to five working days. Once active, download the Singpass app and enable two-factor authentication using your Singapore mobile number or face verification.

Do not delay Singpass registration — many other tasks on this checklist require it, and the two-to-five-day processing window means you want it done in the first few days of arrival.

Week 1: Open a Singapore Bank Account

You will need a Singapore bank account to receive your salary. The major local banks — DBS/POSB, OCBC, and UOB — all offer accounts for EP holders. Some require a minimum initial deposit (typically SGD 500 to SGD 1,000); others do not. Account opening requirements vary slightly by bank but generally include:

Your EP card (or IPA letter if the card has not yet been issued)
Passport
Proof of residential address in Singapore (a tenancy agreement, utility bill, or employer letter)
Employment letter from your employer

Many banks now allow account opening via their mobile apps without visiting a branch, though some still require an in-person visit for first accounts. Open the account as early as possible — your employer will need your bank account details to set up payroll, and delays here mean delays in your first salary payment.

For a detailed comparison of banking options, accounts, and foreign exchange services, see our banking for new arrivals guide.

Week 1–2: Secure Accommodation

If your employer does not provide accommodation, you will need to sign a tenancy agreement and move in. Your tenancy agreement serves as proof of address for bank account opening, Singpass registration, and IRAS tax records. Singapore’s rental market is competitive, particularly for well-located units in the SGD 3,000–5,000 per month range that most EP holders target.

Key points to check in any tenancy agreement: lease term, diplomatic clause (which allows early termination in certain circumstances), maintenance responsibilities, and air-conditioning servicing obligations. Most tenancy agreements in Singapore are for 12 or 24 months.

For a neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood breakdown of where to rent in Singapore and what to expect at different price points, see our renting in Singapore guide.

Week 2: Get a Singapore SIM Card and Local Number

A Singapore mobile number is required for Singpass two-factor authentication, WhatsApp-based communications with government agencies, and practical day-to-day life. Prepaid SIMs are available at Changi Airport and 7-Eleven stores for immediate use. For a postpaid plan, the major operators are Singtel, StarHub, M1, and several MVNOs. Postpaid contracts require your EP card and residential address.

Week 2: Register with IRAS for Income Tax

Employment income in Singapore is subject to income tax. As an EP holder, you are responsible for filing your income tax return each year, typically by 15 April for the preceding year’s income. Your employer deducts Singapore tax through the payroll process under the No-Filing Service (NFS) if they are registered, but you still need to register with IRAS and obtain access to myTax Portal via Singpass.

Log into myTax Portal (mytax.iras.gov.sg) using your Singpass to verify your tax registration and review your tax account. IRAS will automatically register you using your FIN once your employer reports your employment, but confirming your account is active early avoids surprises at tax time.

Note: If you leave Singapore permanently or for an extended period, your employer must file an IR21 tax clearance at least one month before your departure. This is something to plan for in future, not immediately, but understanding the requirement early avoids exit complications later.

Week 2: Understand Your CPF Position

Employment Pass holders are not entitled to CPF contributions — CPF is a statutory savings scheme for Singapore Citizens and PRs. As an EP holder, your employer does not contribute to CPF on your behalf, and you do not make employee CPF contributions either.

This means your take-home pay as an EP holder is effectively your gross salary, with only income tax deducted. Be aware of this when comparing Singapore compensation packages with those in countries where social security or pension contributions reduce take-home pay significantly.

If and when you obtain PR status, CPF contributions will commence. At that point, your net take-home will reduce but you will be accumulating CPF savings that can be used for housing, healthcare (Medisave), and retirement (Ordinary and Special Accounts).

Week 2–3: Register with a GP and Understand Healthcare

Singapore’s healthcare system is a mix of public and private providers. As an EP holder, you are not covered by MediShield Life (Singapore’s national health insurance scheme, which covers Citizens and PRs). Check what your employer provides in terms of medical benefits — most EP employers provide private health insurance or cover outpatient GP visits up to an annual limit.

Register with a General Practitioner (GP) near your home or office. Singapore’s GP clinics are typically walk-in, but registering your details (FIN, insurance information) in advance smooths the process when you visit sick. For specialist care, most private hospitals and specialist clinics can be accessed directly without a referral, though a GP referral improves insurance coverage in many policies.

Review your employer-provided insurance carefully: understand the annual limit, whether it covers specialist visits and hospitalisation, and whether pre-existing conditions are excluded during a waiting period. See our healthcare for expats guide for a full overview.

Week 3–4: Convert Your Driving Licence (If Applicable)

If you intend to drive in Singapore, you can drive on a valid foreign driving licence for a period after arrival — but the rules depend on your home country and the licence type. You should plan to convert to a Singapore driving licence if you intend to drive long-term.

The conversion process depends on your home country. Some countries (including Australia, UK, and many EU states) allow direct conversion without taking a theory or practical test; others require testing. The process is handled by the Singapore Traffic Police. See our driving licence conversion guide for country-specific requirements.

Ongoing: Know Your Pass Conditions and Renewal Timeline

Your EP has an expiry date and specific conditions — the employer it is valid for, the occupation, and the expiry. Set a calendar reminder at least three months before expiry: your employer needs to apply for renewal in advance, and MOM recommends applying at least three months before expiry to avoid a lapse.

EP renewals now undergo a full COMPASS reassessment. If your salary has grown with the market and your employer’s local-to-foreign workforce ratio is healthy, renewal is generally straightforward. If you are approaching renewal at a salary that has not kept pace with MOM’s benchmarks, your employer may need to address this before submitting. Our COMPASS renewal audit guide walks through exactly what to check before your renewal application is filed.

Summary Checklist

Day 1: Arrive on IPA or EP card
Week 1: Register EP at EPSC
Week 1: Apply for Singpass (process takes 2–5 days)
Week 1: Open Singapore bank account
Week 1–2: Secure accommodation and sign tenancy agreement
Week 2: Get local SIM card and Singapore mobile number
Week 2: Log into myTax Portal and confirm IRAS registration
Week 2: Review employer insurance coverage and register with a GP
Week 3–4: Convert driving licence if applicable
Ongoing: Track EP expiry and plan renewal at least 3 months out

How Singapore Employment Agency Can Help

Singapore Employment Agency assists individuals and corporate clients with the full EP application and on-boarding process — from the initial COMPASS self-assessment through to pass registration and the administrative tasks covered in this guide. For EP holders relocating with family, we also handle Dependant Pass and LTVP applications.

For employer-side support — managing your Foreign Worker Quota, levy obligations, Fair Consideration Framework compliance, and pass cancellations — our sister company Raffles Corporate Services provides comprehensive MOM compliance services.

For the full framework on Employment Pass eligibility and the COMPASS system, start with our complete Singapore Employment Pass guide.