In this page, you will find out more about the various passes that will allow you to work legally in Singapore and relocate your immediate family members to Singapore.
Employment Visas in Singapore
Singapore Employment Visas For Professionals
Employment Pass
The Employment Pass allows professionals such as managers, executives, and specialists to work in Singapore. To qualify, an applicant must earn a fixed monthly salary of at least S$5,000 and have sound qualifications.
An applicant in the financial sector must earn a minimum salary of $5,500. The application can be made only by the employer. The validity of the EP is tied to the employer. Consequently, a change in employers will require a new pass application.
Entrepreneur Pass (EntrePass)
The EntrePass is made to attract entrepreneurs to come to Singapore, enliven its startup scene, and generate employment for locals.
To qualify for an EntrePass, an applicant must meet one of the following requirements:
- Has funding from a government-accredited VC or business angel
- Holds an intellectual property
- Holds significant business experience/network and promising entrepreneurial track record
- Has exceptional technical/domain expertise in an area related to the proposed business
- Holds a good track record of investing in businesses and wants to grow new or existing businesses in Singapore
- Has research collaboration with A*STAR or a university
- Is an incubate at a government-supported incubator
If successful, entrepreneurs will be awarded a 1-year pass.
For the EntrePass to be upgraded and renewed annually, entrepreneurs must fulfil the employment and business spending, as follows:
| Number of years holding an EntrePass | Your total annual business spending must be at least | Minimum number of local PMEs (or equivalents) to be employed | Qualifying salary for a PME |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | – | – | S$3,900 |
| 2 | $100,000 | 1 | |
| 4 | $200,000 | 2 | |
| 6 | $300,000 | 3 | |
| 8 | $400,000 | 4 | |
| 10 | $700,000 | 5 | S$4,700 |
| 12 | $750,000 | 6 | |
| 14 | $800,000 | 7 | |
| 16 | $900,000 | 8 | |
| 18 | $1,000,000 | 9 | |
| 20 | $1,150,000 | 10 |
*PMEs refer to professionals, managers and executives who are Singaporeans or Permanent Residents, earn a monthly salary of at least S$3,900 and receive CPF contributions for at least 3 months.
**** Total Business Spending (TBS) = [Total Operating Expenses – (Royalties/Franchise Fees/Know How Fees to Overseas Companies + Work Subcontracted to Overseas Companies + Remuneration to Applicant & Immediate Family)]
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Personalised Employment Pass (PEP)
The Personalised Employment Pass is designed especially for top-tier professionals. The PEP accords its owner with some flexibility as it is not tied to any employer. This allows its owner to change jobs without re-applying for a new Pass. A PEP holder may stay in Singapore for up to 6 months while in between jobs. The pass is valid for 3 years and cannot be renewed.
However, the flexibility comes at a price. To qualify, existing EP holders and overseas foreign professionals must earn a fixed monthly salary of S$22,500 from 1st Sept 2023 and S$270,000 per year to keep holding the pass. Overseas-based applicants must not be unemployed for longer than 6 months at the time of application.
PEP holders enjoy dependants’ privileges very much like EP holders. They may relocate immediate family members (legally married spouse and children under 21 years) and parents via the Dependant’s Pass and LTVP respectively.
Letter of Consent (LOC)
An LOC is needed for LTVP/LTVP+ holders who wish to work in Singapore. The employer or chosen employment agent must apply for the LOC. Here are the eligibility conditions for the LOC:
- The LTVP/LTVP+ holder must be married to a Singaporean or PR, OR
- Be an unmarried child below 21 years of age of a Singaporean or PR with an LTVP
- The LTVP/LTVP+ must be valid for at least 3 months
- Applicant must have a valid job offer from a local employer
Applicants cannot work in objectionable occupations such as being a bar hostess.
Singapore Employment Visas For Mid-Level Skilled Workers
S Pass
The S Pass allows mid-level skilled workers (e.g. technicians) to work in Singapore. To qualify, an applicant must command a fixed monthly salary of S$3,150 from 1st Sept 2023 and S$3,650 for those in the financial services industry. Older applicants must command higher salaries of up to S$4,650 and S$5,650 for the financial services industry for those aged 45 years and up that are commensurate with their work experience.
Like the Employment Pass, the application can only be made by the employer on behalf of the applicant.
However, unlike the EP, there is a quota and levy for the number of S Pass holders a company may employ. For firms in the service sector, the quota is up to 10% (which means that the percentage of S Pass can only be a maximum of 10% of the total workforce). For other sectors, it is from 10-15%.
From 1st Sept 2023, the current Tier 1 levy rate will be raised from S$450 to S$550. There will be no change to the current Tier 2 levy rate of S$650.
Singapore Employment Visas For Skilled Workers
Work Permit (WP)
A Work Permit is meant for workers in the manufacturing, services, construction, process, and marine sectors. There are also specific WPs for domestic helpers, confinement nannies, and performing artistes.
Once issued, the Work Permit is valid for two years, unless the validity of the worker’s passport, the Banker’s/Insurance Guarantee, and the worker’s employment period, is shorter. The WP holder is only allowed to work for the employer and in the mutually-agreed occupation.
There is a levy imposed on every WP holder employed and it is determined according to the qualification and skills of the workers. There is also a Dependency Ratio Ceiling (DRC) for every sector to put a quota on how many WP holders it may employ.
Related Reading » How to Hire a Maid in Singapore
Relocation for Dependants in Singapore
Dependant’s Pass
Employment and S Pass holders who earn S$6,000 and above may relocate with their immediate family members by applying for the Dependant’s Pass. Immediate family members include spouses (legally married) or unmarried/legally adopted children under 21 years of age.
Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP)
The Long-Term Visit Pass is available to the immediate family members of EP holders who earn S$6,000 and above per month.
Eligible family members include the common-law spouse as well as unmarried step-children (under 21 years old) and unmarried handicapped children (above 21 years). Those earning S$12,000 and above per month may apply for the LTVP for their parents.
For Long-Term Relocation in Singapore
Singapore Permanent Resident (PR) Status
Having a Permanent Resident status allows a person to live in Singapore over a longer term and enjoy related privileges. Currently, there are 2 avenues to attain the PR status – via the PTS Scheme and the GIP.
The PTS Scheme is the Professional, Technical Personnel, and Skilled Worker scheme. It allows skilled workers holding the EntrePass, Employment Pass, or S Pass to apply for PR status in Singapore.
GIP refers to the Global Investor Programme. It was launched by the Singapore Economic Development Board to give business investors long-term residency in Singapore.
At present, under the GIP Scheme, you can choose one of the following investment options:
- Option A: Invest at least S$10 million in a new business startup or expansion of an existing business operation.
- Option B: Invest at least S$25 million in a GIP-approved fund that invests in Singapore-based companies.
- Option C: Start a Singapore-based Single Family Office (SFO) with Assets-Under-Management (AUM) of at least S$200 million, of which S$50 million must be transferred into Singapore and used in any of the 4 investment categories dictated
Related Reading » Clearer Guidelines on Singapore Employment to Benefit Companies
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