Work Passes (WP / S Pass / EP / PEP / ONE Pass)

The S Pass allows eligible foreign associate professionals and technicians to work for a Singapore employer. The employer or its appointed employment agent submits the application to MOM.

S Pass eligibility and salary requirements

Candidates need a Singapore job offer and must meet the fixed monthly salary requirement for their age and sector.

• Current starting salaries: S$3,300 outside financial services and S$3,800 in financial services for candidates aged 23 or below.
• Announced changes: starting salaries rise to S$3,600 and S$4,000 respectively for new applications submitted from 1 January 2027 and renewals of passes expiring from 1 January 2028.

Higher salary requirements apply as age increases. Check MOM’s age-based salary requirements and Self-Assessment Tool before applying. Declaring qualifications is optional; any qualification declared must be authentic and from an accredited institution listed in the application.

Employer checklist: quota, levy and documents

• Confirm available S Pass quota: 10% of the workforce in services, or 15% in construction, manufacturing, marine shipyard and process sectors. MOM’s workforce-counting rules apply.
• Budget for the S$650 monthly S Pass levy and required medical insurance.
• Meet the applicable MyCareersFuture advertising and fair-consideration requirements before submission.
• Obtain the candidate’s written consent and prepare accurate job, salary and company information.

Use MOM’s quota calculator to plan hiring. Our DRC and quota guide explains the wider employer context.

Documents needed for an S Pass application

• The candidate’s passport particulars page.
• The company’s latest ACRA business profile or instant information.
• Relevant professional-body support or registration documents for regulated occupations.
• Additional sector-specific documents where required, including food-establishment licensing information.
• Original non-English documents together with English translations.

MOM may request further evidence. Follow its S Pass document checklist for the candidate’s circumstances.

S Pass application steps, fees and processing time

1. Prepare: check eligibility, quota and documents with the employer.
2. Submit: the employer or appointed employment agent applies through MOM’s EP eService and pays S$105.
3. Await the outcome: online applications are processed or receive an update within 10 business days. Additional checks can take longer.
4. Complete issuance: after approval, follow the IPA instructions and pay the S$100 issuance fee.

After approval: IPA and pass issuance

The IPA gives the candidate 60 days to enter Singapore and have the pass issued. Follow the medical requirements stated in the letter. The candidate must be in Singapore for issuance.

Once issued, the notification letter permits work while the physical card is being prepared and states whether fingerprint and photo registration is needed. See MOM’s application and issuance instructions and our S Pass IPA formalities guide.

S Pass application guidance for employers

TIP provides guidance on S Pass application preparation and submission. Contact us to discuss your hiring needs and confirm the service scope and quotation for your application.

Our published work-pass application service fees start from S$2,000, subject to GST and excluding government fees. Employers should budget separately for MOM charges, the S Pass levy and required insurance. The pricing section below lists the published starting fees and government charges.

When enquiring, outline the proposed role, salary and intended hiring timeline so you can discuss the assistance you need. MOM assesses the application and determines the outcome.

Discuss your S Pass hiring needs, or read our S Pass eligibility overview before contacting us.

The Employment Pass (EP) is for eligible foreign professionals, managers and executives. The employer or appointed employment agent applies on the candidate’s behalf.

EP eligibility: salary and COMPASS

• Current starting monthly salaries are S$5,600 outside financial services and S$6,200 in financial services for candidates aged 23 or below.
• For new applications from 1 January 2027 and renewals of passes expiring from 1 January 2028, these starting salaries rise to S$6,000 and S$6,600 respectively.
• Higher salary requirements apply as age increases. Use the applicable age-based table, rather than treating the starting figure as a universal threshold.
• After meeting the qualifying salary, candidates must score at least 40 COMPASS points unless exempt. A degree is not a universal requirement: applicants without degree-equivalent qualifications can qualify through other criteria.

Check MOM’s EP eligibility rules and assessment tools. Meeting a salary threshold alone does not guarantee approval.

Prepare the application

Confirm the role, salary, employer information and applicable fair-consideration requirements. Prepare the candidate’s passport particulars and the documents requested for the application. Qualifications and verification proof are needed if relying on COMPASS qualification points; regulated occupations may require professional-body support.

Our work-pass guide for applicants without a degree explains how qualifications fit into the assessment.

EP application fees, timing and issuance

1. The employer or employment agent submits the application and pays S$105.
2. Online applications are processed or receive an update within 10 business days; additional checks can take longer. Overseas-company sponsorship applications follow a different timeline.
3. If approved, the IPA gives the candidate six months to enter Singapore and have the pass issued. Follow any medical instructions in the letter.
4. Issuance costs S$225, with an additional S$30 Multiple Journey Visa fee where applicable. Once issued, the notification letter permits work while awaiting the card and states whether fingerprint and photo registration is required.

See MOM’s EP application and issuance instructions. Contact TIP to discuss the employer’s proposed role and application preparation.

The Personalised Employment Pass (PEP) is for eligible high-earning professionals. It is issued once, for up to three years, and cannot be renewed. Holders can change jobs without applying for a new pass, while meeting the continuing conditions.

PEP eligibility and continuing conditions

The qualifying fixed monthly salary is at least S$22,500. For overseas professionals, the last drawn salary must have been within six months before applying.

• To retain the pass, earn at least S$270,000 in fixed salary per calendar year, regardless of the number of months worked. The S$144,000 rule applies only to those who applied before 1 September 2023.
• If unemployed for more than six months at any point, the pass must be cancelled.
• Freelancing and entrepreneurial activity are not permitted. Other exclusions include EP sponsorship-scheme holders, sole proprietors, partners and directors who are also shareholders in an ACRA-registered company.

Check MOM’s full PEP eligibility and occupation restrictions.

Application and planning for expiry

The candidate applies online. MOM states a processing time within six weeks for most cases; some take longer. The application fee is S$105 and issuance costs S$225, plus S$30 for a Multiple Journey Visa where applicable. Follow the IPA instructions for entry and issuance.

Use MOM’s application instructions and document links. Before expiry, assess another eligible work-pass route if you intend to continue working. See PEP duration and pass conditions, or discuss your circumstances with TIP.

ONE pass is meant for top talent in business, arts and culture, sports, academia and research.

This pass is more attractive than the PEP because it allows the pass holder to start and operate multiple companies in Singapore. The ONE pass is valid for five years, and it is renewable.

Eligibility For ONE Pass Application

• Earn a fixed monthly salary of at least S$30,000, or its equivalent in foreign currency for the last year; or
• Will earn a fixed monthly salary of at least S$30,000 under their prospective employer based in Singapore.
• Working for an established company for at least one year or will be working for an established company in Singapore.

*The fixed monthly salary of at least S$30,000 should only come from one employer.

Alternatively, foreign talents with exceptional accomplishments in the arts and culture, sports, academics, and research may be eligible for the ONE Pass without meeting the above criteria.

The ONE Pass application is valid for foreign talents who have shown a high level of achievement in scientific or other academic research with a track record of significant outcomes from research conducted (which may include international recognition of scientific or academic leadership).

To be considered for the outstanding achievement track for academia and research, the foreign talent must submit a thorough Curriculum Vitae (CV). The CV includes their academic credentials, professional experiences, accomplishments, and letters of recommendation from a regional host research institution (such as Autonomous Universities or A*STAR).

Existing work pass holders in Singapore can also apply for ONE Pass if they have been working in Singapore for at least one year or prove that they will be working for an established company.

The established company must have a market capitalisation or valuation of at least US$500 million or annual revenue of at least US$200 million in Singapore.

The Step-By-Step ONE Pass Application Process

Documents Needed For ONE Pass Application

Compulsory for all categories of eligible applicants: The passport details page and the following documents apply to applicants of the various categories.

Please note that an explanation letter and supporting documents (e.g., deed poll or affidavit) will be required if the applicant’s name in the passport differs from that on the other document(s).

A. Applicants who earned a fixed monthly salary of at least S$30,000 in Singapore in the past year

• Your monthly payslips for a consecutive period of 12 months
• Most recent tax statements from the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore
• Documents supporting other income sources other than fixed monthly salary (if applicable)

B. Applicants who earned a fixed monthly salary of at least S$30,000 working overseas in the past year

• Monthly payslips for a consecutive period of 12 months
• Employment verification proof from a background screening company
• Documents supporting income sources other than fixed monthly salary (if applicable).
• Documents indicating the latest company valuation, market capitalisation or annual company revenue of the candidate’s current or most recent employer from using any one of these sources within the last three months:
  • Pitchbook
  • Yahoo Finance
  • Crunchbase
  • Bloomberg
  • Google Finance
  • Venturecap
  • Preqin
  • QCC.com
  • chinaventure.com.cn
  • itjuzi.com

You may provide the company’s latest audited Profit & Loss statements if the documentation is unavailable.

C. Applicants who will earn a fixed monthly salary of at least S$30,000 under a prospective employer in Singapore

• Employment contract with a Singapore organisation or letter of offer from a prospective employer in Singapore
• Documents indicating the prospective company valuation, market capitalisation or annual company revenue using any one of these sources within the last three months:
  • Pitchbook
  • Yahoo Finance
  • Crunchbase
  • Bloomberg
  • Google Finance
  • Venturecap
  • Preqin
  • QCC.com
  • chinaventure.com.cn
  • itjuzi.com

You may provide the company’s latest audited Profit & Loss statements if the documentation is unavailable.

D. Having outstanding achievements in arts and culture, sports, or academia and research

• Payslips from the latest month.
• Documents supporting other income sources other than fixed monthly fixed salary (if applicable).
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) highlighting key achievements.
• For candidates applying under the academia and research track:
  • The CV should list significant publications, patents or technology disclosures in the past five years.
  • Provide a recommendation, recommendation letter, or document by a local host institution for a potential position.

Tech.Pass supports established global technology talent undertaking eligible business and professional activities in Singapore.

Announced Tech.Pass transition

From 28 January 2027, MOM/EDB will no longer accept new or renewal Tech.Pass applications. The announced ONE Pass (AI and Tech) track replaces Tech.Pass. Existing holders can remain on their passes until expiry and should assess an eligible alternative for their subsequent plans.

Current eligibility criteria

EDB lists both a last drawn fixed monthly salary of at least S$22,500 within the last year and at least five cumulative years of leadership experience within the past ten years. The experience must be in a qualifying technology company or technology venture-capital firm:

• A technology company valued at at least US$500 million or with at least US$30 million in funding; or
• A technology venture-capital firm with at least US$500 million in assets under management.

Check EDB’s full criteria, renewal requirements and transition guidance before planning an application. Our work-pass comparison explains the differences between the main routes.

The EntrePass is designed for foreign entrepreneurs, innovators, and investors seeking to establish venture-backed businesses or those possessing innovative technologies in Singapore.

Eligibility For EntrePass

To be eligible for the pass, applicants must satisfy both of the following conditions:

• Have started, or intend to start, a private limited company that is:
  • Registered with ACRA (Pass holder must hold at least 30% of registered company)
  • Venture-backed or owns innovative technologies.

• Meet at least one of the following criteria below:

The Singapore Work Permit is a labor permit issued by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) to employers for hiring foreign workers in lower-skilled or unskilled roles across various industries. Eligible foreign nationals are restricted to specific countries.

Unlike professional roles, which typically require Employment Passes or S Passes, Work Permits cater to the blue-collar workforce. Companies are subject to quotas and levies for Work Permit holders to manage the foreign workforce effectively.

Eligibility For Work Permit

To be eligible for Work Permit, applicants must satisfy the following conditions:

• Age Limit: Singapore Work Permit holders must be at least 18 years old. Malaysians can work up to age 58, while non-Malaysians can work up to age 50.
• Skill Categorization: Applicants must provide educational or trade certifications to determine their skill level (skilled or unskilled). Skill level directly impacts the monthly levy amount.
• Mandatory Insurance: Employers must secure work injury insurance coverage for all foreign workers.
• Employment Act Compliance: Employers are responsible for adhering to employment terms and conditions outlined in the Employment Act, ensuring fair treatment for foreign workers.
• Housing Provision: Suitable accommodation must be provided for all foreign workers.
• Repatriation Costs: Employers bear the cost of repatriating foreign workers upon Work Permit expiration.