Singapore Work Passes Explained: EP vs. S Pass vs. Work Permit

Singapore’s vibrant economy attracts talent from across the globe. To manage the influx of foreign manpower, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) oversees a structured system of work passes, each designed for different skill levels and job roles. Understanding the main types of work passes – the Employment Pass (EP), S Pass, and Work Permit (WP) – is crucial for businesses looking to hire foreign employees and for individuals seeking employment opportunities in Singapore.

This guide provides an overview of these three key work passes and their main features.

Employment Pass (EP) – For Professionals & Executives

The Employment Pass (EP) is designed for foreign professionals, managers, and executives (PMETs) who possess recognised qualifications and are offered jobs commanding higher salaries.

  • Target Audience: Professionals, managers, senior executives, specialists with tertiary qualifications and relevant experience.
  • Key Eligibility Criteria:
    • Job Role: Must be offered a job in a managerial, executive, or specialised capacity.
    • Qualifying Salary: Must earn a minimum qualifying salary, which currently starts at S$5,000 per month (S$5,500 for the financial services sector) and increases progressively with age and experience.
    • Qualifications: Generally requires a good university degree, professional qualifications, or specialised skills.
    • COMPASS Framework: Most new EP applications are assessed using the Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS). This points-based system evaluates both individual attributes (salary, qualifications) and firm-related attributes (diversity, support for local employment) to ensure the candidate complements the local workforce. A minimum score is required to pass. (Candidates earning S$22,500+ are exempt from COMPASS).
  • Key Features:
    • Quota/Levy: Not subject to foreign worker quotas or levies.
    • Dependents: Eligible to apply for Dependant’s Passes (DP) for legally married spouses and unmarried children under 21 if they meet the minimum salary requirement (currently S$6,000). They can also apply for Long-Term Visit Passes (LTVP) for parents if earning a higher salary (currently S$12,000).

S Pass – For Mid-Level Skilled Staff

The S Pass caters to mid-level skilled foreign workers who have relevant technical skills and work experience.

  • Target Audience: Mid-skilled technicians, associate professionals.
  • Key Eligibility Criteria:
    • Qualifying Salary: Must earn a fixed monthly salary that meets the minimum threshold (currently S$3,150+, higher for financial services, and increases with age/experience; thresholds are scheduled to increase further).
    • Qualifications: Typically requires a degree, diploma, or relevant technical certificates/vocational qualifications.
    • Work Experience: Relevant work experience is a key consideration.
  • Key Features:
    • Quota: Subject to a company-specific quota, known as the Dependency Ratio Ceiling (DRC). The number of S Pass holders a company can employ is capped as a percentage of its total workforce (local employees + foreign employees).
    • Levy: Employers must pay a monthly Foreign Worker Levy (FWL) for each S Pass holder. Levy rates vary based on the sector and the company’s S Pass quota tier.
    • Dependents: Eligible to apply for Dependant’s Passes for legally married spouses and unmarried children under 21 if they meet the minimum salary requirement (currently S$6,000).

Work Permit (WP) – For Specific Sector Workers

The Work Permit (WP) allows semi-skilled or unskilled foreign workers from approved source countries or territories to work in specific sectors in Singapore.

  • Target Audience: Workers in sectors such as Construction, Manufacturing, Marine Shipyard, Process, and Services.
  • Key Eligibility Criteria:
    • Nationality: Must be from an approved source country/territory, which varies by sector.
    • Job Role: Must work within the specific occupation and sector for which the WP is issued.
    • Age Limits: Minimum and maximum age limits apply.
    • Employer Requirements: Employer must meet sector-specific requirements.
    • Skills: Basic skills certification may be required depending on the sector/role.
    • Salary: No minimum qualifying salary is mandated by MOM, but wages must meet prevailing market rates and comply with any sector-specific requirements.
  • Key Features:
    • Quota: Subject to sector-specific DRC quotas.
    • Levy: Employers must pay a monthly FWL for each WP holder; rates vary significantly by sector and worker skill level.
    • Dependents: Generally, WP holders are not allowed to bring dependents to Singapore.
    • Other Conditions: Subject to various conditions including restrictions on changing employment, accommodation requirements, mandatory medical insurance, and often a security bond paid by the employer.

Key Differences at a Glance

Feature Employment Pass (EP) S Pass Work Permit (WP)
Target Role Professionals, Managers, Executives (PMETs) Mid-level Skilled Staff, Technicians Semi-skilled / Unskilled Workers in specific sectors
Min. Salary S$5,000+ (increases with age/experience) S$3,150+ (increases with age/experience) No specific minimum (subject to market/sector rules)
Qualifications Degree / Professional Qualifications / Skills Degree / Diploma / Technical Certificates Basic skills / Sector-specific tests
Quota No Yes (DRC applies) Yes (DRC applies)
Levy No Yes (FWL applies) Yes (FWL applies)
Dependents Yes (if salary criteria met) Yes (if salary criteria met) Generally No
Assessment COMPASS points system Salary, Qualifications, Experience Nationality, Sector, Employer eligibility

Applying for Work Passes

Typically, the employer or an appointed employment agent must apply for the relevant work pass on behalf of the foreign candidate through MOM’s online portals. The application process involves submitting required documents (passport, educational certificates, company details, etc.) and paying application fees. Processing times vary depending on the pass type and complexity of the application.

Navigating Singapore’s work pass system and ensuring compliance with MOM regulations can be complex. Raffles Corporate Services Pte Ltd provides expert assistance with work pass applications (EP, S Pass, Work Permit) and related immigration matters for businesses hiring foreign talent.

Conclusion

Singapore employs a tiered work pass system to manage its foreign workforce, matching passes to different skill levels and economic contributions. Understanding the distinctions between the Employment Pass, S Pass, and Work Permit is essential for employers planning their hiring strategies and for foreign nationals seeking work opportunities in the Lion City. Choosing and applying for the correct pass ensures compliance and smooths the path for legal employment in Singapore.

For further assistance or inquiries, you can contact the Raffles Corporate Services team via email at hello@rafflescorporateservices.com.

Yours sincerely,

The editorial team at Raffles Corporate Services