What the Work and Holiday Pass is
The Work and Holiday Pass is a Singapore pass issued by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) under the Work and Holiday Visa Programme. It lets eligible young people from Australia and New Zealand work and holiday in Singapore for up to twelve months. It runs under bilateral arrangements with those two countries, which is why the eligible nationalities are narrower than the broader Work Holiday Programme.
It is a longer working-holiday pass than the Work Holiday Pass, up to twelve months rather than six, but it still comes with clear conditions on the kind and length of work allowed. It is a short-term, youth-focused pass, not a long-term work pass.
Because it is time-capped and holiday-oriented, it is not, in itself, a route to Singapore Permanent Residence. If the experience makes you want to stay, the longer route runs through moving onto a standard work pass and building settled standing.
Key facts at a glance
Here is the Work and Holiday Pass in one view. Programme details are set by MOM and can change, so confirm the current position before applying.
| Feature | Work and Holiday Pass (Work and Holiday Visa Programme) |
|---|---|
| Eligible countries | Australia and New Zealand |
| Age at application | 18 to 30 |
| Education | A university degree, or the equivalent of two years of full-time undergraduate study |
| Duration | Up to 12 months |
| Key work limit | Cannot work for the same employer for more than 6 months |
| Issuing agency | Ministry of Manpower (MOM) |
Who is eligible
The Work and Holiday Pass is for young Australians and New Zealanders who meet an age and education requirement. In broad terms you should:
The education requirement is a notable difference from some other working-holiday schemes: you generally need a degree or substantial completed study, not merely current enrolment.
Conditions on the work you can do
The Work and Holiday Pass allows genuine work during the stay, but within limits designed to keep it a working holiday rather than ordinary long-term employment. Key conditions include:
| Condition | Detail |
|---|---|
| Same employer | You cannot work for the same employer for more than 6 months |
| Freelance | Freelance employment is not allowed |
| Where you can work | Employment with ACRA-registered companies or ROS-registered organisations |
| Regulated professions | Roles such as medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, architecture and law require the appropriate Singapore registration |
These conditions matter in practice: the six-month limit per employer, in particular, means the pass is not a way to hold a single long-term job.
How to apply
Eligibility and the application steps are set by MOM under the programme, and the individual can generally apply subject to meeting the conditions:
Confirm your citizenship, age and education meet the current programme conditions.
Gather your passport and evidence of your degree or completed study, as MOM requires.
Submit through MOM's official channel and pay the applicable fee.
If approved, the pass is issued for the period allowed, up to twelve months.
Confirm the current eligibility, any quota, the fee and the validity on the official MOM website before applying.
Does the Work and Holiday Pass lead to PR?
No, not by itself. It is a short-term, time-capped pass, with a six-month limit per employer, and permanent residence is a separate, selective assessment that generally favours settled, longer-term employment and genuine ties.
If a working holiday leads on to a substantive, longer-term role on a standard pass, that later footing is what counts toward PR. Our overview of why PR is not easy to get and our guide to the Employment Pass to Singapore PR route explain how that is viewed.
Common misunderstandings
The main misunderstandings mirror those for other working-holiday passes.
What people get wrong
- Confusing it with the Work Holiday Programme; they are separate arrangements with different countries, ages and durations.
- Assuming anyone can apply, when it is limited to Australian and New Zealand citizens aged 18 to 30.
- Overlooking the six-month limit per employer and the ban on freelance work.
- Expecting a long-term or PR pass, when it is a working-holiday pass by design.
- Relying on unofficial figures instead of confirming the current rules with MOM.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Work and Holiday Pass?
It is a short-term Singapore pass under the Work and Holiday Visa Programme that lets eligible young people aged 18 to 30 from Australia and New Zealand work and holiday here for up to twelve months.
Who is eligible for the Work and Holiday Pass?
Citizens of Australia or New Zealand, aged 18 to 30, who hold a university degree or have completed the equivalent of two years of full-time undergraduate study. Confirm the current eligibility on the official MOM website.
How long can I stay and work?
Up to twelve months, but you cannot work for the same employer for more than six months, and freelance work is not allowed.
How is it different from the Work Holiday Pass?
The Work and Holiday Pass is for Australia and New Zealand only, ages 18 to 30, for up to twelve months. The Work Holiday Pass is a separate programme covering ten countries and regions, ages 18 to 25, for up to six months.
Does the Work and Holiday Pass lead to PR?
Not on its own. It is a temporary work-and-holiday pass, and PR is a separate, selective assessment that generally favours settled, longer-term employment.
Where do I confirm the details?
On the official MOM website, since the eligibility, conditions and fees are set by MOM and can change.
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