The S Pass is a work pass issued by Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower. It’s for skilled workers and professionals who want to work in Singapore. This pass is for individuals with work experience, special skills and technical certificates.
It allows mid-level skilled workers to work in Singapore if they meet the eligibility criteria and minimum salary requirements.
Employers or employment agents must submit the application on behalf of the applicant. The applicant must have a job offer in Singapore and a fixed salary comparable to the top one-third of the local workforce.
The process is streamlined but requires several pre-requisites including job advertisement on MyCareersFuture.
Summary
S Pass allows foreign workers to work in Singapore.
Employers or employment agents to apply on behalf of the applicant.
Fills skilled job positions and boost Singapore’s economy.
The S Pass is a work visa in Singapore for mid-level skilled workers to live and work in Singapore under certain conditions. Both employers and employees must understand its requirements and purpose.
The S Pass is a type of work permit issued by Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower. For mid-level skilled workers with qualifications and work experience. Valid for up to 2 years and can be renewed if eligibility criteria is met.
To apply for S Pass, candidates must have a minimum fixed monthly salary of SGD 2,500 and more. Employers or their appointed employment agents must submit the application on behalf of the applicant. If you change jobs, your new employer must apply for a new S Pass.
The S Pass assessment uses the Self-Assessment Tool provided by Ministry of Manpower. This tool will determine if you meet the eligibility criteria before you apply.
The S Pass is to fill the gaps in the workforce that need skilled workers but not highly specialized. It’s for industries such as manufacturing, construction, healthcare and more where specific skills are needed but not at the level of Employment Pass.
One of the main purpose of S Pass is to ensure employers have access to a pool of qualified and skilled professionals to meet their business needs.
Before applying, employers must advertise the position on MyCareersFuture for at least 14 days to consider local candidates fairly. This is to promote fair employment practices.
Employers are subject to quota and levy for S Pass holders, meaning there’s a limit to the number of S Passes an employer can have and additional fees to be paid per S Pass holder. This is to maintain a balanced workforce and to encourage hiring of local talent where possible.
To apply for S Pass in Singapore, candidates must meet the requirements for education, salary and job type.
Candidates must have relevant education and work experience. Typically a technical diploma or degree is required. Ministry of Manpower also considers technical certificates and special skills in determining eligibility.
Relevant experience increases the chances of approval. Employers must ensure qualifications meet Singapore’s standards and candidates must have skills that match the job offered.
Minimum monthly salary of SGD 3,150 to qualify for S Pass. This is benchmarked against the top one-third of local associate professionals and technicians by age.
Key Points:
Salary: SGD 3,150 and above.
Benchmarked against local professionals by age.
Higher salary may be required for older candidates or specialized positions.
Not all industries and job types are eligible for S Pass. Employers must check if their company is within the foreign worker quota. Some industries such as manufacturing, services and construction have different quota limits.
Employers must advertise the job on MyCareersFuture and consider local candidates fairly. Only after that can they proceed to hire a foreign worker under the S Pass scheme.
For more information, visit Ministry of Manpower’s eligibility page.
Having an S Pass has many advantages. For individual, S Pass allows you to work in Singapore as a mid-skilled worker. You can enjoy benefits such as healthcare and Central Provident Fund (CPF) contributions. This can give you better job security and access to quality medical care.
You can also bring in eligible family members to Singapore. This gives you peace of mind and a more comfortable living environment. Plus earning a minimum of $3,150 a month can improve your financial stability and overall well-being.
For Singapore, S Pass helps to fill the gap for mid-skilled workers. Employers can hire professionals who do not meet the criteria for Employment Pass. This flexibility helps to balance the workforce and keep the economy strong.
S Pass also supports industries that require special skills. This keeps Singapore competitive in the global market. Plus the tax contributions from S Pass holders feed into the local economy to fund public services.
Introduction of diverse skills and cultures brings innovation and productivity to Singapore. This creates a dynamic work environment which can lead to growth of businesses and communities.
For more information on S Pass and how it benefits individual and Singapore, visit Ministry of Manpower’s official page.
When choosing the right pass for foreign employees, you need to know how S Pass compares to other options like Employment Pass (EP) and Work Permit.
S Pass: Mid-skilled foreign employees.
Employment Pass (EP): Foreign professionals, managers and executives.
Work Permit: Semi-skilled and unskilled workers.
S Pass: Minimum salary and qualifications.
EP: Higher minimum salary and acceptable qualifications.
Work Permit: No minimum salary, but different industries have different criteria.
S Pass: Fixed monthly salary comparable to top one-third of local APT workforce.
EP: Higher than S Pass threshold.
Work Permit: Varies by sector.
S Pass: Quota and Foreign Worker Levy (FWL).
EP: No quota, only Skills Development Levy (SDL).
Work Permit: Quota and FWL, varies by sector.
S Pass: Eligible if salary meets the required threshold.
EP: Eligible if EP holder earns a fixed monthly salary.
Work Permit: Not eligible.
These will help you decide which pass is best for your hiring needs. Evaluate based on the job type, candidate qualifications and specific requirements like quotas and levies.
To apply for S Pass, you need to prepare the required documents, submit through the right channels and wait for assessment and approval.
You will need to prepare the following documents and information to apply for S Pass:
Personal details: Full name, date of birth, nationality and contact details.
Passport details: Validity dates, passport number and country of issue.
Academic qualifications: Certificates, diplomas or degrees to support education background.
Work experience: Detailed information on previous employment, job titles and responsibilities.
Letter of consent: From the candidate.
S Pass Application Form: Fill up completely and accurately.
Having all these documents ready will make the application process easier.
You need to submit the S Pass application through EP eService.
Here’s the steps:
Log in: Use your SingPass or CorpPass to log in to EP eService.
Fill up: Fill up the form with all the required information and upload the documents.
Review: Check for errors before submitting.
Pay fee: There may be a non-refundable processing fee.
Submit: Once everything is correct, submit.
You don’t need to be in Singapore to apply. Keep a record of your submission.
After you submit the application, MOM will process it.
Processing time: 10 working days.
Outcomes: Approval, request for more documents or rejection.
Status updates: You will receive email updates on the application status.
If approved, you will receive an In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter. You can then finalize employment arrangements and apply for passes for dependents if applicable. Follow the instructions in the IPA letter to complete the process.
S Pass employment conditions are the terms and conditions under which you will work and the benefits you are entitled to. Know both to have a smoother working experience in Singapore.
When you hold an S Pass, your employer must comply with these terms. These terms include a minimum qualifying salary which is revised from time to time. Currently, the qualifying salary is the top one-third of the local workforce by age.
You must have a job offer from a Singapore-based employer or employment agency. The employer must also comply with S Pass quota and levy regulations by MOM. If you change job, your new employer must apply for a new pass. This ensures continuous compliance with employment guidelines.
Also, your job must be advertised on MyCareersFuture.sg and consider all candidates before applying. This is to promote fair hiring.
As an S Pass holder, you have rights that protect you. These rights include medical insurance which your employer must provide. The insurance is compulsory and will give you financial protection in case of medical problems.
You are also entitled to basic workplace rights such as safe working conditions and fair treatment. Employers cannot discriminate based on nationality or any other grounds.
Your obligations are to maintain valid work status and comply with local laws and regulations. This means renew your S Pass on time and do not overstay your visa.
Employers are responsible to ensure your work conditions comply with the regulations. They must not only pay you fair wages and provide safe working environment but also help you with the necessary paperwork to maintain your work permit.
Renewing and cancelling an S Pass involves specific steps that you need to follow to comply with Singapore regulations. You need to know the timelines and requirements for each process.
To renew an S Pass, you need to apply before your current pass expires. You can start the renewal process up to 6 months before the expiration date. Make sure to apply early to avoid any disruption to your employment.
You must ensure you still meet the quota and industry requirements. The application involves submitting necessary documents such as proof of continued employment and updated medical records. Fees apply and must be paid during application. If the pass holder’s employment conditions change, notify MOM.
Once you submit the application, it will take a few weeks to process. If approved, the renewed S Pass will be issued and the employee can continue to work without any disruption.
If an S Pass holder leaves Singapore permanently, you must cancel the pass within 1 week from the departure date. Cancellation can be done online through MOM website.
Upon cancellation, all dependent passes issued to family members will also be cancelled. Ensure you settle any outstanding fees and pending matters related to the pass holder before cancelling.
You will need the following details: pass holder’s FIN number and departure date. Upon successful cancellation, MOM will issue a cancellation letter. Keep this document for your records.
Dependants of S Pass holders have certain privileges in Singapore. These include eligibility criteria for dependants and the process to apply for a Dependant’s Pass.
To qualify for a Dependant’s Pass, your dependants must meet certain criteria. You must hold a valid S Pass and earn a minimum fixed monthly salary of $6,000. Your dependants are only your legal spouse and unmarried children under 21 years old, including legally adopted children.
Your employer in Singapore must sponsor your dependants’ pass. The sponsor must be a well established, Singapore registered company. This will ensure your dependants have financial security while you work in Singapore. Meeting these requirements is essential for your family members to join you legally in Singapore.
Applying for a Dependant’s Pass involves several steps. First, gather all necessary documents such as birth certificates, marriage certificates and passports of your dependants. Your employer must submit these documents along with the application form to MOM.
The application takes about 3 weeks to process. During this time, the authorities will review the information and verify eligibility. Once approved, your dependant can enter Singapore, linked to the validity of your S Pass. If your S Pass is renewed, the dependant’s pass must be renewed accordingly.
Make sure to follow the guidelines and ensure all documents are accurate to avoid any delay.
The S Pass policy has been updated, affecting qualifying salaries and eligibility criteria. These changes are to ensure the S Pass remains relevant and fair for both employers and employees.
From 1 Sep 2023, the minimum qualifying salary for new S Pass applications is $3,150. This is part of the staged increases in salary threshold. Older candidates will need to meet higher salary requirements.
For those renewing their S Pass, the existing salary threshold of $3,000 remains for passes expiring from 1 Sep 2023.
Current S Pass holders whose passes are due for renewal from 1 Sep 2023, will still be subject to the older salary requirement of $3,000. New applicants will need to meet the new minimum salary of $3,150.
Employers must now use the MyCareersFuture platform to advertise job vacancies before applying for an S Pass. This is to ensure all candidates are fairly considered. Employers must meet these criteria to avoid penalties.
This means prospective S Pass holders must be prepared for higher salary requirements and a more competitive application process.
An S Pass is for mid level skilled workers who want to work in Singapore. It is a key player in the labour market for employers and foreign professionals.
To qualify, you need to meet the criteria, including a minimum monthly salary of $3,150. This is to maintain the economic standards for local associate professionals and technicians.
You should also note that an employer or employment agent like P Connect Services must apply on your behalf. If you change jobs, the new employer will need to apply for a new pass as well.
Use the Self-Assessment Tool provided by MOM to check your eligibility before applying.
Also, remember to advertise job openings on MyCareersFuture to consider all candidates fairly.
For the application, you will need to submit personal details and passport copy, and pay $105 per pass as stated in the Complete Guide to S Pass Application.
This way to access skilled labour is fair and transparent for both employees and employers.
This section answers common questions about S Pass, including differences from other passes, application for Indian nationals, and impact on permanent residency and citizenship in Singapore.
