How to Apply for Singapore 5-Year EP Employment Pass

Singapore Employment Pass (EP) is typically approved for an initial period of 2 years, but certain applicants can apply for an Employment Pass lasting up to 5 years. This long-term visa is primarily aimed at tech professionals with scarce skills, designed to attract and retain these high-skilled talents to help further develop Singapore's economy. This article will detail how to apply for a 5-year EP, the application requirements, and the application process.

1. Who is Eligible for a 5-Year EP

According to Singapore's Ministry of Manpower (MOM) regulations, the following groups are eligible to apply for a 5-year EP:

1. Tech professionals with scarce skills:
   Tech professionals working in positions listed in the Shortage Occupation List (SOL) have the opportunity to apply for a 5-year EP. These positions are mainly concentrated in areas such as Information and Communication Technology (ICT), fintech, and green economy sectors, which are crucial to Singapore's development and face local skills shortages.
2. Meeting skills bonus requirements:
   Through the C5 Skills Bonus in the COMPASS system, working in positions on the Shortage Occupation List can add 20 points to the applicant's score. Applicants with relevant skills, especially those with extensive experience who can fill Singapore's local skills gaps, have a greater chance of obtaining a 5-year EP.

It should be noted that meeting SOL requirements and gaining 20 bonus points only makes applicants eligible to apply for a 5-year EP, but does not guarantee approval. Authorities will also conduct a comprehensive assessment based on the applicant's personal background, education, and work experience. Therefore, applicants need to meet or exceed requirements in these areas to increase the likelihood of approval. Based on our experience, although official education and work experience requirements use "or" in their wording, in practice most cases require applicants to have both education and work experience to have a better chance of successfully obtaining a 5-year EP.

For the detailed Shortage Occupation List (SOL), please refer to Singapore Shortage Occupation List (SOL) Specific Positions and Requirements.

2. Requirements for Applying for a 5-Year EP

1. Working in a position on the Shortage Occupation List (SOL):
   Applicants must work in a position on the Shortage Occupation List. The SOL includes key positions in Information and Communication Technology (such as AI engineers, cloud computing specialists, data scientists, etc.), fintech (such as digital banking specialists), and green economy (such as carbon project managers) sectors.
2. Extensive work experience:
   Applicants should have extensive work experience in their professional field. Typically, talents with more than 3 years of relevant industry experience who have played key roles in projects have a better chance of obtaining a 5-year EP.
3. Meeting salary requirements:
   For tech professionals working in positions on the Shortage Occupation List, applying for a 5-year EP requires meeting certain salary requirements. Generally, the salary needs to meet the Singapore government's minimum salary standards for high-skilled professionals to demonstrate the importance of the position and the applicant's skill level.

3. Steps to Apply for a 5-Year EP

1. Prepare application materials:

• Personal resume: Detailed description of the applicant's work experience and skills in relevant fields.
• Educational and qualification certificates: Provide relevant degree certificates and professional qualifications, especially certificates matching SOL positions.
• Employment contract: The company needs to provide at least a 5-year employment contract or proof of long-term employment needs.

1. Submit EP application:
   When employers submit applications through MOM's EP Online system, they select to apply for a 5-year EP and provide supporting documents, including position descriptions and explanations of the company's long-term needs for tech talent.
2. Wait for approval:
   MOM will review whether the applicant's position, skills, and work experience meet the requirements of the Shortage Occupation List, and whether the company has long-term employment capability. The approval time is typically 3 to 8 weeks.

4. Important Considerations for Applying for a 5-Year EP

1. Position matching:
   Applicants need to ensure their position is on the Shortage Occupation List and that their skills and experience highly match the position requirements. Positions on the Shortage Occupation List are typically key positions in Singapore's economic development, so applicants with high matching degrees are more likely to receive approval.
2. Thoroughly prepare application materials:
   Applicants need to provide complete application materials, especially detailed explanations of their industry experience and skills. Additionally, the applying company needs to demonstrate good financial status and the ability to employ foreign employees long-term.
3. SOL position advantages and reality:
   Working in positions on the Shortage Occupation List not only provides additional skills bonus points but also allows for longer employment pass applications. However, receiving SOL bonus points does not guarantee application success. Authorities will comprehensively consider factors such as the applicant's education, work experience, and background in their assessment. Therefore, tech professionals should ensure their background and skills meet all requirements and preferably exceed minimum requirements to increase their chances of obtaining a 5-year EP.

5. Summary

Tech professionals with scarce skills working in key industries can apply for a Singapore 5-year EP, providing greater stability and flexibility for their career development. Applicants need to ensure their position is on the Shortage Occupation List and meet skills, salary, and experience requirements. Additionally, preparing comprehensive application materials is key to ensuring application success. It should be noted that even if SOL bonus points and skills requirements are met, this does not guarantee approval; the final result depends on a comprehensive assessment of the applicant's background.

For more information or further assistance, please contact our professional consultants for consultation.