The S Pass is for foreign associate professionals and technicians who meet a qualifying salary benchmarked to the top one-third of local APT salaries by age. Employers must apply on behalf of the candidate. Renewals are granted for up to three years, subject to passport validity. The following sections set out the hard rules that determine whether a renewal can be issued.
Qualifying salary rises with age and sector
The current minimum qualifying salary is $3,300 for all sectors except financial services, where it is $3,800. Both figures apply to candidates aged 23 or below and increase progressively with age. At age 45 and above the minimum reaches $4,800 for non-financial sectors and $5,650 for financial services. The full age-by-age table is published on the MOM eligibility page.
From 1 January 2027, the floor rises to $3,600 for non-financial sectors and $4,000 for financial services, with the same age progression. For renewals, the new floor applies to passes expiring from 1 January 2028. Employers must ensure the fixed monthly salary meets or exceeds the applicable figure at the time of renewal application.
Fixed monthly salary definition controls compliance
Qualifying salary means fixed monthly salary as defined by MOM. Variable components such as overtime, bonuses, and allowances do not count. Employers should verify the salary structure against the MOM FAQ on fixed monthly salary before submitting a renewal.
Self-Assessment Tool gives an indicative result
MOM provides a Self-Assessment Tool (SAT) to check eligibility before applying. If the SAT shows the candidate is not eligible, the application will be rejected. If the SAT shows eligible, MOM states there is around a 90% chance the pass will be granted. The SAT result is not a guarantee; final approval depends on quota, levy payment, and document verification at issuance.
Pass duration and passport expiry limit
A first-time S Pass is valid for up to two years. Renewals are valid for up to three years. The pass cannot extend beyond one month before the holder’s passport expiry date. Employers must track passport validity and renew passports early if needed.
Quota is set by Dependency Ratio Ceiling and S Pass sub-quota
The Dependency Ratio Ceiling (DRC) caps the total foreign workforce (Work Permit + S Pass) as a percentage of total workforce. The DRC varies by sector: Construction 83.3%, Process 83.3%, Marine Shipyard 75%, Manufacturing 60%, Services 35%.
Within the DRC, S Pass holders are further capped at a sub-quota: 10% of total workforce in Services; 15% in Construction, Manufacturing, Marine Shipyard, and Process. The company’s total workforce is calculated from CPF contributions averaged over the last three months. The Local Qualifying Salary (LQS) determines which local employees count toward the quota base.
Employers can check their current quota balance on WP Online. Quota updates every Saturday; the balance is available the next working day. Late or inaccurate CPF declarations reduce quota and may push workers into higher levy tiers.
Levy is harmonised at $650 per month across all sectors
Since 1 September 2025, the S Pass levy rate has been harmonised to $650 per month for all sectors and tiers. There are no longer separate Tier 1 and Tier 2 rates. The daily levy rate for partial months is $21.37, calculated as (monthly rate × 12) ÷ 365, rounded up to the nearest cent. Levy liability starts on the day the pass is issued and ends when the pass is cancelled or expires. Payment must be made via GIRO.
Medical insurance and Primary Care Plan are mandatory
Employers must buy medical insurance for every S Pass holder and submit the insurance details online. Additionally, employers must purchase a Primary Care Plan (PCP) for workers who stay in dormitories accommodating seven or more persons, or who work in the Construction, Marine Shipyard, and Process (CMP) sectors. The PCP purchase must be declared on the myMOM Portal before the pass can be issued or renewed.
Family members require a Dependant’s Pass at $6,000 salary
S Pass holders earning a fixed monthly salary of at least $6,000 are eligible to apply for a Dependant’s Pass for their spouse and children. The employer can submit the Dependant’s Pass application together with the S Pass application or separately later.
Renewal process follows the same steps as a new application
The employer submits the renewal application before the pass expires. If approved, an in-principle approval (IPA) letter is issued. The employer must then fulfil PCP and medical insurance requirements, get the pass issued, and arrange fingerprint registration if required. The card is delivered to the registered address four working days after registration or document verification.
Employers must notify MOM of changes
Any change to the company’s or pass holder’s particulars must be notified to MOM. This includes changes in salary, job title, address, or passport details. Failure to notify is an offence under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act.
