Singapore Work Pass Salary & Requirements 2026

Are you looking at Singapore to start a business, work or bring employees?

Singapore does not have one single "work visa". Instead, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has a range of work passes designed for different categories of foreign professionals, entrepreneurs, skilled workers, trainees and domestic workers.

At one end are passes such as the Employment Pass (EP) and S Pass, which cover a large part of Singapore's professional and skilled foreign workforce.

At the other end are specialized talent passes such as the Personalized Employment Pass (PEP) and Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass (ONE Pass), designed to give Singapore greater flexibility in attracting highly paid or globally recognized talent.

There are also Work Permits for migrant workers, migrant domestic workers and confinement nannies, as well as passes for trainees and young people on work-holiday programmes.

And there are important changes coming in 2027, including higher EP and S Pass salary thresholds and the replacement of Tech.Pass with a new AI and Tech track under ONE Pass. (Ministry of Manpower)

The Singapore Work Pass System at a Glance

Here is the easiest way to understand the system.

MOM's current work-pass framework includes these categories as well as family-related passes and work-pass exemptions. (Ministry of Manpower)

Employment Pass — Singapore's Main Professional Work Pass

The Employment Pass (EP) is the primary work pass for foreign professionals, managers, executives and technicians working in Singapore.

It is generally the pass people think about when an international professional receives a Singapore job offer.

Who is it designed for?

The EP is aimed at foreign professionals who are being hired into professional, managerial, executive or technical roles.

The employer must apply for the candidate, or use an appointed employment agent.

Salary requirement

The current minimum qualifying salary starts at:

• S$5,600/month for most sectors
• S$6,200/month for financial services

The threshold increases progressively with age.

For candidates aged 45 and above, the current minimum reaches:

• S$10,700/month outside financial services
• S$11,800/month in financial services

This is important: S$5,600 is not the salary requirement for every EP candidate. An older candidate faces a higher age-adjusted threshold. (Ministry of Manpower)

COMPASS

Meeting the salary threshold is only Stage 1.

Unless exempted, an EP application must also pass the Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS).

COMPASS assesses factors including salary, qualifications, nationality diversity and the employer's support for local employment, with additional bonus criteria in certain circumstances.

An EP application generally needs 40 points to pass COMPASS. Candidates earning at least S$22,500 fixed monthly salary are among those exempted from COMPASS. (Ministry of Manpower)

Who applies?

The employer or appointed employment agent applies for the EP.

Duration

• First application: up to 2 years
• Renewal: up to 3 years

Some experienced technology professionals in shortage occupations can qualify for a 5-year EP. (Ministry of Manpower)

S Pass — For Skilled Associate Professionals and Technicians

The S Pass sits below the EP in Singapore's work-pass framework and is designed for skilled foreign workers classified as Associate Professionals and Technicians (APTs).

It is not simply a "lower salary EP".

The S Pass is subject to employer quota and levy requirements, which makes the employer's workforce composition an important part of the application.

Current salary requirement

For most sectors:

S$3,300/month minimum, increasing progressively with age to S$4,800 for candidates aged 45 and above.

For financial services:

S$3,800/month minimum, increasing with age to S$5,650 for candidates aged 45 and above. (Ministry of Manpower)

Who applies?

The employer or appointed employment agent applies.

Other requirements

The employer must:

• Have sufficient S Pass quota
• Pay the applicable levy
• Meet the relevant employment requirements
• Provide required medical insurance

S Pass holders can bring eligible family members if they meet the separate family-pass salary requirements. (Ministry of Manpower)

Personalised Employment Pass — For High-Earning Professionals

The Personalised Employment Pass (PEP) is designed for high-earning professionals who want considerably more flexibility than a normal EP.

Salary requirement

You generally need:

S$22,500 fixed monthly salary

This benchmark is pegged to the top 10% of EP holders.

For an overseas professional, the relevant last-drawn salary must generally have been earned within the six months before applying. (Ministry of Manpower)

Why is the PEP different?

Unlike an EP, the PEP is not tied to a specific employer.

A PEP holder can:

• Change jobs without applying for a new work pass
• Work in different sectors, subject to professional registration requirements
• Remain in Singapore for up to six months while looking for a new job

However, the PEP is not an entrepreneurship pass. PEP holders cannot start or operate a business while holding the PEP. (Ministry of Manpower)

Important condition

PEP holders must remain employed and meet the annual salary requirement.

They must cancel the pass if they remain unemployed for more than six months. They must also earn at least S$270,000 in fixed salary per calendar year under the current rules. (Ministry of Manpower)

The PEP can be issued for up to 3 years and is not renewable.

Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass — ONE Pass

The ONE Pass is aimed at Singapore's highest-level global talent.

It is deliberately broader and more flexible than the EP.

It targets top talent in areas including:

• Business
• Arts and culture
• Sports
• Academia and research
• AI and technology

Salary route

A candidate can generally qualify by having earned:

S$30,000 fixed monthly salary for 12 consecutive months

or by having a prospective Singapore employer offering at least S$30,000/month, subject to the employer meeting the relevant requirements.

There is also an exceptional-achievement route for candidates with outstanding achievements in sports, arts and culture, or academia and research. (Ministry of Manpower)

What makes ONE Pass different?

ONE Pass holders can:

• Work for multiple companies
• Change jobs without applying for a new work pass
• Start and operate businesses
• Work across multiple professional activities
• Bring eligible family members
• Have a spouse who can apply for a Letter of Consent to work

There is also no foreign worker quota or levy for ONE Pass holders. (Ministry of Manpower)

How long is it valid?

The pass can be issued for up to 5 years, with subsequent renewals of up to five years.

ONE Pass AI & Tech — Major Change Coming in 2027

This is one of the most important developments for people considering Singapore's talent-pass ecosystem.

From 28 January 2027, Singapore will introduce an AI and Tech track under ONE Pass, replacing the existing Tech.Pass.

The new route recognises the fact that senior technology talent may receive substantial compensation through equity and other non-cash components. (Ministry of Manpower)

The announced criteria include:

• At least S$30,000/month total qualifying compensation for the preceding 12 months
• At least S$22,500/month in fixed salary
• The balance may include qualifying vested non-cash components such as ESOP/ESOW
• At least five cumulative years of relevant experience within the previous 10 years
• Founder/C-suite or technical experience
• Employment in a qualifying technology company, tech division or technology VC firm

The company must also meet specified scale criteria, such as valuation/market capitalisation, revenue, assets under management or qualifying funding for tech start-ups. (Ministry of Manpower)

This is a significant shift because Singapore is effectively moving its specialist Tech.Pass route into the broader ONE Pass framework.

Tech.Pass — Being Replaced

The Tech.Pass was created for established global technology talent, including technology entrepreneurs, leaders and technical experts.

The current eligibility includes:

• Last-drawn fixed monthly salary of at least S$22,500
• At least five cumulative years of experience in a leading role
• Experience in a qualifying technology company or technology VC firm meeting specified scale criteria. (Economic Development Board)

However, this is now a transition category.

28 January 2027 is the key date.

From that date:

• New Tech.Pass applications will no longer be accepted
• Renewal applications will no longer be accepted
• Existing Tech.Pass holders can remain until their passes expire
• Eligible individuals can consider the new ONE Pass AI & Tech track or another suitable work pass. (Economic Development Board)

EntrePass — For Entrepreneurs

The EntrePass is different from the EP, PEP and ONE Pass.

It is specifically designed for foreign entrepreneurs who want to establish and operate qualifying businesses in Singapore.

The business generally needs to be:

• Venture-backed, or
• Based on innovative technologies

Salary requirement

There is no stipulated minimum salary for EntrePass.

Who can apply?

The entrepreneur can apply directly.

Unlike the EP and S Pass, there is no foreign-worker quota or levy for the EntrePass holder.

The pass is initially issued for up to one year, with subsequent renewals potentially lasting up to two years, subject to renewal criteria. (Ministry of Manpower)

5-Year Employment Pass for Experienced Tech Professionals

There is a specialized route for experienced technology professionals working in occupations listed on the COMPASS Shortage Occupation List (SOL).

It can provide a longer 5-year EP rather than the normal maximum of three years for renewals.

For applications from 2025, the salary threshold starts at S$10,700 for candidates aged 36 and below and rises with age to S$14,270 for candidates aged 45 and above.

From 2027, the corresponding range increases to S$11,500 to S$15,499. (Ministry of Manpower)

The candidate must also meet the specified COMPASS and diversity requirements.

Work Permit for Migrant Workers

The Work Permit is designed for skilled and semi-skilled migrant workers rather than professional PMET roles.

It covers sectors such as: Construction, Manufacturing, Marine shipyard, Process, Services

Salary requirement

There is no minimum qualifying salary set by MOM for this Work Permit.

Instead, employers operate within sector-specific:

• Foreign worker quotas
• Dependency Ratio Ceilings
• Levy requirements
• Source-country rules
• Age requirements

The worker must generally be at least 18 and below 62 when the Work Permit is applied for. (Ministry of Manpower)

Who applies?

The employer or appointed employment agent.

Family

Unlike EP and S Pass holders, Work Permit holders do not receive family passes through the work pass system.

Work Permit for Migrant Domestic Workers — FDW / MDW

If you are employing a foreign domestic helper in Singapore, you are dealing with a separate Work Permit framework.

The worker must generally:

• Be female
• Be aged 23 to below 50 when applying
• Come from an approved source country/region
• Have at least 8 years of formal education
• Meet the relevant domestic-worker requirements

Approved sources include countries and regions such as India, Indonesia, Philippines, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Malaysia and others listed by MOM. (Ministry of Manpower)

Salary

There is no single MOM-prescribed minimum monthly salary for an MDW.

The salary is agreed between employer and worker, taking into account the relevant employment arrangements and market conditions.

MOM does, however, apply a household-income eligibility assessment to employers. MOM does not publicly disclose the exact minimum household-income figure. (Ministry of Manpower)

Levy

The standard MDW levy is higher than the concessionary rate.

Eligible households can qualify for a S$60/month concessionary levy, including qualifying households with:

• Singapore citizen children below 16
• Elderly persons aged 67 and above
• Certain persons with disabilities

The concession is generally limited to one helper per qualifying person and a maximum of two helpers per household. (Ministry of Manpower)

Work Permit for Confinement Nannies

This is a very specific pass.

It allows Malaysian confinement nannies to work in Singapore after the birth of a child.

Duration

Up to 16 weeks from the birth of the employer's child.

Salary

There is no minimum qualifying salary specified by MOM.

Who applies?

The employer or appointed employment agent.

The pass is not renewable and does not provide family passes. (Ministry of Manpower)

Training Employment Pass

The Training Employment Pass (TEP) is for foreign students or professional trainees undergoing practical training in Singapore.

It can be used for:

• Foreign students whose training is part of their course
• Trainees from an overseas office or subsidiary

The salary requirement is generally S$3,000/month where the salary route applies.

The pass is valid for up to 3 months and cannot be renewed. (Ministry of Manpower)

Training Work Permit

The Training Work Permit (TWP) is aimed at semi-skilled or unskilled foreign trainees and certain foreign students undertaking practical training.

It can cover:

• Employees from related overseas companies
• Foreign students whose training forms part of their course

There is no minimum salary requirement.

The pass can be issued for up to 6 months, and employers may be subject to quota and levy requirements. (Ministry of Manpower)

Work Holiday Passes

Singapore also has Work Holiday arrangements for young students and graduates.

Under the Work Holiday Programme, eligible applicants are generally:

• Aged 18 to 25
• Students or graduates of recognized universities in specified countries/regions

The pass allows eligible young people to work and holiday in Singapore for up to 6 months. (Ministry of Manpower)

There are separate arrangements for Australian and New Zealand citizens under the Work and Holiday Visa programmes, generally allowing eligible applicants aged 18–30 to work and holiday for up to 12 months. (Ministry of Manpower)

Miscellaneous Work Pass

This is a specialized short-term work pass rather than a route for normal employment.

It covers certain: Foreign speakers, Religious workers, Journalists undertaking short-term assignments in Singapore, generally for up to 60 days.

It is not intended to replace an EP, S Pass or Work Permit for regular employment. (Ministry of Manpower)

What About the Work Permit for Performing Artistes?

This is worth mentioning because older Singapore immigration articles still list it as an active route.

The Work Permit (Performing Artiste) scheme has ceased for new applications.

Existing workers can remain until their passes expire, but businesses can no longer apply for new foreign performing artistes under this scheme.

Alternative arrangements may include regular work passes, approved entertainment service providers or specific Work Pass Exempt activities where applicable. (Ministry of Manpower)

Family Passes: What Can Your Family Get?

Getting a work pass does not automatically mean every family member receives the same type of pass.

For EP and S Pass holders, a minimum fixed monthly salary of S$6,000 is generally required for the main holder to sponsor a legally married spouse or unmarried children below 21 for Dependant's Passes.

For certain parents applying for an LTVP, the main holder needs a fixed monthly salary of at least S$12,000. (Ministry of Manpower)