Getting started
Professionals, skilled workers, and laborers from around the world flock to Singapore, one of Asia’s top business hubs. Foreign nationals must have a valid work visa (also known as a work pass) to work legally in Singapore. Depending on your skills, qualifications, and job duties, you may need a certain type of visa.
Singapore’s most popular work visa categories
EP (Employment Pass)
- Designed For: Managers, executives, and professionals from foreign countries
- Qualifications: Offer of a job in Singapore, minimum fixed monthly salary (typically higher for more experienced candidates), and acceptable qualifications
- Validity: Up to 2 years initially, renewable
- Supports: Dependents (via a Dependant’s Pass or Long-Term Visit Pass).
S Pass
- Designed For: Skilled workers at the mid-level
- Qualifications: Offer of a job in Singapore, a minimum monthly salary (lower than EP but above a set threshold), relevant work experience, and qualifications
- Validity: Up to 2 years initially, renewable
- Quota system applies (employers are limited in the number of S Pass holders they can hire)
Obtaining a foreign worker’s work permit
- Designed For: Employees in the sectors of construction, manufacturing, marine shipyards, processes, and services who are semi-skilled or unskilled
- Qualifications: Job offer from a Singapore-registered company, most sectors do not require a formal degree
- Validity: Up to 2 years, renewable
- Employers are required to pay quotas and levy payments
Foreign Domestic Workers’ Work Permits
- Designed For: Domestic helpers from abroad
- Qualifications: Applicants must be between 23 and 50 years of age, have a formal education of at least eight years, and be from approved source countries
- Validity: Up to 2 years, renewable
- It is necessary to meet special medical and training requirements
Performing Artists’ Work Permit
- Designed For: Workers in public entertainment establishments (such as nightclubs, lounges, and bars) are usually foreigners
- Qualifications: Offer of employment in an approved entertainment venue
- Validity: This is typically for a period of six months, with the possibility of renewal
EnterPass
- Designed For: Entrepreneurs from abroad starting and operating businesses in Singapore
- Qualifications: Innovation, funding, technology-based business are some of the criteria for innovative businesses.
- Validity: Up to 1 year initially, renewable
- The business must meet certain requirements to allow the bringing of dependants
PEP (Personal Employment Pass)
- Designed For: Foreign professionals or those with existing Employment Passes who earn high incomes
- Qualifications: The minimum fixed monthly salary threshold should be significantly higher than the EP
- Validity: 3 years, not renewable, but holders can switch jobs without reapplying for a new pass
- Unattached to a specific employer
Employment Pass for Training
- Designed For: Experiencing practical training in Singapore as a foreign professional
- Qualifications: Undergraduates or graduates from approved universities, or trainees from overseas offices of Singapore-based companies
- Validity: Up to 3 months, non-renewable
Work Permit for Training
- Designed For: Trainees with semiskilled or unskilled abilities
- Qualifications: An approved employer can provide practical training in Singapore
- Validity: Up to 6 months, non-renewable
Important Information for Immigrants
- Levy and quota systems: The levy is charged to employers with S Passes and Work Permits—they must adhere to a quota limit and pay a levy.
- Health Checkup: Medical examinations are required before or soon after arrival for most work permits.
- Sponsorship by family: The EP, PEP, and EntrePass are the only passes that can sponsor family members.
- Renewal of Passes: It is a condition of renewal that the employee continues to work and meets the salary and qualification requirements.
Conclusion
Singapore’s work visa framework accommodates professionals at every level—from senior executives and entrepreneurs to both skilled and unskilled workers. The right visa category depends on your qualifications, type of job, and whether your employer provides sponsorship.