Foreign professionals, managers, and executives require an employment pass or permanent resident status to work in Singapore. From January 1, 2017, the qualifying salary for Singapore Employment Pass ("EP") applications will increase from $3,300 to $3,600 per month. This change is part of the Ministry of Manpower's regular updating of the EP qualifying salary to keep pace with rising local wages and maintain the quality of Singapore's foreign workforce.
To provide lead time for businesses to make adjustments, existing EP holders whose passes expire: (i) before January 1, 2017, will be able to renew, for a duration of up to three years, based on existing EP criteria; (ii) between January 1, 2017 and June 30, 2017 (dates inclusive), will be able to renew, for a duration of one year, based on the existing EP criteria; and (iii) from July 1, 2017 onwards, will have to meet the new criteria for renewal, for a duration of up to three years.
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