The first step for all SMART postdocs/research scientists, SMA3/SMART graduate students and SMART collaborators visiting MIT is to contact Jocelyn Sales (jsales@mit.edu). She will provide you with a checklist and detailed information on the process and required documentation for obtaining (i) a MIT appointment and (ii) a visa.
In addition to a visa, all individual visiting MIT for SMART related research, require a MIT appointment regardless of the duration of the visit. The Office of the MIT VP for Research has asked that all SMART appointments be processed through a single point of contact, and therefore appointments & travel to MIT must be processed through Jocelyn Sales. If the MIT appointment is not processed by SMART, the trip cannot be charged to a SMART account.
The process for obtaining an MIT appointment typically takes 3 weeks. The process for obtaining a visa typically takes 3 months though occasionally it can take longer for citizens of certain countries.
Please contact smarthr@smart.mit.edu 2 months prior to your anticipated arrival in Singapore. She will be able to advise on the appropriate paperwork required for your visit.
EMPLOYMENT PASS (EP)
Who Needs to Apply for an Employment Pass (EP)
MIT researchers/post-docs, who will be at the SMART Centre for 30 or more contiguous calendar days should apply for an EP. This also applies to researchers and staff from other countries who intend to work at the SMART Centre. For more information about the EP, please visit the Ministry of Manpower's (MOM) website at: www.mom.gov.sg.
Obtaining an Employment Pass:
STEP-1: Application for your EP
- Complete the Employment Pass Application form (Form 8) available at the above website and submit the completed form, together with all supporting documents requested on the website, to the SMART Centre's Human Resources (HR) Office.
- The SMART Centre will submit the EP application online for you.
- Once the EP application has been approved, an "In-Principle Approval letter" (IPA) will be sent to the SMART Centre. The SMART Centre will then send the IPA to you. This letter is valid only for three months from the date of issue of the letter.
- Bring the IPA (and all accompanying documentation) with you when you come to Singapore for your 30 or more day stay
STEP-2: Issue of your EP
- Before starting work at the SMART Centre, your Employment Pass (EP) has to be issued. You must be in Singapore at the time the EP is issued. The SMART Centre HR Office can submit the request to issue your EP. To do that, you must bring the documents listed below to SMART Centre HR office.
The following documents are required for the issue of your Employment Pass (your IPA or the documentation accompanying it will tell you if the items marked "if applicable" apply to you):
- In-Principle Approval (IPA) Letter;
- Completed Declaration Form (if applicable);
- Completed medical examination form (if applicable);
- Immigration White Card (IMM27) - for applicants who are not currently Work Pass or Immigration Pass holders;
- Disembarkation/Embarkation Card (Green Card)/Long Term Pass Card/S Pass/Work Permit Card -- for existing Work Pass or Immigration Pass holders;
- A passport-size photograph (if applicable) with the following specifications:
- Taken with the face length from the chin to the crown of the head between 25mm and 35 mm;
- Both black & white or colour photographs with non-reflective satin matt finish are acceptable. The background colour of the photograph must be white with no ink marks or creases, eyes looking straight and both ears and eyebrows visible in the photograph. There should be no headgear worn unless normally worn for religious purposes. Glasses worn should not be tinted and frames shall not cover any part of your eyes; and
- Taken with uniform lighting with no flash reflections, no shadows, no uneven bright spots on the face and no red eyes.
- Any other documents as required in the In-Principle Approval Letter.
The following fees will be charged and paid by SMART and charged to your SMART IRG when submitting the application for the issue of your EP online:
Employment Pass - SGD 150 per year or part thereof Multiple Journey Visa (if applicable) - SGD 30 per issue.
Once the issue of your EP has been successful, the SMART Centre HR will print the online Notification Letter for you
- The Notification Letter will serve as a "temporary employment pass", i.e. it is evidence that you can stay in Singapore for employment at SMART for the period listed in your Notification Letter. If you need to leave Singapore unexpectedly before you get your EP card, you must carry and produce the Notification Letter, together with your travel document, at the immigration checkpoint.
STEP-3: Registration
- First time applicants are required to proceed to the Employment Pass Services Centre (EPSC) for registration of fingerprints and photo image. The SMART Centre HR staff will make an e-appointment for you to visit the EPSC for registration. You must take along the Notification Letter and the documents stated in the letter when reporting to EPSC.
The Riverwalk
20 Upper Circular Road, #04-01/02
Singapore 058416
The EPSC is at the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) which is located near the Clarke Quay MRT Station. Get off at the Clarke Quay MRT Station and walk towards the exit which says "Riverwalk/Circular Road". You can view MOM's location on the map at the following link:
http://www.mom.gov.sg/contact-us/locations#Tab-EP
STEP-4: Delivery of EP Card
- Your EP card will be delivered to SMART HR five to seven working days after your appointment with MOM. HR will inform you once the EP card arrives.
Cancelling an Employment Pass:
- The EP must be cancelled upon cessation or termination of employment or upon attainment of Singapore Permanent Residence.
- An EP holder has 7 days from the date of cessation or termination of employment to cancel the EP online. Bring your EP to SMART HR Office, and SMART HR staff can perform the EP cancellation online for you.
- A 30 day social visit pass will be issued upon cancellation.
- When the EP is cancelled, all other passes related to that EP will be deemed as cancelled. The Dependent's Pass and/or Long-Term Social Visit Pass should be produced for cancellation along with the EP at SMART Centre HR Office. Failure to do so will result in the Dependent's Pass and/or Long-Term Social Visit Pass holder becoming an overstayer.
- The EP shall be deemed to be cancelled automatically from the date the employment is terminated and the holder of the pass must not remain in Singapore after the date of employment was terminated unless s/he obtains another valid pass/visa.
- SMART HR Office will print the cancellation acknowledgment letter (if applicable) and Short Term Visit Pass (if applicable) and pass the copy to you. You have to surrender the Short Term Visit Pass to the Immigration Checkpoint Officer at the point of departure.
- SMART HR Office will return the original EP or other related passes within seven days from the date of Employment Pass cancellation by post to Work Pass Division, Ministry of Manpower, 18 Havelock Road, Singapore 059764.
If you have any questions about obtaining or cancelling an EP, please see http://www.mom.gov.sg. If you have additional questions please contact
- Human Resources (smarthr@smart.mit.edu)
Click here to download Employment Pass Application Form.
MIT students (undergraduate and graduate) who will be at the SMART Centre from between 30 days and 6 months should apply for the Work Holiday Pass (WHP). For more information about the WHP, please visit the following link:
- http://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/work-holiday-programme The Work Holiday Programme is open to undergraduate and graduate students from MIT. Applicants must be between 18 and 25 years of age.
- The Work Holiday Pass is valid for 6 months. The pass must be collected within 3 months from the date of issue of the "In-Principle Approval Letter" (IPA), which is sent to the applicant when their application is approved.
- A copy of the application form can be downloaded from the MOM's website at:
- http://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/work-holiday-programme/apply-for-a-pass Submit the completed application form via email to mom_whp_wpd@mm.gov.sg with a cc copy to michelle.ho@smart.mit.edu and place in the subject of your email "Application for WHP".
- The following documents are required for the WHP application:
- A letter from MIT indicating proof of student status. The letter should also include your name, nationality, gender and date of birth.
- A copy of your degree certification or transcripts (for graduate students only).
- A copy of your passport particulars page showing your name, date of birth, gender and photograph.
- If you are a graduate student at MIT and your undergraduate degree certificates/transcripts are not in English, you must submit a copy of the original as well as an official English translation certified by your undergraduate University.
- Attach soft copies of the above mentioned documents when you submit your WHP application form. These documents must be in the form of image files in JPEG format. Please restrict the file size of the degree certificate/transcripts and passport particulates to 150KB and 100KB respectively. Please ensure that the images are clear.
- A WHP application will be processed within 21 days. You will be informed of the outcome of your application via email.
- An "In-Principle Approval Letter" (IPA) (valid for 3 months from the date of the letter) will be sent to those whose WHP applications have been approved.
- When you arrive in Singapore for your term of employment at the SMART Centre bring your IPA letter and all accompanying documentation with you.
- To collect the Work Holiday Pass you must take the following documents to the Ministry of Manpower (see below):
- Valid IPA Letter (and all accompanying documentation).
- All documentation accompanying the IPA letter (which includes the Declaration Form and the WHP Employment Survey Form).
- Your travel document/passport (with at least two blank visa pages).
- Proof of return in the form of an air, rail, ferry or coach ticket. The date on the ticket should not be later than the expiry of the WHP.
- The WHP can be collected at:
The Riverwalk
20 Upper Circular Road, #04-01/02
Singapore 058416
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) is located near the Clarke Quay MRT Station. Get off at the Clarke Quay MRT Station and walk towards the exit which says "Riverwalk/Circular Road". You can view the location of MOM on map at the following link:
http://www.mom.gov.sg/contact-us/locations#Tab-EP
- The applicant must be in Singapore and an e-appointment must be made before the pass can be collected.
- The following fees will be charged upon collection of the Work Holiday Pass:
- Work Holiday Pass - SGD 150.00 per issuance
- Multiple Journey Visa (if applicable) - SGD 30.00 per issuance
- Payment of the fees can be made using NETS, CashCard or cash.
- The WHP must be cancelled when the applicant has completed his/her term under the Work Holiday Programme. The pass can be cancelled before the end of its 6 month validity period. To do so, the applicant is required to book an appointment (3 days in advance) via https://services.mom.gov.sg/appointment/Default.aspx? ReturnUrl=%2fappointment%2f to cancel the WHP one day before leaving Singapore.
- A 30 day social visit pass will be issued upon cancellation.
If you have any questions about obtaining or cancelling a WHP, please see http://www.mom.gov.sg. If you have additional questions please contact Ms. Michelle Ho (michelle.ho@smart.mit.edu).
MIT students (undergraduate and graduate) who will be at the SMART Centre from between 30 days and 6 months should apply for the Training Employment Pass (TEP). For more information about the TEP, please visit the following link:
- The Training Employment Pass is open to undergraduate and graduate students from MIT if they are not eligible for the Work Holiday Pass (WHP)
- The Training Employment Pass is valid for 3 or 6 months. The pass must be collected within 3 months from the date of issue of the "In-Principle Approval Letter" (IPA), which is sent to the applicant when their application is approved.
- A copy of the application form can be downloaded from the MOM's website at:
- The following documents are required for the TEP application:
- A copy of your passport particulars page showing your name, date of birth, gender and photograph.
- A copy of your degree certification or transcripts (for graduate students only) in English.
- A letter from MIT indicating proof of student status. The letter should also include your name, nationality, gender and date of birth.
- Support letter from MIT to state that this attachment is part of your degree/master/PhD
- If you are receiving stipend or scholarship, an official letter stating the monthly amount is required.
- An official and detailed training programme from your PI, stating (this letter has to be printed on official letterhead) stating:
- Objective of training
- Type of training
- Location of training, please include Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART) in the letter.
- Duration of training
- Complete the Training Employment Pass Application form and submit the completed form, together with all supporting documents requested as per above, to the SMART Centre's Human Resources (HR) Office.
- The TEP application will be processed between 1-2 months and the SMART Centre will submit the TEP application online for you.
- Once the TEP application has been approved, an "In-Principle Approval letter" (IPA) will be sent to the SMART Centre. The SMART Centre will then send the IPA to you. This letter is valid only for three months from the date of issue of the letter.
- Bring the IPA (and all accompanying documentation) with you when you come to Singapore for your 30 or more day stay.
- Before starting your attachment at the SMART Centre, your Training Employment Pass (TEP) has to be issued. You must be in Singapore at the time the TEP is issued. The SMART Centre HR Office can submit the request to issue your TEP. To do that, you must bring the documents listed below to SMART Centre HR office. The following documents are required for the issue of your Training Employment Pass (your IPA or the documentation accompanying it will tell you if the items marked "if applicable" apply to you):
- In-Principle Approval (IPA) Letter;
- Completed Declaration Form (if applicable);
- Completed medical examination form (if applicable);
- Immigration White Card (IMM27) - for applicants who are not currently Work Pass or Immigration Pass holders;
- Disembarkation/Embarkation Card (Green Card)/Long Term Pass Card/S Pass/Work Permit Card -- for existing Work Pass or Immigration Pass holders;
- A passport-size photograph (if applicable) with the following specifications:
- Taken with the face length from the chin to the crown of the head between 25mm and 35 mm;
- Both black & white or colour photographs with non-reflective satin matt finish are acceptable. The background colour of the photograph must be white with no ink marks or creases, eyes looking straight and both ears and eyebrows visible in the photograph. There should be no headgear worn unless normally worn for religious purposes. Glasses worn should not be tinted and frames shall not cover any part of your eyes; and
- Taken with uniform lighting with no flash reflections, no shadows, no uneven bright spots on the face and no red eyes.
- Any other documents as required in the In-Principle Approval Letter.
The following fees will be charged and paid by SMART and charged to your SMART IRG when submitting the application for the issue of your EP online:
Employment Pass - SGD 150 per year or part thereof Multiple Journey Visa (if applicable) - SGD 30 per issue. Once the issue of your TEP has been successful, the SMART Centre HR will print the online Notification Letter for you.
- The Notification Letter will serve as a "temporary training employment pass", i.e. it is evidence that you can stay in Singapore for attachment at SMART for the period listed in your Notification Letter. If you need to leave Singapore unexpectedly before you get your TEP card, you must carry and produce the Notification Letter, together with your travel document, at the immigration checkpoint.
- First time applicants are required to proceed to the Employment Pass Services Centre (EPSC) for registration of fingerprints and photo image. The SMART Centre HR staff will make an e-appointment for you to visit the EPSC for registration. You must take along the Notification Letter and the documents stated in the letter when reporting to EPSC.
The Riverwalk
20 Upper Circular Road,
#04-01/02 Singapore 058416
The EPSC is at the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) which is located near the Clarke Quay MRT Station. Get off at the Clarke Quay MRT Station and walk towards the exit which says "Riverwalk/Circular Road". You can view MOM's location on the map at the following link:
STEP-4: Delivery of TEP Card
- Your TEP card will be delivered to SMART HR five to seven working days after your appointment with MOM. HR will inform you once the EP card arrives.
Cancelling an Training Employment Pass:
- The TEP must be cancelled upon cessation or termination of employment or upon attainment of Singapore Permanent Residence.
- Bring your TEP to SMART HR Office on your last physical in SMART, and SMART HR staff can perform the TEP cancellation online for you.
- A 30 day social visit pass will be issued upon cancellation.
- SMART HR Office will print the cancellation acknowledgment letter (if applicable) and Short Term Visit Pass (if applicable) and pass the copy to you. You have to surrender the Short Term Visit Pass to the Immigration Checkpoint Officer at the point of departure.
- SMART HR Office will return the original TEP or other related passes within seven days from the date of Employment Pass cancellation by post to Work Pass Division, Ministry of Manpower, 18 Havelock Road, Singapore 059764.
If you have any questions about obtaining or cancelling a TEP, please see http://www.mom.gov.sg. If you have additional questions please contact
- Human Resources (smarthr@smart.mit.edu)
If you are visiting the SMART Centre but not applying for an EP or WHP, and if your travel document/passport is from one of the countries listed below, you are required to obtain a Business visa in order to enter Singapore.
Commonwealth of Independent States (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan), India, Myanmar, People's Republic of China and holders of Hong Kong Document of Identity and Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR) Travel Permit.
Level 2 Countries
Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Yemen, and holders of Palestinian Authority Passport, Temporary Passport issued by the United Arab Emirates and Refugee Travel Document issued by Middle-East countries.
- More information is available at the link below: (For application overseas, you can submit your visa application at the nearest Singapore Overseas Mission. Please visit the Mission's website for their visa application procedures. For application in Singapore, you can submit your visa application online (e-visa) by a "trusted partner" or a "local contact". A "trusted partner" is an institution such as a healthcare service provider, travel agency, Singpost etc. with a good proven record who has been granted a SAVE trusted partner account to submit online visa applications on behalf of their customers. A "local contact" can be a Singapore Citizen, Singapore Permanent Resident or representative of a Singapore-registered corporation.) http://www.ica.gov.sg/services_centre_overview.aspx?pageid=252&secid=165
- Please inform Ms. Michelle Ho (michelle.ho@smart.mit.edu) if you need a business visa. The following documents will then be sent to you and these forms will have to be duly filled and returned to her:
- Form 14A
- Form V39A
- A copy of your passport which must be valid for at least 7 months beyond the date of entry
- The processing fee is SGD 30.00 per application which is non-refundable regardless of the outcome of the application. A minimum of 3 working days is required in order to process an electronically submitted application for a visa (E-visa).
- Validity of E-Visa will start from the date of approval.
- Possession of a visa alone does not guarantee entry into Singapore. Visitors must also meet other entry requirements such as holding a valid passport, having sufficient funds for the period of stay, and a confirmed onward/return air ticket.