The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) handles permanent residence (PR), citizenship, Long-Term Visit Passes (LTVP / LTVP+) and Re-Entry Permits (REP). The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) handles all work passes, including the Employment Pass (EP), S Pass and Dependant’s Pass (DP). Each agency runs its own website and online systems. Their application portals and processing times are listed below.
Who handles work passes: Ministry of Manpower (MOM)
MOM is the authority for work passes. Every foreigner must hold a valid pass (commonly called a work visa) before starting work in Singapore. Employers must ensure their foreign hires hold a valid pass.
MOM groups work passes into categories: professionals, skilled and semi-skilled workers, trainees and students, dependants, and exemption and visit-based work. Eligibility and criteria for each pass are set out on MOM’s passes overview page.
Who handles PR, citizenship and Long-Term Visit Passes: Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA)
ICA handles permanent residence (PR), Singapore citizenship, Long-Term Visit Passes (LTVP / LTVP+) and Re-Entry Permits (REP). Its “Reside, Study and Work” page gives access to citizenship, PR and LTVP applications.
The Dependant’s Pass (DP) is issued by MOM alongside a qualifying Employment Pass (EP) or S Pass, for the holder’s spouse and children. ICA handles citizenship, PR, REP, and the LTVP / LTVP+ and related Letter of Consent (LOC) for families of citizens or PRs.
On ICA’s e-Services page, applying for Singapore citizenship takes 90 minutes and applying for permanent residence (PR) takes 90 minutes. Applying for or renewing a Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) takes 20 minutes, pre-marriage LTVP assessment takes 15–20 minutes, and renewing or converting a Re-Entry Permit (REP) takes 5–10 minutes.
Where are the two agencies’ official online portals
ICA’s official pages, all from the ICA website:
- ICA: Reside, Study and Work — entry point overview for citizenship, PR, LTVP, REP and other applications.
- ICA: e-Services and Forms — processing times for each e-service and form downloads.
- ICA: Apply for Long-Term Immigration Facilities through Commercial Entities or Advisers — ICA’s position and disclaimer on commercial entities and advisers.
- ICA: Check Status / Make Appointment — status checks and appointment booking for citizenship, PR, LTVP, REP and more.
MOM’s official pages, all from the MOM website:
- MOM: Passes and Permits — eligibility and salary thresholds for each work pass.
- MOM: myMOM Portal — employer entry point for pass matters and Corppass requirements.
- MOM: Check Work Pass and Application Status — 24-hour check portal and language notes.
- MOM: As a work pass holder, how do I get a Singpass — two ways to get a Singpass (Singapore digital identity).
MOM work pass types at a glance
The table below, drawn from MOM’s passes overview page, lists common passes, their eligibility and thresholds.
| Pass | Eligibility and threshold |
|---|---|
| Employment Pass (EP) | Foreign professionals, managers, executives and technicians; monthly salary of at least S$5,600 and must pass the COMPASS (Complementarity Assessment Framework) scoring framework. |
| S Pass | Skilled workers; monthly salary of at least S$3,300. |
| EntrePass | Foreign entrepreneurs who intend to start and operate a venture-backed or innovative-technology business in Singapore. |
| Training Employment Pass | Foreign professionals undergoing practical training; monthly salary of at least S$3,000. |
| Dependant’s Pass (DP) | Spouse and children of a qualifying Employment Pass (EP) or S Pass holder. |
| Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) | Parents, common-law spouses, step-children or disabled children of a qualifying EP or S Pass holder. |
MOM also lists the Personalised Employment Pass (PEP), Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass (ONE Pass), various Work Permits, and Training Work Passes. Refer to MOM’s passes overview page for exact eligibility.
What to do first on myMOM Portal
myMOM Portal is available 24 hours a day. Employers use it to manage Employment Passes (EP), S Passes and Dependant’s Passes: apply, renew, appeal, issue, cancel, withdraw or replace.
You need Corppass (business digital identity) to use it. A Corppass administrator or sub-administrator must, under the “eService Access” tab, add myMOM Portal to the company’s e-services and assign it to your account.
- Log in to your Corppass account.
- Go to the “Assigned e-Services” tab.
- Confirm that myMOM Portal is listed under assigned services.
If it is not listed, contact your Corppass administrator or sub-administrator to assign it. To open an EP eService or WP Online account, businesses must first register via Work Pass Account Registration (WPAR) using Singpass and follow the instructions; processing takes about 1 week.
How to check work pass and application status
The e-service for checking work pass and application status is available 24 hours a day. It replaces the query functions of Work Permit Online (WPOL) and the “Check Work Pass Status” e-service.
- Go to the “Check Work Pass and Application Status” page.
- Enter your date of birth, then your FIN or passport number (travel document number).
- View the status of pass applications submitted in the last 6 months.
The page is available in 5 languages: English, Bengali, Chinese, Malay and Tamil. Salary information is available only to Work Permit holders, who must enter the date of application (DOA) shown on the In-Principle Approval (IPA) to view it.
MOM officers will never ask you to transfer money or disclose bank login details over the phone or by email. If you are unsure whether you are being scammed, call the 24-hour ScamShield hotline at 1799.
How to check ICA citizenship, PR and long-term pass application status
ICA’s “Check Status / Make Appointment” page covers passports, identity cards, birth or death extracts, Singapore citizenship, permanent residence (PR), Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) and Re-Entry Permit (REP). You can also log in to MyICA to check related application status.
Applications for citizenship, PR and LTVP submitted from 26 June 2024, and PMLA applications submitted from 27 October 2025, can be checked via MyICA. Some designated services (passport, identity card, APEC Travel Card, change of address, address sticker replacement, Re-Entry Permit) require mandatory Singpass login and cannot be checked on someone’s behalf.
Beware of agent traps: ICA’s position on commercial entities and advisers
ICA has noted that some commercial entities or advisers claim they can help applicants improve their chances of obtaining Singapore citizenship, permanent residence (PR) and long-term immigration passes. ICA does not support or endorse the services offered by these commercial entities or advisers.
ICA assesses every application for long-term immigration facilities carefully. Applicants who choose to engage a commercial entity or adviser should do so with caution, ICA advises.
ICA accepts no liability for any loss suffered as a result of engaging these entities or advisers. ICA does not regulate the advertising industry, nor does it regulate the immigration advisory industry; firms that publish false or misleading advertisements are referred to the Advertising Standards Authority of Singapore (ASAS), which investigates and acts on advertisements breaching the Singapore Code of Advertising Practice (SCAP).
What to read next
- What are the types of Singapore work visas — understand the difference between Employment Pass, S Pass and Work Permit, and decide which suits you.
- Singapore PR: eligibility and application approach — see who can apply for PR, the documents and official processing times.
- Complete guide to Singapore immigration — read all Singapore immigration routes, eligibility and approximate costs in one place.
- Passes section — enter the passes section and continue browsing by EP, S Pass and more.
- Common reasons for EP renewal rejection and remedies — if your EP renewal is rejected, read our analysis on salary, COMPASS and company finances.
- Policy tracker — track policy changes and verify the latest rules before applying.
Official sources
- ICA: Reside, Study and Work — ICA entry-point overview for citizenship, PR, LTVP, REP and other applications.
- ICA: e-Services and Forms — processing times for each e-service (e.g. citizenship application 90 minutes, PR application 90 minutes, LTVP application or renewal 20 minutes).
- ICA: Apply for Long-Term Immigration Facilities through Commercial Entities or Advisers — ICA’s position, disclaimer and ASAS referral mechanism on commercial entities and advisers.
- ICA: Check Status / Make Appointment — status checks for citizenship, PR, LTVP, REP and MyICA login timing.
- MOM: Passes and Permits — eligibility and salary thresholds for each work pass (EP S$5,600, S Pass S$3,300, Training Employment Pass S$3,000).
- MOM: myMOM Portal — employer entry point for pass matters, Corppass requirements and account opening time (about 1 week).
- MOM: Check Work Pass and Application Status — 24-hour check portal, 6-month scope and 5-language notes.
- MOM: As a work pass holder, how do I get a Singpass — two ways: apply online or visit in person.
Data pack retrieved on 2026-10-07; rules change, so re-confirm on the relevant agency pages before applying. This site is not an immigration agency. We do not process applications, represent anyone, or constitute immigration or legal advice; we provide general information only.