Quick answer: The Training Employment Pass (TEP) lets a Singapore company bring in a foreign student on a training attachment or a trainee from a foreign office or subsidiary. The candidate must earn a fixed monthly salary of at least S$3,000. The pass is valid for up to 3 months, is not renewable, and does not allow family passes. The employer applies and pays S$105 on submission and S$225 on issuance. There is no levy and no quota.
The TEP exists for a narrow situation: short, structured training in Singapore. If you are hiring someone to do a job, this is the wrong pass.
Who it covers
| Candidate | Condition |
|---|---|
| Foreign student | The training attachment in Singapore is part of their course of study |
| Foreign trainee | Sent for training from a foreign office, subsidiary or related company |
Both must earn a fixed monthly salary of at least S$3,000. The employer, not the candidate, submits the application.
Key facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Salary | At least S$3,000 fixed monthly |
| Validity | Up to 3 months |
| Renewable | No |
| Family passes | Not available |
| Levy and quota | None |
| Application fee | S$105 per pass |
| Issuance fee | S$225 per pass |
| Processing | Within about 3 weeks for most cases |
| Who applies | The employer or an appointed employment agent |
Because it cannot be renewed, plan the training period before you apply. If the attachment runs longer than 3 months, the TEP is not the right instrument.
TEP or Training Work Permit?
This is the distinction that catches people out.
| Training Employment Pass | Training Work Permit | |
|---|---|---|
| For | Foreign students and trainees in professional or executive-level training | Semi-skilled foreign trainees or students in practical training |
| Salary | At least S$3,000 a month | Sector rules apply |
| Duration | Up to 3 months | Up to 6 months |
| Levy and quota | None | Applies |
Pick on the nature of the training and the candidate’s level, not on which pass looks easier.
What it is not
| It is not | Because |
|---|---|
| A cheap Employment Pass | It is capped at 3 months and cannot be renewed |
| A route to a job | The training must be genuine, and the pass ends with it |
| A family relocation option | No Dependant’s Pass or LTVP |
| A pass for Singapore-based students | A Student’s Pass holder working here is governed by different rules. See can a student pass holder work in Singapore |
If the plan is a real job, the Employment Pass or S Pass is the route, and our guide to every pass type maps the options.
How the application runs
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1 | Employer confirms the candidate meets the student or trainee definition and the S$3,000 salary |
| 2 | Employer submits the application and pays S$105 |
| 3 | MOM processes it, usually within about 3 weeks |
| 4 | If approved, an In-Principle Approval letter is issued. See our IPA letter guide |
| 5 | The trainee enters Singapore within the IPA validity |
| 6 | Employer requests issuance and pays S$225 |
After the training ends
The pass expires and cannot be renewed. If the company wants to keep the person, that is a new application for a different pass, assessed on its own criteria, including the Employment Pass salary floor and COMPASS where it applies.
How First Immigration can help
- Choosing the right pass between TEP, Training Work Permit and a standard work pass.
- Preparing the application so the training arrangement is documented properly.
- Planning the transition if the trainee is someone you want to hire afterwards, through our Employment Pass service.
Book a free assessment through our contact page.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Training Employment Pass?
A short-term pass for foreign students on a training attachment that forms part of their studies, or trainees sent from a foreign office or subsidiary.
What salary is required?
A fixed monthly salary of at least S$3,000.
How long is a Training Employment Pass valid?
Up to 3 months.
Can a Training Employment Pass be renewed?
No.
Can the holder bring family?
No. Family passes are not available on a TEP.
What does it cost?
S$105 when the employer submits the application and S$225 on issuance.
Is there a levy or quota?
No.
Who applies, the trainee or the company?
The employer or an appointed employment agent.
What is the difference between a TEP and a Training Work Permit?
The TEP is for professional-level students and trainees earning at least S$3,000, valid up to 3 months. The Training Work Permit covers semi-skilled practical training for up to 6 months, with levy and quota.
Can a TEP be converted into an Employment Pass?
Not converted. The employer submits a new Employment Pass application, assessed on the EP criteria including salary and COMPASS.
Official sources: MOM, Training Employment Pass eligibility, key facts and application pages; MOM, Training Work Permit.
Disclaimer: Criteria and fees are set by MOM and can change. 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.
