Checking Employment Pass Status in Singapore: Official Channels

To check the status of a Singapore Employment Pass (EP) application or the validity of an existing EP, you use the Ministry of Manpower’s (MOM) “Check work pass and application status” eService. No login is required, and the process takes an estimated 1 to 5 minutes. Employers can use it to check the status of a work pass application or the validity of a work pass; Work Permit holders can also use it to check their salary information. For application-related matters, such as submitting documents or amending details after approval, the EP eService on myMOM Portal is the relevant channel.

Where to Check EP Status and Validity

The primary tool is the “Check work pass and application status” eService, listed on MOM’s Employment Pass eServices and forms page. MOM states that no login is required, and the estimated time to complete is 1 to 5 minutes. Employers use this service to check two things: the status of a work pass application, and the validity of a work pass. Work Permit holders, not EP holders, are the ones who can check salary information through this specific service.

If you are the employer or an employment agent (EA), the broader EP eService is where you manage the application itself. MOM lists the EP eService as the channel for employers or EAs to submit an application for an EP, S Pass, Dependant’s Pass, Long-Term Visit Pass or Letter of Consent, and to issue, renew or cancel a pass (all pass types except Work Permit). The estimated time to complete is 10 to 20 minutes.

Using the EP eService on myMOM Portal

For most active transactions, you will use the EP eService, which you log in to via the myMOM Portal. MOM describes myMOM Portal as a place where business employers can centrally view and access eServices, workforce information and perform transactions with one login. The EP eService is the channel for a range of post-application and post-approval tasks, including:

• Submitting an application for an EP or related passes.
• Issuing, renewing or cancelling a pass.
• Requesting to amend application details after the pass is approved (for EP, S Pass and Training Employment Pass).
• Requesting to amend the occupation of an EP or S Pass holder.
• Updating salary details of EP or S Pass holders.
• Submitting requested documents for a work pass application or appeal.
• Applying for secondary directorship for an EP holder.

MOM also provides a specific eService for “Update pass holder personal particulars” (excluding Work Permit holders), which covers changes such as name, nationality, date of birth, marital status, sex, country or region of birth, race and religion. For passport number and expiry date updates, MOM says you can update the details instantly using EP eService and clicking “Change Particulars”.

The Self-Assessment Tool (SAT)

Before you submit an application, MOM provides the Employment / S Pass Self-Assessment Tool (SAT). This is not a status-check service; it is a preliminary indication of whether a candidate is likely to get an Employment Pass or S Pass. Employers use it to gauge eligibility before applying. The estimated time to complete is 10 to 20 minutes. It is important to note that MOM describes the SAT as giving a “preliminary indication” — it is not a guarantee of approval.

Checking Status After Cancellation

If an EP has been cancelled, the pass holder cannot work, even while waiting to leave Singapore. MOM instructs that once the EP is cancelled, you should cut the card in half and discard it to prevent misuse. If you need to confirm whether a pass is still valid, the “Check work pass and application status” eService is the official way to do so.

There is also a specific eService for cancelling an EP: “Cancel Employment Pass (Sponsorship)” is for sponsors to cancel the EP for holders who have already left Singapore. For a standard EP, the employer or employment agent cancels it through the EP eService.

What Happens When an EP is Cancelled

MOM’s guidance on cancelling an EP sets out the consequences clearly. You must cancel an EP if the pass holder no longer works for you. The cancellation is immediate, unless you are submitting an advance cancellation request. You can submit a cancellation request up to 14 days in advance. Once the pass is cancelled, all related passes issued to family members will also be cancelled, and you will not be able to reinstate them.

If the pass holder is still in Singapore after cancellation, they need a valid stay. MOM advises that you can request a Short-Term Visit Pass (STVP) upon cancellation, or within a day after the EP expiration date. The STVP grants valid stay in Singapore for up to 90 days. If you do not, an overstaying fine will be imposed. It is also a criminal offence for foreigners to remain beyond the expiry date of a visa, and for employers to employ foreigners without a valid work pass.

Table: EP Status and Transaction Channels

Task	Channel	Estimated Time	Login Required
Check application status or pass validity	Check work pass and application status eService	1–5 mins	No
Submit EP application, issue, renew or cancel a pass	EP eService (via myMOM Portal)	10–20 mins	Yes
Preliminary eligibility indication	Employment / S Pass Self-Assessment Tool (SAT)	10–20 mins	Not stated
Amend details after approval (e.g. qualification)	EP eService	5 mins	Yes
Amend occupation of EP holder	EP eService	5 mins	Yes
Update salary details	EP eService	10 mins	Yes
Submit requested documents for application or appeal	EP eService	5 mins	Yes
Update personal particulars (except Work Permit)	Update pass holder personal particulars eService	10 mins	Yes

What to Do Next and What to Verify

If you are an employer or employment agent, the first step is to log in to myMOM Portal and use the EP eService for any active transaction. If you only need to check the status of an application or the validity of a pass, use the “Check work pass and application status” eService — no login is required.

Before relying on any status or validity information, verify it on MOM’s official pages. The key pages are the Employment Pass eServices and forms page and the S Pass eServices and forms page, both of which list the current eServices. MOM updates these pages, so check the “Last Updated” date on the page you are reading. For cancellation rules and consequences, refer to MOM’s “Cancel an Employment Pass” page. If you are unsure which eService applies to your request, MOM’s “How do I submit work pass-related requests” page provides a table mapping request types to the correct channel.