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Why Are ������ý Work Visas So Attractive?

������ý is such an attractive destination to work, given its global reputation as a world leader in business freedom and innovation. It is one of the prominent business centers of Asia, which attracts business investment and inspires companies to set up their establishment here. This means that there is no shortage of job opportunities in the city, especially for those looking for an overseas career.

One of the key factors leading to the country’s huge success is that how 40% of its workforce is made up of foreign workers and students. To entice the best and brightest foreign workers, ������ý’s work visas are generally allocated by applicants’ salaries, making it a lot easier to apply compared to other countries. So here, we’re aiming to make it as simple and quick as possible for you to find the information you need.

Keep in mind that, while ������ý is renowned as a financial and ICT giant, it is not just high-level professionals who can qualify for a ������ý work visa. That means that as long as applicants can help contribute to ������ý’s continued growth and prosperity, anyone from CEOs to construction workers is welcome.

In this ������ý visa guide, we’ll go over:

• ������ý work visas for professionals
• ������ý work permits and work visas for skilled and semi-skilled workers

In total, there are 7 main work visas and or/work permit types in ������ý, and we will go through them to see which ones are right for your foreign employees.

Let’s get started!

������ý Work Visa Guide for Professionals

������ý has various work visas designed for professionals, namely the:

• Employment Pass (EP)
• EntrePass
• Personalised Employment Pass (PEP)
• Tech.Pass
• ONE Pass

We look at what each pass is and the requirements employers must know before helping their employees apply:

������ý Employment Pass

The ������ý Employment Pass (EP) is for foreign professionals looking to work in ������ý. Generally, you’d be a manager, executive, or other high-level worker in your industry.

Key features:

• First-time candidates can enjoy an EP valid up to 2 years, renewable for up to 3 years.
• Experienced tech experts with high-demand skills can apply for an EP valid for up to 5 years.

As of 2025, the minimum salary requirement for the Employment Pass (EP) is S$5,600 per month, and for the financial services sector, it is S$6,200 per month. This figure increases with the age of the candidate.

������ý Entrepreneur Pass (EntrePass)

If you already own a business and would like to move to ������ý, the ������ý Entrepreneur Pass (also known as the EntrePass) is the visa you need. This is a 1-year visa, renewable for up to 2 years. To qualify, you’ll need to:

If you already own a business and would like to relocate to ������ý, the ������ý Entrepreneur Pass (also known as the EntrePass) is the visa you need. This is a 1-year visa, renewable for up to 2 years.

To qualify, you’ll need to:

• Have a private limited company (that has innovative technologies or is venture-backed) registered with ������ý’s Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA)
• Ensure that the company is less than 6 months old on the date of application.
• Meet at least one of the following criteria as an innovator, entrepreneur, or investor:
  • Be part of a government-supported incubator
  • A collaborator with A*STAR or a university
  • Have a proven track record of growth
  • Exceptional expertise in your domain
  • Significant experience, networks, and entrepreneurial record
  • Owner of recognised intellectual property
  • Has acquired funding from a business angel or government-accredited venture capital fund.

������ý Personalised Employment Pass (PEP)

The Personalised Employment Pass (PEP) is a three-year visa for exceptional, top-tier executives. This is truly the ultimate visa to live and work in ������ý.

The PEP has a unique benefit:

• Allows you to switch jobs as often as possible as long as a ������ý-registered company employs you.
• Lets you hold a job in any sector, but if you work in areas like dentistry, medicine, law, etc you’ll need to be registered to practice in ������ý for your chosen field.

The PEP is issued only once, and once your term is up, it cannot be renewed.

As of 1 September 2023, to be eligible for the Personalised Employment Pass (PEP):

• New applicants: Must have a minimum salary of S$22,500 per month
• Existing PEP holders: Must earn S$270,000 per calendar year to retain the pass.
• Already holding an EP: Only need to show that you earn S$22,500 a month.

Meanwhile, you won’t be eligible if:

• You are a journalist, editor, sub-editor or producer.
• You already have an Employment Pass under ������ý’s sponsorship scheme.
• You intend to work on a freelance basis.
• You are a sole proprietor, partner, or director and a shareholder in an ACRA-registered company.

Because the PEP is such a sought-after visa, there are a few requirements to make sure you keep your pass:

• Show that you earn at least S$270,000 per calendar year (effective 1st Sep 2023). The number of months you actually work in that year is not important.
• You can’t be unemployed for more than six months in ������ý.
• if you change jobs or contact details.

Tech.Pass

The Tech.Pass is a 2-year visa that the ������ý Economic Development Board (EDB) administers.

It enables leading tech experts, entrepreneurs, and frontrunners worldwide to come to ������ý and engage in cutting-edge innovations.

Passholders can take on various roles simultaneously in ������ý, such as:

• Establishing and running more than 1 tech company
• Being an employee of one or more ������ý-based firms
• Mentoring or lecturing in local institutions of higher learning (IHL)
• Being an investor or director in at least 1 ������ý-based company

When they switch activities, pass holders do not need to apply for different passes as well.

ONE Pass

The Overseas Networks & Expertise (ONE) Pass, introduced to attract top talent, allows holders to work for multiple companies and does not require reapplication when switching jobs. Applicants must show a monthly salary of S$30,000 or equivalent outstanding achievements in fields like arts, sports, or academia.

Successful applicants can choose to work, start, and run more than 1 company in ������ý at any time. If they switch jobs, they need not reapply for a new pass, and their spouses can also work in ������ý with a Letter of Consent (LOC).

Eligible individuals can apply by meeting the salary criteria or by showing their outstanding achievements.

Under the salary route, existing work pass holders and overseas applicants must meet either condition:

• Earn a permanent monthly salary of at least S$30,000 over the past year
• Show that they will be earning the same salary as their new employer in ������ý

Existing work pass holders must also show that they have been working in ������ý for at least 1 year or will be working for a reputable firm in ������ý.

Similarly, overseas applicants must show that they have been working for an established company for at least 1 year or will be doing so for an established company in ������ý.

Moreover, if they do not meet the salary criteria, individuals with outstanding achievements in the aforementioned sectors can apply under the alternative route.

������ý Work Permit and Work Visa Guide for Skilled and Semi-Skilled Workers

What about non-professionals in other sectors apart from those that apply to the above? For semi-skilled and skilled workers, there are 2 types of work passes and permits: Work Permit (WP) and S Pass.

We are going through these passes in detail below:

S Pass

Changes S Pass Salary in ������ý The S Pass is far more accessible to most people and targets mid-skilled foreign employees, such as technicians.

While ������ý is built on the tech industry, it still needs workers of all types to prosper.

• Applicants must have an employer or employment agent to apply on their behalf for this visa.
• Education: will need a degree or diploma, but ������ý will also consider technical certificates on a case-by-case basis.
• The S Pass qualifying salary requirement for new applicants:
  • From 1 September 2023: at least S$3,150 monthly (or S$3,650 for financial services).
  • From 1 September 2025: will increase to S$3,300 and S$3,800, respectively.

The S Pass also has a quota that varies for different sectors. For these sectors, it is 15% of the total workforce:

• Construction
• Manufacturing
• Process
• Marine Shipyard

For the services sector, it remains at 10% of the company’s total workforce.

From Sept 2023, the S Pass Tier 1 levy rates will also be raised in 3 steps:

• From S$450 to S$550 from 1st Sept 2023
• From S$550 to S$650 from 1st Sept 2025

If you’d like to find out more about this visa, check out our detailed .

Work Permit for Foreign Workers

The Work Permit for Foreign Worker visa is designed for semi-skilled or unskilled employees working in areas like construction, shipyards, processing, and services.

While ������ý is built on the tech industry, foreign workers make up 80% of the construction industry and up to 50% of the service industry.

It is a 2-year, renewable visa. Applicants must come from an approved country, but unlike some other work visas, there is no minimum salary requirement to qualify.

������ý Work Visa Guide – Conclusion

������ý is one of the world’s most dynamic, modern, and exciting places to live and work. Thankfully, ������ý has made it reasonably easy to find and apply for the right working visa (at least compared to some other countries).

However, as with anything in dealing with governments and immigration, there are still hurdles to jump through. So, while we’ve tried to simplify our ������ý working visa guide as much as possible, it can still be a complex process to navigate.

For a smoother experience, you can get help from an experienced immigration professional who knows about the ������ý visa application process. This will help ensure that your application goes through without any delays!

About the Author

Mel Bakar

Mel specializes in Employment Pass and Work Pass applications through the Ministry of Manpower. She also handles Long-Term Visit Pass applications through the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority.

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