Special Pass Card/e-Special Pass

A Special Pass (SP) card/e-Special Pass (e-SP), which legalises a foreigner’s stay in Singapore, is issued for a specific purpose such as assisting in investigation, attending court and for stateless persons residing in Singapore. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) are the only issuing authorities for such SP card/e-SP. Here are some frequently asked questions and answers regarding SP card/e-SP.

Q1:     I have never seen the Special Pass (SP) card/e-Special Pass (e-SP) before. Is it a legal document issued by the authorities?

A1:      This is a Special Pass (SP) card/e-Special Pass (e-SP) and it is used to regularise a foreigner’s stay in Singapore for specific purposes. MOM and ICA are the issuing authorities of the SP card and ICA is the issuing authority of the e-SP. The name of the issuing authority is printed at the back of the card. ICA has started issuing the SP card and e-SP with effect from 21 May 2019 and 4 July 2024, respectively. The front and back of the ICA-issued SP card are shown below for reference.

For the MOM-issued SP card, the design is the same but there will be a QR code at the back of the card to replace the date of issue, date of expiry and purpose.

Front	Back

Q2:     Who will be issued with a Special Pass (SP) card/e-Special Pass (e-SP)?

A2:     The SP card/e-SP will be issued to foreigners who are required to remain in Singapore for specific purposes such as assisting in investigation, attending court and for stateless persons residing in Singapore. The purpose of the SP Card holder’s stay in Singapore will be stated on the back of the card while the purpose of the e-SP holder’s will be stated on the e-SP.

Q3:     Can a Special Pass (SP) card/e-Special Pass (e-SP) holder work in Singapore?

A3:     Foreigners who are issued SPs are not allowed to work in Singapore. If a foreigner wishes to work in Singapore, he/she is required to apply for a work pass from MOM. SP holders who are found working without a valid work pass would have committed an offence and will be dealt with under the relevant laws.

However, please note that a stateless person residing in Singapore who is issued with a Special Pass may work if their employer obtains a Letter of Consent from MOM to work. The prospective employer can apply for the Letter of Consent to work by submitting their request to MOM at go.gov.sg/feedbackmomcop.

For more information, you may visit go.gov.sg/hire-stateless-person.

Q4:     Can I rent out my room/flat to a Special Pass (SP) card/e-Special Pass (e-SP) holder?

A4:     Homeowners may rent their room/flat to a SP card/e-SP holder provided he/she has a legal stay in Singapore. They must also cross check the prospective foreign tenant’s original immigration pass against his/her original passport and verify the validity of the pass with the issuing authority. It will also be prudent to check with the Housing Development Board (HDB) or Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) on their guidelines for the eligibility of subtenants to rent and the minimum and maximum rental period before renting out to foreigners.

Q5:     How do I check and verify the validity of the Special Pass (SP) card/e-Special Pass (e-SP) holder’s stay in Singapore?

A5:     For ICA-issued SP card, the expiry date of a SP card holder’s stay is printed in red on the back of the card. For ICA-issued e-SP, the last day of stay allowed in Singapore can be found on the e-SP or can be verified online at e-Pass Enquiry Portal. To verify the validity of a SP card issued by ICA or to enquire about the card, please call ICA at 6391 6250.

For MOM-issued SP card, the validity period can be verified using the SGWorkPass (SGWP) application by scanning the QR code printed at the back of the SP card. For clarification and enquiries on the MOM-issued SP card, please visit www.mom.gov.sg/sgworkpass or contact the MOM Contact Centre at 6438 5122.

Q6:     Can I continue to rent out my room/flat to a Special Pass (SP) card/e-Special Pass (e-SP) holder whose immigration pass has expired?

A6:     If the SP card/e-SP has expired and the holder has not left Singapore, he/she will be deemed an overstayer. It is an offence under the Immigration Act to offer food or shelter to an immigration offender (overstayer or illegal immigrant). If you have any information on immigration offenders, please write in to ICA. All information provided to ICA will be kept strictly confidential.