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The minimum qualifying salaries start from SGD 5,600 per month and increase progressively with age.
The Employment Pass is designed for foreign professionals, managers, and executives.
To apply for an Employment Pass, the employer advertises the job per government rules, prepares the necessary documents, and submits the application online.
Hiring foreign talent for your company in Singapore? You’ll need a Singapore Employment Pass (EP). This pass is the route for foreign professionals, managers, and executives to live and work legally in Singapore.
With specific eligibility criteria, salary thresholds, and detailed application rules, navigating the process to get this pass can be a challenge.
That’s why this guide covers everything you need to know about the Singapore Employment Pass: how it differs from other passes, requirements, salary criteria, step-by-step application, and options for bringing the EP holder’s family into the country. Whether you’re an employer managing regulatory compliance or a candidate planning a relocation to the country, this guide provides a clear starting point.
An Employment Pass (EP) is a work visa issued by Singapore's Ministry of Manpower (MOM) to foreign professionals, managers, and company owners or directors to work and live in Singapore.
An Employment Pass is usually issued for up to 2 years and can be renewed for up to 3 years. In certain high-demand roles, eligible professionals may receive a 5-year pass. EP holders may also apply for Singapore Permanent Residence.
The Employment Pass is one type of work visa and is often confused with other work passes, such as the S Pass and Work Permit. Singapore issues different work passes based on job type and professional qualifications. The summary below highlights the key differences.
| Category | Employment Pass (EP) | S Pass | Work Permit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who it is for | Professionals, managers, executives, directors | Skilled workers | Workers in construction, manufacturing, marine shipyard, process, or services sectors |
| Minimum salary | From SGD 5,600 per month, varies by age | From SGD 3,300 per month | No fixed minimum salary |
| Pass duration | 2 to 5 years, renewable | Up to 2 years, renewable | Typically up to 2 years |
| Foreign Workers Levy | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Permanent Residence eligibility | Eligible to apply | Eligible to apply | Not eligible |
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) publishes a list of occupations that commonly qualify for an Employment Pass. This list serves as a general reference, but eligibility is assessed using several criteria beyond job title, including salary, qualifications, and workforce complementarity.
To be considered, a candidate must meet the minimum qualifying salary for their age group. The qualifying salary increases progressively with age, starting from SGD 5,600 per month.
For example, candidates aged 23 or below must earn at least SGD 5,600 per month, or SGD 6,200 for roles in the financial services sector. By the mid-30s, the minimum qualifying salary rises to approximately SGD 8,000 to SGD 8,500 per month. For candidates aged 45 and above, the minimum qualifying salary is SGD 10,700 per month.
|
| Age | EP qualifying salary (SGD) |
|---|---|
| 23 or below | 5,600 |
| 24 | 5,832 |
| 25 | 6,064 |
| 26 | 6,295 |
| 27 | 6,527 |
| 28 | 6,759 |
| 29 | 6,991 |
| 30 | 7,223 |
| 31 | 7,455 |
| 32 | 7,686 |
| 33 | 7,918 |
| 34 | 8,150 |
| 35 | 8,382 |
| 36 | 8,614 |
| 37 | 8,845 |
| 38 | 9,077 |
| 39 | 9,309 |
| 40 | 9,541 |
| 41 | 9,773 |
| 42 | 10,005 |
| 43 | 10,236 |
| 44 | 10,468 |
| 45 or above | 10,700 |
Candidates who do not meet the minimum salary requirement will be automatically disqualified.
If the salary requirement is met, candidates are then assessed on a combination of other factors, unless exempted. These include the following:
These factors are assessed under the points-based Complementarity Assessment Framework, also known as COMPASS.
Candidates are exempt from COMPASS if they have a fixed monthly salary of at least SGD 22,500, are applying as an overseas intra-corporate transferee, or are filling the role for one month or less.
You may also use the Employment Pass Self-Assessment Tool to estimate the likelihood of approval. The tool can indicate whether an application is likely to be rejected or have a high chance of passing, but it does not guarantee approval.
The Employment Pass (EP) is employer-sponsored. This means that the employer must submit the EP application, and a confirmed job offer must already be in place before the Employment Pass application can be lodged.
If the employer is an overseas company without a Singapore-registered entity, the application must be submitted through a local sponsor or an authorised agent.
Let’s look at the application process.
The employer must advertise the role on MyCareersFuture Singapore, a government job board, and consider candidates fairly in accordance with the Fair Consideration Framework. The advertisement must clearly state the salary and accurately reflect the role in the Employment Pass application.
The job listing must be open for at least 14 consecutive days. Employment Pass applications may be rejected if MOM decide that advertisements are discriminatory or inaccurate.
Job advertising requirement is exempted if any of the following conditions apply:
Before applying for a work pass, the employer must obtain written consent from the foreign employee. This protects the interests of both parties in the event of a dispute.
The MOM considers any document that shows the foreigner’s agreement to be employed as valid written consent, such as a signed employment contract. There is no fixed format for this consent, but verbal agreement is not accepted.
You will need the following documents.
Additional documents are required for certain professions, such as healthcare professionals, lawyers, and employees in food establishments. The list can be obtained from the relevant professional bodies, for example, the Medical Council for doctors. In general, additional supporting documents may also be required by the government.
Note: Any non-English documents must be officially translated into English.
If the company is registered in Singapore, the employer is the one submitting the application. For companies not registered in Singapore, a local sponsor is required to submit it. Candidates do not need to be in Singapore at the time of this submission.
Applications are submitted through the Employment Pass (EP) eService on myMOM Portal. Provide the required information, supporting documents, and pay the SGD 105 fee via GIRO, Visa, Mastercard®, or Amex.
Online applications are typically processed within 10 business days. For overseas companies without a Singapore-registered entity, most applications are processed within 8 weeks. You can track the application status within the eService.
If you are required to submit additional documents, go to the eService portal, select “Work Passes”, then “Application record”, and finally “Submit documents”.
What if the application is rejected? Check the rejection advisory in EP eService. You have 3 months to appeal a rejected Employment Pass application, and you should only appeal if you can address the reasons for rejection.
A successful application will receive an In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter from MOM. The employer should send a copy of the IPA to the candidate. The IPA serves as a pre-approved single-entry visa, allowing the candidate to enter Singapore to complete the final formalities for their Employment Pass.
Only bring in candidates after the pass has been approved, as the visit pass cannot be extended if they arrive before approval.
The candidate should verify that their overseas vaccination records are up to date in the National Immunisation Registry (NIR) and ensure they meet the latest travel and entry regulations.
Upon arrival, the candidate will need to present the IPA letter to the immigration officer and complete any required medical examinations.
Once the candidate is in Singapore, log in to EP eService to submit the required information and documents, then pay SGD 225 via GIRO, Visa, Mastercard®, or Amex.
After the pass is issued, both the candidate and employer receive an email valid for one month, allowing the candidate to work and travel while waiting for the pass card and noting if fingerprints or photos are required.
In this process, you’ll need to provide the following.
You may also need PDF copies of the following:
Check the notification letter to see if the candidate must register fingerprints and a photo. If required, registration must be completed within 2 weeks of the pass being issued.
To do this, book an appointment with the EPSC (the Employment Pass Services Centre), and bring:
At the EPSC, the candidate will register fingerprints and a photo, and set up a Singpass account to access the digital work pass.
MOM will deliver the card to the given address within 5 working days after the candidate registers and documents are verified at EPSC. Authorised recipients will receive an SMS or email with delivery details at least 1 working day before delivery.
Employers or employment agents can also check the card delivery details via EP eService.
To collect the card, the candidate must show their passport or digital work pass. An authorised person must show their NRIC, FIN, or passport. If the card is not received within 5 working days, check that the correct documents were uploaded.
In the event of 2 unsuccessful deliveries, the candidate or an authorised person can collect the card at EPSC after three working days without an appointment.
Note: Each Employment Pass is tied to a specific employer. A new application is required when changing jobs, without the need to cancel the current pass, as long as the employee remains employed by the same employer. However, the Employment Pass must be cancelled within one week after the employee’s last day of notice.
Employment Pass holders can bring certain family members to Singapore if they meet specific eligibility criteria.
Eligibility requirements:
Eligible family members and their required passes:
Note: When an employee leaves, the Employment Pass must be cancelled and the card returned. All related passes, including Long-Term Visit Passes, Dependant’s Passes, and the Letter of Consent, will also be cancelled.
An Employment Pass (EP) can be renewed up to 6 months before it expires. The renewal must be submitted using the EP renewal application form by the employer or an appointed Employment Agent (EA). A renewed EP can be issued for up to 3 years, with an issuance fee of $225.
Renewing early will not affect the remaining validity of the current pass, as the new pass only starts after the existing one expires. If you miss the renewal deadline, you will need to submit a new EP application.
To qualify for renewal, the candidate must meet the EP qualifying salary, continue working in a specialised role with the same employer, and satisfy the COMPASS requirements.
The Employment Pass applies when a business owner hires global talent to work in Singapore. Employers should assess role suitability, salary alignment, and documentation early, as these factors directly affect approval outcomes and processing time, which can be lengthy. Planning from the hiring stage helps minimise delays. Employment Pass applications submitted through a Singapore-registered company are generally processed faster than those involving foreign-registered entities.
