Guide to Singapore S Pass: Eligibility, Validity & Quota

Employees planning to work in Singapore must ensure they have a valid work pass. The Singapore S Pass is a work pass that allows foreigners of a mid-range skill level who earn a fixed monthly salary to work in Singapore. Starting 1 September 2023, the amount has been increased from $3,000 to $3,150 for all sectors. However, the financial services sector received an increment of $150, bringing the minimum monthly salary to $3,650.

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.

Furthermore, salary, education qualification, skills, job type, and work experience are all considerations for the S Pass application.

Key Takeaways

• The Singapore S Pass is a work pass that allows foreigners of a mid-range skill level who earn a fixed monthly salary to work in Singapore that comes with eligibility criteria such as a minimum qualifying salary, which starts at S$3,150 and varies by sector and qualifications.
• This application process requires the employer to apply for the pass online, submit necessary educational and professional documentation, and understand the quota and levy system. Online applications generally take 10 business days to review and process. Employers are required to pay a monthly levy via the GIRO payment system. The rates are subject to periodic assessments and modifications as necessary.
• S Pass holders have financial obligations and rights such as meeting minimum salary requirements, providing medical insurance, renewing or canceling the pass as needed, and applying for a dependent’s pass for families or considering transitioning to permanent residency. Each S Pass is valid for up to 2 years and can be renewed 6 months before its expiry. Employees can only hold one pass.

Why is the Employment Pass better than the S Pass in Singapore?

Employees can apply for the Employment Pass (EP) to work in Singapore.

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 work pass. Concurrently, 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 2024

As mentioned, foreigners of mid-range skill levels such as technicians who plan to work in Singapore may apply for the Singapore S Pass. Here are some of the qualifying criteria:

• Minimum fixed monthly salary of  $3,150
• Degree or diploma
• Technical certificates which certify at least one year of full-time study
• Type of job
• Number of years of relevant work experience

Singapore S Pass Validity

The pass has a validity of up to 2 years and will be renewable for as long as the employee remains in the registered company. Employers must renew the pass every 2 years.

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 the Singapore S Pass?

Every company has a pass quota on the Singapore S Pass. For employers, you should also note that there are changes to the quota for this specific pass.

According to the latest release by MOM, the number of S pass holders a company can employ is limited to the following:

• 10% of the company’s total workforce in the services sector
• 15%* in the manufacturing, construction, marine shipyard, and process sectors

Besides that, the foreign worker levy serves as a pricing mechanism aimed at controlling the presence of foreign workers in Singapore. Moreover, employers are responsible for remitting the levy on behalf of all S Pass holder employees. The payment obligation commences on the day the pass is issued and concludes upon its cancellation or expiration.

Settle the levy using the GIRO payment system only. The rates are subject to periodic assessments and modifications as necessary, but this is the general rate:

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:

• Your letter of consent
• The completed Pass Application Form
• A photocopy of your passport’s personal details page
• Copy of your marriage certificate (if applicable)
• The latest business profile of the company registered with ACRA
• Copies of your diplomas or other relevant certifications
• Letter of Support or Registration from a Registration Agency, Professional Body, or Accreditation Agency.
• If your employer is the representative of the Singapore branch of an overseas company:
  • A copy of the approval letter that International Enterprise Singapore issued allowing the company to set up a representative office in Singapore.
  • A letter from the company’s headquarters that states the reason for the application, how long you will work for the company, and guarantees that they are responsible for your maintenance and repatriation.
• If you will be employed in a food establishment: a copy of the license issued by the Singapore Food Agency (SFA)

Get The Pass Card Issued

Upon receiving the In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter, the employee has 60 days to enter Singapore (on a single, pre-approved entry with the IPA letter only).

Within these 60 days, the employer must make a $100 fee payment via GIRO, Visa, Mastercard, or Amex to issue the work pass card.

Additionally, issuing the pass will allow the candidate can start work, and travel in and out of Singapore. This is valid for 1 month upon receiving a notification letter.

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 for the Singapore S pass, you may also consider these additional insurances for expatriates.

Passes for Family Members

Applicants holding Singapore S Passes with a minimum monthly salary of over S$6,000 are eligible to seek the Dependant’s Pass (DP) for their dependents. The DP application and supporting documents may either be submitted together with the S Pass application or separately.

Singapore does not permit S Pass holders who earn less than S$6,000 per month to bring their dependents, such as spouses, children, and other family members, into the country.

However, 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 authorities reject your S Pass application, you must file an appeal within 3 months from the date of rejection. Before doing so, log into your EPOL account to review the rejection reasons to prepare all the needed supporting documents and justifications in line with the reason for rejection. Generally, you should only appeal when you are capable of directly addressing the reason for the rejection.

Renewing or Canceling an S Pass

Renewing Your S Pass

Employers can renew your S Pass on your behalf in Singapore for up to 6 months before the pass expires. Employers renewing a pass will incur a cost of $100 to issue it. Subsequently, applying early will not affect the renewal process, it typically takes up to 10 business days.

Furthermore, the pass can be issued for up to 3 years, depending on the pass holder’s passport validity, which must have at least seven months remaining.

Canceling Your S Pass

Additionally, notify your employer or their appointed employment agency regarding the cancellation. They will submit a cancellation request to the Singaporean government. Moreover, you can also apply for a short-term visit pass within 30 days of cancellation to remain in Singapore and wrap up your affairs before leaving the country. However, never initiate a cancellation yourself!

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Singapore S Pass isn’t the only work pass for living and working in Singapore. In addition, the most popular work passes in Singapore include the Employment Pass (EP) and Work Permit. An added benefit of an S Pass or Employment Pass is to establish your own company and apply for permanent residency in Singapore.

Consider applying for an S Pass, or explore if you qualify for an Employment Pass today!