The Work Holiday Programme (WHP) allows eligible foreign students and recent graduates to work and holiday in Singapore with a work visa. Here’s a quick summary of the programme:
Age: 18 to 25 years old at the time of application.
Educational Background: Undergraduates or graduates from universities in the following select countries or regions: Australia, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Switzerland, United Kingdom or United States. University must be government recognised in its respective country or region.
For Undergraduates: Must have been a full-time student at the university for at least 3 months before application.
Graduates: Must have been a full-time student at the university.
Duration: WHP is valid for 6 months and is non-renewable.
Quota: 2,000 WHP holders at any one time.
Family Accompaniment: No family members are allowed; no family passes available.
Foreign Worker Levy: WHP holders are exempt from the foreign worker levy.
Follow these steps to complete your work holiday pass application:
Check you are eligible.
Gather the necessary documents such as proof of university enrollment or graduation and a valid passport.
To apply for a Work Holiday Pass (WHP) under Singapore’s Work Holiday Programme, follow these steps:
Gather the following documents
For Graduates:
Personal particulars page of your passport
Degree certificate or transcripts
For Undergraduates:
Personal particulars page of your passport
Letter from your university to confirm your enrollment, including your name, nationality/citizenship, and date of birth. This letter must be dated within 3 months of your application.
University student card.
For international students: student visa.
Submit your application through the Ministry of Manpower’s online portal. Ensure all documents are in PDF or JPEG format and do not exceed 2MB each.
Processing time: 3 weeks.
If approved, you will receive a notification letter known as In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter via email.
Check Singapore’s latest travel requirements.
Timeline: Within 3 months from the date of your IPA letter.
Procedure:
You must be in Singapore to get your pass.
If you have a Singpass account, log in to the EP eService to complete the issuance process.
If you do not have a Singpass account, visit the Employment Pass Services Centre (EPSC) to get your pass.
Fees:
$175 per pass.
$30 for a Multiple Journey Visa if applicable.
After the pass is issued, you may need to register your fingerprints and photo.
Book an appointment at EPSC if necessary.
Pass card will be delivered to the address specified within 5 working days after registration or document verification.
Comply with all conditions under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act.
If you no longer need the pass before it expires, cancel it.
Reapplication: If you have previously held a Work Holiday Pass, you can reapply only after 12 months from the date your last pass expired.
Application Timeline: Submit your application at least 3 months before your intended travel to Singapore.
If your Singapore Work Holiday Pass (WHP) application is unsuccessful, you can appeal within 3 months from the date of rejection.
To make the appeal process more constructive, please follow these guidelines:
Review the Rejection Details: Read the rejection advisory sent to your email. This document will state the reasons for the rejection.
Determine Grounds for Appeal: Only appeal if you can address the issues stated in the rejection advisory. Submitting an appeal without new or additional information will not change the original decision.
Authorized Individuals: Only the original applicant or an authorized employment agent can submit an appeal. If an employment agent is representing you, they must provide a signed letter of authority to act on your behalf in this matter.
Timeline: Submit your appeal within 3 months from the date of the rejection email. Appeals submitted after this period will not be valid, a new application will be required.
Submission: Fill up the appeal form here. Make sure to fill in all required fields and attach supporting documents that address the reasons for rejection.
Processing Duration: 4 weeks minimum, some cases may take longer.
Outcome will be sent to the email address provided in your original application form. Due to the high volume of appeals, in-person discussions are not feasible.
After your holiday visa programme in Singapore has ended, you must cancel your Work Holiday Pass (WHP). Follow these steps to do so:
Immediate Action: Cancel your WHP as soon as your engagement in Singapore ends.
Expired Passes: If your pass has already expired, you don’t need to cancel. However, to maintain lawful status in Singapore, you must apply for a Short-Term Visit Pass (STVP) to allow your stay. Failure to do so may result in overstay fines.
You or your authorized employment agent can cancel the WHP.
Travel Compliance: Before booking your flight, check and comply with any health or visa requirements of your airline to be eligible for boarding.
Entry Requirements: Check your home country or region’s embassy website for specific entry requirements. Alternatively, refer to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ travel guides for more information.
Visit EP eService: Log in to EP eService on myMOM Portal to start the cancellation.
Request for STVP: If you are still in Singapore after cancellation, apply for STVP through the eService to get a valid stay of up to 30 days from the application date. The STVP will be sent to your email. Present both the STVP and your passport to the immigration officer upon departure from Singapore.
Dispose of Pass Card: After cancellation, cut your WHP card in half and dispose it properly to prevent misuse.
Reapplication Period: You can reapply for WHP only after 12 months from the date your previous pass was cancelled or expired.
If your Work Holiday Pass (WHP) card is lost, stolen or damaged, you must apply for replacement within a week.
Follow these steps:
For Stolen Cards: File a police report as soon as possible.
For Cards Lost Overseas: Inform MOM immediately. MOM will issue a letter to allow you to re-enter Singapore.
Authorized Applicants: You (as the WHP holder) or your employment agent (EA) can apply for the replacement.
Application Methods:
1. Through an Employment Agent:
The EA should log in to EP eService to input the required info.
Pay the replacement fee using GIRO, Visa, Mastercard or Amex.
Upon approval, both you and the EA will receive a card replacement letter via email with collection instructions.
2. Over the Counter:
Book an appointment at the Employment Pass Services Centre (EPSC).
Bring the required documents, including your original passport and the damaged card (if applicable).
Pay the replacement fee using Visa, MasterCard, AMEX, NETS or CashCard.
You will receive the card replacement letter during the appointment.
Damaged Card: $60
Lost or Stolen Card:
$100 for the first time.
$300 for subsequent times.
All fees are non-refundable.
Timeline: The replacement card will be ready for collection 4 working days after approval.
Location: Collect at EPSC; no appointment is needed for collection.
Required Documents:
Original passport.
Card replacement letter.
Damaged card (if applicable).
Police report (for stolen cards).
For lost or stolen cards, you must collect in person. For damaged cards, you can authorize someone to collect on your behalf, provided they bring an authorization letter and their ID.
Additional Information:
If the lost card is found, please send it back by post to: Ministry of Manpower, 18 Havelock Road, Singapore 059764.
Loss of card multiple times may require an interview before a new card is issued.
