The number of Work Permit holders a company can employ is subject to industry‑specific dependency ratio ceilings (quotas).

Generally, Work Permits are issued for a period of two years depending on the validity of the applicant's passport, the duration of the security bond and the period of employment.

Work permits will be issued to foreign workers with suitable qualifications or relevant experience, subject to sector-specific eligibility requirements.

Foreign workers holding Work Permits are not allowed to sponsor their immediate family members to live with them in Singapore.

Unless a levy waiver applies, employers of Work Permit holders are required to pay a foreign worker levy. The levy amount varies depending on the industry sector, whether the worker is semi-skilled or unskilled, and the number of Work Permit holders already employed by the company.

Employers need to purchase medical insurance coverage of at least SGD 60,000 per year for each Work Permit holder.

Employers also need to purchase a security bond for each non-Malaysian Work Permit holder they want to employ, in the form of a banker's insurance or insurance guarantee, to ensure compliance with work pass conditions.

All matters relating to the employment of foreign nationals in Singapore are subject to the review and approval of the MOM.

Singapore adopts a graduated approach to foreign talent, offering more favorable immigration and employment terms to individuals who are assessed to make greater economic or strategic contributions. This framework is intended to attract and retain talent that can support Singapore’s long‑term growth and competitiveness.

Employment Passes allow foreign professionals, managers, executives and technicians to work in Singapore. Employment Pass applicants must earn at least the minimum qualifying salary for their age group, starting at SGD 5,600 a month, or at least SGD 6,200 for roles in the financial services sector for applicants aged 23 or below. The minimum qualifying salary increases with age. Applicants must also pass the MOM's points-based Complementarity Assessment Framework.

From January 2027, the minimum qualifying salary will increase from SGD 5,600 to SGD 6,000 per month for applicants aged 23 or below. For the financial services sector, which is subject to higher salary benchmarks, the minimum qualifying salary will increase from SGD 6,200 to SGD 6,600 per month for applicants aged 23 or below.

The spouse and children under 21 years of age of Employment Pass holders earning a minimum fixed monthly salary of SGD 6,000 are eligible to apply for Dependent's Passes to stay in Singapore. Those earning SGD 12,000 or more per monthly are eligible to sponsor their parents for Long Term Visit Passes.

As part of the Fair Consideration Framework, employers seeking to hire Employment Pass holders are generally required to advertise the vacancy on the MyCareersFuture.sg portal, a government‑administered job portal, and to consider all applicants fairly before submitting an EP application. Certain exemptions apply, including for small firms, senior or highly paid positions, short‑term roles, and intra‑corporate transferees.

Unless exempted, employers are expected, under the Fair Consideration Framework, to:

• Advertise on the MyCareersFuture.sg portal for at least 14 calendar days before submitting Employment Pass applications
• Provide accurate job descriptions to enable suitable local candidates to apply, and
• Make hiring decisions based on merit

The S Pass is intended for employers to hire skilled workers who may not meet the criteria for an Employment Pass. S Pass applicants must earn at least SGD 3,300 a month, or at least SGD 3,800 for roles in the financial services sector for applicants aged 23 or below. The minimum qualifying salary increases with age.

From January 2027, the minimum qualifying salary will increase from SGD 3,300 to SGD 3,600 per month for applicants aged 23 or below. For the financial services sector, which is subject to higher salary benchmarks, the minimum qualifying salary will increase from SGD 3,800 to SGD 4,000 per month for applicants aged 23 or below.

Employers need to pay a monthly levy and also purchase medical insurance coverage of at least SGD 60,000 per year for each S Pass worker. The MOM also imposes a quota (dependency ratio ceiling) on the number of S Pass holders a company may employ. The applicable quota is expressed as a percentage of the employer’s total workforce and varies by industry sector, such as services, construction or manufacturing.

Similar to Employment Pass holders:

• Unless exempted, employers must also advertise the job on the MyCareersFuture.sg portal under the Fair Consideration Framework and consider applicants fairly.
• A S Pass holder must earn a fixed monthly salary of at least SGD 6,000 to be eligible to sponsor their spouse and unmarried children under 21 years of age for Dependent’s Passes, and at least SGD 12,000 to sponsor their parents for Long Term Visit Passes.

Applications for Employment Passes and S Passes may be granted for a duration of up to two years in the first instance. These work passes can be renewed six months prior to their expiry, with the duration granted for both initial applications and renewals remaining at the discretion of the MOM. The maximum duration has been extended to three years for renewals. The maximum validity period for renewals has been extended to up to three years, subject to MOM assessment.

Work Pass Account Registration is an online portal that allows business employers to register for and manage various work pass-related online accounts, including the Employment Pass eService and Work Permit Online. Employers are also required to declare their business activity through this portal for the purpose of calculating their S Pass and Work Permit quotas.

Each employer must appoint an administrator and/or user to access the Employment Pass eService and Work Permit Online. The appointed administrator and/or user must be a Singapore Citizen, Singapore Permanent Resident or work pass holder employed by the company.

This is a one-stop portal for companies and organizations to manage work pass and related pass transactions, including the following:

• Submit new and renewal applications for various passes such as, Employment Passes, S Passes, Dependent's Passes, Long Term Visit Passes, Letter of Consent
• Upload relevant supporting documents for work passes/related pass applications
• Appeal rejected applications
• Check applications and renewal statuses
• View the reasons for rejection for most of the unsuccessful applications
• Access and print application outcome letters and notification letters
• Check an organization's S Pass quota and tier information

• Earned a fixed monthly salary of at least SGD 30,000 or its equivalent in foreign currency for the last 12 consecutive months (Overseas candidates must also show that they have been working for an established company overseas for the last 12 consecutive months.)
• Will earn a fixed monthly salary of at least SGD 30,000 under an established company that is based in Singapore
• Outstanding achievements in at least one of the areas if the salary criteria is not met: sports, arts and culture or academia and research.

For a company to be considered established, it must have at least one of the following:

• Market capitalization or valuation of at least USD 500 million (only for public listed companies)
• Annual revenue of at least USD 200 million

Combined amounts from the entire global office can also be considered and will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

To be eligible for renewal, the pass holder must meet one of the following:

• Earned a fixed monthly salary of at least SGD 30,000 on average over the past five years in Singapore
• Started and is operating a Singapore-based company that employs at least five locals, each earning a fixed monthly salary of at least the prevailing Employment Pass minimum qualifying salary

Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass holders may sponsor Dependent’s Passes for their spouse and children under 21 years of age, and Long Term Visit Passes for their parents. A spouse holding a Dependent’s Pass sponsored by an Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass holder may also apply for a Letter of Consent for employment in Singapore.

The EntrePass allows eligible foreign entrepreneurs to start and operate a business in Singapore that is venture-backed or possesses innovative technologies.

An EntrePass holder must be actively involved in the operations of the Singapore business. At the time of application, the applicant must have started, or intend to start, a private limited company registered with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA), in which the applicant holds at least a 30% shareholding, and which is venture‑backed or owns innovative technologies.

Applicants must also fulfill at least one of the following requirements:

• The applicant has raised at least SGD 100,000 from a single funding round from investors for any past or current business.
• The business is or will be supported by an incubator or accelerator that is either government-recognized or internationally renowned.
• The applicant has founded and sold a business that is venture-backed or owns innovative technologies.
• The registered business or proposed business holds Intellectual Property (IP) that is registered with an approved national IP institution. The IP must provide significant competitive advantage which cannot be easily replicated to the business.
• The business has a relevant ongoing research collaboration in Singapore with at least one of the following: Institute of Higher Learning or Research Institution.

Renewal of the EntrePass should be taken into consideration at the outset. For each year that the applicant holds an EntrePass, both the number of local jobs they need to create and the required minimum total business spending by the business venture increases.

The Personalized Employment Pass is for high-earning Employment Pass holders and overseas foreign professionals. Unlike a standard Employment Pass, which is tied to a specific employer and requires a new application upon any change of employer, the Personalized Employment Pass is tied to the individual. A Personalized Employment Pass holder is therefore only required to notify the MOM of changes to their employment status, rather than apply for a new work pass.

In contrast, a standard Employment Pass holder who ceases employment and does not secure a new employer may be required to leave Singapore, unless they hold another valid immigration status or pass (such as a visit pass).

Applications for the Personalized Employment Pass must be submitted electronically, and the estimated processing time is approximately eight weeks.

The Personalized Employment Pass allows holders to remain unemployed in Singapore for up to six consecutive months while seeking new employment. If the holder remains unemployed beyond this period, the Personalized Employment Pass should be cancelled. Personalized Employment Pass holders may generally take up employment in any sector, although certain roles may require prior approval.

Foreign nationals earning a fixed monthly salary of at least SGD 22,500 are eligible to apply for the Personalized Employment Pass. If approved, the Personalized Employment Pass is granted for a validity period of three years and is non‑renewable. During each calendar year, Personalized Employment Pass holders must earn a minimum annual salary of at least SGD 270,000 to remain compliant with pass conditions.

Work Holiday Program

The Work Holiday Pass issued under the Work Holiday Program is for university undergraduates and graduates who would like to work and holiday in Singapore. Applicants must be studying or have graduated from recognized universities in selected countries, such as Australia, France, Germany and Hong Kong, among others. Undergraduates who would like to apply must have been a resident and full-time student of the university for at least three months before the time of application. The Work Holiday Pass is valid for six months and is not renewable. The Work Holiday Program has a capacity of 2,000 applicants at any one time.

Work and Holiday Visa Program

The Work Holiday Pass issued under the Work and Holiday Visa Program is a similar pass catering to Australian and New Zealander citizens who are studying at or have graduated from university. Applicants need to hold a university degree or have completed the equivalent of two years of full-time university study at any university. The Work and Holiday Visa Program is valid for up to 12 months and is not renewable. There are some limitations for holders of this pass, such as being unable to take up freelance employment. The Work and Holiday Visa Program has a capacity of 500 applicants at any one time.