Singapore – Longer Processing Times for Work and Dependent Passes
Effective immediately, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) in Singapore has increased the processing times for work pass and dependent pass applications, due to enhanced employment law compliance and security checks.
Online initial or renewal applications for the Singapore Employment Pass (EP), S Pass, Dependent’s Pass (DP) and Long Term Visit Pass (LTVP) will now take up to three weeks to be processed. Previously, most applications were processed within one week.
Manual applications for the same passes and also for the Personalized Employment Pass (PEP) will now take up to eight weeks where they previously took around five weeks.
It is suggested that employers should begin the application process for their employees’ work passes two or three weeks earlier than previously, to avoid delays in starting work.