Can I start work in Singapore with only an IPA letter?

No. The in-principle approval (IPA) lets you enter and finish issuance formalities. You may start work after the pass is issued and you have the Notification Letter — not on IPA alone. Confirm with HR that the pass shows as issued in EP eService.

What is the MOM Notification Letter?

After your employer issues the pass, MOM emails a Notification Letter to you and the company. For Employment Pass it is valid for one month from issue, lets you start work and travel while the card is printed, and states whether EPSC fingerprint and photo registration is required.

Do I need the physical EP card before I can work?

Usually no. MOM’s Notification Letter is temporary proof you can work and travel while waiting for the card. Set up SGWorkPass with Singpass for a digital work pass once registration (or the non-registration path) completes.

How soon must I go to EPSC for fingerprints and photo?

Only if your Notification Letter says registration is required. For Employment Pass, complete it within two weeks after the pass is issued. Book an EPSC appointment; bring passport, appointment letter, Notification Letter, and a phone with a local number plus Singpass and SGWorkPass apps.

When does the physical work pass card arrive?

MOM aims to deliver within five working days after EPSC registration and document verification — or within five working days after document verification if registration is not required. After two failed deliveries, collect at EPSC without an appointment (after three working days).

Where do I get the EP medical form if my IPA requires an exam?

Use only the form or declaration attached to your IPA or supplied by HR for issuance uploads. Do not assume the Work Permit medical PDF from a web search applies — see the EP medical issuance guide.

Is SGWorkPass registration enough to start work before the physical card arrives?

Follow MOM’s issuance sequence: IPA → (medical if required) → issuance / Notification Letter → biometrics as instructed. SGWorkPass is the digital record after issuance steps, not a shortcut around them. Confirm with HR whether MOM treats your case as work-ready after the Notification Letter vs after card delivery — do not invent a start date from the app icon alone.

Move

Work pass issuance: Notification Letter, EPSC, and the card

Can you work on IPA alone? What the MOM Notification Letter unlocks, EPSC biometrics clocks, SGWorkPass digital pass, and when the physical EP card arrives — with MOM citations.

MoveArriving4 min readLast reviewed 15 September 2026

Short answer: An IPA is not permission to work. Your employer must issue the pass while you are in Singapore. Then MOM emails a Notification Letter (EP: valid 1 month) that lets you start work and travel while the plastic card prints. If the letter requires it, finish EPSC fingerprints/photo within 2 weeks, set up SGWorkPass, and expect card delivery in about 5 working days.

Week-one Slack threads still confuse three different PDFs: IPA, Notification Letter, and the card. Treat them as a sequence, not synonyms.

IPA vs issued pass vs card

Document	What it proves	What it does not prove
IPA	Pre-approved entry + 6 months to get the pass issued; may require a medical	That you can start work or that the card exists
Notification Letter	Pass is issued; you may work/travel for the letter’s validity while waiting for the card	That biometrics are done (check the letter)
Physical / digital work pass	Ongoing status for everyday checks and many bank/telco counters	That issuance was optional — you still needed the steps above

Numbered sequence after you land

Medical (if IPA requires it) — Complete the Singapore exam on the IPA/HR form, not a random Work Permit PDF; keep results ready for issuance uploads. Deep guide: EP medical for issuance.
Employer issues the pass — Candidate must be in Singapore. Employer/EA uses EP eService, pays fees (S$225 per EP + S$30 MJV if applicable), and uploads arrival stamp page, medical/declaration forms, and a housing-compliant residential address.
Read the Notification Letter the same day — Note validity end date, whether EPSC registration is required, and the card delivery address / authorised recipients. Ask HR to extend the letter if EPSC slots blow past the one-month window.
Book EPSC if required — Within 2 weeks of issuance for EP. Bring original passport, appointment letter, Notification Letter, and a phone with a +65 number plus Singpass + SGWorkPass installed.
Digital pass — After Singpass registration at EPSC (or when HR says you can skip the centre), open SGWorkPass with Singpass and confirm status/expiry.
Collect or receive the card — Delivery target 5 working days after registration/verification. Failed delivery twice → collect at EPSC after 3 working days, no appointment.

Bridge the rest of life admin with the SIM → Singpass → bank map — issuance unlocks FIN recognition for many of those steps.

Decision table: if your letter says…

If the Notification Letter says…	Do this	Clock (verify live on MOM)
Registration of fingerprints/photo required	Book EPSC; do not wait for the plastic card to “feel official”	Within 2 weeks of issuance (EP)
Registration not required	Set up SGWorkPass when HR confirms; wait for delivery after doc check	Card ~5 working days after verification
Validity ending before your EPSC slot	Ask employer to request an extension of the Notification Letter	Before the letter expires
Wrong delivery address	Fix authorised recipients / address with HR in EP eService	Before the courier SMS

S Pass / Work Permit holders follow a parallel MOM path (often Hall C, sometimes a 1-week registration clock). Read your letter and the pass-type apply page — do not copy an EP friend’s timeline blindly.

What to bring / ask HR (candidate checklist)

Passport + IPA PDF on phone and printed if counters prefer paper
Singapore residential address that meets housing rules — serviced apartment letters often work; illegal short-lets often do not (first housing bridge)
Local mobile number already live (prepaid is fine)
Names/NRIC or FIN of up to 3 authorised recipients for card delivery
Confirmation the S$225 issuance fee cleared and the Notification Letter hit your inbox, not only HR’s

Appeal / IPA medical stalls belong on EP rejection, appeal, and IPA issuance. Lost plastic after you already held a card: replace work pass card.

Tick this on the interactive day-7 checklist, then finish Singpass and payroll banking on the first-week dependency map.

Questions, answered

Can I start work in Singapore with only an IPA letter?: No. The in-principle approval (IPA) lets you enter and finish issuance formalities. You may start work after the pass is issued and you have the Notification Letter — not on IPA alone. Confirm with HR that the pass shows as issued in EP eService.
What is the MOM Notification Letter?: After your employer issues the pass, MOM emails a Notification Letter to you and the company. For Employment Pass it is valid for one month from issue, lets you start work and travel while the card is printed, and states whether EPSC fingerprint and photo registration is required.
Do I need the physical EP card before I can work?: Usually no. MOM’s Notification Letter is temporary proof you can work and travel while waiting for the card. Set up SGWorkPass with Singpass for a digital work pass once registration (or the non-registration path) completes.
How soon must I go to EPSC for fingerprints and photo?: Only if your Notification Letter says registration is required. For Employment Pass, complete it within two weeks after the pass is issued. Book an EPSC appointment; bring passport, appointment letter, Notification Letter, and a phone with a local number plus Singpass and SGWorkPass apps.
When does the physical work pass card arrive?: MOM aims to deliver within five working days after EPSC registration and document verification — or within five working days after document verification if registration is not required. After two failed deliveries, collect at EPSC without an appointment (after three working days).
Where do I get the EP medical form if my IPA requires an exam?: Use only the form or declaration attached to your IPA or supplied by HR for issuance uploads. Do not assume the Work Permit medical PDF from a web search applies — see the EP medical issuance guide.
Is SGWorkPass registration enough to start work before the physical card arrives?: Follow MOM’s issuance sequence: IPA → (medical if required) → issuance / Notification Letter → biometrics as instructed. SGWorkPass is the digital record after issuance steps, not a shortcut around them. Confirm with HR whether MOM treats your case as work-ready after the Notification Letter vs after card delivery — do not invent a start date from the app icon alone.

Sources & citations

Admin and policy details change. Prefer the official page when making decisions; we cite primary sources for Singapore government and statutory guidance.

ServiceImmigration counsel (category guide)