IPA Application Check: How to Check Your Singapore Work Permit IPA Status Online (2026)

Waiting on a work pass approval and not sure where things stand? This guide shows you how to run an IPA application check on Singapore’s official MOM portal, read every possible result, verify the details on your letter, and know exactly what to do next. It covers Work Permit, S Pass, and Employment Pass holders.

Quick answer: Check your IPA status for free at MOM’s eService: service2.mom.gov.sg/workpass/enquiry. No Singpass login is needed. Select your pass type, enter the applicant’s date of birth and either the FIN or passport number, complete the CAPTCHA, and submit. The screen shows whether the application is in process, approved (IPA issued), or already issued.

What is an IPA?

IPA stands for In-Principle Approval. It is the official letter the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) issues once a work pass application is approved in principle, before the final pass is printed and collected.

The IPA does two things at once:

• It confirms the application has cleared MOM’s assessment.
• It acts as a single-entry visa, letting the pass holder enter Singapore to complete the remaining steps (medical exam, registration, card issuance).

An IPA is not the final work pass. It is a conditional green light. The physical card is issued only after the holder enters Singapore and finishes the outstanding requirements.

Pass type	Who it is for	Typical IPA use
Work Permit	Semi-skilled foreign workers and migrant domestic workers	Entry approval and medical/registration steps
S Pass	Mid-skilled staff meeting the salary and qualification bar	Entry approval before pass issuance
Employment Pass	Professionals, managers, executives	Entry approval before pass issuance

For a fuller breakdown of the passes themselves, see our guides on the Employment Pass, the S Pass, and Work Permits in Singapore.

What you need before you check

Have these on hand before you open the portal. The check takes under a minute once you have them.

• Pass type being applied for (Work Permit, S Pass, or Employment Pass).
• Date of birth of the applicant, exactly as submitted.
• FIN (Foreign Identification Number) from the IPA letter, or
• Passport / travel document number used in the application.
• The date of application, if you also want to see salary and validity details.

If you do not have the FIN or reference number yet, ask your employer or the appointed agent. They receive the IPA copy first and can forward it to you.

How to check your IPA status online (step by step)

MOM offers a free “Check Work Pass and Application Status” eService that anyone can use, with no login. Follow these steps.

1. Go to the official portal. Open service2.mom.gov.sg/workpass/enquiry in your browser. Use the MOM address directly and avoid links sent through chat apps.
2. Select the pass type. Choose Work Permit, S Pass, or Employment Pass to match the application.
3. Enter the applicant’s date of birth. Use the format shown on screen.
4. Enter the FIN or passport number. The FIN appears on the IPA letter. If you do not have it, use the passport number from the application.
5. Complete the CAPTCHA and submit. The result appears immediately on the same screen.

Employers with a CorpPass login can also check and manage applications inside EP Online (for Employment Pass and S Pass) or WP Online (for Work Permits), where they can download the IPA letter directly.

Reading your result: what each status means

The portal returns a plain-language status. Here is how to read the common ones.

Status shown	What it means	What to do
Application received / In process	MOM is still assessing the application	Wait. EP and S Pass usually take around 3 weeks; Work Permits are often faster
Approved (IPA issued)	The application is approved in principle; the IPA letter is available	Download the letter, verify every field, and plan travel
Pass issued / Card being prepared	The final work pass has been granted	Arrange card collection and complete any pending steps
Pending / More information needed	MOM has asked for extra documents	Respond quickly through your employer or agent
Rejected	The application was not approved	Review the reason; you may be able to appeal
Expired / Cancelled / Withdrawn	The application or IPA is no longer valid	Contact your employer or agent to understand next steps and re-apply if needed

If an Employment Pass is rejected, our guide on Employment Pass rejection and appeals explains your options.

Verify these fields on your IPA letter

An approved status is only half the job. Read the letter itself and confirm every field matches the applicant’s documents. A single mismatch can hold up entry or card issuance.

Field	Check that it matches	Why it matters
Full name	Passport, exactly (spelling and order)	Airport immigration matches the IPA to the passport
Date of birth	Passport	A mismatch can block online verification
Passport number	Current passport	If the passport was renewed after applying, flag it
Nationality	Passport	Must be consistent across all records
FIN	IPA and later work pass	Used for every future status check
Employer name	Your official company records	Must match the approved sponsor
Approved salary	The offer and application	Affects pass validity and quota
Validity / expiry date	The letter	Determines your entry and completion deadlines
Reference number	Your application records	Needed for follow-ups with MOM

If the passport was renewed between applying and the IPA being issued, tell your agent or employer so MOM records can be updated before the holder travels.

IPA validity and key deadlines

The IPA is time-limited. Missing a deadline can mean re-applying from the start, so diarise these dates the moment the letter arrives.

Milestone	Typical window	Notes
IPA validity for entry	Usually up to 6 months from issue	Check the exact date printed on your letter
Enter Singapore	Before the IPA expiry date	The IPA works as a single-entry visa
Medical examination	As required for the pass type	Needed before the pass is issued for many applicants
Work pass issuance	Within the validity window	The card is printed after entry and outstanding steps

Extensions are only possible before the IPA expires and usually need a written reason submitted by the employer. Once an IPA lapses, you generally cannot revive it.

Common problems and how to fix them

Problem	Likely cause	Fix
“No record found”	Wrong DOB, FIN, or passport number; or too early	Recheck each field; wait a day or two if just submitted
No FIN or reference number	You have not received the IPA copy	Ask your employer or appointed agent to forward it
Name or DOB mismatch	Typo in the application, or passport renewed	Notify your employer or agent so MOM can correct it
Status stuck “in process”	Normal assessment time, or pending documents	Wait through the standard window; respond to any MOM request promptly
Passport changed after applying	Renewal during processing	Report the new passport details before travel

How to spot a fake IPA and avoid scams

Fake IPA letters do circulate, usually to convince someone a job is confirmed. Protect yourself with these checks.

• Verify on MOM, always. The single reliable test is the official eService. If the FIN and date of birth do not return a matching approved record, treat the letter as suspect.
• Check the source. A genuine IPA comes from MOM through a licensed employer or agent, not from a stranger on a messaging app.
• Read the details. Look for spelling errors, mismatched employer names, odd formatting, or salary figures that do not match your offer.
• Never pay for the IPA itself. MOM does not charge the applicant to “release” an approval letter.

When in doubt, have a licensed consultant review the letter before you act on it or book any travel.

What happens after your IPA is approved

An approved IPA starts a short sequence of steps. Work through them in order and within the validity window.

1. Save and verify the letter. Confirm all fields, then keep a copy for immigration on arrival.
2. Plan travel. Enter Singapore before the IPA expiry date, with a passport valid well beyond your stay.
3. Complete the medical examination if required for the pass type.
4. Register and complete any programme required for your pass category.
5. Collect the work pass card once MOM confirms issuance. The FIN on your card is what you will use for future checks.

For domestic helper hires, our guide on renewing a domestic helper’s Work Permit covers what comes later.

IPA vs the final work pass: the difference

These two are often confused, so it is worth being clear.

• IPA (In-Principle Approval): a conditional letter that approves the application and lets the holder enter Singapore. It is temporary and expires.
• Work pass card: the actual Work Permit, S Pass, or Employment Pass, issued only after entry and completion of the remaining steps. It carries the FIN and the real validity of your stay.

Put simply, the IPA gets you in the door. The card is what lets you stay and work.

How First Immigration can help

Chasing a status, decoding a letter, or fixing a mismatch is stressful when a start date is on the line. First Immigration handles the process end to end:

• Preparing and submitting Work Permit, S Pass, and Employment Pass applications correctly the first time.
• Monitoring application and IPA status so you are not left guessing.
• Reviewing IPA letters for errors before they cause delays.
• Advising on appeals if an application is rejected.

Talk to our consultants through the contact page for help with your work pass or IPA.

Frequently asked questions

What is an IPA application check?

It is looking up the status of a Singapore work pass application on MOM’s official portal to see whether it is still in process, approved (IPA issued), or already issued as a card.

Where do I check my Singapore work permit IPA online?

Use MOM’s free “Check Work Pass and Application Status” eService at service2.mom.gov.sg/workpass/enquiry. No Singpass login is required.

What do I need to check my IPA status?

The pass type, the applicant’s date of birth, and either the FIN from the IPA letter or the passport number used in the application.

Can I do an IPA check without a FIN?

Yes. You can use the passport or travel document number together with the date of birth instead of the FIN.

How long does it take to get an IPA? Employment Pass and S Pass applications are usually assessed in around three weeks; Work Permits are often faster. Times vary case by case.

How long is an IPA valid?

It is usually valid for up to six months from the date of issue, but always check the exact expiry date printed on your own letter.

Is an IPA the same as a work permit?

No. The IPA is a conditional approval that lets the holder enter Singapore. The work pass card is issued afterwards, once the remaining steps are done.

What should I do if my IPA shows a wrong name or date of birth?

Tell your employer or appointed agent right away so MOM can correct the records before the holder travels.

My status says rejected. What now?

Review the reason given. Depending on the pass and circumstances, you may be able to appeal. See our guide on Employment Pass rejection.

How do I know my IPA is genuine?

Verify it on the MOM eService. If the FIN and date of birth do not return a matching approved record, treat the letter as suspect and have it reviewed before acting on it.