When the Ministry of Manpower(MOM) approves an Employment Pass application, they issue an In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter. This is not the final Employment Pass. 

Several steps remain before the foreign employee – or foreign business owner – can legally work in Singapore.

This applies whether you’re an employer bringing in a foreign employee, or a foreign entrepreneur who has set up a company in Singapore and applied for your own Employment Pass.

Two Versions of the IPA Letter

MOM issues two separate IPA letters – one for the employer and one for the foreign candidate.

Employer’s copy contains:

• Instructions on what you need to do next
• The deadline to complete all steps
• The Declaration Form that must be signed and uploaded when requesting the Employment Pass

Foreigner’s copy contains:

• Instructions for coming to Singapore to work
• Information needed for entry and Employment Pass collection

For foreign business owners, you will receive both copies – one in your capacity as the employer (your company), and one as the employee (yourself).

Send the foreigner’s copy to your employee. If they are not yet in Singapore and do not hold a valid visa, they can use this entire letter as a visa to enter Singapore. 

You can view both versions through myMOM Portal > Work Passes > Quick Menu > View details.

Before Arrival

Review the employer’s IPA carefully

Read all the instructions and note the IPA expiry date. You must complete the entire process before this date, or the approval will be withdrawn.

Verify all particulars

Check the name, passport number, job title, and salary in the IPA. If anything is incorrect, update it through the myMOM portal before proceeding.

Send documents to the employee

The employee needs:

• Their copy of the IPA letter (the entire letter serves as their entry visa if needed)
• A signed employment contract stating salary, leave entitlements, and allowances

For foreign business owners, you still need to prepare an employment contract for yourself as an employee of your Singapore company.

Requesting the Employment Pass

You can request the Employment Pass before the employee arrives in Singapore, as long as you know their confirmed travel date and have a local address to register.

Register the local address

Update the Singapore address through the myMOM portal. This is mandatory. For new arrivals who have not secured accommodation yet, you can use the employer’s address temporarily. Inform your employer in advance. 

For foreign business owners, coordinate with your corporate secretary provider to use your registered office address.

If renting an HDB flat, the Housing Development Board must approve the tenant registration before you can proceed with Employment Pass issuance.

Prepare the Declaration Form

Print the Declaration Form from the employer’s copy of the IPA. Both the employer (or authorized company representative) and the employee must sign it. Upload this when requesting the Employment Pass.

For foreign business owners, you will sign twice – once as the company representative and once as the employee.

Submit the Employment Pass issuance request

Through the myMOM portal, submit the request. This requires:

• Payment of S$225
• The signed Declaration Form (uploaded)
• The employee’s passport details
• Current Short-Term Visit Pass or SG Arrival Card information (if already in Singapore)

When the Pass Is Issued

MOM will email a notification when the Employment Pass is ready. This typically takes several days after your request.

The notification confirms:

• All documents have been verified
• The digital pass is accessible through the SGWorkPass app
• The employee is authorized to work in Singapore from the specified date

Digital Pass Access

The employee must have a Singpass account to access their digital pass through the SGWorkPass app. The digital pass is the primary work authorization and appears on their mobile device.

Physical Card Delivery

If a physical Employment Pass card is being delivered, MOM will send an SMS notification prior to delivery. The employee or foreign business owner must be present to collect the card personally. No one else can collect it on their behalf.

Important Points

Work start date: Work can only begin from the date specified in MOM’s notification. Not from the arrival date or IPA approval date.

Professional requirements: Some professions require separate registration or licensing in Singapore (doctors, lawyers, massage therapists). The Employment Pass does not cover these requirements.

Document accuracy: If MOM identifies errors in the submitted documents, they will request resubmission. This delays the process.

Typical Timeline

• IPA approval and letters issued
• Address registration and EP issuance request submitted (can be done before arrival if travel date is confirmed)
• Digital pass notification received (5-7 days after request)
• Employee arrives in Singapore
• Physical card delivery (if applicable, several days after notification)

From In-Principle Approval (IPA) to Employment Pass

The IPA approval is a positive milestone, but it’s not the finish line. The subsequent administrative steps are straightforward, but they require attention to detail and adherence to timelines.

For employers, treating this as a priority helps your new hire start work without unnecessary delays. The process moves faster when you have all documents ready, verify information carefully before submission, and monitor the IPA expiry date closely.

For foreign business owners, the dual role as both employer and employee adds an extra layer of documentation. Working with your corporate secretary provider can help ensure the process moves smoothly, particularly for address registration and document coordination.