A practical guide to Singapore work passes for employers.

Work Permit

The Work Permit is for semi-skilled foreign workers in the construction, manufacturing, marine, process and services sectors. Employers must operate in an approved sector, hold a valid Work Permit quota, and pay the applicable monthly levy. Candidates must come from an approved source country and be at least 18 years old. A Work Permit is tied to a single employer and sector, and is typically valid for two years, renewable.

S Pass

The S Pass suits mid-skilled technical staff. Employers must meet the sector-specific minimum salary — from SGD 3,150 and rising with age — and hold an available S Pass quota within their Dependency Ratio Ceiling. Candidates need recognised qualifications or technical certifications. A monthly levy applies, and employers must advertise the role on the MyCareersFuture portal before applying.

Employment Pass

The Employment Pass is for foreign professionals, managers and executives earning at least SGD 5,000 a month, with higher thresholds for older, more experienced candidates. Employers must be registered Singapore companies, and applications are assessed on the points-based COMPASS framework covering salary, qualifications, firm diversity and local employment. A first-time Employment Pass is typically valid for two years.

Dependant's Pass

Dependant's Passes allow Employment Pass and S Pass holders earning above SGD 6,000 a month to bring their legally married spouse and unmarried children under 21 to Singapore, helping you retain senior talent and support relocating families.

How we help employers

Every application is different, and the rules above change regularly. As your corporate immigration partner, we confirm the correct pass for each hire, prepare and file the application with the Ministry of Manpower, respond to clarification requests, and manage the process through to card issuance — so your team stays compliant and your new hires start on time.