MOM unveils safeguards for issuance of ONE Pass

The agency said it will carefully vet applications for the work pass.

Minister for Manpower Tan See Leng said the agency will put in place safeguards when the Overseas Networks and Expertise Pass (ONE Pass) gets rolled out.

“We will take precaution as we roll out this new Pass that offers more privileges,” Tan told The Parliament, who expressed concerns that there could be potential abuse of the new ONE Pass.

MOM will place safeguards at “two levels.” First, Tan said MOM will “carefully vet all applications” for the work pass by conducting “back-end checks to sieve out potential cases of false salary declarations.”

“This includes scrutinising applications from companies with a limited track record and asking for more documents to verify that the salary declared will be paid. This will also be applied to all ONE Pass applications,” Tan said.

Applicants who seek to convert from an existing Employment Pass will also have their Income Tax filings with IRAS scrutinised, said Tan.

“For overseas candidates, we will further assess their company’s market capitalisation and revenue based on verifiable sources. The economic agencies will support MOM in this endeavour,” Tan added.

In the second level, Tan said MOM will “engage the pass holders during their time in Singapore.”

“We will be up to date with their professional activities and annual income. This will factor into our assessment of their eligibility for renewal,” Tan said.

Tan also warned that MOM has the right to cancel the ONE Pass if “there are extended periods of economic inactivity with no good reasons.”

“The ONE Pass is not meant to be abused as a visit or travel document,” he added.