🇸🇬 Singapore · Work Visa
Work permit categories, eligibility, sponsorship, application steps, and processing times.
Quick answer
Foreign professionals work in Singapore on an Employment Pass (EP) for higher earners, an S Pass for mid-skilled roles, or a work permit for specific sectors. Passes are employer-applied through the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and are tied to a salary threshold and the employer.
Work passes are administered by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). The main categories are the Employment Pass (EP) for professionals, the S Pass for mid-skilled staff, and work permits.
- The Employment Pass is for professionals meeting a minimum salary and qualifications.
- Employers apply for and are responsible for the work pass.
- The EP framework uses the COMPASS points system for eligibility.
Official authorities
- Ministry of Manpower (MOM)
Work passes and employment regulation.
Frequently asked questions
What salary do I need for an Employment Pass?
The EP has a minimum qualifying monthly salary that rises with age and sector; MOM publishes current thresholds, and higher-skilled roles need higher pay.
Who applies for my pass?
Your employer applies on your behalf through MOM; you cannot apply for an EP or S Pass independently.
Can I bring my family?
Higher-earning pass holders can sponsor a spouse and children for Dependant's Passes, subject to a salary threshold.
Official-information aggregation, not legal advice. Always verify on the authority's own site.
Government portals
- Singapore Government — Singapore's integrated government services portal — unified Singpass identity login
- Immigration & Checkpoints Authority — Employment Pass, S Pass, Work Permit, PR and citizenship applications in Singapore
- Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore — Personal and corporate income tax, GST filing, and tax incentive lookup