Work permit in Singapore

• MOM describes the Employment Pass as for foreign professionals, managers, executives and technicians, and says the employer must show it fairly considered all jobseekers. There are two stages, a qualifying salary and then COMPASS; failing the salary stage rules you out whatever your points.
• You do not apply yourself. Your employer, or an employment agent it appoints, applies, and you need not be in Singapore at that point. An overseas company with no Singapore-registered office must go through a local sponsor, and the pass should be cancelled if you stop working for the sponsoring employer.
• Two nearby passes are separate pages: the ONE Pass, for a fixed monthly salary of about S$30,000 or more (to be safe, more than S$31,000), and Tech.Pass, which stops taking new applications on 28 January 2027.

Sources: Ministry of Manpower (MOM), Economic Development Board (EDB). Checked 17 October 2026.

• For new applications before 1 January 2027, the qualifying salary is a fixed monthly salary that rises with age: from about S$5,600 at 23 or below to about S$10,700 at 45 or over, and about S$7,200 at 30 and about S$9,500 at 40. To be safe at 45 or over, have a job offer of more than S$11,000 a month.
• For new applications from 1 January 2027 the range is about S$6,000 at 23 or below to about S$11,500 at 45 or over (to be safe at 45 or over, more than S$12,000 a month); renewals expiring from 1 January 2028 use these figures. Financial services is higher: about S$6,200 to S$11,800 now, about S$6,600 to S$12,700 from 2027 (to be safe, more than S$13,000).
• COMPASS needs 40 points. Five criteria give 0, 10 or 20 points each: salary against local benchmarks, qualifications, nationality diversity in the firm, support for local employment, and a Shortage Occupation List bonus. A sixth, for a Strategic Economic Priorities programme, gives 10 points.
• You are exempt from COMPASS with a fixed monthly salary of about S$22,500 or more (to be safe, more than S$23,000), as an overseas intra-corporate transferee, or when filling the role for one month or less. No foreign worker levy or quota is required.

Sources: Ministry of Manpower (MOM). Checked 17 October 2026.

• For you, MOM lists the personal particulars page of your passport (with an explanation letter and proof such as a deed poll if names differ), proof of qualifications, and occupation-specific papers; the employer adds its ACRA business profile. Qualifications are verified once through a background screening company on MOM's list, a government or awarding-institution portal, or a professional body letter, not by certificates or notarised copies alone.
• Documents not in English go up as one file holding the original and an English translation. MOM's documents page does not mention a police certificate, apostille or medical requirement; the in-principle approval letter says whether a medical examination is needed.

Sources: Ministry of Manpower (MOM). Checked 17 October 2026.

• Before applying, the employer must advertise the job on MyCareersFuture for at least 14 consecutive days (a new advertisement and another 14 days if the UEN, occupation, salary or vacancies change). Exemptions include a company with fewer than 10 employees, a fixed monthly salary of about S$22,500 or more (to be safe, more than S$23,000), and a role of one month or less.
• An online application is usually processed or updated within 10 business days; the local-sponsor route for overseas companies usually takes up to 6 weeks. Approval comes as an in-principle approval letter, a pre-approved single-entry visa that gives you 6 months to enter Singapore and have the pass issued. MOM says to bring candidates in only after approval, because visit passes cannot be extended.
• You must be in Singapore for the pass to be issued. A notification letter, valid for 1 month, lets you work and travel while the card is made. If fingerprints and a photo are needed you register within 2 weeks of issue, and the card arrives within 5 working days after.

Sources: Ministry of Manpower (MOM). Checked 17 October 2026.

• The employer pays S$105 per application, then S$225 per pass at issuance, plus S$30 for a Multiple Journey Visa where one applies. A renewal costs the same S$225 issuance fee, plus S$30 for a Multiple Journey Visa where that applies.

Sources: Ministry of Manpower (MOM). Checked 17 October 2026.

• A first Employment Pass lasts up to 2 years and a renewal up to 3 years. MOM says experienced tech professionals with skills in shortage may be eligible for a 5-year pass.
• You can renew up to 6 months before expiry and must apply before the expiry date, or apply for a new pass. Renewal needs the qualifying salary, the same employer in a managerial, executive or specialised job, and COMPASS for passes expiring on or after 1 September 2024. MOM says renewals are not guaranteed; an online renewal is usually processed within 10 business days.

Sources: Ministry of Manpower (MOM). Checked 17 October 2026.

• ICA lists Employment Pass holders among those who can apply for permanent residence, through Singpass. Its page states no minimum number of years; it weighs length of residency alongside family ties, economic contribution, qualifications, age and family profile.
• The application fee is S$100 when you submit. On completing formalities you pay S$20 for the Entry Permit, S$50 for a 5-year Re-Entry Permit and S$50 for the identity card. ICA says applications are processed within 6 months if complete, and some take longer.

Sources: Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA). Checked 17 October 2026.

• A foreigner is a Singapore tax resident for a year of assessment if they stayed or worked in Singapore for at least 183 days in the previous calendar year, or for three consecutive years. Resident rates from the 2024 year of assessment start at 0% on the first S$20,000 and rise to 24% above S$1 million; a non-resident's employment income is taxed at a flat 15% or the resident rates, whichever is higher.
• MOM's key facts page says pass holders may need to pay income tax, and IRAS taxes pay for work done in Singapore even when a foreign employer pays it outside Singapore. The Central Provident Fund is for citizens and permanent residents; foreigners have not been allowed to contribute since 2003.
• When a foreign employee ceases employment, goes on an overseas posting or plans to leave Singapore for more than three months, the employer must seek tax clearance with Form IR21 and withhold all monies due to the employee for that purpose. This applies to all work pass holders.

Sources: Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS), Ministry of Manpower (MOM). Checked 17 October 2026.

• Family visa in Singapore
• Golden visa in Singapore

• Visas in Singapore
• Singapore

1. Visa requirements, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA), Singapore. Checked 15 October 2026.
2. Apply for an Employment Pass, Ministry of Manpower (MOM), Singapore. Checked 17 October 2026.
3. Documents required for an Employment Pass, Ministry of Manpower (MOM), Singapore. Checked 17 October 2026. Page last updated 18 May 2026.
4. Status table: Convention of 5 October 1961 abolishing the requirement of legalisation for foreign public documents (Apostille Convention), Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH). Checked 17 October 2026.
5. U.S. citizens and residents abroad: filing requirements, Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Checked 17 October 2026. Page last reviewed 28 September 2026.
6. United States income tax treaties, A to Z, Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Checked 15 October 2026.
7. US international Social Security agreements (Internet Archive copy), US Social Security Administration. Checked 15 October 2026.
8. Convention between Canada and the Republic of Singapore, Department of Finance Canada. Checked 17 October 2026. Page dated 16 September 2019; reference copy, no official sanction.
9. Work Holiday Programme: eligibility, Ministry of Manpower (MOM), Singapore. Checked 17 October 2026. Page last updated 5 August 2024.
10. Income tax treaties, Australian Treasury. Checked 15 October 2026.
11. Work Holiday Programme, Ministry of Manpower (MOM), Singapore. Checked 17 October 2026. Page last updated 26 December 2025.
12. Tax treaties, Inland Revenue (New Zealand). Checked 15 October 2026.
13. Eligibility for the Employment Pass, Ministry of Manpower (MOM), Singapore. Checked 17 October 2026. Page last updated 28 April 2026; salary table for ages 23 to 45 and over.
14. Employment Pass, Ministry of Manpower (MOM), Singapore. Checked 17 October 2026. Page last updated 27 August 2026.
15. Key facts on the Employment Pass, Ministry of Manpower (MOM), Singapore. Checked 17 October 2026.
16. Key facts on the Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass, Ministry of Manpower (MOM), Singapore. Checked 17 October 2026. Page last updated 14 September 2026; salary S$30,000.
17. Tech.Pass, Economic Development Board (EDB), Singapore. Checked 17 October 2026. Page last updated 16 October 2026; salary S$22,500.
18. Consider all candidates fairly before you apply for an Employment Pass, Ministry of Manpower (MOM), Singapore. Checked 17 October 2026. Page last updated 5 January 2026; exemption salary S$22,500.
19. Renew an Employment Pass, Ministry of Manpower (MOM), Singapore. Checked 17 October 2026.
20. Becoming a Permanent Resident, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA), Singapore. Checked 17 October 2026.
21. Individual income tax rates and tax residency, Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS). Checked 15 October 2026.
22. I am working for a foreign employer, Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS). Checked 15 October 2026.
23. Written answer on CPF contributions for Employment Pass and EntrePass holders, Ministry of Manpower (MOM), Singapore. Checked 15 October 2026.
24. Tax Clearance for Foreign & SPR Employees (IR21), Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS). Checked 17 October 2026. Page last updated 4 March 2026.