What's a Reasonable Fee for Singapore Self-Employed EP Immigration?
In recent years, more and more foreigners who wish to develop long-term in Singapore are choosing the Singapore Self-Employed EP (Employment Pass) route to start a business and reside in Singapore. However, many people are confused when selecting service providers: What is a reasonable fee for processing a Singapore Self-Employed EP?
The answer is: There is no uniform pricing, and reasonable fees depend on the applicant's background and the services included.
Why do Self-Employed EP fees vary so greatly?
Self-Employed EP is not a "single application" process, but a comprehensive immigration service solution. Depending on each applicant's situation, the service scope and processing difficulty can vary significantly. Here are the key factors affecting fees:
1. Does the applicant already own a Singapore company?
- Already has a company, only needs EP application:
Fees are typically lower, involving only EP application services (depending on the service provider's professionalism and whether consultation and planning are included). - Company not yet established:
This requires company registration, nominee director/secretary services, registered address, etc., naturally increasing the overall cost.
2. Are dependent passes being applied for (DP, LTVP)?
- Dependent Pass (DP) and Long Term Visit Pass (LTVP) are additional service items.
Each pass application requires separate documentation, and marriage certificates, birth certificates, and other documents need notarization/translation, with fees calculated separately.
3. Are professional consultation and planning services included?
This point is most easily overlooked but is actually the key factor affecting success rates:
- Professional EP scheme planning services, including background analysis, position matching, business plan writing, etc., significantly improve EP approval rates.
- These services typically require considerable time and effort, hence higher fees.
- If only "form filling" services are provided without strategic analysis, success rates are often low.
⚠ Note: Organizations providing EP services must hold an Employment Agency License (EA License) issued by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), otherwise they are operating illegally.
You can check whether an organization is a legally licensed EA service provider through the MOM official website.
4. Is auxiliary document processing included?
For example:
- Document translation and notarization (marriage certificates, birth certificates, educational certificates, etc.)
- Vaccination record certification for children under 12 (translation + doctor certification + official forms)
If these services are included in the quote, the overall cost will be higher, but clients save more effort. If not included, clients need to handle them independently, which can easily lead to omissions or non-compliance.
5. Are post-EP approval company operations and maintenance services included?
EP approval is just the beginning; you'll still need to handle:
- Company compliance operations (tax filing, secretary annual review, etc.)
- EP renewal, company continuance, government audit response, etc.
If the service provider's quote includes these follow-up maintenance services, the overall cost will be higher, but with stronger protection.
What is a reasonable price reference range?
Based on different service contents, Self-Employed EP overall service fees can roughly reference the following ranges:
EP application only without consultation: SGD 1,500-2,000; including consultation and follow-up services: around SGD 5,000
Company registration + EP application without consultation and follow-up services: SGD 5,000-8,000.
Including consultation services and follow-up services: SGD 10,000-15,000.
Including consultation planning, document processing, dependent passes, and follow-up services: SGD 15,000-30,000.
Prices below market average can almost certainly be judged as high-risk or incomplete services.
How to determine if a service organization is trustworthy?
- Do they hold an EA license issued by MOM? (This is a prerequisite for legal compliance)
- Do they provide professional background analysis and scheme planning?
- Are service contents clearly listed? Are there hidden fees?
- Do they have real client cases or good reputation?
It's not recommended to judge value based solely on "lowest price" - low prices often mean low professionalism, incomplete services, hidden fees, or high failure risk.
Summary
Singapore Self-Employed EP application involves multiple aspects including company registration, visa application, background analysis, document preparation, and post-maintenance. Fees vary according to service content. Reasonable pricing should reflect the breadth, depth, and professionalism of services.
If you're considering applying for Self-Employed EP, the most important things are:
- Clarify the service scope you need
- Find a legitimate licensed EA organization
- Understand service details and whether key consultation components are included
A seemingly cheap service may hide significant additional work and failure risks.
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