When can you renew?
For a standard Employment Pass renewal, MOM allows employers to apply up to six months before the pass expires. The application must be submitted before the current pass expiry date.
Applying early does not reduce the employee's remaining validity. MOM says the remaining validity, up to six months, is added to the renewed pass.
If the renewal is missed, the employer must apply for a new pass instead. That creates a different process and should not be treated as a routine renewal.
EP (Sponsorship) renewals follow a different submission route and can generally start three months before expiry. Check the relevant MOM process for the pass type.
Run the readiness check.
Expiry
Confirm the pass expiry date, passport validity and earliest renewal date.
Role
Check that the employee still works for the same employer in a managerial, executive or specialised role.
Salary
Check the current EP qualifying salary for the employee's age and sector.
COMPASS
Model the current C1 to C4 position and any bonus criteria that the case relies on.
Company
Confirm the employer's turnover information for the past three years is updated before submission.
Update what has changed.
A renewal application should reflect the employee and employer as they are now, not as they were at the first application.
Check passport particulars, expiry, name consistency and contact details.
Make sure the occupation, duties, fixed monthly salary and employment details are current and coherent.
Review company profile, business activity, turnover information and any relevant structural changes.
Prepare documents for any clarification, professional registration or updated information that the case may require.
Qualification verification normally does not need to be repeated once it has been completed, unless MOM's current application instructions prompt for it.
Submit through the right route.
Log in to myMOM Portal and submit the renewal using the employer or appointed employment agent account. Use MOM's current renewal instructions and check every field before sending the application.
MOM says standard EP renewals submitted through myMOM Portal are processed or given an update within 10 business days. That is a service standard, not a promise that every case will be approved within that time.
Approval is not the last step.
If the renewal is successful, MOM issues an in-principle approval (IPA) letter. The IPA is valid for three months, and the pass must be issued before the IPA or current pass expires, whichever comes first.
Issue the pass
Follow the IPA instructions and pay the applicable issuance fee and Multiple Journey Visa fee where required.
Check the notification letter
Confirm whether the existing card can continue to be used or whether a new card is required.
Update HR records
Record the new expiry date, salary and pass details in the employer's secure HR system.
Set the next reminder
Calendar the next renewal review early enough to allow for changes and clarification.
Renewal is not automatic.
- Starting too late. A missed expiry date may mean applying for a new pass instead of renewing.
- Assuming the old salary is enough. Current qualifying salary and COMPASS rules apply to the renewal.
- Ignoring role changes. A title, salary or duty change should be assessed before submission.
- Using old company information. Turnover and employer details need to be current.
- Treating the SAT as approval. It is a planning tool and does not guarantee the renewal outcome.
MOM states that renewals are not guaranteed. If the case has changed materially, start the review earlier and obtain advice before the deadline becomes the main issue.
FAQ
How early can I renew an Employment Pass?
For a standard EP renewal, you can generally apply up to six months before the pass expires. EP (Sponsorship) renewals follow a separate three-month window.
Does early renewal reduce the current pass validity?
No. MOM says the remaining validity, up to six months, is added to the renewed pass when you renew early.
Does COMPASS apply to EP renewals?
Yes, for EPs expiring from 1 September 2024, unless an applicable COMPASS exemption applies.
Is an EP renewal guaranteed if the employee has held the pass for years?
No. Renewal is assessed against the current eligibility criteria and is not guaranteed.
Does qualification verification need to be repeated?
Generally no, once the qualification has been verified. Check the current application form because MOM may prompt for verification in a particular case.
References.
This guide is general information for employers. Renewal timing, salary criteria, COMPASS requirements, fees and processing practices can change.