Singapore work passes (often called work visas) are divided by applicant background into categories for professionals, skilled and semi-skilled workers, trainees and dependants.
The Employment Pass (EP) is for foreign professionals, managers, executives and technicians. It requires a fixed monthly salary of at least S$5,600 and a pass under the COMPASS (Complementarity Assessment Framework) scoring framework.
The S Pass is for skilled workers. It requires a fixed monthly salary of at least S$3,300, and the employer must bear quota and levy obligations.
The Work Permit is for skilled and semi-skilled foreign workers in the construction, manufacturing, marine shipyard, process and services sectors.
Employment Pass (EP): who it suits and the two checks to clear
The Employment Pass (EP) is for foreign professionals, managers, executives and technicians with a job offer in Singapore who meet the eligibility threshold. The employer, or an appointed employment agent, must apply on the candidate’s behalf. If an overseas company has no registered office in Singapore, it must apply through a local sponsor. The pass is first issued for up to two years, and renewed for up to three years. Experienced tech professionals with in-demand skills may apply for a duration of up to five years.
The current qualifying salary for the Employment Pass (EP) is a fixed monthly salary starting at S$5,600, rising with age, up to S$10,700 at age 45 and above. The financial services sector has a higher threshold: currently starting at S$6,200, up to S$11,800 at age 45 and above. These salary benchmarks are pegged to the top one-third of local PMET (professionals, managers, executives and technicians) pay.
From 1 January 2027, the qualifying salary for new applications rises to start at S$6,000 (up to S$11,500 at age 45 and above); renewals expiring from 1 January 2028 are subject to the same. For the financial services sector, new applications from the same date start at S$6,600 (up to S$12,700 at age 45 and above). Before submitting a new Employment Pass (EP) application, employers must still meet the job advertisement requirement under the Fair Consideration Framework (FCF).
Employers may first use the enhanced Self-Assessment Tool (SAT) to check a candidate’s eligibility before applying. An Employment Pass (EP) holder may apply for a Dependant’s Pass (DP) for eligible family members. Employers may decide whether to provide medical insurance to Employment Pass (EP) holders.
The two-stage EP eligibility framework and COMPASS scoring
The Employment Pass (EP) uses a two-stage eligibility framework. Stage one requires meeting the qualifying salary threshold (pegged by age to the top one-third of local PMET pay). Stage two requires passing the points-based COMPASS (Complementarity Assessment Framework) scoring framework, unless exempted. Candidates who do not meet the stage-one salary threshold are not eligible regardless of their COMPASS score.
COMPASS requires 40 points in total to pass. The C1 salary criterion scores the candidate’s fixed monthly salary against local PMET pay in their sector: the 90th percentile and above earns 20 points, the 65th to below the 90th percentile earns 10 points, and below the 65th percentile earns 0 points. The C2 qualification criterion: a degree from a leading global university or another comparable institution earns 20 points, another comparable qualification earns 10 points, and no comparable qualification earns 0 points (the remaining points can still be made up from other criteria).
The C3 diversity criterion: firms with fewer than 25 PMET employees score 10 points by default. For firms with 25 or more, points are awarded by the share of the candidate’s nationality among the firm’s PMETs (below 5% earns 20 points, 5% to below 25% earns 10 points, 25% and above earns 0 points). The C4 support for local employment criterion: firms with fewer than 25 PMETs score 10 points by default. For firms with 25 or more, points are awarded by the firm’s local PMET share relative to its industry (the 50th percentile and above earns 20 points, the 20th to below the 50th percentile earns 10 points, below the 20th percentile earns 0 points).
The C5 skills bonus (Shortage Occupation List, SOL): roles on the SOL where the candidate’s nationality is below one-third of the firm’s PMETs earn 20 points, and at one-third or above earn 10 points. The C6 strategic economic priorities bonus: participating in or meeting any qualifying programme earns 10 points, valid for up to three years or the duration of the programme (whichever is shorter). COMPASS exemptions apply where the fixed monthly salary is at least S$22,500, for intra-company transfers, or for roles lasting one month or less.
S Pass: the skilled-worker threshold and mandatory quota
The S Pass is for foreign skilled workers (associate professionals and technicians) who meet the eligibility threshold. The employer, or an appointed employment agent, must apply on the candidate’s behalf. If a holder changes jobs, the new employer must apply afresh for a new pass. The pass is first issued for up to two years and renewed for up to three years, and its validity is capped by the passport’s validity, at most one month before the passport expires.
The current qualifying salary for the S Pass starts at S$3,300, rising with age, up to S$4,800 at age 45 and above. The financial services sector currently starts at S$3,800, up to S$5,650 at age 45 and above. From 1 January 2027 for new applications, and from 1 January 2028 for renewals expiring on or after that date, the minimum rises to S$3,600 for general sectors (up to S$5,100 at age 45 and above) and to S$4,000 for the financial services sector (up to S$5,650 at age 45 and above).
Unlike the Employment Pass (EP), the S Pass is subject to quota and levy. Employers must pay a levy for each S Pass holder. From 1 September 2025, the S Pass levy rate has been unified at S$650 across all sectors and tiers. For periods of less than one calendar month, the levy is charged at S$21.37 per day (formula: monthly rate × 12 ÷ 365, rounded up to the cent).
Employers must also provide medical insurance for S Pass holders. Employers must also buy a Primary Care Plan (PCP) for S Pass workers who live in dormitories housing seven or more workers, or who work in the construction, marine shipyard and process (CMP) sectors, and declare the purchase on the myMOM Portal before the pass is issued or renewed. An S Pass holder earning a fixed monthly salary of at least S$6,000 may apply for a Dependant’s Pass (DP) for their spouse and children. The employer may file this together with the S Pass application or separately at a later date.
S Pass quota is calculated against the sector Dependency Ratio Ceiling (DRC). The S Pass share cap is 10% of total workforce in services, and 15% in construction, manufacturing, marine shipyard and process sectors. The sector DRCs (including Work Permits) are: construction 83.3%, process 83.3%, marine shipyard 75%, manufacturing 60% and services 35%. Quota is computed from the firm’s average local workforce over the past three months; local headcount updates every Saturday, and the balance is available the next working day.
Work Permit: which sectors and jobs
The Work Permit is for skilled and semi-skilled foreign workers in construction, manufacturing, marine shipyard, process or services sectors. This factsheet does not list a specific salary threshold for the Work Permit; please refer to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) page for details. This pass is not part of the professional or skilled-worker route, and its threshold and quota rules differ from those of the S Pass.
The Work Permit also has several specialised categories. The Work Permit for foreign domestic workers (MDW) is for foreign domestic workers working in Singapore. The Work Permit for Malaysian confinement nannies is for Malaysian nannies, for up to 16 weeks from the employer’s child’s birth. The Work Permit for performing artists was for performers at public entertainment venues such as bars, hotels and nightclubs, but the scheme for employers to apply for this pass has been discontinued.
Work Permit applications, quota and levy are managed by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). Employers can check their current workforce and quota through WP Online. For sector-specific restrictions, medical examination and insurance requirements, please refer to the official MOM page.
EntrePass and other professional passes
The EntrePass is for foreign entrepreneurs who intend to start and run a venture-backed or innovative-technology business in Singapore. Candidates may apply directly, without an employer’s help. This factsheet states explicitly that the EntrePass has no prescribed minimum salary. A new pass and the first renewal are valid for up to one year, and subsequent renewals for up to two years, subject to meeting renewal conditions.
The EntrePass holder may apply for a Dependant’s Pass (DP) for eligible family members, with no foreign-worker levy or quota required. Enterprise Singapore and the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) assess EntrePass applications jointly, and may contact holders periodically for follow-up and audit. For specific renewal conditions, please refer to the MOM page.
The professional route also includes the Personalised Employment Pass (PEP) and the ONE Pass (Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass). The Personalised Employment Pass (PEP) is for high-earning existing Employment Pass (EP) holders or overseas foreign professionals, and offers more flexibility than the Employment Pass (EP). The ONE Pass (Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass) is for top talent in business, culture and the arts, sports, and academia and research.
Training, internship and work-holiday passes
The Training Employment Pass is for foreign professionals undergoing practical training, with a monthly salary of at least S$3,000. The employer or agent must apply on their behalf. The pass is for short-term practical training rather than long-term employment. For duration and renewal rules, please refer to the MOM page.
The Work Holiday Pass (Work Holiday Programme) is for students and graduates aged 18 to 25 who wish to work and holiday in Singapore, for a stay of six months. The Work Holiday Pass (Work and Holiday Visa Programme) is for Australian and New Zealand students and graduates aged 18 to 30, for a stay of 12 months. The Training Work Permit is for semi-skilled foreign trainees or students, for up to six months.
The above training, internship and holiday passes are all managed by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). For each programme’s places, sector restrictions and application process, please refer to the official MOM page. These passes are not the same as the long-term employment routes of the Employment Pass (EP) or the S Pass.
Dependant’s Pass (DP) and Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP)
The Dependant’s Pass (DP) is for the lawful spouse and unmarried children under 21 of eligible Employment Pass (EP) or S Pass holders. The employer or appointed employment agent must apply on their behalf. The pass is valid for the shorter of the main pass’s validity or the application period. A Dependant’s Pass (DP) holder may work in Singapore, with no foreign-worker levy or quota required.
The Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) is for the parents, common-law spouses, stepchildren or disabled children of eligible Employment Pass (EP) or S Pass holders. The Pre-Approved Letter of Consent (PLOC) is for spouses or children of Singapore citizens or permanent residents (PR) who hold an ICA-issued LTVP/LTVP+, granting pre-approved permission to work in Singapore; it must be applied for together with the LTVP/LTVP+ application or renewal.
Holders of an ICA-issued LTVP/LTVP+ may have an employer apply for a Letter of Consent (LOC) to work in Singapore. A Dependant’s Pass (DP) holder who is a business owner may apply for a LOC to operate a business. The specific eligibility and application processes for the above dependant passes are managed separately by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA).
At a glance: who the main work passes cover and their minimum salary
The table below summarises the main work passes listed in this factsheet. Amounts are shown as listed on the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) page; where not listed, refer to the agency’s page.
| Pass | Covers | Current minimum salary | Agency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employment Pass (EP) | Foreign professionals, managers, executives, technicians | From S$5,600 (financial services from S$6,200) | Ministry of Manpower (MOM) |
| S Pass | Skilled workers (associate professionals and technicians) | From S$3,300 (financial services from S$3,800) | Ministry of Manpower (MOM) |
| Work Permit | Skilled and semi-skilled workers in construction / manufacturing / marine shipyard / process / services | No specific salary threshold listed | Ministry of Manpower (MOM) |
| EntrePass | Entrepreneurs with venture backing or innovative technology | No prescribed minimum salary | Ministry of Manpower (MOM) |
| Training Employment Pass | Foreign professionals undergoing practical training | S$3,000 | Ministry of Manpower (MOM) |
The salaries in the table are the current minimum thresholds listed in this factsheet. The figures for new applications from 1 January 2027 and renewals from 1 January 2028 are set out earlier in this article. For each pass’s age-related increments, quota and renewal duration, please refer to the MOM page.
If you are comparing the Employment Pass (EP) with the S Pass, the next section gives a point-by-point comparison. Both belong to the employment route, but their eligibility logic and employer burden differ.
Key differences between the EP and the S Pass
The Employment Pass (EP) and the S Pass sit at different tiers. The Employment Pass (EP) is for professionals, managers, executives and technicians, with a salary threshold starting at S$5,600. The S Pass is for skilled workers, with a salary threshold starting at S$3,300. Both must be applied for by the employer or an agent, and both can sponsor a Dependant’s Pass (DP) for eligible family members.
Quota and levy are the key difference. The S Pass is bound by the sector quota cap, and the employer must pay a monthly levy of S$650 (unified rate from 1 September 2025). The Employment Pass (EP) requires no foreign-worker levy or quota, and must pass the COMPASS scoring framework with 40 points. The factsheet lists no COMPASS requirement for the S Pass.
Medical insurance rules also differ. S Pass employers must provide medical insurance. Employers must also buy a Primary Care Plan (PCP) for S Pass workers living in dormitories housing seven or more workers, or working in the construction, marine shipyard and process (CMP) sectors. Employment Pass (EP) employers may decide whether to provide medical insurance. An S Pass holder earning at least S$6,000 a month may apply for a Dependant’s Pass (DP), whereas an Employment Pass (EP) holder may sponsor family members based on their eligibility.
What to read next
- The complete guide to Singapore immigration — the routes into Singapore immigration, their conditions and rough costs.
- Singapore immigration conditions 2026 — the 2026 conditions across the work, family, investment and study routes.
- Singapore PR conditions and how to apply — who can apply for permanent residence, the documents and processing time.
- Employment Pass section — EP applications, COMPASS and renewal details in one place.
- S Pass section — S Pass eligibility, quota and levy details in one place.
- Passes section — an overview of Singapore’s work and dependant passes.
Official sources
- Ministry of Manpower: work pass overview — lists all work pass types and who they cover.
- Ministry of Manpower: Employment Pass key facts — EP eligibility, duration, medical and renewal essentials.
- Ministry of Manpower: Employment Pass eligibility — the EP two-stage framework, COMPASS scoring and exemptions.
- Ministry of Manpower: S Pass key facts — S Pass eligibility, duration, quota and levy, and PCP.
- Ministry of Manpower: S Pass eligibility — S Pass salary thresholds and Dependant’s Pass conditions.
- Ministry of Manpower: S Pass quota and levy — sector DRCs, S Pass caps and levy rates.
- Ministry of Manpower: Dependant’s Pass key facts — DP coverage, duration and features.
- Ministry of Manpower: EntrePass key facts — EntrePass coverage, duration and features.
This site is not an immigration agency. We do not process applications, represent anyone, or provide immigration or legal advice; we offer general information only. This factsheet was captured on 7 October 2026. Rules change; confirm on the relevant agency’s page before you apply.
