What’s in this article
The Singapore S Pass allows foreigners of mid-range skill level who earn a fixed monthly salary to work in Singapore. Starting 22 September 2023, the amount has been increased from $2,500 to $3,000 for all sectors except the financial services sector which received increment to $3,500. Employers must make S Pass applications on behalf of a job candidate according to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). If you’re considering work visas in Singapore, you should also look into if you qualify for Employment Passes.
S Pass applications are assessed based on multiple criteria including salary, education qualification, skills, job type, and work experience.
Why employment pass is better than S pass in Singapore?
Another work visa which could also be used is the Employment Pass (EP). One of the primary advantages of the Employment Pass is to start a business in Singapore and thus become self-employed.
A common occurrence we see is that S Pass holders have high enough salaries to meet the minimum salary requirement of EPs at S$4,500. If you can qualify for an EP, consider discussing with your employers to upgrade your pass.
If there is reluctance, discuss an arrangement of setting up your own company and your employer can contract work to you. This means less HR administrative procedures for them, less cost on levies, and a step towards personal and financial freedom for you.
Latest Singapore S Pass Eligibility in 2023
As mentioned, foreigners of mid-range skill level such as technicians who plan to work in Singapore may apply for the Singapore S Pass. Here are some of the qualifying criteria:
*The revised minimum fixed monthly salary will be increased progressively from 2022 to 2025 as detailed in the table below. It will require higher salaries to secure the S Pass in years to come.
Singapore S Pass Validity
The Singapore S Pass has a validity of up to 2 years and will be renewable for as long as the employee remains in the registered Company. It will have to be renewed every 2 years.
| Sector | From 1 Sep 2022 for new applications
|
From 1 Sep 2023 for new applications
|
From 1 Sep 2025 for new applications
|
| All (except financial services) |
$3,000 (increases progressively with age, up to $4,500 for those in mid-40s) |
At least $3,150 – finalised salary will be announced at a later date | At least $3,300 – finalised salary will be announced at a later date |
| Financial services | $3,500 (increases progressively with age, up to $5,500 for those in mid-40s) |
At least $3,650 | At least $3,800 (to be finalised) |
Source: Ministry of Manpower
Work Permit (WP) holders who wish to apply for the Singapore S Pass must ensure that they meet the preceding requirements.
Is there any quota for Singapore S Pass?
Every company has a quota on the Singapore S Pass. For employers, you should also note that there are changes to the quota and levy for this specific work visa.
According to the latest release by MOM, the number of S pass holders a company can employ is limited to the following:
Besides that, the foreign worker levy serves as a pricing mechanism aimed at controlling the presence of foreign workers in Singapore.
Employers are responsible for remitting the levy on behalf of all S Pass holder employees. The levy obligation commences on the day the S Pass is issued and concludes upon its cancellation or expiration.
The levy must be settled through the GIRO payment system.The rates are subject to periodic assessments and modifications as necessary, but this is the general rate:
| Tier | Quota | Levy Rate (Daily) | Levy Rate (Weekly) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Tier 1/ Basic (For all sectors including the services sector) |
Up to 10% of total staff | $550 | $18.08 |
|
Tier 2 (For all sectors excluding the services sector) |
Tier 2 (For all sectors excluding the services sector) |
$650 | $21.37 |
View the complete guide on calculating quota and levy bills here.
Documents Required for S Pass Application
The documents needed for an employer to submit your S Pass application are listed below:
Medical Insurance
The purchase and maintenance of medical insurance is a requirement for S Pass application. The insurance coverage must be worth at least S$15,000 per year for each worker’s inpatient care and day surgery during the person’s stay in Singapore.
If you’re an applicant of the Singapore S pass, you may also consider these additional insurances for expats.
Passes for Family Members
Singapore S Pass applicants whose fixed monthly salary is more than S$6,000 a month may apply for the Dependant’s Pass (DP) for their family members. The DP application and supporting documents may either be submitted together with the S Pass application or separately.
For S Pass holders who earn less than S$6,000 per month, they are not allowed to bring in their dependants such as spouses, children, and other family members.
Should the children of such S Pass holders wish to study in mainstream public schools in Singapore, they will have to pass a Qualifying Test (QT) or the Admissions Exercise for International Students (AEIS).
You can also look into the top international schools we have collated here, along with the types of enrolments.
Appeal for S Pass Rejection
When your S Pass application has been rejected, you have 3 months from the date of rejection to file an appeal. Before doing so, log into your EPOL account to review the rejection reasons so as to prepare all the needed supporting documents and justifications in line with the reason for rejection. You should only appeal when you are capable of directly addressing the reason for the rejection
Conclusion
Of course, it should also be noted that the Singapore S Pass is not the only work visa which could possibly be used by one who plans to live and work in Singapore. Another such pass is the Employment Pass (EP).
FAQs
All visas offered by the Singaporean government provide various advantages to those who obtain them. However, the advantages offered by the Employment Pass are more numerous, accessible, and commonly needed or desired when compared to the advantages offered by other visas. Therefore, the Employment Pass has become the most frequently issued, desired, and recommended visa in Singapore.
People of various educational levels, skill levels, and salaries are interested in moving to, living in, and working in Singapore. These differences prevent the same visa from being used for every foreigner who plans to work in Singapore. Thus, to overcome this potential problem, the Singaporean government must offer different types of visa to cater to the needs of as many foreign workers as possible.
I have an Approval-in-Principle S Pass. Can I Register a Business/set up a company/be a shareholder?
An S Pass is not an Employment Pass, which is the pass you are seeking. Please check the terms and conditions of your S Pass. If unsure, you should consult the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).
An S Pass is not an EntrePass, which is the pass you are seeking. Please check the terms and conditions of your S Pass. If unsure, you should consult the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).
