IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) will extend several improved registration services to Employment Pass, or EP, holders and their family members.

What does the change mean? The new services will make it easier for foreign employees to register biometric data in one appointment, submit documents online, and have their passes delivered to them.

  • Implementation timeframe: April 28.
  • Visas/permits affected: Employment Passes.
  • Who is affected: Employment Pass holders and dependents.
  • Impact on processing times: No direct impact, but will improve the overall time an individual spends registering for an Employment Pass.
  • Business impact: The services will reduce the need for multiple appointments with the Employment Pass Service Center, or EPSC, and generally make registration more efficient.

Background: Several new services were successfully rolled out to Work Permit/S Pass holders and some EP holders. On April 15, MOM announced it will extend the following services to all EP holders and their dependents:

  • One-stop registration. Individuals will be able to register their fingerprints and have their photo taken during one visit to the EPSC, so they will no longer need to send photos.
  • Online document submission. Those renewing EPs may submit documents online as long as they do not have to report to EPSC to give their fingerprints and photo. This avoids a trip to EPSC to get documents verified.
  • Card delivery service. MOM will deliver an Employment Pass or Dependent’s Pass to the applicant or authorized recipient and notify the recipient by text message before delivery. Delivery will take about four working days after registration is completed. Applicants must provide a recipient’s name, contact information and delivery address. This service means applicants will not need an appointment to pick up their passes.

In addition, MOM announced the following changes:

  • Reduced operating hours. Starting April 28, EPSC will be open on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., as well as Tuesday and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. It will be closed on weekends and public holidays.
  • New e-Appointments system. The current e-Appointments online booking system will shut down on April 26 at 1 p.m. Any appointments made on the current system will automatically be switched to a new centralized appointment booking system.

BAL Analysis: The new services will improve the registration process for Employment Pass holders and their family members.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group in Singapore. For additional information, please contact singapore@bal.com.

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