Work permits and visas in Singapore: An employer’s guide

Hiring or relocating employees to Singapore means getting the correct work permit from the get-go. Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower (MOM) requires all non-residents to hold a valid work pass before starting work. In this article, Remote walks you through right-to-work checks, work visa types, and visa requirements for your employee to work in Singapore.

See also: The complete employer's guide to hiring in Singapore

Right-to-work checks in Singapore

If your hire is not a Singapore citizen or Permanent Resident, they must hold a valid work pass before starting any work in Singapore. The employer, or the employer's appointed employment agent, is responsible for applying for the work pass and ensuring ongoing compliance.

Good practice is to verify pass validity (and application status) via Ministry of Manpower's SGWorkPass app or online checker before onboarding a new employee in Singapore. 

Eligibility requirements for a work visa in Singapore 

In Singapore, individuals don’t apply for a “work visa” on their own. A Singapore-registered employer or an appointed employment agent applies for the suitable work pass online via MOM’s eServices. The Employment Pass (EP) is the most common route for experienced professionals; other roles may fit the S Pass or a Work Permit.

The MOM looks for the below qualifications to grant applicants a work pass for Singapore: 

• Job offer: Applicants need a role and seniority that matches the chosen pass type.

• Salary benchmark: Thresholds vary by pass type, sector, and age/seniority.

• Complete, verifiable documents: Passport details, education/credentials (where relevant), and company info that can be validated.

The MOM may reject or cancel an application if:

• Pass criteria aren’t met (e.g., salary/role mismatch, missing qualifications).

• Information can’t be verified or documents are falsified

• There’s an adverse immigration or security record (e.g., prior breaches/overstays under Immigration & Checkpoints Authority of Singapore, unresolved offenses).

• The applicant or employer previously breached pass conditions, or the employer is debarred from hiring foreign workers

Types of work visas in Singapore

It's important to note that Singapore doesn’t issue a single document called a work visa. The official authorization to work is a work pass issued by the Ministry of Manpower. This document is commonly known as a work visa, but the formal term is work pass.

Some of the most common types of work permits in Singapore are as follows:

Employment Pass

The Employment Pass (EP) is for Professionals, Managers, and Executives (PMEs). To be eligible for an EP, the applicant needs a minimum salary of at least S$5,600 per month. The minimum salary for the financial services sector is higher, and the required salary scales with age and seniority.

EPs also go through COMPASS, a 40-point, points-based assessment. COMPAS looks at four pillars: salary, qualifications, workforce diversity, and your support for local employment. High earners (more than S$22,500 fixed monthly) are exempt from COMPASS.

To apply for an Employment Pass (EP), employers (or their appointed EA) must:

• Obtain the candidate’s written consent to apply
• Have the candidate complete the candidate form and gather the required documents
• Submit the EP application online via EP eService and pay S$105 
  
  

Most online applications are processed or updated within 10 business days. If you apply via EP as a sponsorship (no Singapore entity), the typical processing time is about eight weeks.

If approved, MOM issues an In-Principle Approval (IPA). The IPA serves as a pre-approved single-entry visa and gives the candidate six months to enter Singapore and complete issuance. After issuance, the notification letter lets the employee start work while the employment card is printed.

EP holders can also apply for Singapore Permanent Residence via Immigration & Checkpoints Authority's Professionals/Technical Personnel and Skilled Workers scheme (PTS scheme) when eligible.

EntrePass for Entrepreneurs

EntrePass is for foreign entrepreneurs building venture-backed or innovation-driven businesses in Singapore. Typical processing time is less than eight weeks once submitted.

Personalised Employment Pass

The Personalised Employment Pass (PEP) is a personal, more flexible pass not tied to one employer. A PEP is similar to the EP but is aimed specifically at very high-earning individuals, such as C-level executives. To obtain a PEP, the employee needs to make their own application.

Eligibility starts at S$22,500 fixed monthly salary (benchmarked to top 10% of EP holders). The pass is issued for up to three years and cannot be renewed. To keep it active, the applicant must remain employed and meet the annual salary requirement.

Overseas Networks & Expertise (ONE) Pass

The Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass is a personalized pass for top talent in all sectors, such as business, arts and culture, sports, academia and research. To be eligible, applicants must earn a fixed monthly salary of at least S$30,000 (or its equivalent in foreign currency) for the 12 consecutive months leading up to the date of application, or will earn a fixed monthly salary of at least S$30,000 under their future employer in Singapore. 

Individuals with outstanding achievements across the fields of arts and culture, sports, science and technology, and research and academia can qualify even if they do not meet the salary criterion.

Eligible candidates can either apply for the ONE Pass directly, or have the employer or employment agency submit the application. 

S Pass 

The S Pass is for Associate Professionals & Technicians (APTs) and other skilled hires who don’t meet EP criteria. The S Pass is issued for up to two years and can be renewed for up to three additional years.

To be eligible for an S Pass, the employee needs a minimum salary of S$3,300/month, benchmarked to top one-third of local APT wages. Salary benchmark is higher for Financial Services and scales with age.

S Pass holders can make up 10% of your total workforce in Services and 15% in Construction, Manufacturing, Marine Shipyard, Process. There is also a monthly levy of S$650/month per S Pass holder. No security bond is required for S Pass holders. 

To obtain an S Pass, you must follow the same application process as for the EP, using the same forms. The processing time is around 10 business days, although if your organization does not have a registered entity in Singapore, it can take around eight weeks.

If successful, your employee will receive a single-entry visa, allowing them 60 days to enter Singapore and receive their permit.

Other work permits

The MoM also offers other specialist work permits, including:

Work Permit for migrant workers: For eligible foreign workers in construction, manufacturing, marine shipyard, process, or services sectors. Work Permits are quota-controlled, require payment of a monthly foreign worker levy, and often require a security bond (e.g., for most non-foreign Malaysian workers).

Training Employment Pass: For professionals, managers, executives, or specialists who are undergoing vocational or practical training. 

Application process for a Singapore work pass 

For most corporate hires in Singapore, employers will  be choosing between two passes:

• Employment Pass (EP): For professionals, managers, and executives.

• S Pass: For associate professionals and technicians who don’t meet EP criteria.
  
  

The application steps are largely the same for both — employer-led, online, and straightforward once you’ve confirmed the right pass type. Below is the process at a glance, with key differences called out where it matters

Before you apply 

• Run a right-fit check: Use MOM’s Self-Assessment Tool and confirm the role aligns with the correct pass.

• Post the job ad (Fair Consideration Framework): Advertise on MyCareersFuture for at least 14 consecutive days and fairly consider all candidates. You’ll need the Job Advertisement ID in your application. 

• Get candidate consent and details: Obtain written consent and have the candidate form completed; this feeds the online application.

Submit the application (online)

• Where to apply: EP eService on the myMOM Portal 

• What to upload: Company details (incl. updated turnover info), candidate passport/qualifications, and the FCF Job Ad ID

• Fees (application): S$105 per application for both EP and S Pass 

• Processing time: Most online applications are processed or updated within 10 business days. An EP via Sponsorship takes about 8 weeks

After approval: IPA letter

MOM issues an In-Principle Approval (IPA), a copy of which the employer can send to the candidate.

For Employment Pass, an IPA doubles as a pre-approved single-entry visa (if the candidate needs one) and gives the applicant six months to enter Singapore and issue the pass. 

For a S Pass, an IPA also acts as a pre-approved single-entry visa (if needed) and gives the applicant 60 days to enter and issue the pass. 

Note that ICA’s entry visa is only pre-entry permission; work rights come from the MOM pass, not the visa.

Get the pass issued 

The applicant must be in Singapore to complete the issuance of an EP or S Pass.

Issuance fees are: 

• EP: S$225 per pass (+ S$30 Multiple Journey Visa if applicable)
• S Pass: S$100 per pass (levy handled separately)

Note that once the employer has the pass online, MOM emails a notification letter. The employee can start work and travel in and out of Singapore while the physical card is produced. The notification letter is typically valid for one month.

Biometrics and card delivery

Biometrics appointments for each pass are:

• EP: Applicant registers fingerprints and photo at EPSC (if required) within two weeks of issuance.
• S Pass: Applicant register at MOM Services Centre – Hall C (if required) within one week.
  

The Pass card is usually delivered within five working days after biometrics and document checks. Employers can ask the employee to set up their SGWorkPass app to view the digital work pass.

Digital nomad visas in Singapore

Singapore does not have a dedicated digital nomad visa. If your employee wants to work in Singapore, they must hold an appropriate MOM work pass. Note that working on a Short-Term Visit Pass (tourist/visitor) is not allowed. 

Meanwhile, students and recent graduates may work in Singapore through a Work Holiday pass: 

• Work Holiday Programme (WHP): For eligible students/young graduates aged 18–25 from Australia, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Switzerland, the UK, or the US. WHP allow eligible people live and work in Singapore for up to 6 months.

• Work and Holiday Visa Programmes (Australia & New Zealand): For citizens aged 18–30, valid for 12 months. Includes conditions (e.g., no freelancing, and no more than six months with the same employer). 

How Remote can help with work visas in Singapore