The Personalised Employment Pass in Singapore (PEP) is a work pass from the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) for high-earning professionals that is not tied to any single employer. Unlike a standard Employment Pass, the PEP belongs to the person, so the holder can change jobs without applying for a new pass and can stay in Singapore for up to six months between jobs while looking for work.
The trade-off is a high bar. As of 2026, an existing Employment Pass holder needs a fixed monthly salary of at least S$22,500 to apply, and any PEP holder must earn at least S$270,000 in fixed annual salary each calendar year to keep the pass. The PEP is valid for up to three years, is issued only once, and cannot be renewed. This guide sets out the MOM eligibility rules, the conditions that keep the pass valid, and how the PEP compares with the Employment Pass and the ONE Pass.
Key Takeaways
- Not employer-tied: the PEP belongs to the individual, so you can switch jobs across most sectors without applying for a new pass.
- Who can apply: an existing Employment Pass holder earning a fixed monthly salary of at least S$22,500, or an eligible overseas foreign professional earning the equivalent abroad, per MOM.
- Salary to keep it: for applications from 1 September 2023, a PEP holder must earn at least S$270,000 in fixed annual salary each calendar year.
- Validity: up to three years, issued only once, and non-renewable. When it ends you must move to an Employment Pass or S Pass to keep working.
- Gaps allowed: you may be unemployed in Singapore for up to a continuous six months; staying longer without a job means the pass is cancelled.
What the Personalised Employment Pass Is
The PEP is a special category of work pass for established professionals who already command a high salary. A standard Employment Pass is sponsored by, and tied to, one employer, so changing jobs means cancelling the old pass and applying again. The PEP removes that link. According to MOM, holders do not need to reapply for a pass when they change jobs, which gives senior hires real freedom to move between roles and companies.
There is no foreign worker levy or quota attached to a PEP, and it lets the holder work across most sectors. Professional licensing rules still apply in regulated fields such as medicine or law, and a few occupations remain off-limits, which we cover below.
Who the PEP Is For
The PEP suits experienced professionals who expect to change employers during their stay, candidates between senior roles who want time to find the right fit, and overseas hires being recruited into top-tier positions. It is not designed for business owners, freelancers or anyone planning entrepreneurial activity in Singapore.
Personalised Employment Pass Eligibility in 2026
MOM splits applicants into two groups: those already holding an Employment Pass in Singapore, and foreign professionals based overseas. As of 2026, the salary bar applies to both.
- Existing Employment Pass holders: a fixed monthly salary of at least S$22,500.
- Overseas foreign professionals: a last-drawn fixed monthly salary of at least S$22,500 within the six months before applying, supported by documentary proof.
Fixed monthly salary means the basic wage plus fixed monthly allowances. Variable bonuses, commissions and one-off payments do not count towards the threshold.
Who Cannot Apply for a PEP
Some profiles are excluded outright. Based on MOM rules, you cannot apply for a PEP if you are a sponsored Employment Pass holder, a freelancer or intending to freelance, a sole proprietor, partner or director-cum-shareholder in an ACRA-registered company, working in a restricted occupation such as media or religion, or planning to start a business or carry out entrepreneurial activity in Singapore.
Conditions That Keep the PEP Valid
Getting the PEP is one thing; keeping it is another. The pass carries ongoing obligations, and missing them can lead to cancellation.
Annual Salary Requirement
MOM sets a minimum yearly earnings floor. For applications submitted from 1 September 2023 onward, a PEP holder must earn at least S$270,000 in fixed annual salary each calendar year. For applications made before 1 September 2023, the figure is S$144,000 per calendar year. The holder must report annual income to MOM by 31 January of the following year.
Continuous Employment and Job Gaps
A PEP holder must be employed in Singapore to hold the pass, but the rules build in a buffer. You can remain in Singapore without a job for a continuous period of up to six months while searching for new work. If you stay unemployed beyond six months, the pass must be cancelled. You also have to inform MOM of any change in employment or personal particulars.
Validity, Renewal and What Happens at the End
The PEP is valid for up to three years from issue. It is issued only once and cannot be renewed, which is the single biggest difference from other Singapore work passes. There is no second three-year term on a PEP.
When the PEP expires, a holder who wants to keep working in Singapore must move onto an employer-sponsored pass, normally an Employment Pass or, depending on the role and salary, an S Pass. That switch reintroduces the employer link the PEP removed, so it pays to plan the transition well before the expiry date.
PEP vs Employment Pass vs ONE Pass
The PEP sits between the standard Employment Pass and the Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass (ONE Pass). The Employment Pass is the general route for foreign professionals; the ONE Pass is the top-tier pass for the very highest earners and standout talent. The table below compares them using current MOM figures.
| Feature | Employment Pass (EP) | Personalised Employment Pass (PEP) | ONE Pass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who it is for | Foreign professionals, managers and executives | High-earning EP holders or overseas professionals | Top-tier earners and standout talent |
| Salary to qualify | From S$5,600 / month (S$6,200 financial services), rising with age | Fixed monthly salary of at least S$22,500 | Fixed monthly salary of at least S$30,000 |
| Tied to an employer | Yes, sponsored by one employer | No, belongs to the individual | No, can work for multiple companies |
| Validity | Up to 2 years (first), up to 3 years (renewal) | Up to 3 years | Up to 5 years |
| Renewable | Yes | No, issued only once | Yes |
| Salary to keep it | Must keep meeting the qualifying salary | At least S$270,000 fixed annual salary per year | Average of S$30,000 / month over the past 5 years |
| Job gap allowed | Pass cancelled when employment ends | Up to 6 months unemployed in Singapore | Tied to renewal criteria |
| COMPASS points test | Yes, unless exempt | No | No |
Choosing Between the Three
If you earn S$30,000 a month or more and want the longest, renewable pass plus the option to run several companies, the ONE Pass is the strongest fit. If you earn at least S$22,500 a month, do not plan to start a business, and value the freedom to change jobs over the next three years, the PEP can work well. If your salary is below S$22,500 or you want a pass you can renew indefinitely with one employer, the standard Employment Pass remains the practical choice.
How to Apply and Common Pitfalls
Applications go to MOM with proof of salary, qualifications and, for overseas candidates, recent payslips. Catalyst Immigration reviews a profile against the live PEP rules before submission so applicants do not waste an application that, once used, cannot be repeated.
- Confirm your fixed monthly salary clears S$22,500 and that the figure is fixed pay, not bonus or commission.
- Check you are not in an excluded category, such as a business owner, freelancer or restricted occupation.
- Gather salary proof, including recent payslips for overseas applicants, plus qualification documents.
- Plan the annual S$270,000 reporting and your exit pass before the three years run out.
The most common mistakes are counting variable pay towards the threshold, applying while holding a directorship in an ACRA company, and leaving no plan for the non-renewable three-year limit. ICA and MOM are the deciding authorities, so treat this as guidance and confirm your own facts before you apply.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Personalised Employment Pass in Singapore
What is the salary requirement for the Personalised Employment Pass in Singapore?
To apply, an existing Employment Pass holder needs a fixed monthly salary of at least S$22,500. An overseas professional needs an equivalent last-drawn fixed monthly salary within the past six months. To keep the pass, applications from 1 September 2023 must earn at least S$270,000 in fixed annual salary each calendar year, per MOM.
Can a Personalised Employment Pass be renewed?
No. According to MOM, the PEP is valid for up to three years, is issued only once, and cannot be renewed. When it expires, you must move to an Employment Pass or S Pass to continue working in Singapore.
Is the Personalised Employment Pass tied to an employer?
No. The PEP belongs to the individual, not the company. You can change jobs across most sectors without applying for a new pass, although a few restricted occupations are excluded and professional licensing rules still apply.
How long can a PEP holder stay in Singapore without a job?
MOM allows a PEP holder to remain in Singapore without a job for a continuous period of up to six months while looking for new work. Staying unemployed beyond six months means the pass must be cancelled.
What is the difference between the PEP and the ONE Pass?
The ONE Pass requires a fixed monthly salary of at least S$30,000, is valid for up to five years and is renewable, and lets the holder run multiple companies. The PEP requires at least S$22,500 a month, is valid for up to three years, cannot be renewed, and does not allow entrepreneurial activity.
Who is not eligible for a Personalised Employment Pass?
Sponsored Employment Pass holders, freelancers, sole proprietors, partners or director-shareholders in ACRA companies, those in restricted occupations such as media or religion, and anyone planning to start a business in Singapore cannot apply for a PEP, per MOM.
Official Sources and References
- MOM - Personalised Employment Pass eligibility
- MOM - Personalised Employment Pass key facts
- MOM - Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass (ONE Pass)
- MOM - Employment Pass eligibility
Explore Catalyst Immigration’s other services:
- ONE Pass in Singapore
- Employment Pass and Work Visa
- EP vs S Pass in Singapore
- Employment Pass Salary Threshold in Singapore
- Work Pass Application
Talk to Catalyst Immigration
Catalyst Immigration helps senior professionals decide whether the Personalised Employment Pass, the Employment Pass or the ONE Pass fits their salary and plans, then prepares the MOM submission. Because the PEP is issued only once, we check eligibility against the live rules before you apply, so you do not spend a one-time pass on a profile that falls short.