Singapore Work Holiday Pass (WHP) & Work Holiday Programme Guide 2026
Complete 2026 guide to Singapore's Work Holiday Programme and Work Holiday Pass. Check age, eligible universities and countries, 6-month validity, S$175 fee, application documents, processing time and work rules.
Key Framework Criteria & Principles
1. Age Requirement
18 to 25The applicant must be aged 18 to 25 at the time the Work Holiday Pass application is submitted.
2. Eligible University Country or Region
10 Countries/RegionsThe applicant must be an undergraduate or graduate of a university in Australia, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Switzerland, the United Kingdom or the United States. The university must be recognised by the government of the relevant country or region.
3. Undergraduate Requirement
3 Months Full-Time StudyAn undergraduate must have been a resident and a full-time student of the university for at least 3 months before applying.
4. Graduate Requirement
University GraduateA graduate must have been a resident and a full-time student of the university. MOM requires supporting documentation such as a degree certificate or transcripts.
5. No Job Offer Required
Apply Without EmployerA job offer is not required before applying for the Work Holiday Pass. Once granted, the holder can look for employment in Singapore during the pass validity period.
6. Programme Capacity
2,000 HoldersThe Work Holiday Programme has a capacity of 2,000 pass holders at any one time. This is a capacity limit, not a separate annual quota of exactly 2,000 applications.
7. Work Flexibility
Multiple Employers AllowedMOM states that a Work Holiday Pass does not restrict the number of employment arrangements a holder can undertake at any point in time. A holder may therefore work for two or more companies simultaneously.
8. Professional Registration
Registration May ApplyThe Work Holiday Pass does not remove Singapore's professional registration requirements. Anyone working in professions such as medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, architecture or law must meet the relevant registration requirements before practising.
9. Financial Requirement
Sufficient FundsApplicants must be able to support themselves financially in Singapore and must declare that they have sufficient funds for their arrival, stay and departure.
10. Pass Validity
6 MonthsA Work Holiday Pass under the Work Holiday Programme allows the holder to stay and work in Singapore for up to 6 months. The pass cannot be extended.
11. Reapplication
12-Month Waiting PeriodAlthough the Work Holiday Pass itself is not renewable or extendable, MOM allows a former holder to apply again after at least 12 months from the day the previous Work Holiday Pass was cancelled or expired.
Mandatory Eligibility Requirements
Step-by-Step Procedure
Check Eligibility
Confirm the applicant's age, university country or region, student or graduate status and the applicable full-time study requirement before applying.
Prepare the Required Documents
Graduates should prepare their passport and degree certificate or transcripts. Undergraduates should prepare the required university letter and student card, plus a student visa copy where applicable.
Apply Online
The candidate applies online for the Work Holiday Pass and pays the S$175 application fee. A S$30 Multiple Journey Visa fee applies where required.
Wait for MOM's Decision
MOM states that Work Holiday Pass applications are processed within 4 weeks for most cases. Applications may take longer if additional information or documents are required.
Receive the IPA
If the application is approved, MOM sends an In-Principle Approval letter by email. The applicant should check the IPA instructions before making travel arrangements.
Enter Singapore and Get the Pass Issued
The approved applicant enters Singapore and gets the Work Holiday Pass issued through the applicable MOM process. The pass must be issued within 3 months of the IPA date.
Complete Registration if Required
The notification letter will state whether fingerprint and photograph registration is required. If required, the applicant must make the appointment and complete registration within the required period.
Set Up the Digital Work Pass
After registration, the holder can access the digital Work Holiday Pass and employment information through the SGWorkPass app.
Work or Holiday During the 6-Month Period
The holder may stay in Singapore for up to 6 months, including periods without employment, and may work for two or more companies while complying with applicable professional-registration requirements.
Leave or Cancel the Pass
When the Singapore stint ends, the holder should cancel the pass if required and maintain lawful immigration status until departure. If the pass expires while the holder remains in Singapore, an STVP should be requested to avoid overstaying.
Important Statutory Rules & Updates (2026)
- The Work Holiday Programme is not a Top 200 global university programme.
- Eligibility is based on studying or graduating from a recognised university in one of the 10 specified countries or regions.
- Age must be 18 to 25 at the time of application.
- The programme has a capacity of 2,000 pass holders at any one time.
- The Work Holiday Pass is valid for 6 months and is not renewable or extendable.
- Another WHP application is possible only after at least 12 months from the day the previous pass was cancelled or expired.
- The current application fee is S$175, plus S$30 for a Multiple Journey Visa where applicable.
- MOM states that processing takes within 4 weeks for most cases.
- The IPA is valid for 3 months and the pass must be issued within that period.
- A job offer is not required before application.
- A holder can stay in Singapore without a job during the 6-month pass validity.
- A holder can work for two or more companies at the same time.
- Professional registration requirements still apply to regulated professions.
Regulated Professions & Statutory Registration Rules
| Profession | Singapore Statutory Registration Requirement |
|---|---|
| Medicine | Professional registration requirements must be satisfied before practising in Singapore. |
| Dentistry | Professional registration requirements must be satisfied before practising in Singapore. |
| Pharmacy | Professional registration requirements must be satisfied before practising in Singapore. |
| Architecture | Professional registration requirements must be satisfied before practising where registration is required. |
| Law | Professional registration or admission requirements must be satisfied before practising in Singapore. |
Statutory Fee Schedule & Payment Deadlines (2026)
| Fee Item / Transaction | Amount (SGD) | Payment Timeline / Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Work Holiday Pass application | S$175 | When submitting the application |
| Multiple Journey Visa | S$30 | Where applicable |
| Foreign worker levy | None | Work Holiday Pass holders are not subject to a foreign worker levy |
Eligible Partner Countries & Regions
Pass Rights & Permitted Activities
Renewal And Reapplication
Renewable
Extendable
Duration
6 months
Reapplication
A former Work Holiday Pass holder can apply for another Work Holiday Pass at least 12 months after the day the previous pass was cancelled or expired.
Important Note
Reapplication is not a renewal or extension of the existing pass. A new application must satisfy the eligibility requirements in force at that time.
Application Process
Check Eligibility
Step 1Confirm the applicant's age, university country or region, student or graduate status and the applicable full-time study requirement before applying.
Prepare the Required Documents
Step 2Graduates should prepare their passport and degree certificate or transcripts. Undergraduates should prepare the required university letter and student card, plus a student visa copy where applicable.
Apply Online
Step 3The candidate applies online for the Work Holiday Pass and pays the S$175 application fee. A S$30 Multiple Journey Visa fee applies where required.
Wait for MOM's Decision
Step 4MOM states that Work Holiday Pass applications are processed within 4 weeks for most cases. Applications may take longer if additional information or documents are required.
Receive the IPA
Step 5If the application is approved, MOM sends an In-Principle Approval letter by email. The applicant should check the IPA instructions before making travel arrangements.
Enter Singapore and Get the Pass Issued
Step 6The approved applicant enters Singapore and gets the Work Holiday Pass issued through the applicable MOM process. The pass must be issued within 3 months of the IPA date.
Complete Registration if Required
Step 7The notification letter will state whether fingerprint and photograph registration is required. If required, the applicant must make the appointment and complete registration within the required period.
Set Up the Digital Work Pass
Step 8After registration, the holder can access the digital Work Holiday Pass and employment information through the SGWorkPass app.
Work or Holiday During the 6-Month Period
Step 9The holder may stay in Singapore for up to 6 months, including periods without employment, and may work for two or more companies while complying with applicable professional-registration requirements.
Leave or Cancel the Pass
Step 10When the Singapore stint ends, the holder should cancel the pass if required and maintain lawful immigration status until departure. If the pass expires while the holder remains in Singapore, an STVP should be requested to avoid overstaying.
Documents
- Passport personal particulars page.
- For graduates: copy of the university degree certificate or transcripts.
- For undergraduates: a university letter stating the applicant's matriculation, name, nationality or citizenship, date of birth and year of study. The letter must not be dated more than 3 months before the application.
- For undergraduates: copy of the university student card.
- For international students studying at an eligible university: copy of the student visa.
- Official English translations for university documents that are not in English. The original document and certified translation should be provided as required by MOM.
- Documents in PDF or JPEG format, with each file meeting MOM's applicable size requirements.
- Information or declaration showing sufficient funds to support arrival, stay and departure.
Required Document Checklist
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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