Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass

At a Glance

Item	Details
Pass name	Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass
Purpose	For top global talent
Stay	Up to 5 years
Renewal	Up to 5 years each
Cost	S$105 application; S$225 issuance
Processing	Within 4 weeks, most cases
Eligibility timing	Employment starts within 6 months
Work rights	Multiple companies; no job-change reapplication
Study	Not stated in the source
Medicare	Not stated in the source
Travel facility	Multiple Journey Visa if applicable
Citizenship	Not stated in the source
Family sponsorship	Eligible family passes available
Visa record	Digital pass and physical card
Quota or levy	No quota or levy
COMPASS	Exempt
Job advertising	Exempt from Fair Consideration Framework

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Purpose

The Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass is for top talent in:

• Business
• Arts and culture
• Sports
• Academia and research

Eligibility

Applications are assessed case by case. Meet all requirements within one qualifying category.

Salary-based eligibility

Qualify through either current/last employment or prospective Singapore employment.

Current or last employment

• Earn a fixed monthly salary of at least S$30,000, or foreign-currency equivalent, for the 12 consecutive months before application.
• If employed overseas, have worked for an established overseas company for those 12 months.

Prospective employment in Singapore

• Will earn a fixed monthly salary of at least S$30,000.
• The employer must be an established company based in Singapore.
• Apply only when employment will start within 6 months.

An established company must have at least one of:

• Market capitalisation of at least US$500 million; or
• Annual revenue of at least US$200 million.

Global-office amounts may be considered case by case.

If income came from multiple employers, the qualifying S$30,000 fixed monthly salary must come from one employer. Other income may be considered case by case.

Existing pass holders must have worked in Singapore for at least 1 year.

Outstanding achievements

You may apply without meeting the salary criterion if you have outstanding achievements in:

• Sports
• Arts and culture
• Academia and research

MOM and relevant agencies will holistically assess your work and key achievements.

Stay and Renewal

The pass is valid for up to 5 years for first-time applicants and renewals.

Apply for renewal up to 6 months before expiry. To renew, meet either requirement:

• Earn an average fixed monthly salary of at least S$30,000 over the previous 5 years in Singapore; or
• Start and operate a Singapore-based company employing at least 5 locals, each earning at least the prevailing Employment Pass minimum qualifying salary.

Work Rights and Conditions

Pass holders may:

• Start, operate and work for multiple companies concurrently.
• Change jobs without reapplying for the pass.
• Work subject to relevant employment contract terms.

The pass is exempt from:

• Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS)
• Fair Consideration Framework job advertising requirements
• Foreign worker levy and quota

You may be required to pay Singapore income tax.

Family Provisions

You may apply for family passes after your pass is approved.

Family member	Available pass
Legally married spouse	Dependant’s Pass
Common-law spouse	Long-Term Visit Pass
Unmarried child under 21	Dependant’s Pass
Legally adopted child under 21	Dependant’s Pass
Unmarried handicapped child, 21+	Long-Term Visit Pass
Unmarried stepchild under 21	Long-Term Visit Pass
Parents	Long-Term Visit Pass

A spouse on a Dependant’s Pass or common-law spouse on a Long-Term Visit Pass may apply for a Letter of Consent to work.

Family passes are not available for children who are married or over 21. They may seek their own work pass.

Family-pass applications usually take 4 weeks. Applying them before the main pass is approved may result in lost family application fees if the main application is rejected.

Required Documents

All applicants must provide:

• Passport page, including amendments
• Explanation letter and supporting evidence if names differ between documents

Current or last employment in Singapore

Provide:

• Monthly payslips for the previous 12 consecutive months
• Most recent IRAS Notice of Assessment
• Latest IRAS Income Tax Return, Form B1, if no Notice of Assessment
• Evidence of other income sources, if applicable

Current or last employment overseas

Provide:

• Monthly payslips for the previous 12 consecutive months
• Employment verification proof from a background screening company
• Evidence of other income sources, if applicable
• Employer financial information obtained within the past 3 months

Financial information must show market capitalisation or annual revenue. If unavailable, submit the latest audited profit-and-loss statements from a third-party auditor. Documents signed by company management are not accepted.

Prospective Singapore employment

Provide:

• Signed Singapore employment contract or offer letter
• Prospective employer’s financial information from the past 3 months

If financial information is unavailable, provide the employer’s latest audited profit-and-loss statements from a third-party auditor. Documents signed by company management are not accepted.

Outstanding achievements

Provide:

• Latest-month payslip
• Evidence of other income sources, if applicable
• CV highlighting key achievements

Applicants under academia and research should also provide:

• CV listing significant publications, patents and technology disclosures from the past 5 years
• Recommendation, endorsement, or potential-position document from a local host institution

Application Steps

Only one work-pass application may be submitted for a candidate at a time.

Eligible candidates may apply directly. Employers and appointed employment agencies may also apply.

1. Prepare the required documents.
2. Complete the online application.
3. Pay the S$105 application fee by Visa or Mastercard.
4. Wait for the outcome, usually within 4 weeks.
5. If approved, receive an In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter.
6. Enter Singapore and get the pass issued within 6 months of IPA.
7. Complete medical examination or biometric registration if required.
8. Set up the digital work pass and receive the physical card.

Applications under the outstanding-achievements track may take longer where further agency assessment is needed.

Approval, Arrival and Issuance

The IPA letter is a pre-approved single-entry visa. It allows 6 months to enter Singapore and have the pass issued. It also states whether a medical examination is required.

Before travel:

• Print the IPA letter.
• Comply with current Singapore travel requirements.

After arrival:

• Show the IPA letter to immigration.
• Complete any required medical examination.

You must be in Singapore for pass issuance.

Issuance fee

Pay:

• S$225 for pass issuance
• S$30 for each Multiple Journey Visa, if applicable

Candidates with Singpass may use the EP eService. Candidates without Singpass must make an appointment at the Employment Pass Services Centre.

Bring or provide:

• Original passport
• IPA letter
• Completed Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass Declaration Form
• Medical Declaration Form, if applicable
• Current Short-Term Visit Pass or immigration-pass details, if applicable
• Existing work-pass cancellation email, if applicable
• Singapore mobile number and residential address
• Local card-delivery address and authorised recipient details

The notification letter allows you to begin work and travel in and out of Singapore while awaiting the card. It is valid for 1 month from issue.

Biometrics and Pass Card

If required, register fingerprints and photo within 2 weeks after pass issuance.

Bring:

• Original passport
• Appointment letter
• Notification letter
• Mobile phone with local number
• Singpass and SGWorkPass apps

The physical card is delivered within 5 working days after registration or document verification. If delivery fails after two attempts, collect the card at the Employment Pass Services Centre from 3 working days after the second attempt.

Obligations

Notify MOM by 31 January of the following year about:

• Professional activities
• Annual income

Also notify MOM of changes to:

• Residential address
• Personal information

Apply for a replacement card if it is lost, stolen or damaged. Cancel the pass when it is no longer required.

Important Warnings

• Submit only one work-pass application per candidate at a time.
• Ensure documents are complete to avoid processing delays.
• Reply directly to MOM if it requests additional information or documents.
• Family application fees may be lost if the main pass application is rejected.