Previously, up until about a year ago, extending your EP used to entail
various trying trips to the Ministry of Manpower building on Havelock. The
one overwhelming memory I have of this exercise is the busy cacophony of the
place and the mind-numbingly long waiting times. From the queue at reception
and the queue number dispensers to the seemingly endless waiting before your
number is flashed to submit your documents.
All paperwork submitted, the card was then produced, which in most cases
would take about a few hours. This was the good news, i.e. generally, you
were able to drop by the MOM building again that same day in order to pick
up and pay for your new EP card. The bad news was that this would mean
queuing up all over again.
Then the MOM went high-tech.
Nowadays, extending your EP is a much less painful process. Of course you
still need to await your extension application letter that MOM sends you.
This, amongst other things, determines which medical test - if any - you
need to undergo. Once the medical procedures are done, you log onto the MOM
website on www.mom.gov.sg and register for an EP Online Account. This
account is usually processed within a single day.
Using this account, you can apply online for an e-Appointment at the
Employment Pass Services Centre with the MOM EP Registration Department,
located at The Riverwalk.
At the Employment Pass Services Centre, you'll get your thumb and passport
picture scanned so both can be incorporated onto your new EP card. By the
way, at this point you'll be amazed at the low-volume buzz of the goings-on
and the lack of the droves of people waiting for their turn, as was the case
at the MOM building previously. In addition, there are assistants available
at every turn, who will swoop in and offer assistance the moment you look
like you're not sure where to go next - excellent. (By the way, if you
didn't bring your passport pictures, you can have them taken in the next
room. Cost: S$6,- Your passport and filled out EP extension letter obviously
are required to complete the in-take.)
Once all the in-take proceedings have been followed through, you're directed
to the payment counter, where you can pay cash or by NETS.
Generally, your new EP will be ready for collection a week later. However,
this time you won't need to wait longer than several minutes for your turn. Note:
Make sure you bring your EP form, your passport and your old EP card.
Kudos to the Singapore MOM for streamlining the entire EP renewal process
whilst keeping cost to a mere S$35,-