Your Guide to Singapore Work Permits, S Pass, and Employment Pass (Updated 2025)
To live and work in Singapore, expats and foreign professionals must hold a valid work pass issued by the government. Among the main options are the Work Permit, S Pass, and Employment Pass, each designed for different occupations, salary levels, and eligibility criteria.
In this Pacific Prime CXA article, we’ll explain the latest criteria for these three key passes and help you see which one applies to your situation. We’ll also cover updates to Singapore’s foreign employment policies and medical insurance requirements to give you a clear view of what to expect.
Fair Consideration Framework (FCF)
The Fair Consideration Framework (FCF) requires that all Singapore-based employers who are submitting a request for an Employment Pass or S Pass must consider local applicants fairly and reasonably by advertising job vacancies on MyCareersFuture.sg for at least 14 days.
This opens up opportunities for local job seekers to respond to the job advertisement and for employers to fairly and reasonably consider all candidates before hiring non-locals.
2025 Updated Work Pass Regulations for Foreign Workers
In 2025, in response to Singapore’s shifting labor market, the government introduced major updates to its work pass regulations for foreign workers seeking to work and stay in the country.
Aimed at attracting global talent while maintaining support to the local workforce, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) announced the following key changes:
| Changes | Effective Date | Details |
| Higher salary thresholds | September 1, 2025 | Qualifying salaries for S Pass holders increase from S$3,150 to at least S$3,300 for all sector and from S$3,650 to at least S$3,800 for financial sectors
|
| Removal of the maximum employment period | July 1, 2025 | Work Permit holders may continue working without a time limit, provided they remain eligible and their employer requires their services |
| Increased maximum employment age | July 1, 2025 | Maximum employment age for Work Permit holders increase from 60 to 63 years old |
| Higher age limit for new applicants | July 1, 2025 | New applicants age limit increases to 61 years old |
| Expanded list of source countries and eligible occupations | June 1, 2025 | Employers will be able to hire workers from Bhutan, Cambodia, and Laos, in addition to the existing pool of countries such as Bangladesh, India, and Myanmar |
| September 1, 2025 | The Non-Traditional Sources (NTS) Occupation List will be updated to include a wider range of roles |
3 Types of Work Passes in Singapore
The 3 major types of work passes in Singapore are mainly categorized by the employee’s education, job type, and salary. As an expat working in Singapore, your employer will need to help you apply for your pass or permit.
In this section, we’ll go over the latest criteria and requirements for the Work Permit, S Pass, and Employment Pass.
1. Work Permit
The Work Permit (WP) allows unskilled or semi-skilled foreign workers from a pre-approved list of countries to work in the construction, manufacturing, marine shipyard, processing, or services sector.
Your employer or appointed agent can apply for a WP online. WP Online can track applications and often process them within one working day. While each sector has its own list of approved countries, Malaysians applying for their WP enjoy more flexibility.
Once your application is through, your WP is renewable and can last up to 2 years.
Work Permit Requirements/Limitations for Employers
Singapore-based employers must adhere to the Dependency Ratio Ceiling (DRC) for WP applications. These are the maximum percentage quotas placed on each industry to determine how many foreign workers can make up their total workforce.
In addition, employers must pay a monthly levy for each foreign worker on top of providing mandatory medical insurance for them. This may further affect your employer’s hiring decisions.
2. S Pass
Mid-level skilled staff of all nationalities can apply for an S Pass if they have a job offer in Singapore with a monthly salary above S$3,300. For the financial sector, the minimum salary starts at S$3,800 and increases progressively with age.
While declaring qualifications is optional, doing so can strengthen your application. However, any submitted qualifications must be authentic and issued by an institution listed in the form. An S Pass is valid for up to two years and can be renewed upon expiry.
S Pass Requirements/Limitations for Employers
The Ministry imposes a Dependency Ratio Ceiling (DRC) quota on the number of S Pass holders each company can employ. Under the existing quota, companies may hire S Pass holders for up to 10% of their total workforce in the services sector and up to 15% in other sectors.
As part of the Fair Consideration Framework (FCF), employers must advertise the position on MyCareerFuture for 14 days and consider all candidates fairly before applying for an S Pass.
Similar to the Work Permit, employers are required to pay a monthly levy for each S Pass holder. Since 1 September 2025, the levy rate has been standardized at S$650 across all sectors and levy tiers.
3. Employment Pass
Expats of all nationalities seeking to work in managerial, executive, or specialized roles may apply for an Employment Pass (EP). Applicants must meet two key requirements:
- Minimum qualifying salary: S$5,600 for all sectors and S$6,200 for the financial sector, with both increasing progressively with age.
- Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS): A point-based system where applicants must score at least 40 points. The assessment covers various criteria, including individual qualifications and company-related attributes.
- Individual attributes: Salary, qualifications, and bonus points for skills in position that are in shortages
- Firm-related attributes: diversity, support for local employment, and bonus points for strategic economic priorities
Applications should be submitted by the employer or an appointed employment agent, with online applications typically processed within 10 business days, while applications from overseas companies without a Singapore-registered entity may take up to 8 weeks.
Note that there are no Dependency Ratio Ceiling (DRC) quotas or levies for EP holders. Once approved, an EP is valid for up to two years initially and can be renewed for up to three years thereafter.
Dependant’s Pass
Employment Pass and S Pass holders may apply for a Dependent’s Pass to bring their legally married spouse and unmarried children under 21 years old to join them in Singapore. To qualify, you must:
- Earn a minimum fixed monthly salary of S$6,000 (based on your individual salary, not combined household income).
- Be sponsored by an established, Singapore-registered company (typically your employer).
Dependant’s Pass holders may live and work in Singapore without being subject to foreign worker levies or quota restrictions.
Compliance Guide for Work Permit, S Pass, and Employment Pass Holders
Work pass holders in Singapore must follow the rules set by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) to maintain their legal employment status. The general rules include:
- Work pass holders must remain in the job role and salary stated in their pass; any major changes must be reported to MOM
- Residential address changes must be updated with MOM to ensure accurate communication
- All pass conditions must be followed, including no unauthorized work or violation of Singapore laws
- Certain sectors, such as healthcare and engineering, require ongoing training or certification to keep the pass valid
- Employers must ensure job terms align with the approved pass, renew passes on time, and maintain accurate employment records
Singapore enforces immigration rules strictly to uphold a fair labor market. Both employers and employees are required to comply, and violations can lead to heavy fines, legal consequences, or even employment bans.
Medical Insurance Requirements for Work Permit, S Pass, and Employment Pass Holders
Employers are required to provide medical insurance for all Work Permit and S Pass holders, with a minimum coverage of S$60,000 for inpatient care and day surgery. This coverage also extends to hospital bills for conditions that may not be work-related.
For Employment Pass holders, however, providing medical insurance is optional and left to the discretion of the employer.
Although Singapore has one of the world’s best government-subsidized healthcare systems, these benefits apply only to citizens and permanent residents. Work visa holders are not eligible and must rely on employer-provided or private insurance to manage the high costs of healthcare in Singapore.
If you’re moving to Singapore for work, completing your medical examinations for your Singapore work permit is also a crucial step. Check out our latest step-by-step guide to learn what to expect.
Secure Your Health Coverage While Working in Singapore
While securing a work pass is the first step to your career in Singapore, keeping your health protected is just as important. As an expat, you won’t be covered under Singapore’s healthcare subsidies, and relying solely on employer benefits may leave gaps in your coverage.
With 25+ years of experience, Pacific Prime helps expats in Singapore find insurance plans that suit their personal needs and budgets.
Whether you’re an Employment Pass holder seeking comprehensive international coverage or a Work Permit/S Pass holder looking to enhance employer-provided benefits with top-up plans, we can guide you to the best options for your situation.
Contact us today for impartial advice and a free quote comparison!
Serena earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of British Columbia, Canada. As such, she is an avid advocate of mental health and is fascinated by all things psychology (especially if it’s cognitive psychology!).
Her previous work experience includes teaching toddlers to read, writing for a travel/wellness online magazine, and then a business news blog. These combined experiences give her the skills and insights she needs to explain complex ideas in a succinct way. Being the daughter of an immigrant and a traveler herself, she is passionate about educating expats and digital nomads on travel and international health insurance.
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