SINGAPORE – Imminent Deadline for Higher Minimum Salary for Existing Personalised Employment Pass Holders
Personal Employment Pass (PEP) holders who obtained their PEP before 1 December 2012 must meet the higher minimum salary requirement introduced on that date by 31 December 2014.
Background
In 2012, the Singapore Ministry of Manpower announced significant changes to the Personal Employment Pass (PEP) route for highly skilled foreign workers, effective 1 December 2012. The PEP is not employer sponsored, and allows the holder to work for any employer, with permission for the holder to remain in Singapore for up to six months between jobs to evaluate new employment opportunities.
The changes introduced in 2012 included a huge increase in the minimum annual fixed salary requirement for new PEP applicants, from SGD 34,000 to SGD 144,000 (approximately EUR 88,950). Existing PEP holders were given a deadline of 31 December 2014 to meet the new minimum salary requirement.
Those whose PEPs expire between 1 January 2015 and 30 June 2015 are permitted to remain in Singapore until expiry of their PEPs without being required to meet the new salary criterion.
More information can be accessed here.
Action Items
- Review salary levels of PEP holders who obtained their PEP before 1 December 2012, to determine if action will be necessary by 31 December 2014 or by 30 June 2015.
