What is the Approval Rate for Singapore Self-Employed EP Applications in 2025?
Many foreign nationals planning to start a business or reside in Singapore consider applying for an Employment Pass (EP) by establishing a company and employing themselves. But with changes in the policy environment, is the self-employed EP application still viable in 2025? What is the approval rate?
No Official Approval Rates Published, But Actual Difficulty is Increasing
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) in Singapore does not publicly disclose specific EP application approval rates, especially for special application pathways like self-employed EP. However, based on market observations and feedback from agencies:
In 2025, the overall approval rate for self-employed EP has declined compared to previous years.
This doesn't mean that the policy prohibits self-employed EP, but rather that review standards are stricter than before, documentation requirements are more detailed, and assessments are more rigorous.
More Detailed Reviews Due to EP Abuse by Some Applicants
In recent years, self-employed EP has become a pathway for many to achieve long-term residence in Singapore. Particularly in the post-pandemic period, many obtained EP through the company registration + self-employment model, but some recipients did not actually operate their companies, and some were purely using it for the convenience of living in Singapore.
This behavior, which contradicts the policy's original intent, has attracted MOM's attention and led to tightening measures, including but not limited to:
- Review processes now emphasize company authenticity, business reasonableness, and position necessity
- More applications require supplementary documents and substantive evaluation
- Even after EP approval, spot checks may verify if the company is actually operating
This means: Self-employed EP doesn't end with obtaining the EP, but requires continuous genuine business operations.
Why Are Reviews Stricter in 2025?
Behind the policy changes, there are three main reasons:
- Surge in Applications: EP applications have increased significantly in recent years. Self-employed EP, as a flexible option, has gained attention, intensifying approval pressure.
- Increased Abuse Cases: Some applicants don't actually operate their companies after approval, with some even maintaining "shell companies," creating regulatory risks.
- Singapore's Overall Tightening of Foreign Work Policies: To protect local employment and maintain the high quality of the EP system, authorities continuously raise EP thresholds and requirements.
Self-Employed EP Remains Viable But Requires Proper Planning
Despite tighter reviews, self-employed EP remains a legal and compliant pathway, but it requires higher standards in both application preparation and subsequent operations.
The keys to successful application are three points:
- A credible, substantive business plan (logical, executable, with market potential)
- Reasonable match between applicant and company business (education, experience, capabilities)
- Genuine operational arrangements and implementation plans (office premises, client resources, startup capital)
Additionally, document preparation should be strategic—not just "meeting the checklist" but "building a persuasive logic" to address MOM's concerns.
Why Work with Professional Agencies?
Given the stricter review trends in 2025, the value of professional agencies becomes more apparent:
- They understand reviewers' key concerns
- They can customize application strategies based on applicant backgrounds
- They plan document logic to avoid falling into a passive "supplement documents → rejection" situation
- They assist with actual company operations to handle potential spot checks
The core of self-employed EP applications is not formal legality, but "substantive credibility."
Summary
The difficulty of Singapore self-employed EP applications has indeed increased in 2025, and approval rates are declining, but this doesn't mean opportunities have disappeared. With proper planning, solid documentation, and genuine operations, self-employed EP remains an important pathway to life and business development in Singapore.
If you're planning to apply for EP through self-employment, we recommend early assessment to avoid detours due to unfamiliarity with policy changes.
Want to Learn More?
📌 Check out "Singapore Self-Employed EP Special Topic"
📌 Contact us for a free preliminary EP application assessment
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