Contact information to be required of pass holders

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? The Ministry of Manpower will soon begin requiring individual contact information as part of the application process for Employment Passes, S Passes, Dependant’s Passes and Long Term Visit Passes.

What does the change mean? Beginning Friday, employers will be required to provide pass holders’ email addresses when completing the application process. Renewals and reissuances will require both an email address and a Singapore mobile phone number. Pass holder contact information must be updated online if it changes.

• Implementation time frame: Jan. 26.
• Visas/permits affected: Employment Passes (including Training Employment Passes), S Passes, Dependant’s Passes, Long Term Visit Passes.
• Who is affected: Employers and foreign nationals applying for or holding any of the passes listed above.
• Impact on processing times: Applications may be unnecessarily delayed if applicants are not prepared to provide the required information.

Background: The Ministry of Manpower recently informed employers of the upcoming change, saying the new requirements are being put in place to “enable pass holders to receive important updates during emergencies or on their pass-related matters.” The new requirement comes as Singapore is moving toward a “virtual” employment pass system, where newly issued passes will contain a code that will allow cardholders or employers to check check pass validity, expiration dates and other details on the web or through the SGWorkPass mobile app. The virtual program has already been launched for work permit holders and will be extended to Employment Passes, S Passes, Dependent’s Passes and Long Term Visit Passes in March.

BAL Analysis: Employers should be prepared to provide the relevant contact information, as described above, when they are completing the application process for pass holders.

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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