Short answer: the Personalised Employment Pass (PEP) is still open in 2026. You can apply if you earn a fixed monthly salary of at least S$22,500, either as an Employment Pass holder in Singapore or as an overseas professional whose last salary was paid within the past 6 months. To keep it, you must earn a fixed S$270,000 or more each calendar year and never be out of work for more than 6 months at a stretch. This PEP eligibility calculator checks both stages.
Figures checked 3 Oct 2026 against the Ministry of Manpower's (MOM) PEP eligibility, key facts and application pages. MOM's PEP pages are live with no notice of closure.
PEP Eligibility Calculator
Checks the Personalised Employment Pass entry rules and the yearly income you need to keep it. Figures from MOM.
Key Takeaways
- Entry salary: a fixed S$22,500 a month, which MOM benchmarks to the top 10% of EP holders.
- Upkeep: a fixed salary of S$270,000 per calendar year. PEPs applied for before 1 September 2023 keep the older S$144,000 rule.
- The pass lasts up to 3 years, is issued once only and cannot be renewed.
- You can change jobs without a new pass and stay up to 6 months between jobs, but more than 6 months without a job means cancelling the pass.
- Freelancers, business owners, director-shareholders and media or religious roles are excluded. The PEP does not allow you to start a business.
Who Can Apply for a PEP
| Requirement | MOM's rule |
|---|---|
| Salary | Fixed monthly salary of at least S$22,500 (basic pay plus fixed allowances) |
| Employment Pass holders | Apply directly; the S$22,500 is your current fixed salary |
| Overseas professionals | Last drawn salary paid within the 6 months before you apply |
| Not eligible | EP holders under the sponsorship scheme; freelancers; sole proprietors, partners, or directors who are also shareholders of an ACRA-registered company |
| Restricted work | Some occupations, such as media and religion-related roles, are not allowed |
| Business activity | No starting a business or other entrepreneurial activity while on a PEP |
Why the PEP Still Exists Next to the ONE Pass
The ONE Pass needs S$30,000 a month from one established employer but lasts 5 years and renews. The PEP sits below it at S$22,500 and gives 3 years of job flexibility once. For someone earning between S$22,500 and S$30,000 who wants to change employers without a new work pass each time, the PEP is the pass designed for that gap. Our ONE Pass eligibility checker shows whether you clear the higher bar.
Keeping the PEP: The Calendar-Year Rule
MOM measures upkeep by calendar year, January to December, regardless of how many months you worked in it. That catches people who join a new employer late in the year or take a long break.
| PEP applied for | Fixed salary needed per calendar year | Monthly equivalent over 12 months |
|---|---|---|
| On or after 1 September 2023 | S$270,000 | S$22,500 |
| Before 1 September 2023 | S$144,000 | S$12,000 |
Worked Example
Arjun's PEP was issued in 2025. He earned a fixed S$25,000 a month from January to May (S$125,000), took 3 months off between jobs, and starts a new role on S$28,000 a month in September. September to December adds S$112,000, so his year totals S$237,000: S$33,000 short of S$270,000, even though both monthly salaries are above S$22,500. His break of 3 months is within the 6-month limit, but the gap in pay is what fails the test. Starting in August instead would have added another S$28,000; he would still be S$5,000 short.
What a PEP Lets You Do
- Work in any sector, though professions such as medicine, law and architecture still need their own registration.
- Change jobs without applying for a new pass.
- Stay in Singapore for up to 6 months in a row without a job while you look for the next one.
- Bring family: a Dependant's Pass for a spouse and children under 21, and a Long-Term Visit Pass for a common-law spouse, step-children under 21 and parents.
| Cost or timing | Figure |
|---|---|
| Application fee | S$105 |
| Issuance fee | S$225, plus S$30 per Multiple Journey Visa if needed |
| Processing | Within 6 weeks for most cases |
| Validity | Up to 3 years, not renewable |
For family pass details, use our Dependent Pass calculator; PEP holders face no published salary threshold for family passes.
What Is Changing
Nothing announced for the PEP itself as of 3 Oct 2026; MOM's Committee of Supply 2026 factsheet is silent on it. The passes around it are moving. Tech.Pass, which shares the S$22,500 entry salary, closes to applications after 27 January 2027, and the ONE Pass gains an AI and Tech track the next day. The EP qualifying salary also rises from 1 January 2027, which matters when your PEP ends and you need an EP to keep working.
Planning for the End of a PEP
Because a PEP cannot be renewed, plan the next pass about six months before it expires. An employer can apply for an Employment Pass for you, subject to the EP salary and COMPASS; check your figure with our EP salary requirement calculator. If your pay has reached S$30,000 a month with one established employer, the ONE Pass is the longer-term option. For a full comparison, read our Personalised Employment Pass guide.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Personalised Employment Pass
Is the Personalised Employment Pass still available in 2026?
Yes. MOM's PEP pages are live, last updated in June 2026, with no notice of closure. The pass that is closing is Tech.Pass, after 27 January 2027.
What is the PEP salary requirement?
A fixed monthly salary of at least S$22,500 to apply. MOM benchmarks this to the top 10% of Employment Pass holders.
How much must I earn to keep a PEP?
A fixed salary of at least S$270,000 per calendar year, regardless of how many months you worked. If you applied before 1 September 2023, the figure is S$144,000.
Can I renew a PEP?
No. The PEP is issued once, for up to 3 years. To keep working afterwards you need an Employment Pass, S Pass or another pass such as the ONE Pass.
Can I start a business on a PEP?
No. MOM does not allow any business or entrepreneurial activity on a PEP, and sole proprietors, partners and director-shareholders are not eligible. The EntrePass or ONE Pass covers that.
What happens if I lose my job on a PEP?
You can stay up to 6 months without a job to look for a new one. If you are unemployed for more than 6 months at any point, you must cancel the pass.
Can overseas professionals apply?
Yes, if their last drawn fixed monthly salary of S$22,500 or more was paid within the 6 months before they apply.
Official Sources and References
- Personalised Employment Pass eligibility (MOM)
- Personalised Employment Pass key facts (MOM)
- Apply for a Personalised Employment Pass: fees and processing (MOM)
- What is a fixed monthly salary? (MOM FAQ)
- Foreign workforce policy announcements at COS 2026 (MOM PDF)
Explore Catalyst Immigration’s other services:
- Personalised Employment Pass Guide
- ONE Pass Singapore Guide
- Switching Jobs on an Employment Pass
- Employment Pass and Work Visa Service
- Work Pass Application Service
Talk to Catalyst Immigration
The PEP is easy to get and easy to lose: a late job start or a long break can sink the calendar-year test without anyone noticing until renewal season, and there is no renewal. Catalyst Immigration helps PEP holders plan the year and the move to the next pass. MOM makes the decisions; we help you keep your options open.