TEP Visa For Singapore
If you’ve ever traveled abroad, you’ll know that a TEP Visa is not an easy thing to obtain when backpacking around Asia. Let’s take a closer look at what it is and how can earn one.
Singapore has a lot of travel visa alternatives, such as the tourist visa on arrival (by air only), visa on arrival (by sea or land), transit visa, and even the free visa. However, these visas may not be available for your situation or are simply out of your budget. Don’t give up yet! TEP Visas is here to turn your gears back on again with the TEP Visa service.
Touriangle is the right stop for you to obtain all the relevant information you need on TEP Singapore processing time, training employment pass status check, training employment pass extension, training employment pass validity, and so much more. Be sure to visit our catalog for more information on related topics. You don’t want to miss this!
TEP Visa For Singapore
Are you a Singaporean citizen?
If so, then you can get the Tep Visa for Singapore. The Tep Visa for Singapore is a visa that lets you visit the country for up to 90 days. It also allows you to extend your stay by another 90 days if needed.
The Tep Visa for Singapore is issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and it can be applied for at any international airport or seaport in Singapore. You will need to bring your passport and other documents as proof that you are who you say you are. You’ll also need to pay a fee at least three working days before your trip starts (and possibly more depending on which port of entry you choose).
Once approved, this visa will be valid for six months from the date of issue or until the expiration date on your passport if shorter than six months. If you decide not to use this visa, then it will expire automatically after six months from when it was issued or from when your passport expires whichever comes first!
What is an Employment Pass?
An Employment Pass or EP is a Singapore work visa issued by Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower to foreign professional employees, managers, and owners or directors of Singaporean companies. This work visa allows you to live and work in Singapore, as well as travel in and out of the country without having to apply for entry visas.
An Employment Pass is usually valid for 1-2 years and can be renewed after. Possessing an EP also makes it easier for you to apply for permanent residence (PR) in Singapore.
Training Employment Pass Minimum Salary
In order to qualify for the Training Employment Pass, you must be either:
- A student, currently studying in an acceptable educational institution*; or
- A trainee from a foreign office or subsidiary company who wants to undergo training in a Singapore company.
In addition, you must also fulfill the following requirements:
- Your monthly salary must be at least S$3,000.
- The company sponsoring you has to be a well-established and Singapore-registered company.
- If you are a student: The training has to be part of your course of study.
*There is a list of acceptable educational institutions on the Ministry of Manpower’s website.
Singapore Training Employment Pass
Who can apply for a Training Employment Pass?
Non-residents undergoing practical training attachments for professional, managerial, executive or specialist jobs in Singapore are required to apply for a Singapore Training Employment Pass (TEP). This includes:
- Undergraduates
The training attachment in Singapore must be part of the trainee’s degree programme from an acceptable educational institution; or - Intra-company trainees
Companies can bring employees from their foreign offices/subsidiaries, to Singapore for training.
To qualify for a TEP, the applicant should:
- Earn a fixed monthly salary of at least S$3,000; and/or
- Hold acceptable tertiary/professional qualifications.
- Be 17-30 years old
What if you do not qualify?
Applicants who do not meet the above criteria may wish to apply for a Training Employment Pass instead. The applicant will be assessed based on the prevailing criteria for the Training Work Permit and can be attached to a company in Singapore for up to six months.
MOM Training Employment Pass Requirements
Eligible foreign students or foreign trainees who want to undergo training in Singapore.
Employers must be the ones applying for the Training Employment Pass or work permit.
If you are a foreign student:
- The training vocation in Singapore must be a required part of your studied course or degree
- You must be studying at a valid institution or earn a fixed monthly salary of at least $3,000.
- You must be sponsored by a valid Singaporean company or firm registered locally.
If you are a trainee:
- You must earn a fixed monthly salary of at least $3,000.
- You must be sponsored by a valid Singaporean company or firm registered locally.
Required documents to apply for the Training Employment Pass
When your employer submits the application for your Training Employment Pass, they must also attach several documents, such as:
- Photocopies of your passport’s personal details page.
- Recent passport-size picture in line with Singapore photo requirements.
- A comprehensive training program, which includes the following:
- The training’s objective.
- The type of training you’ll be undertaking.
- How long the training will last and where it will take place.
- Your educational certificates.
- If you are from India, you will need the following additional documents: Transcripts and Marksheets.
- If you have not finished your course: a letter from your school confirming you are enrolled in the educational institution and taking that particular class.
- Letter from your school stating that this training is part of your course.
- Verification for your educational certificates and documents. You can verify them via Dataflow or another global verification agency. In some cases, certification from a notary will not suffice.
- If you are from China, you can get the verification from China Higher Education Student Information and Career Center or China Academic Degrees & Graduate Education Information.
- Letter of Support/Registration from a Registration Agency, Professional Body, or Accreditation Agency.
What are the Benefits of the Singapore Training Employment Pass?
There’s no set foreign worker levy or quota required for the Training Employment Pass.
You may receive training and reside in Singapore for up to three months. Singapore has many training and educational opportunities for you to expand your skill sets and knowledge, working and learning alongside a multicultural and diverse workforce.
Requesting for the Pass to be issued
After entering Singapore with the IPA letter, your employer can request to get your Pass issued. This process is also done online. Your employer has to:
- Sign in to EP Online and make the request to issue the Pass.
- Submit all the required documents (see below).
- Pay the Pass fee (S$225). Depending on your particular case, there may be additional fees, such as a S$30 Multiple Journey Visa fee.
- After the Pass is issued, print the notification letter, which:
- Allows you to travel in and out of Singapore while you wait for your Pass Card.
- Informs you whether you have to register your fingerprints and picture.
Documents to provide
In addition, the documents you will need when your employer requests to get the Pass issued are:
- Your current Short Term Visit Pass/immigration pass information.
- Proof of your accommodation in Singapore.
- An address where the MOM can deliver your Pass Card.
- Your Disembarkation/Embarkation card.
- Proof you have completed your medical examination.
All the documents you submit have to be in English. If they are not, they must be translated to English by an official translator.
Application Process
The Singapore Training Employment Pass takes 3 weeks, from the day of application and documents received to process. The employer must apply on the candidate’s behalf. After successful application, you may get the pass issued, register your photo and fingerprints and collect your valid Singapore training pass or work permit.
There are two ways to file your Employment Pass application:
- You may register online if the employing Singapore company has registered for an EP online account. Online applications are usually processed within 3 weeks from the date of submission.
- You may also submit a manual application, which allows for the attachment of all supporting documents (which cannot be done online). Manual applications are usually processed within 8 weeks from the date of submission.
The overall processing time of your application may vary by several days or weeks. This is due to several factors, such as the credentials of the employing Singapore company, the qualifications of the applicant, and the availability of supporting documents.
How do I know if my Employment Pass has been approved, and how do I collect it?
When your Employment Pass application is approved, MOM will send an In-Principle-Approval (IPA) letter to the employing Singapore company’s address. The IPA letter is valid for 6 months from the date it is issued.
To collect your pass, you will need to come to Singapore and present a copy of the IPA letter, your passport, and any other documents that may be requested in the IPA letter. A one-time entry visa will be issued to you to enter Singapore and collect your Employment Pass.
Your IPA letter may require you to go through a medical test and produce the report when you collect visa. You may opt to do the medical test in an established clinic or hospital in your home country, or when you arrive in Singapore.
If you applied for Dependent’s Passes and/or Long-Term Visit Passes for your family, you can collect these at the same time.
Do note that all EP applications are not considered final until you have received an In-Principle-Approval of your application. Please do not make any prior relocation plans.
I have successfully obtained an Employment Pass. Can I bring my family to live with me in Singapore?
You can, if you draw a minimum fixed monthly salary of S$6000.
Spouses and children of successful Employment Pass holders can apply for a family visa known as a Dependent’s Pass (DP) during or after the approval of the EP. DPs are approved automatically once the EP application is approved and expire at the same time as the EP.
Common-law spouses, unmarried handicapped children (above 21 years old), and unmarried step-children (under 21 years old) of successful EP holders can apply for a long-stay visitor visa known as a Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP). Similar to the DP, LTVPs are approved automatically once the EP application is approved and expire at the same time as the EP.
Parents of successful EP holders can also apply for the LTVP, but the successful EP holder needs to draw a minimum salary of S$12,000 (from 1 January 2018 onwards) in order for them to qualify.
I was rejected for an Employment Pass. What should I do?
If your initial Employment Pass application is rejected, do contact us. We will work closely with MOM to explore the possible reasons for the rejection – and when appropriate, we can help you to submit an appeal that directly addresses these reasons.
Appeals are usually processed within 4-6 weeks, and will likely be approved once the additional details submitted are deemed satisfactory by MOM.
How do I renew my Employment Pass?
An Employment Pass renewal form will be sent to your employer’s registered address three (3) months before your EP expires. The renewal application should be completed and submitted to MOM at least four weeks before your EP expires.
If your renewal application is approved, your employer will receive an approval letter. You will need to visit the MOM office to collect your new EP.
Can I Renew My Application?
The Singapore Training Employment Pass is valid for up to 3 months. However, it cannot be renewed.
Conclusion
With a progressive visa system similar to that of the Schengen Zone, Singapore is poised to become an important regional trading hub for Southeast Asia. As more neighboring countries improve their infrastructure through the individual development of tourism, Singapore’s conveniences and friendly nature present a clear opportunity for growth. This may not be the reason foreign governments will begin to recognize Singapore as an important tourist destination, but it does bolster their case nonetheless.