Everything You Need to Know About Work Passes in Singapore

Here’s the complete guide to work visas in Singapore – including how you may bring your family along.

17 Apr 2023 8 min read

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If you’re a foreign professional looking to work in Singapore, you must hold a valid work pass (otherwise known as a visa) before starting work. Learn which passes suit you best, if you’re eligible, and how to apply.

Overview of Work Passes

Here’s a list of passes for skilled professionals that Singapore offers:

If you’re a trainee or student, you may wish to view additional passes available here.

	Employment Pass (EP)	Personalised Employment Pass (PEP)	Entrepass	Tech.Pass	Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass
Who is this ideal for?	Foreign professionals, managers and executives	Current EP holders or overseas foreign professionals earning a high salary	Entrepreneurs keen to develop an innovative/ tech startup in Singapore	Established tech entrepreneurs, leaders or technical experts with experience in established or fast-growing tech companies	Top talent with deep skills and expertise across all sectors including business, technology, science, engineering, arts, sports and academia.
Do you qualify?	• Foreign professionals with a job offer in Singapore • Earn a fixed monthly salary of at least S$5,000 (increases progressively with age, up to S$10,500 for candidate in mid-40s) • Have acceptable qualifications (a university degree, professional qualifications or specialised skills) [1 Sep 2023] EP candidates will be subject to a points-based Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS).	• Current EP holders: Earn a fixed monthly salary of at least S$12,000 • Overseas candidates: Fixed monthly salary drawn within the last 6 months was at least S$18,000 [1 Sep 2023] This will be increased to S$22,500 for all candidates (pegged to top 10% of EP holders)	Must meet both conditions below: • Have started, or intend to start, a private limited company registered in Singapore, that possesses innovative technologies or is venture-backed • Meet the criteria as an Entrepreneur, Innovator or Investor	Must meet at least 2 out of the 3 criteria below: • Have a last drawn fixed monthly salary (in the last 1 year) of at least S$20,000 • At least five cumulative years of experience in a leading role in a tech company with a valuation/market cap of at least US$500mil or at least US$30mil funding raised • At least five cumulative years of experience in a leading role in the development of a tech product that has at least 100,000 monthly active users or at least US$100mil annual revenue	• Earn fixed monthly salary of at least S$30,000 in the last 1 year • Overseas candidates will also need to demonstrate that they were employed or have a job offer from an established company (company should have a market capitalisation of at least US$500 million or an annual revenue of at least US$200 million) • Individuals with outstanding achievement in arts, sports, science, technology and academia may also qualify even if they do not meet the salary criterion
What are some highlights of the pass?	Open to professionals seeking employment in any industry	• Not tied to a company; more flexibility to move between employers. • Not subject to the Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS).	Able to own and operate an innovative/ tech startup in Singapore	Able to concurrently startand operate one or more tech companies, and be employed by one or more Singapore-based companies at any one time	A personalised 5-year work pass allowing holders to concurrently start, operate, and work for multiple companies at any one time. Spouses also will be able to work on a Letter of Consent. Pass holders will not be subject to the Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS)
How long will the pass be valid for?	• Up to 2 years (tied to employment with sponsoring company) • Up to 5 years for experienced professionals in tech occupations on the COMPASS Shortage Occupation List, earning a fixed monthly salary of at least S$10,500. Subject to COMPASS diversity criterion.	Up to 3 years	1 year	Up to 2 years	5 years
Is the pass renewable?	Yes; up to 3 years, subject to prevailing eligibility criteria	No	Yes; first renewal is for 1 year; subsequent renewals for 2 years, subject to prevailing eligibility criteria	Yes; subject to prevailing eligibility criteria based on business spending and local employment	Yes; subsequent renewals of 5 years, subject to meeting renewal criteria
Can you bring your family to Singapore?	Yes; with a minimum salary of S$6,000 for spouses and children and S$12,000 for parents.	Yes	Yes; subject to prevailing eligibility criteria based on business spending and local employment	Yes	Yes
How long is the processing time of an average case?	10 business days	8 weeks	8 weeks	8 weeks	4 weeks
Who applies for the pass	Employer	Individual pass candidate	Individual pass candidate	Individual pass candidate	Individual pass candidate
Application	Apply now	Apply now	Apply now	Apply now	Apply now

Interested to move to Singapore? Find out how you and your family can begin a new chapter with this guide!

Long-Term Work Passes

Employment Pass (EP)

Who it’s for: Professionals, managers and executives
Who applies: Employer
Min. salary: S$5,000
Validity: Up to 2 years for new passes; up to 3 years for renewals; 5 years for experienced tech professionals with skills in shortage and minimum salary of S$10,500

The Employment Pass (EP) is designed for professionals with a minimum monthly salary of S$5,000 (S$5,500 for the financial sector). This minimum increases progressively with age, up to S$10,500 for candidates aged 45 and above.

If you’re running on a tight timeline, you’ll be glad to know that since late 2022, the processing time for the Employment Pass has been reduced to 10 business days.

Lastly, from September 2023, new applicants will be evaluated based on the Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS), with the exception of candidates drawing a salary of S$22,500 and above.

Apply Here

Personalised Employment Pass (PEP)

Who it’s for: EP holders or professionals earning a high salary
Who applies: Pass candidate
Min. salary: S$18,000
Validity: Up to 3 years

The Personalised EP is a non-renewable visa that offers high earners greater flexibility. It is not tied to a sector or an employer, and holders may be unemployed for up to 6 months.

First-time applicants must have a salary of at least S$18,000. From September 2023, this minimum will be raised to S$22,500.

Apply Here

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Specialised Passes

EntrePass

Who it’s for: Entrepreneurs looking to run an innovative/venture-backed business in Singapore
Who applies: Pass candidate
Min. salary: NA, but candidates must meet other criteria
Validity: 1 year for new passes and first renewal; 2 years for subsequent renewals

Targeted at high-calibre entrepreneurs, the EntrePass encourages the starting of venture-backed or innovative tech businesses in Singapore.

While there is no minimum salary tied to this pass, candidates must meet at least one of a list of criteria, such as holding an intellectual property (IP) or engaging in research collaborations with Singapore institutions.

Apply Here

Overseas Networks & Expertise (ONE) Pass (New!)

Who it’s for: Top talent with deep skills and expertise across all sectors, including business, technology, science, engineering, arts, sports and academia
Who applies: Pass candidate or employer
Min. salary: S$30,000 or demonstrate outstanding achievements in arts and culture, sports, or academia and research
Validity: 5 years

Introduced in 2023, the ONE Pass is a personalised work visa which allows top talent in business, arts and culture, academia and research, and sports to start, run or work for multiple companies in Singapore. To qualify, applicants must earn at least S$30,000 a month or have outstanding achievements in their field.

Aside from the long validity period, another key highlight of this pass is that spouses will be able to work on a Letter of Consent. Candidates will also not be subject to the COMPASS framework. For more details on the ONE pass, refer to our article here.

Apply Here

Discover why global talent should make the smart move to Singapore

Tech.Pass

Who it’s for: Established tech entrepreneurs and leaders
Who applies: Pass candidate
Min. salary: S$20,000
Validity: 2 years

The Tech.Pass, launched in 2020, is a visa for accomplished tech leaders, experts and entrepreneurs. It allows them to start, work for or invest in multiple Singapore companies.

Applicants must fulfil two out of three conditions:

Have a last drawn fixed monthly salary (in the last 1 year) of at least S$20,000
Have at least five cumulative years of experience in a leading role in a tech company with a valuation/market cap of at least US$500mil or at least US$30mil funding raised
Have at least five cumulative years of experience in a leading role in the development of a tech product that has at least 100,000 monthly active users or at least US$100mil annual revenue

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Family Passes

Bringing family with you? There are two types of passes you can obtain for your loved ones:

Dependant’s Pass for a legally married spouse or unmarried children under 21
Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) for parents or a common-law spouse.

Specific requirements depend on the pass you have. EP holders must earn at least S$6,000 (S$12,000 for parental LTVP), EntrePass holders must fulfil certain business spending and employment criteria, while ONE Pass holders have no additional criteria.

For more details, do refer to the full lists of Dependant Pass criteria and LTVP criteria.

Lastly, take note that a Letter of Consent is required if the Dependant or LTVP holder wishes to work or run a business in Singapore.

We hope this guide has given you a clearer understanding of work pass options in Singapore. For more info, please head to the Ministry of Manpower’s website.

This article was first published by the Singapore Global Network(SGN), a 100,000+ strong network connecting professionals and building communities across the globe. For networking events, industry insights and stories like this, join SGN here.