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EP vs S Pass vs PEP vs Tech.Pass: Singapore Work-Pass Comparison
Reviewed by Elena Kwa, MOM-Licensed Immigration Consultant (EA Personnel No. R23118902), TIP EA Licence No. 23C1941
EP, S Pass, PEP and Tech.Pass serve different employment and career situations. Compare the permitted activities and ongoing obligations before deciding which route to assess. A more flexible pass is not automatically available or more appropriate.
Work-pass comparison at a glance
| Pass | Main assessment | Important distinction |
|---|---|---|
| Employment Pass | Qualifying salary and COMPASS unless exempt | Employer-sponsored professional employment |
| S Pass | Candidate eligibility and employer quota | Employer pays a monthly levy |
| Personalised Employment Pass | High-income eligibility and continuing conditions | Job flexibility, with restrictions on business activity |
| Tech.Pass | EDB income and leadership criteria | Application transition in January 2027 |
Employment Pass: assess the job and employer together
The EP qualifying salary starts at S$5,600 outside financial services and S$6,200 in financial services, increasing with age. Announced starting amounts of S$6,000/S$6,600 apply to new applications from 1 January 2027 and renewals of passes expiring from 1 January 2028. Check MOM’s full EP eligibility rules.
A job offer is the starting point for assessing this route. Ask HR to review the candidate and employer requirements together. For the specific question of education, see our work-pass guide for applicants without a degree.
S Pass: check quota alongside eligibility
The S Pass is employer-sponsored. Qualification declaration is optional, but the applicable salary and employer quota requirements still matter. A new employer must apply for a new pass.
Read our S Pass eligibility, salary and fees guide for the detailed requirements and our DRC and quota guide for employer planning. Check quota before making assumptions based on the candidate’s salary alone.
PEP: flexibility with continuing conditions
The PEP requires fixed monthly earnings of at least S$22,500. For overseas professionals, the last drawn salary must be within six months of applying. Current applicants must maintain at least S$270,000 fixed annual salary and cannot remain unemployed for more than six months. Freelancing and entrepreneurial activity are not permitted. See MOM’s PEP conditions and exclusions.
Review whether your intended career plan fits these obligations. Someone planning to operate a business should not assume that freedom to change employers also permits entrepreneurship.
Tech.Pass and the announced ONE Pass transition
EDB’s current Tech.Pass criteria combine a last drawn fixed monthly salary of at least S$22,500 within the past year with at least five cumulative years in a qualifying leadership role, within the past ten years. The company or venture-capital firm must meet EDB’s scale criteria.
From 28 January 2027, new and renewal Tech.Pass applications will no longer be accepted. EDB states that the new ONE Pass AI and Tech track will replace it. Existing holders may remain on their approved pass until expiry. Check EDB’s Tech.Pass criteria and transition guidance before planning an application or renewal.
Do not rely on older descriptions of a two-out-of-three eligibility test. Compare the current criteria and transition timing against your actual experience and planned activities.
How to compare the routes for your situation
- Define the activity: a salaried role, changing employers, operating a business or combining activities.
- Check eligibility: use current official criteria rather than a pass name or job title.
- Check the employer: identify quota and other company-side requirements where applicable.
- Review ongoing obligations: consider income, employment and activity restrictions.
- Plan the timeline: account for the intended application date and announced policy changes.
Frequently asked questions
Which pass is easiest to obtain?
There is no reliable universal answer. Assess the route that matches the proposed activity and satisfies the applicable requirements.
Does a work pass guarantee permanent residence?
No. Do not choose a work pass on the basis of a promised PR outcome; permanent residence is a separate application and assessment.
What happens after an S Pass is approved?
Follow our S Pass IPA and issuance checklist. Approval, issuance and receiving the physical card are separate stages.
Discuss your application with TIP
Visit our work-pass application service page with details of the intended role or business activity. We can discuss what assistance is appropriate for the route being considered.
Guidance checked on 28 September 2026. Effective policy dates are retained to distinguish current rules from announced changes.
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