If you are a Hong Kong national, the official MOM and ICA pages cited here do not create a Hong Kong-specific PR fast-track. You use the same pass and PR rules as other foreign nationals. The practical routes are: qualify for an Employment Pass (EP) or S Pass, then apply for Permanent Residence (PR) as a pass holder; or qualify under another ICA PR category, such as family ties, student status, or foreign investor. Tech@SG appears on the EP and S Pass eligibility pages; it is not listed as a PR eligibility category.
Is there a Hong Kong-specific Tech Talent or PR scheme?
The MOM and ICA pages cited at the end of this article do not describe a Hong Kong-specific quota, accelerated PR track, or Tech Talent Scheme. They also do not publish Hong Kong-specific approval rates, rejection rates, or processing times. If a consultancy claims such a route exists, ask for the official MOM or ICA page that states it. Tech.Pass details are not covered by the pages cited here; verify any Tech.Pass claims directly with MOM.
The two main work-pass routes: EP and S Pass
EP is for foreign professionals, managers, and executives with a job offer in Singapore who meet the eligibility criteria. An employer or appointed employment agent applies on the candidate’s behalf. If an overseas company has no Singapore-registered office, it applies through a local sponsor.
S Pass is for foreign employees across all nationalities or citizenships who have a job offer in Singapore and meet the qualifying salary. If an S Pass holder changes jobs, the new employer must apply for a new pass.
Qualifying salary
EP eligibility has two stages. Stage 1 is the EP qualifying salary. Stage 2 is COMPASS, unless the candidate is exempt. A candidate who fails Stage 1 is not eligible for an EP, regardless of COMPASS points.
| Pass | Sector | Current minimum | From 1 Jan 2027 for new applications, and renewals of passes expiring from 1 Jan 2028 |
|---|---|---|---|
| EP | All except financial services | $5,600, rising with age from age 23 up to $10,700 at age 45 and above | $6,000, rising up to $11,500 at age 45 and above |
| EP | Financial services | $6,200, rising up to $11,800 at age 45 and above | $6,600, rising up to $12,700 at age 45 and above |
| S Pass | All except financial services | $3,300, rising with age from age 23 up to $4,800 at age 45 and above | $3,600, rising up to $5,100 at age 45 and above |
| S Pass | Financial services | $3,800, rising up to $5,650 at age 45 and above | $4,000, rising up to $5,650 at age 45 and above |
EP: COMPASS and key rules
COMPASS is a points-based system. An application needs 40 points to pass. The criteria are:
| Criterion | Points |
|---|---|
| C1 Salary | 20 if salary is at or above the 90th percentile; 10 if 65th to less than 90th; 0 if below 65th |
| C2 Qualifications | 20 for top-tier degree-equivalent qualifications; 10 for other degree-equivalent qualifications; 0 if no degree-equivalent qualification |
| C3 Diversity | Fewer than 25 PMETs: 10 default. At least 25 PMETs: 20 if candidate’s nationality share is less than 5%; 10 if 5% to less than 25%; 0 if 25% or more |
| C4 Support for local employment | Fewer than 25 PMETs: 10 default. At least 25 PMETs: 20 if local PMET share is at or above the 50th percentile; 10 if 20th to less than 50th; 0 if below 20th. If local PMET share is at least 70%, at least 10 points |
| C5 Skills bonus | 20 if job is on the Shortage Occupation List (SOL) and candidate’s nationality share is less than 1/3; 10 if job is on SOL and share is 1/3 or more |
| C6 Strategic Economic Priorities bonus | 10 if the organisation participates in or meets the criteria for an eligible programme |
Candidates are exempt from COMPASS if they meet any of these conditions: fixed monthly salary of at least $22,500; overseas intra-corporate transferee; or filling the role for 1 month or less.
EP duration: first-time candidates can get up to 2 years; renewals up to 3 years. Experienced tech professionals with skills in shortage may be eligible for a 5-year duration pass. EP has no foreign worker levy or quota. Employers may choose whether to provide medical insurance for EP holders.
Before applying, employers must meet the Fair Consideration Framework (FCF) job advertising requirement. Employers and employment agents can use the enhanced Self-Assessment Tool (SAT) to check eligibility before applying. Fast-growing tech companies newly expanding to Singapore and the region may be eligible for the Tech@SG Programme.
S Pass: qualifications, quota, and levy
Declaring qualifications is optional. If you declare them, you must ensure the qualification is authentic and was awarded by an accredited institution in the application form’s drop-down list. MOM says that if the SAT shows the candidate is not eligible, you should not apply, because the application will be rejected.
S Pass has a quota and levy. The dependency ratio ceiling (DRC) by sector is:
| Sector | DRC | S Pass cap |
|---|---|---|
| Construction | 83.3% | 15% |
| Process | 83.3% | 15% |
| Marine shipyard | 75% | 15% |
| Manufacturing | 60% | 15% |
| Services | 35% | 10% |
Since 1 September 2025, the S Pass levy rate is $650 across all sectors and levy tiers. The daily levy rate is $21.37 for S Pass holders who did not work for a full calendar month. Employers must provide medical insurance for S Pass holders.
S Pass duration: first-time candidates up to 2 years; renewals up to 3 years. The pass can only be valid up to 1 month before passport expiry. S Pass holders with a fixed monthly salary of at least $6,000 are eligible for a Dependant’s Pass for their spouse and children.
Apply for PR under ICA rules
ICA lists the PR eligibility categories. A Hong Kong national may apply if they fall into one of them:
- Spouse of a Singapore citizen or PR.
- Unmarried child aged below 21 born within a legal marriage to, or legally adopted by, a Singapore citizen or PR.
- Aged parent of a Singapore citizen who is at least 21 years old.
- Holder of an Employment Pass or S Pass.
- Student studying in Singapore who has passed at least one national exam (PSLE, GCE ‘N’/‘O’/‘A’ levels), or is in the Integrated Programme (IP).
- Foreign investor in Singapore. ICA directs investors to EDB’s Global Investor Programme page.
ICA assesses factors such as family ties to Singaporeans, economic contributions, qualifications, age, family profile, and length of residency. It also considers the applicant’s ability to contribute to Singapore, integrate into society, and commit to sinking roots here. ICA does not publish the weightings or quotas for these factors on the cited page.
PR application fees are non-refundable. At submission, the fee is S$100 for each application. At completion of formalities, the fees are S$20 for an Entry Permit, S$50 for a 5-year Re-Entry Permit, and S$50 for a Singapore Identity Card. ICA says applications will be processed within 6 months if all required documents are submitted and in order. Some applications may take longer.
Documents must include certified true copies of originals and official translations for documents not in English. ICA accepts translations from the embassy of the issuing country, a notary public in Singapore or the issuing country, or privately translated documents attested by the embassy or notarised by a notary public. ICA does not endorse private translation companies. All applicants added to the application must review the form before submission, using Singpass or ICA-issued credentials. Singpass account approval may take 2 to 5 working days.
Male applicants should review National Service (NS) liability before applying. ICA states that all male applicants are required to access CMPB for NS information before proceeding. The Enlistment Act 1970 applies to male Singapore citizens and PRs, unless exempted.
ICA states it has no affiliation with any external migration agency or commercial entity claiming to be a Singapore immigration specialist, consultant, or partner. ICA does not support or endorse such services for PR applications.
What to check before you apply
- Confirm which ICA PR category applies to you.
- If you are applying through EP or S Pass, check your pass eligibility first.
- For EP, check Stage 1 salary against your age and sector.
- For EP, check whether you pass COMPASS or qualify for an exemption.
- For S Pass, check the qualifying salary for your age and sector.
- For S Pass, ask your employer to check the quota and levy position.
- Prepare certified true copies and official translations for PR documents.
- Log in to ICA e-Service with Singpass to submit the PR application.
- Pay the non-refundable PR fees.
- Wait for the outcome; ICA says within 6 months if documents are in order, and some applications take longer.
What the cited official pages do not say
The MOM and ICA pages cited here do not create a Hong Kong-specific PR quota. They do not promise faster PR processing for Hong Kong nationals. They do not publish Hong Kong-specific approval or rejection rates. They do not list fintech, AI, or cybersecurity as PR priority sectors. They do not publish PR points or COMPASS points for PR. They do not describe a Tech.Pass PR fast-track. Treat any claim on those points as unverified until MOM or ICA publishes it.