Work Pass Application

The Work Pass Application is designed for people wanting to immigrate to Singapore with the required skillset, education, and experience to work in the country. The eligibility requirements and features for all the passes differ, so you will have to see which one fits the best to your need before making a decision.

S Pass

As long as you are earning a fixed monthly salary of at least $3,000, which is benchmarking against the top one-third of Singapore local associate professionals and technicians (APT) salaries by age

The S Pass is for skilled foreign employees who:

- - Have a job offer in Singapore.
  - Earn a fixed monthly salary that is benchmarked against the top one-third of the local APT workforce by age, as shown below:

Sector	For new applications submitted on or after 1 Sep 2022 / From 1 Sep 2023 for renewals	From 1 Sep 2023 for new applications / From 1 Sep 2024 for renewals	From 1 Sep 2025 for new applications / From 1 Sep 2026 for renewals
All (except financial services)	$3,000 (increases progressively with age from age 23, up to $4,500 at age 45 and above)	$3,150 (increases progressively with age from age 23, up to $4,650 at age 45 and above)	At least $3,300 (to be finalised)
Financial services	$3,500 (increases progressively with age from age 23, up to $5,500 at age 45 and above)	$3,650 (increases progressively with age from age 23, up to $5,650 at age 45 and above)	At least $3,800 (to be finalised)

Employment Pass

The Employment Pass is for foreign professionals across all nationalities or citizenship who:

- - Have a job offer in Singapore.
  - Work in a managerial, executive, or specialised job.
  - Have acceptable qualifications, usually a good university degree, professional qualifications, or specialised skills.
  - Earn a fixed monthly salary comparable to the top one-third of the local PMET workforce by age, as shown below:

Sector	Current minimum qualifying salary for new applications, and for renewals from 1 September 2023	Minimum qualifying salary for renewals before 1 September 2023
All (except financial services)	At least $5,000 (increases progressively with age from age 23, up to $10,500 at age 45 and above)	$4,500 (increases progressively with age from age 23, up to $8,400 at age 45 and above)
Financial services	At least $5,500 (increases progressively with age from age 23, up to $11,500 at age 45 and above)	$5,000 (increases progressively with age from age 23, up to $9,300 at age 45 and above)

Personalised Employment Pass

Eligibility and requirements for Personalised Employment Pass

Eligible high-earning foreign professionals can apply for a Personalised Employment Pass. Pass holders have greater job flexibility than with other work passes. However, they need to meet certain requirements to hold the pass.

You can apply for PEP if you are:

– An overseas foreign professional, and your last drawn fixed monthly salary overseas was at least $18,000. Your last drawn salary should have been within 6 months before you apply.
– An existing Employment Pass holder earning a fixed monthly salary of at least $12,000.

From 1 September 2023, the fixed monthly salary criteria for both existing EP holders and overseas foreign professionals will be raised to $22,500. This is benchmarked to the top 10% of EP holders.

You are not eligible for the PEP if you are:

– An Employment Pass holder under the sponsorship scheme.
– A freelancer or foreigner who intends to work on a freelance basis.
– A sole proprietor, partner or where a director is also a shareholder in an ACRA-registered company.
– A journalist, editor, sub-editor, or producer.

Note: You are not allowed to start a business or conduct any form of entrepreneurial activity while on a PEP. If you intend to do so, you should apply for an EntrePass or Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass.

You can apply for PEP if you are:

– An overseas foreign professional, and your last drawn fixed monthly salary overseas was at least $18,000. Your last drawn salary should have been within 6 months before you apply.
– An existing Employment Pass holder earning a fixed monthly salary of at least $12,000.

From 1 September 2023, the fixed monthly salary criteria for both existing EP holders and overseas foreign professionals will be raised to $22,500. This is benchmarked to the top 10% of EP holders.

You are not eligible for the PEP if you are:

– An Employment Pass holder under the sponsorship scheme.
– A freelancer or foreigner who intends to work on a freelance basis.
– A sole proprietor, partner or where a director is also a shareholder in an ACRA-registered company.
– A journalist, editor, sub-editor, or producer.

Requirements of the pass

To keep holding a PEP, you must:

Not be unemployed in Singapore for more than 6 months at any time. Otherwise, you will need to cancel the pass.
Earn a fixed salary of at least $144,000 per calendar year, regardless of the number of months you are in employment.

Note : If your PEP is approved after 1 September 2023, you must earn a fixed salary of at least $270,000 per calendar year.

Notify MOM of the following:

When you start or leave a job.
If you change your contact details, such as local contact person or address.
Your annual fixed salary. You need to declare your current year’s salary to MOM by 31 January of the following year.

EntrePass

EntrePass allows eligible foreign entrepreneurs to start and operate a business in Singapore that is venture-backed or possesses innovative technologies. The EntrePass has a 1 year validity period and subsequent 2 years renewal.

You can apply for an EntrePass if you meet both conditions:

- Have started, or intend to start, a private limited company registered with ACRA that is venture-backed or owns innovative technologies.
  - – If registered, the company must be less than 6 months old on the date you apply.
  - – If not registered, you can do so after you know the outcome of your application.
- Meet any of the following innovative criteria as an entrepreneur, innovator or investor. You do not need to meet all of the criteria for each respective profile, but having more qualifications would help your application.

Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass

Overseas Networks & Expertise (ONE) Pass is to entice top foreign talents in business, arts and culture, sports, as well as academia and research. The ONE pass has a 5 year validity period and is renewable.

Existing work pass holders and overseas candidates can apply if they meet either of the salary criteria below:

- Earn a fixed monthly salary of at least S$30,000, or its equivalent in foreign currency for the last year.
- Will earn a fixed monthly salary of at least S$30,000 under their prospective employer based in Singapore.

The fixed monthly salary of at least $30,000 should come from one employer. Other sources of income may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Individuals with outstanding achievements in the arts and culture, sports, as well as academia and research can qualify for Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass without meeting the salary criterion.

Individuals who have demonstrated a high level of achievement in scientific research or other academic research, with a proven record of impactful outcomes from research conducted (which may include international recognition of scientific and/or academic leadership) may apply under the academia and research track.

Applicants must submit a detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV) (including academic qualification, professional experiences and accomplishments), and letter(s) of endorsement by a local host research institution (i.e. Autonomous Universities/A*STAR) before they would be considered under the outstanding achievement track for academia and research.

The Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass is a personalised pass tied to the individual and gives greater employment flexibility:

You can concurrently start, operate, and work for multiple companies at any one time.
You do not need to reapply for a new pass if you change jobs.
Your spouse will be able to work on a Letter of Consent.

For overseas candidates who do not yet have a work pass, they must demonstrate that they have worked for an established company overseas for at least 1 year or that they will be working for an established company in Singapore.

Existing work pass holders must demonstrate that they have worked in Singapore for at least 1 year or will be working for a well-established company in Singapore.

A company must have a market capitalisation or valuation of at least US$500 million or annual revenue of at least US$200 million to be considered established.

Dependant’s Pass

Eligible work pass holders can bring certain family members to Singapore on a Dependant’s Pass (DP). The pass is valid for up to 2 years and is tied to the validity of the main work pass. An employer or appointed employment agent must apply on behalf of the candidate. You can apply for a Dependant’s Pass for your family if you meet all these requirements:

Hold an Employment Pass (EP), S Pass, Personalised Employment Pass (PEP), Overseas Networks & Expertise (ONE) Pass or EntrePass.
Earn a minimum fixed monthly salary of $6,000. This is based on your salary, and not based on your combined household income.
Are sponsored by an established, Singapore-registered company (usually your employer).

You can get a pass for the following family members:

Legally married spouse.
Unmarried children under 21 years old, including legally adopted children.

If your family members are not eligible for a Dependant’s Pass, they may qualify for a Long-Term Visit Pass. Dependant’s Pass holders can get an Employment Pass (EP), S Pass or Work Permit if they wish to work in Singapore. The prospective employer must submit an application on their behalf, and the relevant qualifying salaries, quotas and levies of the respective work passes will apply. Eligible Dependant’s Pass holders who wish to operate a business can apply for a Letter of Consent for DP holders who are business owners. Dependant’s Pass holders do not need to obtain a work pass to participate in volunteer activities if:

No payment is involved.
The activities are for a charitable purpose.

Dependant’s Pass (DP) holders who get an EP or S Pass will be granted the work and stay privileges associated with an EP or S Pass. As their stay in Singapore is no longer dependent on the main pass holder, they will no longer require a DP, and their DP will need to be cancelled before their EP or S Pass gets issued. Dependant’s Pass (DP) holders who get a Work Permit:

Are required to hold on to both the DP and Work Permit. The Work Permit’s validity period will be tied to that of the DP.
Can be of all nationalities/citizenships (i.e. source requirements are waived)
Are not subject to the six-monthly medical examination, security bond or pregnancy restrictions.
Do not need medical insurance from their employers if they are already covered under a medical insurance plan that meets MOM’s prevailing minimum mandatory insurance coverage requirement.