Check MOM Work Pass Status Online: Guide for Employers

Hiring or managing foreign workers, especially between Malaysia and Singapore, often means dealing with work passes.

As an employer, checking the MOM work pass status is important to make sure your employees are legally allowed to work.

Let’s walk through everything you need to know.

What is MOM (Ministry of Manpower)?

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) is the Singapore government body that handles employment, foreign worker regulations, and workplace policies.

Even if you are based in Malaysia, you may need to deal with MOM when hiring workers from Singapore, transferring employees between offices, or managing remote teams across the border.

MOM sets the rules for who can work in Singapore, what types of passes are needed, and how companies should stay compliant.

What is a Work Pass?

In Singapore, a "work pass" is a document that permits foreigners to work legally. There are a few types:

Employment Pass (EP): For professionals, managers, and executives.
S Pass: For mid-skilled workers.
Work Permit: For semi-skilled or unskilled workers, usually in construction, manufacturing, and domestic work.

This is different from Malaysia’s system, which has work permits like the Employment Pass, Temporary Employment Pass (VPTE/PLKS), and Professional Visit Pass.

- Differences between MOM work passes and Malaysia’s work permits

Why Malaysian Employers May Need to Check MOM Work Pass Status

If you are hiring someone who used to work in Singapore, you must check if their MOM pass is still valid. This step is important if you:

Hire employees transferring from Singapore.
Manage a regional team working between Malaysia and Singapore.
Want to confirm if a foreign worker’s status is legal before onboarding.

Checking the work pass status helps you avoid legal issues, fines, and hiring workers who are not properly authorised.

How to Check MOM Work Pass Status (Singapore-based)

Checking the MOM work pass status is easy.

Go to MOM’s official website. They provide a "Work Pass Status Check" page.
Provide the worker’s required information, such as FIN number (Foreign Identification Number), passport number, or work pass details.
Understand the status codes:

Active: Worker is legally employed.
Cancelled: Worker is no longer employed.
Expired: The Pass has ended; not valid anymore.
Suspended: Pass temporarily blocked; check details.

The system will show the current status so you can make informed hiring decisions.

Verifying Foreign Workers’ Legal Status in Malaysia

In Malaysia, you can also check the legal status of foreign workers.

MYEG System: Malaysian employers can use the MYEG portal to check immigration status, work permits, and renewals.
EPPAX System: For professional passes and expatriate-related permits, the EPPAX system is used.

The common Malaysian work passes are:

Employment Pass: For skilled professionals.
Temporary Employment Visit Pass (PLKS/VPTE): For lower-skilled workers.
Professional Visit Pass: For short-term work or training.

Hiring Cross-Border Workers: Singapore-Malaysia Considerations

When hiring employees who work between Singapore and Malaysia, you need to be extra careful.

Legal Documentation: Make sure they have the correct pass in the country they are working.
Payroll and Tax Compliance: In Malaysia, workers contribute to EPF, SOCSO, and EIS. In Singapore, workers contribute to CPF. Different countries have different rules.
Immigration Compliance: Workers must leave the country when their pass expires unless they have renewed it.

What to Do If the Work Pass is Invalid or Expired

If you find that a worker’s MOM pass is invalid or expired:

Stop them from working immediately to avoid penalties.
Start the renewal or re-application process if you still want to employ them.
Report the situation to the relevant authorities if necessary.

Continuing to hire someone without a valid pass can cause heavy fines and other legal troubles for your company.

Employer Responsibilities for Foreign Employees

Hiring foreign employees comes with important duties:

Keep copies of work passes, passport information, and employment contracts.
Always renew passes before they expire.
Match the employee’s job to the type of work pass they have. For example, someone on a Professional Visit Pass should not be doing permanent jobs.

Managing foreign employees properly shows professionalism and protects your business from legal issues.

FAQs

Can a foreign worker have both a Malaysian and Singaporean work pass?

No. Workers can only hold one valid work pass per country at a time. They must apply separately and comply with each country’s immigration rules.

What happens if an employee’s MOM pass expires but they continue working?

It’s illegal. The worker and employer can face fines, deportation, and even legal action.

How do I transfer an employee between Malaysia and Singapore legally?

You must cancel the work pass in the original country and apply for a new one in the destination country.

Do I need to notify any authority when hiring a worker from Singapore to Malaysia?

Yes. You must register the worker with Malaysian immigration and apply for the correct Malaysian work permit.

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