Singapore Work-Holiday Pass Program

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Singapore Work-Holiday Pass Program

Students from certain universities around the world are eligible to work in Singapore for up to six months on the Work Holiday Pass program. University students (undergraduate and graduate) from pre-approved educational institutions in Australia, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States are eligible.

Student Eligibility

Applicants need only have been admitted to a nationally-recognised university in Australia, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, the United Kingdom or the United States to apply. Students need not be a citizen of one of these countries.

• For information on the approved universities, see the Singapore Ministry of Manpower (MOM) website: Click here 

Students who have gained admission to a pre-approved university but have not yet started their studies may apply.

Applicants must be between 17 and 30 years old.

Recipients of the Work Holiday Pass are not required to obtain a job in Singapore before applying for the pass.

The Application Process

Applicants must be able to financially support themselves during their stay in Singapore and will be asked to make a declaration confirming that they have sufficient funds to travel to and from Singapore and pay for normal living costs while in the country.

Applicants must also be in good health, though a medical exam is not required. They must also have personal medical insurance coverage during their stay.

Applicants must have an e-mail address to receive correspondence from the Ministry of Manpower.

How to apply for a Work Holiday Pass

The Work Holiday Pass application form can be only be downloaded and submitted via e-mail.

• For the application form: Click here

Documents required for application:

• a letter from the pre-approved university or college as proof of student status. The letter should include the applicants name, nationality, gender and date of birth
• a copy of a degree certificate or transcripts (for graduates only)
• a copy of the applicant's passport page showing name, date of birth, gender and photograph

For degree certificates, transcripts and letters not originally in English, a copy of the original as well as an official English translation certified by the educational institution must be included.

Attach scanned copies of the above documents when submitting the application form. These documents must be image files in JPEG format (.jpg). 
Note: attached files of scanned degree certificates and transcript files should be no larger than 150KB and the passport page attachment should be no larger than 100KB. Ensure that images are clear before transmitting.

Processing Time

The Work Holiday Pass application will be processed in approximately 21 days. Applicants will be notified via email.

Acceptance

Once accepted, students must collect the pass within three months from the date of the In-Principle Approval Letter (IPA). Passes must be collected at the Work Pass Division of the Ministry of Manpower.

• Work Pass Division
  At: Ministry of Manpower, 18Havelock Road
  Singapore 059764
  Tel: 6438 5122

The following documents must be presented when picking up the pass:

• a valid In-Principle Approval letter
• the recipient's valid passport with at least two blank visa pages
• Declaration form
• Work Holiday Programme Employment Survey form
• a return voyage (round-trip) travel ticket with a departure date prior to the expiration date of the Work Holiday Pass 

There is fee due on collection. An additional fee is due if a single or multiple journey visa is necessary (to travel outside of Singapore during the validity period of the Work Holiday Pass). Payment may be made using cash, NETS or a CashCard.

• For opening hours of the Work Pass Division: Click here

Note: a visa may also be necessary to enter Singapore. Check with the Immigrants and Checkpoint Authority for further information.

• For the Immigrants and Checkpoint Authority Website: Click here 

Validity

The Work Holiday Pass is valid for six months and is not renewable. Applicants must declare they will not overstay the pass and will depart the country before its expiration. To continue working in Singapore, a different work pass will be required. 

• For a list of available work passes: Click here

Finding Employment

Work Holiday Pass holders are not restricted to specific types of work, however existing licensing, registration or accreditation requirements (such as for medical occupations) will apply. Since the pass is only for a short-term work arrangement, there is not a minimum salary requirement.

The Ministry of Manpower and the Singapore Economic Development Board created the Contact Singapore website to attract global talent and encourage economic growth. The website offers resources for finding a job in Singapore.

• For information from the Contact Singapore website on Getting a Job in Singapore: Click here

Related Information

• The AngloINFO INFOrmation Page, Employment-related Passes in Singapore
• The AngloINFO INFOrmation Page, Finding Work in Singapore
• The AngloINFO INFOrmation Page, Singapore Business Etiquette
• The AngloINFO INFOrmation Page, Singapore Administration