Snapshot of Singapore Work Passes, Permits and Visas
This guide provides an insight into the different types of Singapore Work Pass and Visas, including the Employment Pass, EntrePass, Personalised Employment Pass, S Pass, ONE Pass, Tech.Pass and Work Permit. In addition, you will also learn about the Dependant’s Pass and Long Term Visit Pass for eligible dependants, as well as short-term work passes such as the Work Holiday Programme permit, Training Employment Pass, and Training Work Permit.
| Pass, Permit or Programme | Type of Applicants | Examples of Eligibility Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| Employment Pass also known as EP or E-Pass | Professionals, Managers, Managing Directors, Executives or Specialists |
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| Entrepreneur Pass (EntrePass) | Foreign entrepreneurs setting up new businesses in Singapore |
|
| Personalised Employment Pass (PEP) | Professionals, Managers, Executives or Specialists | Overseas foreign professional whose last drawn fixed monthly salary overseas was at least $18,000 ($22,500 from 1st Sept 2023*).
Current Employment Pass holders
*If your PEP is approved after 1 September 2023, you must earn a fixed salary of at least $270,000 per calendar year. THE FOLLOWING CANDIDATES ARE NOT ELIGIBLE for PEP:
|
| S Pass | Mid-level skilled workers (e.g. Technicians) |
|
| ONE Pass | The Overseas Expertise Network (ONE) Pass targets top talents from all around the world in the fields of:
|
Successful ONE Pass recipients will be granted the unique advantage of holding positions at multiple companies concurrently in Singapore, without the need for reapplication during job changes. Furthermore, their spouses can also be employed in Singapore by obtaining a Letter of Consent (LOC).
Individuals eligible for the ONE Pass can choose between two application routes. The first one would be meeting specific salary requirements, involving either of the subsequent conditions for existing work permit holders and applicants from abroad:
Existing work permit holders and overseas applicants are also required to showcase a minimum of 1 year of work experience in Singapore or confirm future employment with a reputable Singaporean company. Alternatively, outstanding achievements in the aforementioned sectors can also be a pathway to qualifying for the ONE Pass. |
| Tech.Pass | Tech.Pass offers a two‑year visa for distinguished tech experts, entrepreneurs, and innovators. |
Holders can engage in various capacities, such as:
Changing roles does not require a new pass application. To qualify for the Tech.Pass, applicants must meet any two of the subsequent criteria:
|
| Work Permit for foreign Worker | Semi-skilled or unskilled foreign workers in the construction, manufacturing, marine shipyard, process or services sector. |
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| Work Permit for foreign domestic worker | Semi-skilled or unskilled foreign domestic workers (FDWs) to work in Singapore. |
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Work Holiday Programme Foreign undergraduates or graduates between 17 and 30 years of age from universities in these countries:
- Australia
- France
- Germany
- Hong Kong
- Japan
- New Zealand
- United Kingdom
- United States
| Pass, Permit or Programme | Type of Applicants |
|---|---|
| Training Employment Pass | Foreigners undergoing practical training attachments for professional, managerial, executive or specialist jobs |
| Training Work Permit | Semi-skilled or unskilled foreign trainees (e.g. foreign students studying in Singapore) who wish to undergo training in Singapore |
| Dependant’s Pass (DP) and Letter of Consent (LOC) |
|
| Long Term Visit Pass | EP holders who earn S$6,000 may bring:
EP holders who earn S$12,000 or more may bring:
|
FAQs
- Work passes such as EP, S Pass and Work Permit holders in Singapore are usually valid to stay for 1-2 years and can be renewed after. If foreign workers are laid off without any notice period before the last date of employment, they will be issued a 30-day Short Term Visit Pass (STVP), which will allow them to temporarily stay in Singapore.
- You need to meet the Work Permit requirements, including medical insurance, security bond, quota and levy. Foreign worker under Work Permit is meant for unskilled or semi-skilled workers in the construction, manufacturing, marine, process, or services sector. The foreign worker must come from one of the MOM’s specified source countries, which vary by sector.
- Yes, although there is no quota for Employment Pass, it still has strict restrictions as the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) will review each application based on several factors such as the applicant’s qualifications, salary, academic qualification, years of experience in that industry, the level of skills required and company’s merit. Employers are strongly encouraged to advertise all job vacancies on the Jobs Bank to reach out to as many eligible job applicants as possible.
- The foreign worker quota for a company is determined based on the CPF account of the company. Employers can use the MOM calculator to plan the number of Work Permit and S Pass holders the company can hire based on their sector and workforce.
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