Singapore Work Visa 2026: Employment Pass and S Pass
What people call a Singapore work visa is officially a work pass. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) says all foreigners who intend to work in Singapore must have a valid pass, commonly known as a work visa, before they start work. This guide covers the two passes MOM lists for professionals and skilled workers: the Employment Pass for professionals, managers and executives, and the S Pass for skilled workers. In both cases the employer applies, not you. This guide sets out the salary floors, the points test, the fees and the steps from MOM's own pages, as read on 13 October 2026, including the higher salary floors that apply from 1 January 2027.
Quick answer
For an Employment Pass you need a fixed monthly salary of at least $5,600 in Singapore dollars ($6,200 in financial services), rising with age to $10,700 at 45 and above, and your application must earn 40 points under COMPASS. For an S Pass the minimum is $3,300. An employer or appointed employment agent applies online. For an Employment Pass, the fee is $105 to apply and $225 when the pass is issued; for an S Pass it is $105 to apply and $100 when issued. The application is processed or given an update within 10 business days. A first pass lasts up to 2 years. For new applications from 1 January 2027 the floors rise to $6,000 and $3,600.
Which pass fits you
| Pass | Who it is for | Key figure |
|---|---|---|
| Employment Pass | Foreign professionals, managers and executives with a job offer in Singapore | At least $5,600 a month, plus COMPASS |
| S Pass | Skilled workers | At least $3,300 a month |
| Personalised Employment Pass | High-earning Employment Pass holders or overseas foreign professionals | Fixed monthly salary of at least $22,500 |
| Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass | Top talent in business, arts and culture, sports, academia and research | Fixed monthly salary of at least S$30,000 |
| EntrePass | Foreign entrepreneurs starting a business that is venture-backed or possesses innovative technologies | No salary figure given on MOM's overview |
| Training Employment Pass | Foreign professionals undergoing practical training | At least $3,000 a month |
| Work Holiday Pass | Students and graduates aged 18 to 25, for 6 months | Australians and New Zealanders aged 18 to 30 get 12 months under a separate programme |
MOM also issues Work Permits for migrant workers in the construction, manufacturing, marine shipyard, process and services sectors, and for migrant domestic workers. Those follow different rules and are not covered here.
Employment Pass, stage 1: the qualifying salary
MOM runs a two-stage test. Stage 1 is the qualifying salary, which is benchmarked to the top one-third of local professional, manager, executive and technician (PMET) salaries by age. A candidate who does not meet stage 1 is not eligible, regardless of the points they would have scored in stage 2.
| Age | All sectors except financial services, now | From 1 January 2027 | Financial services, now | From 1 January 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 or below | $5,600 | $6,000 | $6,200 | $6,600 |
| 25 | $6,064 | $6,500 | $6,709 | $7,155 |
| 30 | $7,223 | $7,750 | $7,982 | $8,541 |
| 35 | $8,382 | $9,000 | $9,255 | $9,927 |
| 40 | $9,541 | $10,250 | $10,527 | $11,314 |
| 45 or above | $10,700 | $11,500 | $11,800 | $12,700 |
The 2027 column applies to new applications from 1 January 2027 and to renewals of passes expiring from 1 January 2028. MOM publishes the figure for every age from 23 to 45 on its eligibility page.
Employment Pass, stage 2: COMPASS
COMPASS is the Complementarity Assessment Framework, a points system. An application needs 40 points to pass. Four foundational criteria each score 0, 10 or 20 points, and two bonus criteria can add more.
| Criterion | 20 points | 10 points | 0 points |
|---|---|---|---|
| C1. Salary, against local PMET salaries in the sector | 90th percentile and above | 65th to less than 90th percentile | Below 65th percentile |
| C2. Qualifications | Degree-equivalent qualification from a top-tier institution on MOM's list | Other degree-equivalent qualifications | No degree-equivalent qualification |
| C3. Diversity: share of the candidate's nationality among the firm's PMETs | Less than 5% | 5% to less than 25% | 25% or more |
| C4. Support for local employment: the firm's local PMET share relative to its sector | 50th percentile and above | 20th to less than 50th percentile | Below 20th percentile |
- Small firms: an organisation with fewer than 25 PMETs scores 10 points by default on C3 and on C4.
- C5. Skills bonus: a job on the Shortage Occupation List earns 20 points, or 10 points if the candidate's nationality makes up one-third or more of the firm's PMETs.
- C6. Strategic Economic Priorities bonus: 10 points for firms that participate in, or meet the criteria for, at least one eligible programme.
- No degree: candidates without degree-equivalent qualifications can still pass by earning at least 40 points from other criteria.
MOM's first worked example shows the standard route to 40 points: a salary at the 70th percentile for the sector, a bachelor's degree from a foreign university that is not on the top-tier list, a nationality that forms 15% of the firm's PMETs, and a firm at the 40th percentile of its sector for local PMET share. Each criterion earns 10 points.
Who is exempt from COMPASS
- Candidates with a fixed monthly salary of at least $22,500
- Candidates applying as an overseas intra-corporate transferee
- Candidates filling a role for 1 month or less
The job must be advertised first
Before an employer submits an Employment Pass application, it must advertise the job on MyCareersFuture and consider all candidates fairly. The advertisement must stay open for at least 14 consecutive days, and the employer should not make a job offer during that period. The salary range must be visible, and the maximum cannot exceed two times the minimum.
MOM lists the cases where advertising is not required: the company has fewer than 10 employees, the fixed monthly salary is $22,500 and above, the role lasts not more than 1 month, or the role is filled by a local transferee or by a candidate applying as an overseas intra-corporate transferee.
S Pass: the route for skilled workers
| Age | All sectors except financial services, now | From 1 January 2027 | Financial services, now | From 1 January 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 or below | $3,300 | $3,600 | $3,800 | $4,000 |
| 30 | $3,777 | $4,077 | $4,389 | $4,525 |
| 40 | $4,459 | $4,759 | $5,230 | $5,275 |
| 45 or above | $4,800 | $5,100 | $5,650 | $5,650 |
The S Pass differs from the Employment Pass on three points:
- Quota: the number of S Pass holders a company can hire is capped at 10% of its total workforce in the services sector, and 15% in the construction, manufacturing, marine shipyard and process sectors.
- Levy: the employer pays a monthly levy for each S Pass holder. Since 1 September 2025 the rate has been $650 across all sectors and levy tiers.
- Medical insurance: employers must provide medical insurance for S Pass holders. For Employment Pass holders, employers can choose whether to provide it.
The Employment Pass carries no foreign worker levy or quota. Declaring qualifications is optional for an S Pass. MOM says that if its Self-Assessment Tool shows a candidate is eligible, there is around a 90% chance the candidate will get the pass.
How the application works, step by step
- The employer advertises the job on MyCareersFuture for at least 14 consecutive days, unless an exemption applies.
- The employer checks eligibility with MOM's Self-Assessment Tool. MOM says employers should not apply if the tool shows the candidate does not qualify.
- You give written consent. You do not need to be in Singapore when the employer applies.
- The employer or its employment agent applies online and pays the $105 fee. The application is processed or given an update within 10 business days.
- You receive the in-principle approval (IPA) letter. It is a pre-approved single-entry visa and gives you 6 months to enter Singapore and get the pass issued. It also states whether you need a medical examination.
- You travel to Singapore and show the IPA letter to the immigration officer.
- The employer gets the pass issued while you are in Singapore, paying $225 for the pass and, if applicable, $30 for a Multiple Journey Visa. A notification letter, valid for 1 month, lets you start work and travel in and out of Singapore while you wait for the card.
- If required, you register fingerprints and a photo at the Employment Pass Services Centre within 2 weeks after the pass is issued.
- The card is delivered within 5 working days after registration or document verification.
An overseas company without a Singapore-registered office has to apply through a local sponsor. MOM gives the processing time for those cases as within 6 weeks for most cases.
Fees and timing at a glance
| Item | Employment Pass |
|---|---|
| Application fee | $105 |
| Issuance fee | $225 for each Employment Pass, or $100 for each S Pass |
| Multiple Journey Visa, if applicable | $30 |
| Processing, online application | Processed or given an update within 10 business days |
| Processing, overseas company through a sponsor | Within 6 weeks for most cases |
| Time to enter Singapore and get the pass issued | 6 months from in-principle approval |
| Duration, first-time candidates | Up to 2 years |
| Duration, renewals | Up to 3 years |
An S Pass has the same durations: up to 2 years for a first-time candidate and up to 3 years on renewal. MOM adds that an S Pass can only be valid up to 1 month before your passport expires. Experienced tech professionals with skills in shortage may be eligible for a 5-year Employment Pass.
Bringing your family
Employment Pass and S Pass holders who earn a fixed monthly salary of at least $6,000 can bring family members. The test uses your own salary, not combined household income.
| Family member | Pass |
|---|---|
| Legally married spouse | Dependant's Pass |
| Unmarried children under 21, including legally adopted children | Dependant's Pass |
| Common-law spouse | Long-Term Visit Pass |
| Unmarried step-children under 21 | Long-Term Visit Pass |
| Parents, for Employment Pass holders earning at least $12,000 | Long-Term Visit Pass |
MOM's advice is to apply for family passes after the main pass is approved. You can apply at the same time, but you lose the application fee for each family pass if the Employment Pass is rejected.
Tax and pension contributions
- Income tax: the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) treats a foreigner as a tax resident after staying or working in Singapore for at least 183 days in the previous calendar year, and says foreigners issued with a work pass valid for at least 1 year will also be treated as tax residents. Resident rates are progressive, from 0% to 24%.
- Non-residents: employment income is taxed at a flat 15% or at the progressive resident rates, whichever gives the higher tax amount.
- Central Provident Fund (CPF): employers pay CPF contributions for employees who are Singapore Citizens or Singapore Permanent Residents. The CPF Board lists foreigners as exempt.
From a work pass to permanent residence
The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) lists holders of an Employment Pass or S Pass among the foreigners who may be eligible to apply for permanent residence. The application is made online with Singpass, and the fee at submission is S$100 for each application.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum salary for a Singapore work visa in 2026?
$5,600 a month for an Employment Pass, or $6,200 in financial services, rising with age to $10,700 and $11,800 at 45 and above. For an S Pass the minimum is $3,300, or $3,800 in financial services.
What changes on 1 January 2027?
For new applications from 1 January 2027, the Employment Pass minimum rises to $6,000 ($6,600 in financial services) and the S Pass minimum to $3,600 ($4,000 in financial services). The same figures apply to renewals of passes expiring from 1 January 2028.
Can I apply for a Singapore work pass myself?
Not for an Employment Pass or S Pass. An employer or appointed employment agent has to apply on your behalf. MOM says candidates who meet the criteria can apply directly for a Personalised Employment Pass, which requires a fixed monthly salary of at least $22,500.
How long does a Singapore Employment Pass take?
An online application is processed or given an update within 10 business days. Applications from overseas companies through a local sponsor take within 6 weeks for most cases.
How much does a Singapore Employment Pass cost?
$105 to apply and $225 for each pass when it is issued, plus $30 for a Multiple Journey Visa if applicable.
Do Indian citizens need a separate visa to enter Singapore for work?
ICA lists India among the countries whose travel document holders need an entry visa. MOM states that the in-principle approval letter for an Employment Pass is a pre-approved single-entry visa for the candidate to enter Singapore.
Can I change jobs on an S Pass?
If an S Pass holder changes jobs, the new employer has to apply for a new pass.
Official sources
- Ministry of Manpower — Work passes
- MOM — Eligibility for Employment Pass (qualifying salary and COMPASS)
- MOM — Key facts on Employment Pass
- MOM — Apply for an Employment Pass
- MOM — Consider all candidates fairly before you apply for an Employment Pass
- MOM — Passes for families of Employment Pass holders
- MOM — Eligibility for S Pass
- MOM — Key facts on S Pass
- MOM — S Pass quota and levy requirements
- MOM — Eligibility for Dependant's Pass
- MOM — Key facts on Personalised Employment Pass
- MOM — Key facts on Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass
- IRAS — Working out my tax residency
- IRAS — Individual income tax rates
- CPF Board — Who should receive CPF contributions
- ICA — Becoming a Permanent Resident
- ICA — Check if you need an entry visa
All figures verified against the official pages above on 13 October 2026. Amounts are in Singapore dollars. Salary floors, levies and fees change, so confirm the current figure with MOM before you rely on it. Information, not legal or tax advice.