Process for Transferring Singapore EP Pass to Related Companies (MOM Requirements)

In Singapore, if an Employment Pass (EP) holder needs to transfer employment from one company to a related company (such as a branch, subsidiary, or affiliated enterprise), the current employer needs to follow a series of procedures according to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) requirements. The following are the specific steps and considerations for transferring an EP pass to a related company.

1. Applicable Situations for EP Pass Transfer to Related Companies

EP holders can transfer to related companies in the following situations:

• There is a relationship between the companies, such as branches, subsidiaries, or other forms of affiliated enterprises.

If it is due to a complete merger, acquisition, or entity consolidation between two companies, the employer should directly notify MOM for a company entity change rather than using the transfer process.

2. Specific Process for EP Pass Transfer

1. Apply for a new Employment Pass through the related company The related company needs to apply for a new Employment Pass for the EP holder. In this case, there is no need to post job advertisements on the MyCareersFuture platform. The new company should submit the EP application following the regular process but without meeting the job advertisement requirements.
2. Cancel the existing Employment Pass When the EP holder's current employment relationship ends, the current employer needs to cancel the existing Employment Pass. The cancellation procedure must be completed before the related company obtains the new EP issuance to ensure smooth transfer of the pass.

3. Important Considerations

1. Avoid application delays The new EP application should be submitted as early as possible to avoid the holder being without a pass due to cancellation of the existing pass. Ensure coordination between the current company and the related company to ensure a smooth application process.
2. Distinction from complete merger, acquisition, or entity consolidation If the EP pass transfer is due to a complete merger, acquisition, or entity consolidation between two companies, the employer should follow a different process by directly notifying MOM for a company entity change rather than following the related company transfer steps.

4. Summary

The process of transferring an EP pass from one Singapore company to its related company needs to follow MOM requirements, involving steps to apply for a new pass and cancel the existing pass. Employers should choose the correct process based on specific circumstances to ensure the transfer process is smooth and meets compliance requirements.