When an employee on a work pass leaves your company, you must cancel the pass. The rules are similar for a Work Permit, S Pass and Employment Pass, but the deadlines for the worker’s stay, the security bond and the repatriation duties differ. This guide sets out what employers must do, step by step.
Quick answer: Cancel the pass within 1 week after the employee’s last day of notice, or within 1 week of their departure if they have already left Singapore for good. Get tax clearance from IRAS at least 1 month before the last day of employment, settle salary, and pay for the trip home. Cancel through the myMOM Portal. Once a pass is cancelled, the person cannot work, even while waiting to leave.
Work Permit vs S Pass vs EP cancellation at a glance
| Work Permit | S Pass | Employment Pass | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deadline to cancel | Within 1 week after the last day of notice | Within 1 week after the last day of notice | Within 1 week after the last day of notice |
| Can you submit in advance? | Not stated by MOM | Yes, up to 14 days ahead | Yes, up to 14 days ahead |
| Where to cancel | myMOM Portal | EP eService on myMOM Portal | EP eService on myMOM Portal |
| Stay after cancellation | Special Pass, departure within 14 days | Short-Term Visit Pass, up to 30 days | Short-Term Visit Pass, up to 90 days |
| Tax clearance | At least 1 month before the last day | At least 1 month before the last day | At least 1 month before the last day |
| Security bond | Yes, for non-Malaysian workers | Not mentioned by MOM | Not applicable |
| Levy | Charged until 1 day before cancellation | Stops 1 day before cancellation | No levy |
| Family passes | Not applicable | Cancelled automatically | Cancelled automatically |
Before you cancel: the employer checklist
- Give reasonable notice of the end of employment and the repatriation arrangements.
- Get tax clearance from IRAS (Form IR21) at least 1 month before the last day of employment. See our IR21 tax clearance guide.
- Settle all outstanding pay and other employment matters.
- Check the passport is valid for the journey home.
- Buy the ticket home. For EP and S Pass holders, this is an air ticket with check-in luggage plus connecting transport to the port of entry in the home country or nearest region, unless the employee agrees in writing to pay. For Work Permit holders, it is a one-way ticket with a departure date within 14 days of cancellation.
- Agree transit arrangements in writing for Work Permit holders, including any allowance needed during transit.
How to cancel a Work Permit
MOM’s steps when the worker is still in Singapore:
- Log in to the myMOM Portal and cancel the Work Permit.
- Print the Special Pass and give it to the worker. Their stay follows the departure date you scheduled, which must be within 14 days of cancellation.
- The worker shows the Special Pass and passport to the immigration officer when leaving.
If the worker has already left Singapore, cancel in the myMOM Portal and select “Worker has already left Singapore”.
Security bond for non-Malaysian workers
MOM usually discharges the bond about 1 week after departure if all conditions are met and the worker was still in Singapore at cancellation, or within 2 weeks after MOM verifies the departure if the worker had already left.
Special cases
| Situation | What MOM requires |
|---|---|
| Worker is missing | A missing person police report (non-Malaysian workers). If the worker is not found within 1 month of cancellation, S$2,500 of the S$5,000 security bond is forfeited to cover repatriation costs |
| Worker has died | A death certificate, plus an airway bill if the body or ashes were sent home, or a cremation certificate if cremated in Singapore |
| Worker arrested or assisting an investigation | The investigating officer’s contact details |
| Worker becomes a Singapore PR | No cancellation needed |
How to cancel an S Pass or Employment Pass
- Complete the checklist above, including IRAS tax clearance.
- Log in to EP eService on the myMOM Portal and cancel the pass. You can submit the request up to 14 days before the effective date.
- If the employee is staying on in Singapore for a short time, request a Short-Term Visit Pass through EP eService when you cancel. It allows up to 90 days for a former EP holder and up to 30 days for a former S Pass holder, counted from the application date.
- Both you and the employee receive the Short-Term Visit Pass by email. The employee shows it with their passport when leaving.
Dependant’s Passes and Long-Term Visit Passes linked to the EP or S Pass are cancelled automatically and cannot be reinstated. If the family is staying, they need a new basis to stay, for example a Dependant’s Pass under a new employer.
After the pass is cancelled
- The person cannot work, even while waiting to leave Singapore.
- Cut the card in half and discard it.
- If you bought a Primary Care Plan, terminate it separately with the Anchor Operator. It does not end automatically.
- Overstaying is an offence. If the person needs more time, request an extension of the Special Pass or Short-Term Visit Pass before it expires.
When you do not need to cancel
- The pass holder has become a Singapore PR.
- The pass has already expired. If the person is still in Singapore, they still need a Special Pass or Short-Term Visit Pass to stay legally.
Changing jobs rather than leaving Singapore
If your employee is moving to a new employer, the new employer applies for a new pass. The current pass is cancelled, and the employee cannot start the new job until the new pass is issued. If the employee has a PR application pending, see changing jobs while a PR application is pending. To track a new application, use our work pass status check guide.
Common mistakes
| Mistake | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Cancelling late | Levy continues (for Work Permit and S Pass) and MOM may take action |
| Forgetting IRAS tax clearance | The employer can be held liable for the employee’s unpaid tax |
| Not arranging a Special Pass or STVP | The person overstays and is fined |
| Letting the person keep working after cancellation | Employing someone without a valid work pass is an offence |
| Forgetting the Primary Care Plan | Charges continue |
How First Immigrations can help
We help employers handle Employment Pass and S Pass applications, renewals and cancellations, and new passes when staff change jobs. Contact our team for a free consultation.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to cancel a Work Permit?
Within 1 week after the worker’s last day of notice, or within 1 week of their departure if they have already left Singapore.
Can I cancel an Employment Pass in advance?
Yes. MOM lets you submit an EP or S Pass cancellation up to 14 days in advance.
How long can an EP holder stay in Singapore after cancellation?
If you request a Short-Term Visit Pass when cancelling, up to 90 days from the application date. For a former S Pass holder, it is up to 30 days.
How long can a Work Permit holder stay after cancellation?
The worker receives a Special Pass that follows the scheduled departure date, which must be within 14 days of cancellation.
Is there a fee to cancel a work pass?
MOM does not list a cancellation fee.
Do I need tax clearance before cancelling?
Yes. Seek tax clearance from IRAS at least 1 month before the employee’s last day of employment.
What happens to my employee’s family passes?
Dependant’s Passes and Long-Term Visit Passes linked to an EP or S Pass are cancelled automatically and cannot be reinstated.
Who pays for the employee’s flight home?
The employer, unless an EP or S Pass holder agrees in writing to pay. For Work Permit holders, the employer buys a one-way ticket.
Can the employee keep working until they leave?
No. Once the pass is cancelled, the person cannot work, even while waiting to leave Singapore.
Official sources: MOM, Cancel a Work Permit; MOM, Cancel an S Pass; MOM, Cancel an Employment Pass. Checked October 2026.
Hiring, or applying for a work pass?
We review salary, COMPASS and documents before the application goes to MOM. See our Employment Pass service and S Pass service, or ask us about your case.
