Work Visas in Singapore
Reviewed by the Commoner Law Editorial Team. Sourced from Singapore Acts of Parliament, subsidiary legislation, and official government guidance. Written in plain language for general understanding — this is educational content, not legal advice. Our editorial standards
What is this right?
Singapore offers three main tiers of work passes, each targeting different skill and salary levels. All work passes are employer-tied — you cannot apply on your own.
Employment Pass (EP):
- For: Foreign professionals, managers, executives, and specialists.
- Minimum salary: $5,600/month (higher for older and more experienced candidates — up to $10,700 for those in their mid-40s). Financial services sector minimum is $5,600 with progressively higher thresholds.
- COMPASS framework (from September 2023): EP applications are scored on a points system evaluating four foundational criteria — salary benchmarked against local PMET salaries, qualifications, company diversity (share of EP holders by nationality), and support for local employment. Plus two bonus criteria — Skills Bonus (occupation on the Shortage Occupation List) and Strategic Economic Priorities. You need 40 points to pass.
- Duration: Up to 2 years initially, up to 3 years on renewal.
- Application fee: $105 per application. Issuance fee: $225.
S Pass:
- For: Mid-skilled foreign workers with relevant qualifications and experience.
- Minimum salary: $3,150/month ($3,650 for financial services). Higher for older candidates.
- Quota: Employers can hire S Pass holders up to 10% to 18% of total workforce (varies by sector).
- Levy: Employer pays $650/month per S Pass holder.
- Duration: Up to 2 years initially, up to 3 years on renewal.
Work Permit:
- For: Semi-skilled workers in construction, manufacturing, marine shipyard, process, services, and domestic work.
- No minimum salary, but employer must comply with EFMA conditions on housing, medical care, and salary payment.
- Workers must be from approved source countries — the list varies by sector.
- Levy: $300 to $950/month depending on sector and quota tier.
- Duration: Up to 2 years, renewable subject to age limits (varies by nationality and sector).
Overseas Networks & Expertise (ONE) Pass:
- For: Top-tier talent across business, arts, sciences, academia, and sports.
- Minimum salary: S$30,000/month fixed monthly salary (earned at a senior position in the last year, or to be earned with a Singapore-based employer). Salary criterion is waived for outstanding achievers with significant standing in their field.
- Key benefit: Not tied to any single employer — holders can concurrently start, operate, or work for multiple companies in Singapore.
- Duration: 5 years, renewable.
EntrePass:
- For: Foreign entrepreneurs who want to start and operate an innovative, venture-backed or technology-intensive business in Singapore.
- Requirements: Must meet at least one of: being an entrepreneur (funded by a recognised VC/business angel), an innovator (holding relevant IP or collaborating with an A*STAR or research institution), or an investor with a strong track record.
- Duration: 1 year initially, renewable every 2 years subject to meeting renewal benchmarks (local hiring and business spend).
Tech.Pass:
- For: Established technology entrepreneurs, leaders, and experts; targeted at highly accomplished tech talent.
- Criteria: Must meet at least two of three — fixed monthly salary in last year of at least S$22,500, 5+ years of leading experience in a tech product or role at a company with valuation/capital of at least US$500m or US$30m funding, 5+ years leading a tech product with at least 100,000 monthly active users or US$100m in revenue.
- Key benefit: Like ONE Pass, not tied to a single employer — can start companies, be directors, invest, mentor, lecture, or work concurrently.
- Duration: 2 years initially, renewable for 2 more years based on benchmarks.
Processing times: EP applications typically take 3 to 8 weeks. S Pass and Work Permit applications typically take 1 to 3 weeks. ONE Pass and Tech.Pass applications typically take 4 to 8 weeks.
When does it apply?
- You have a job offer from a Singapore-registered company and the employer is willing to apply for a work pass on your behalf.
- You meet the minimum salary threshold for the applicable pass type.
- For EP, you have acceptable qualifications (typically a degree from a reputable university) and your application meets the COMPASS threshold.
- For Work Permits, you are from an approved source country for the relevant sector.
What to Do If You Want to Work in Singapore and Need to Choose the Right Work Visa
- Verify your employer has submitted the application before you start work — working without a valid pass is a criminal offence under EFMA with penalties of up to $20,000 and/or 2 years imprisonment.
- Use MOM's self-assessment tool (SAT) online to check whether you are likely to qualify for an EP before your employer applies.
- Collect your pass card at MOM after arriving in Singapore on the In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter.
- Understand your pass conditions — you can only work for the employer named on your pass. Freelancing or side jobs are not permitted without a Letter of Consent.
- If your employment ends, you have a Short-Term Visit Pass (up to 30 days) to find new employment or leave Singapore.
What should you NOT do?
- Don't start working before the pass is issued — both you and the employer face criminal penalties.
- Don't engage in any work not covered by your pass — this includes freelancing, running a side business, or working for a different employer.
- Don't agree to salary kickbacks — if your employer asks you to return part of your salary to help them meet quota costs, report this to MOM. It is illegal.
- Don't overstay after your pass is cancelled — overstaying is a criminal offence. After 90 days of overstaying, male offenders face mandatory imprisonment and caning.
- Don't surrender your passport to your employer — this is illegal under EFMA.
Common Questions
What are the main Singapore work pass tiers?
Three: the Employment Pass (EP) for professionals, managers and executives (min S$5,600/month, scored under COMPASS with a 40-point pass mark); the S Pass for mid-skilled workers (min S$3,150/month, subject to 10-18% quota); and the Work Permit for semi-skilled workers in construction, manufacturing, marine, process, services and domestic work (no minimum salary, approved-source-country list).
What is Singapore's ONE Pass?
The Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass — for top-tier talent across business, arts, sciences, academia, and sports. Minimum fixed monthly salary of S$30,000, waived for outstanding achievers. Key benefit: not tied to any single employer. Holders can start, operate, or work for multiple companies in Singapore. 5-year duration, renewable.
How long does a Singapore work pass take to process?
EP applications typically take 3-8 weeks; S Pass and Work Permit 1-3 weeks; ONE Pass and Tech.Pass 4-8 weeks. EP application fee is S$105, issuance S$225. Use MOM's self-assessment tool (SAT) online to check EP qualification before your employer applies. Never start work before the pass is issued — penalties are up to S$20,000 and 2 years' imprisonment.
When does it apply — work visas?
You have a job offer from a Singapore-registered company and the employer is willing to apply for a work pass on your behalf.You meet the minimum salary threshold for the applicable pass type.For EP, you have acceptable qualifications (typically a degree from a reputable university) and your application meets the COMPASS threshold.For Work Permits, you are from an approved source country for the relevant sector.
What should I do if I have been offered a job in Singapore and need to figure out which MOM work pass I should apply for?
Verify your employer has submitted the application before you start work — working without a valid pass is a criminal offence under EFMA with penalties of up to $20,000 and/or 2 years imprisonment.Use MOM's self-assessment tool (SAT) online to check whether you are likely to qualify for an EP before your employer applies.Collect your pass card at MOM after arriving in Singapore on the In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter.Understand your pass conditions — you can only work for the employer named on your pass. Freelancing or side jobs are not permitted without a Letter of Consent.If your employmen...
What should you NOT do — work visas?
Don't start working before the pass is issued — both you and the employer face criminal penalties.Don't engage in any work not covered by your pass — this includes freelancing, running a side business, or working for a different employer.Don't agree to salary kickbacks — if your employer asks you to return part of your salary to help them meet quota costs, report this to MOM. It is illegal.Don't overstay after your pass is cancelled — overstaying is a criminal offence. After 90 days of overstaying, male offenders face mandatory imprisonment and caning.Don't surrender your passport to your empl...