Singapore Personalised Employment Pass Checklist
The Personalised Employment Pass (PEP) is for high-earning Employment Pass holders and overseas foreign professionals. It is not tied to an employer. You need a fixed monthly salary of at least S$22,500, benchmarked to the top 10 per cent of EP holders, and must earn at least S$270,000 per calendar year. Based on the official MOM pages (mom.gov.sg).
Three quick facts
- S$22,500 fixed monthly salary. The threshold is benchmarked to the top 10 per cent of Employment Pass holders.
- Not tied to an employer. The Personalised Employment Pass offers greater flexibility than an Employment Pass.
- No starting a business. You are not allowed to start a business or conduct entrepreneurial activity on a Personalised Employment Pass.
The checklist — what you need to meet
| Minimum fixed monthly salary of S$22,500 | A fixed monthly salary of at least 22,500 Singapore dollars, benchmarked to the top 10 per cent of Employment Pass holders. |
| Last drawn salary within the past 6 months (overseas applicants) | For overseas foreign professionals, your last drawn salary should have been within the past 6 months of your application. |
| Continuous employment | You must be employed continuously in Singapore. If you are unemployed for more than 6 months at any point, you will need to cancel your pass. |
| Annual fixed salary of at least S$270,000 | You must earn a fixed salary of at least 270,000 Singapore dollars per calendar year, regardless of the number of months you are in employment. |
| Earlier applicants (before 1 September 2023) | If you applied for your Personalised Employment Pass before 1 September 2023, the annual fixed figure is 144,000 Singapore dollars. |
| Not in a restricted occupation | Restricted occupations such as media and religion are excluded. |
| No entrepreneurial activity | You are not allowed to start a business or conduct any form of entrepreneurial activity while on a Personalised Employment Pass. |
Who the pass is for
The Personalised Employment Pass is for high-earning Employment Pass holders and overseas foreign professionals. It is not tied to an employer and offers greater flexibility than an Employment Pass.
For the wider Singapore picture, our Singapore Employment Pass documents and Singapore S Pass documents checklists cover the pass you may be moving from. Check any photo with the passport photo checker and the photo size chart.
Who is not eligible
- Employment Pass holders on a sponsorship scheme.
- Freelancers, or those intending to freelance.
- Sole proprietors, partners, or shareholder-directors of an ACRA-registered company.
- People in restricted occupations, such as media and religion.
Keeping and using the pass
You must be employed continuously in Singapore. If you are unemployed for more than 6 months at any point, you will need to cancel your pass. You must earn a fixed salary of at least 270,000 Singapore dollars per calendar year, regardless of the number of months you are in employment. You are not allowed to start a business or conduct any form of entrepreneurial activity while on a Personalised Employment Pass; if you intend to do so, you should apply for an EntrePass or an Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass.
What is not published
The Personalised Employment Pass validity, renewal cycle and application fee are not published on the page, so not asserted here. The full restricted-occupation list is not published on the page, so not asserted here. Whether a Personalised Employment Pass holder can bring dependants is not published on the page, so not asserted here.
Common reasons an application fails
- Fixed monthly salary below S$22,500.
- Last drawn salary older than 6 months for an overseas applicant.
- Applying through an Employment Pass sponsorship scheme.
- Being a freelancer, sole proprietor, partner or shareholder-director of an ACRA-registered company.
- Intending to start a business — that requires an EntrePass or an Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass instead.
Frequently asked questions
What is the salary threshold for a Personalised Employment Pass?
A fixed monthly salary of at least 22,500 Singapore dollars, benchmarked to the top 10 per cent of Employment Pass holders.
Who is the Personalised Employment Pass for?
It is for high-earning Employment Pass holders and overseas foreign professionals. For overseas foreign professionals, your last drawn salary should have been within the past 6 months of your application.
What happens if I am unemployed?
You must be employed continuously in Singapore. If you are unemployed for more than 6 months at any point, you will need to cancel your pass.
How much must I earn per year?
You must earn a fixed salary of at least 270,000 Singapore dollars per calendar year, regardless of the number of months you are in employment. If you applied before 1 September 2023, the figure is 144,000 Singapore dollars.
Can I start a business on a Personalised Employment Pass?
No. You are not allowed to start a business or conduct any form of entrepreneurial activity while on a Personalised Employment Pass. If you intend to do so, you should apply for an EntrePass or an Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass.
Who is not eligible for a Personalised Employment Pass?
Employment Pass holders on a sponsorship scheme; freelancers or those intending to freelance; sole proprietors, partners or shareholder-directors of an ACRA-registered company; and people in restricted occupations such as media and religion.
Sources: Singapore Ministry of Manpower — Personalised Employment Pass and Personalised Employment Pass eligibility (mom.gov.sg), retrieved 2026-09-29. Rules and thresholds change, so confirm the current position before you apply.