S Pass Singapore 2026: Eligibility, Salary Thresholds, Quota and Application Guide

The S Pass is Singapore’s work pass for mid-level skilled foreign workers — those who have the qualifications or experience to fill skilled roles but whose profile does not meet the Employment Pass (EP) threshold. For many Singapore employers, the S Pass is the principal mechanism for hiring skilled foreign employees in technical, supervisory, or specialist roles.

The rules around the S Pass changed materially in 2025 and 2026. This guide sets out the current eligibility criteria, salary thresholds, quota rules, levy structure, and application procedure for employers who intend to hire or renew S Pass holders in 2026.

What Is the S Pass?

The S Pass is issued by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) to foreign employees in skilled roles who meet the eligibility criteria. Unlike the Employment Pass — which is aimed at managers, executives, and professionals — the S Pass is designed for mid-level technical, supervisory, and skilled roles. Technicians, senior technicians, supervisors, and certain specialist roles commonly fall under the S Pass.

Key characteristics of the S Pass:

• Tied to the employing company — the holder cannot change employers without a new pass
• Subject to a company-specific quota (Dependency Ratio Ceiling)
• Subject to a monthly levy payable by the employer
• Valid for up to two years initially, renewable
• Holders may apply for Dependant’s Pass for immediate family members subject to MOM approval

S Pass Eligibility Criteria 2026

Salary Requirements

The minimum qualifying salary for a new S Pass application from 1 September 2025 is:

These are the base minimum salaries for candidates aged under 30. MOM applies progressive age-based salary requirements: older candidates must earn higher salaries to reflect their expected experience and market value. The older the candidate, the higher the salary floor. For example, a 40-year-old S Pass applicant in the general sector would need to earn materially more than the S$3,300 base to qualify. Employers should check MOM’s S Pass eligibility self-assessment tool to verify the applicable salary threshold for each candidate’s age.

Note: “fixed monthly salary” for S Pass purposes means the guaranteed salary, excluding bonuses, allowances (other than those forming part of the fixed monthly salary), and overtime pay.

Qualifications

S Pass applicants must hold a degree, diploma, or technical certificate. MOM assesses the qualifications holistically — relevant work experience can substitute for formal qualifications in some circumstances, particularly for candidates with a strong track record in the relevant role. There is no exhaustive list of acceptable qualifications; MOM evaluates each application on its merits.

Qualifications from overseas institutions are assessed based on the institution’s international reputation and the relevance of the qualification to the proposed role. Candidates with degrees from well-recognised institutions in common source countries (India, Malaysia, China, Philippines) are generally viewed favourably. Diplomas and technical certificates from recognised local polytechnics, ITEs, or their foreign equivalents are acceptable.

COMPASS Does Not Apply to S Pass

It is important to note that the COMPASS (Complementarity Assessment Framework) — the points-based scoring system that applies to EP applications — does not apply to S Pass applications. S Pass eligibility is assessed based on salary, qualifications, and a nationality diversity element (discussed below), not the COMPASS framework. For a guide to the EP COMPASS framework, see our COMPASS points calculator guide.

Nationality Diversity

MOM assesses applications with reference to the employer’s existing workforce profile by nationality. Companies where a single non-Malaysian nationality makes up 25% or more of S Pass holders (or 50% or more for companies with five or fewer S Pass holders) may have their applications scrutinised more carefully. This is MOM’s “nationality concentration” screening — it does not create a hard cap, but it does mean that applications from over-represented nationalities may receive closer scrutiny.

S Pass Quota: The Dependency Ratio Ceiling

Unlike the Employment Pass, the S Pass is subject to a Dependency Ratio Ceiling (DRC). Employers can only hold a certain number of S Pass holders relative to their total workforce. The quota varies by sector:

The “total workforce” for quota calculation purposes counts local employees (Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents) who earn at least the Local Qualifying Salary (LQS). From 1 July 2026, the LQS rises to S$1,800 per month (up from S$1,600). Local employees earning between S$900 and S$1,800 per month count as 0.5 units towards the workforce for quota purposes, and those earning less than S$900 do not count at all.

The LQS increase from 1 July 2026 is significant for quota management: employers who have local employees earning between S$1,600 and S$1,800 per month will see those employees’ quota contribution drop from a full unit to 0.5 units unless salaries are adjusted to the new LQS floor. This could reduce the employer’s total S Pass quota and put them in breach of the DRC unless they adjust payroll or S Pass headcount accordingly.

S Pass Levy

Employers of S Pass holders must pay a monthly levy to MOM. From 1 January 2026, the S Pass levy has been harmonised to a flat rate of S$650 per month per S Pass holder, applicable across all sectors. This replaced the previous tiered structure. The levy is not tax-deductible as a business expense for corporate income tax purposes.

Levy payments are collected by MOM and must be kept current — failure to pay the levy on time results in late payment penalties and may affect future pass applications. The levy is separate from the employee’s salary; it is an additional cost borne by the employer.

How to Apply for an S Pass

Step 1: Check eligibility and quota availability

Before applying, confirm that (a) the candidate meets the salary and qualification requirements for their age, and (b) the employer has available quota capacity under the DRC. MOM’s EP Online portal allows employers to check their current quota position.

Step 2: Submit the application via EP Online

Applications are submitted through MOM’s EP Online portal. The employer or an authorised employment agent submits the application on behalf of the foreign candidate. The candidate does not need to be in Singapore to apply.

Documents typically required include:

• Candidate’s passport details
• Educational certificates and transcripts
• Employment history and CV
• Job offer letter or employment contract specifying the fixed monthly salary
• Employer’s Singapore company registration details

Step 3: Await MOM’s decision

MOM typically processes S Pass applications within three weeks. The outcome is communicated via EP Online. If approved, an In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter is issued, which the candidate uses to enter Singapore and complete the pass issuance process.

Step 4: Issue the pass

Once the candidate is in Singapore, the employer must register the candidate’s fingerprints and photograph at MOM’s services centre (for first-time S Pass holders), and the S Pass card is subsequently issued. The pass holder must carry the S Pass card at all times.

S Pass Renewal

S Passes are valid for up to two years initially. Renewals are also submitted through EP Online, typically at least one month before expiry. MOM reassesses eligibility at renewal against the then-current salary thresholds, which means a candidate who barely met the threshold at the initial application may need a salary increase at renewal to continue qualifying.

From 1 July 2026, MOM is also applying updated salary benchmarks for EP and S Pass renewals. Employers with S Pass holders approaching renewal dates should verify their current salary against MOM’s updated thresholds before the renewal date.

For a broader comparison of Singapore work passes, including the EP, ONE Pass, and PEP, see our Employment Pass vs ONE Pass vs PEP comparison guide. For information on work pass applications handled end-to-end, our associated licensed employment agency handles the full submission process with MOM.

For the latest Singapore employment and business news, including MOM policy updates, there are useful resources for HR managers and business owners to follow.

To speak with the team at Raffles Corporate Services, you can email [email protected] or call, SMS, or WhatsApp +65 8501 7133. We are happy to assist with any queries.

— The Editorial Team, Raffles Corporate Services