Immigration Rights
Employment Pass, S Pass, Work Permit, Permanent Residence, Dependant's Pass, employment dispute rights for foreign workers, and deportation protections under Singapore law.
Covered in this guide:
If you want to work in Singapore, ICA and MOM run the system under the Immigration Act (Cap. 133) and the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (Cap. 91A). The Employment Pass needs S$5,600/month plus COMPASS points; the S Pass S$3,150/month with quota and levy; Work Permits cover semi-skilled roles. Permanent Residence is fully discretionary, and citizenship opens after at least 2 years of PR. Employers can't collect kickbacks or retain your passport — those are criminal offences. Disputes go to TADM mediation, then the Employment Claims Tribunals.
Key Laws
Immigration Act
Cap. 133, 2008 Rev. Ed.
Entry, stay, departure, permanent residence, and removal of persons
Employment of Foreign Manpower Act
Cap. 91A, 2009 Rev. Ed.
Work pass framework, employer obligations, penalties for offences
Citizenship Act (Constitution of Singapore)
Part X, Constitution of the Republic of Singapore
Citizenship by birth, descent, registration, and naturalisation
Employment of Foreign Manpower (Work Passes) Regulations
S 569/2012
EP, S Pass, Work Permit conditions, COMPASS framework
Employment Pass (EP)
The Employment Pass (EP) is Singapore's work visa for foreign professionals, managers, and executives:Eligibility: Minimum fixed monthly salary of $5,600 (as of September 2023; higher for older, more...
S Pass
The S Pass is for mid-level skilled foreign workers:Eligibility: Minimum fixed monthly salary of $3,150 (as of September 2023; higher for financial services sector at $3,650). Must have relevant quali...
Work Permit
The Work Permit is for semi-skilled foreign workers in specific sectors:Sectors: Construction, manufacturing, marine shipyard, process, services, and domestic work (Foreign Domestic Workers / FDWs).No...
Permanent Residence (PR)
Singapore Permanent Residence (PR) status is granted at the discretion of the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA):Who can apply: EP/S Pass holders, spouses and children of SCs or PRs, investor...
Dependant's Pass and Long-Term Visit Pass
Family members of work pass holders can stay in Singapore on a Dependant's Pass (DP) or Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP):Dependant's Pass — minimum sponsor salary S$6,000/month (effective 1 September 2023,...
Foreign Worker Employment Disputes
Foreign workers in Singapore have the same employment rights as local workers under the Employment Act:Salary claims: You can file a claim with TADM/ECT for unpaid salary, overtime, or other contractu...
Student Pass
Foreign students enrolled in full-time courses in Singapore need a Student Pass:Eligibility: You must be enrolled in a full-time course at an institution approved by the Ministry of Education or other...
Deportation and Removal
The Singapore government has broad powers to deport or remove foreign nationals:Removal (s31): The Controller of Immigration can order removal of any person who enters or remains unlawfully, or who is...