Work Pass part 2

Hi, remember in part 1 I wrote about Work Pass classification (WP,S-Pass, Emplyment Pass) and I have mentioned the salary range is as follows :

    WP       : Below 2000
    S-Pass  : S$2000-2800
    EP        : S$2800 and above

This guideline actually implemented on 1st of July 2011. Before that the salary requirement for each pass is lower and used to be like this :

    WP       : Below 1800
    S-Pass  : S$1800-2500
    EP        : S$2500 and above

The reason why they increased this salary requirement is because of the very high influx of foreigners into the country, not just for hard labours but also for professional positions. This has been an issue lately since their fresh graduates have to compete with foreigners that are willing to do the same work with lower pay. Even though the guideline has been revised recently (July), I guess due to a lot of pressure from the citizens, it has been increased again and will be effective from 1st of January 2011. The new salary requirement will be as follows :

    WP        : Below 2000
    S-Pass   : S$2000-2999
    EP (Q1)  : S$3000-4499
    EP (P2)  : S$4500-7999
    EP (Q1)  : S$8000 and above

The way I see this thing, it could be a double edge sword. If i were looking for a job, I could ask for $3000 starting pay and give this requirement issue as a leverage and excuse to justify my expectation. Lets assume that currently I am earning $2500 ( barely passed the previous req.), and my EP is going to end on next September. After 1 year of working, and before my EP expire, perhaps I could ask my employer to give me $500 increment to retain my status as EP holder. If they are not willing to do so, I could easily go find another job and put $3000 as expected salary (It is considered reasonable for an engineer with 1y exp to earn $3000 monthly in Singapore). I can't really say for sure, but I think if you play this thing right, it can actually benefit you. I guess we'll see what happens next September =)

Okay, for this post I will write about the chronology on how to apply for the work pass.

1. Get the job
First thing first, you have to get a job first.

2. The company will apply the Work Pass for you
Like I have mentioned before, your future company will apply the pass for you, because the pass is only valid when you are working with the company that did the application, if you are going to change company, you will have to reapply a new pass even when your pass still have some time before expiry. Your company will ask for the informations needed for this application.

3. In Principal Approval (IPA)
You should get your IPA within 1-14days after your application. In my case, it only took me 1 day. Your company will get the reply from Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and they will forward you the e-mail. There will be a Medical check-up form attached together with the IPA. Remember that this is only in-principal approval letter, you still need to pass the medical check-up before you can actually get the work pass. However, You actually can start working once you have received this letter. This letter is valid for 2months if im not mistaken.

4. Medical check-up.
Easy step, go to any Hospital that have this service. I went to Raffles Hospital in Bugis. Wait for about 3-4days for the blood and X-ray result (no urine test) and give the result to your HR dept. They will key-in the data and do whatever they have to do. They will revert back to you and pass you a printed letter from MOM that will tell you what to do next

5. Appointment with Employment Pass Services Centre (EPSC)
The letter will tell you to book an appointment via online, can't remember the site but it was written in the letter. Just follow the instructions given, but the earliest date you might get will be in another 7days because there are usually fully booked. EPSC is located at River Walk building, near Clarke Quay MRT station. Go there, give them your EPSC letter, medical check-up letter, and few other things mentioned in the letter. You can bring your own passport photo or you can make one there. They will take your fingerprints and give you a date when you can pick-up your card.

6. Get your card
The officer at EPSC told me that I can pick up mine after 3 days. It can be any day so I chose to pick it up on Sat since they are open (half-day). There you go. Now you are officially legal to work in Singapore

As you can see, this process actually can take quite long, might be about 2-3weeks. There are some complications from this long process of pass application, and I will let you know about it in future post.


Cheers!