Work Permit & Visa Guide for Singapore in 2026

In Singapore, legal employment for foreign staff runs through a work pass, the official term for what most people call a work permit or work visa. The Ministry of Manpower administers them across three groups: professionals, skilled and semi-skilled workers, and trainees or students.

This guide walks through each category: the passes available, eligibility criteria, application process, processing times, fees, and validity. It also covers the short-term activities you can perform on a visit pass without a formal work pass.

What Does the Ministry of Manpower Do?

MOM is the government authority behind every work pass. It sets the qualifying salary thresholds, runs the quotas and levies that cap foreign hiring in each sector, and writes the employment laws that govern the relationship once someone starts work.

MOM also enforces them. The agency audits employers, investigates complaints, and can bar a company from hiring foreign workers where it finds breaches. Two other bodies sit alongside it: the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority, which controls entry at the border and issues visit passes, and the Economic Development Board, which runs Tech.Pass for senior technology talent.

For an employer, that means compliance is not a one-off filing. It runs for as long as the pass does.

Work Pass for Professionals

These passes cover professionals, managers, and executives in higher-skilled or leadership roles. Each requires relevant qualifications, experience, and a minimum monthly salary set by MOM.

Employment Pass

The Employment Pass (EP) is the standard route for foreign professionals, managers, and executives hired into specialist or leadership roles.

The Singaporean employer or an appointed employment agent files through the EP eService. MOM processes online applications, or gives an update, within 10 business days. Without a Singapore-registered entity, the hiring company applies through a local sponsor and can wait up to 6 weeks for most cases.

An approved EP runs up to 2 years at first issue, renewable for up to 3 years.

Eligibility criteria:

• The minimum qualifying salary starts at SGD 5,600 in most sectors and SGD 6,200 in financial services. It rises with age, up to SGD 10,700 (most sectors) or SGD 11,800 (financial services) at 45 and above (rising from 1 January 2027, see the note at the top).
• Unless exempt, applications must meet the points-based Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS) and score at least 40 points. Exemptions include a fixed monthly salary of SGD 22,500 or more, overseas intra-corporate transferees, and roles of 1 month or less.
• Employers advertise the role on MyCareersFuture for at least 14 consecutive days and consider all candidates fairly, unless an exemption applies.

Entrepreneurship Pass

The Entrepreneurship Pass (EntrePass) suits foreign founders starting a venture-backed or innovative business here. No minimum salary applies, since it targets entrepreneurs, technologists, and investors building ventures rather than taking a salaried role.

andidates apply for themselves. MOM processes most applications within 6 weeks. The pass runs up to 1 year at first issue, with the first renewal up to 1 year and later renewals up to 2 years each.

Eligibility criteria:

• You have started, or intend to start, a private limited company registered with ACRA in which you hold at least 30%, and the business is venture-backed or owns innovative technology.
• You meet at least one of the following: you have raised SGD 100,000 or more in a single funding round, you are supported by a government-recognised or internationally renowned incubator or accelerator, you have founded and sold a venture-backed or innovative-tech business, you hold registered IP that gives a significant competitive advantage, or you run a research collaboration in Singapore with an Institute of Higher Learning (IHL) or Research Institution (RI).

Personalised Employment Pass

The Personalised Employment Pass (PEP) targets high-earning EP holders and overseas professionals who want flexibility. You change employers without reapplying and take roles in any sector, though regulated professions still need the relevant Singapore registration.

Candidates apply on their own. MOM processes most applications within 6 weeks. A PEP runs a fixed term of up to 3 years and does not renew.

Eligibility criteria:

• You earn a fixed monthly salary of at least SGD 22,500. Overseas applicants must have drawn that salary within the past 6 months.
• You stay employed in Singapore. Unemployment beyond 6 months means the pass gets cancelled.
• You are not an EP holder under the sponsorship scheme.

Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass

The Overseas Networks & Expertise (ONE) Pass gives top talent room to manoeuvre. You hold several roles at once, such as running a company, consulting, and holding employment, without reapplying when you switch jobs.

You apply directly, or your employer or an employment agent applies for you. Most applications take about 4 weeks. The ONE Pass runs up to 5 years, renewable for another 5.

Eligibility criteria (any one):

• You earned a fixed monthly salary of at least SGD 30,000 for 12 consecutive months before applying.
• You will earn at least SGD 30,000 a month with a future Singapore employer.
• You hold outstanding achievements in business, arts and culture, sports, academia, or research.

Work Pass for Skilled and Semi-Skilled Workers

This group covers technical, operational, and hands-on roles. These passes carry quotas, levies, and medical insurance requirements.

S Pass

The S Pass covers mid-level skilled staff in technical, operational, or supervisory roles. MOM positions it as the route for hiring associate professionals and technicians who fall short of EP criteria.

The employer or an employment agency files through the EP eService. MOM gives an outcome or update within about 10 business days. Standard validity runs up to 2 years, with renewals up to 3 years.

Eligibility criteria:

• The minimum qualifying salary starts at SGD 3,300 in most sectors and SGD 3,800 in financial services, rising with age to SGD 4,800 (most sectors) or SGD 5,650 (financial services) at 45 and above.
• The employer advertises the role on MyCareersFuture for at least 14 consecutive days and considers all applicants fairly, unless exempt.
• The employer falls under the S Pass quota and pays a monthly levy of SGD 650.
• The employer provides medical insurance for the pass holder.
• The employer buys a Primary Care Plan (PCP) if the worker stays in a dormitory housing 7 or more workers, or works in construction, marine shipyard, or process sectors.

Work Permit

Four work permit types exist, each tied to a job scope:

• Migrant workers: eligible roles in construction, manufacturing, marine shipyard, process, or the services sector. Valid up to 2 years.
• Migrant domestic workers: household employment of a foreign domestic helper. Valid up to 2 years.
• Confinement nannies: short-term permit for Malaysian confinement nannies covering the postpartum period. Valid up to 16 weeks from the child's date of birth.
• Performing artistes: eligible performances at licensed public entertainment outlets. Valid up to 6 months. MOM stopped accepting new applications under this scheme from 1 June 2026, although existing holders can stay until their passes expire or are cancelled.

No minimum salary applies. Depending on the job scope, employers may face foreign worker quotas, a monthly levy that varies by sector and tier, a PCP purchase, and medical insurance for each worker.

Employers or agents apply online through the relevant eService. MOM indicates about 1 week for most online applications.

Work Pass for Trainees and Students

These passes cover students, interns, and trainees on short-term training or work experience. They are temporary, non-renewable, and tied to an approved course or programme.

Training Employment Pass

The Training Employment Pass (TEP) brings foreign students, or trainees from an overseas parent, subsidiary, or branch, to Singapore for structured practical training in professional, managerial, executive, or specialist roles.

The Singapore employer files through EP eService. Maximum validity is 3 months, with no renewal.

Eligibility criteria:

• Foreign students: the training forms part of their course of study, and they either come from an acceptable institution or earn a fixed monthly salary of at least SGD 3,000.
• Trainees from an overseas office or subsidiary: a fixed monthly salary of at least SGD 3,000.

Work Holiday Pass (Work Holiday Programme)

The Work Holiday Pass lets eligible students and recent graduates work short-term while holidaying here. You can work across most sectors including retail, tourism, and F&B. Regulated professions such as medicine or law still require Singapore registration.

Candidates apply directly online. MOM indicates that most cases are processed within 4 weeks. The pass runs up to 6 months and does not renew.

Eligibility criteria:

• You are 18 to 25 at the time of application.
• You study at, or graduated from, a university in Australia, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, or the United States.
• The government of that country or region recognises your university.
• Undergraduates: resident and full-time student for at least 3 months before applying.
• Graduates: resident and full-time student of the university.

Work Holiday Pass (Work and Holiday Visa Programmes)

Built for Australian and New Zealand citizens, this programme gives a 12-month pass to live, work, and travel in Singapore, with a wider range of roles than the standard Work Holiday.

You apply directly online. MOM indicates about 4 weeks. The pass runs 12 months, does not renew, and can be held once.

Eligibility criteria:

• You are a citizen of Australia or New Zealand.
• You are 18 to 30 at the time of application.
• You hold a university degree, or completed the equivalent of two years of full-time undergraduate study.

Training Work Permit

The Training Work Permit (TWP) covers short, structured practical training in semi-skilled or unskilled roles. It suits training attachments, not employment.

Employers apply online. MOM issues interim approval in about 1 working day and gives a final outcome within 3 weeks of receiving full documents. The TWP runs up to 6 months and does not renew.

Eligibility criteria:

• Employees come from a related overseas company for practical training.
• Foreign students enrol at a Singapore institution, with the attachment forming part of the course.
• The employer falls under the foreign worker quota and pays a monthly levy of SGD 200 to 300.
• The employer provides medical insurance for the TWP holder.

How to Apply for a Work Pass in Singapore: Step by Step

Most applications follow the same flow. Here is the process for a foreign national applying with a Singaporean employer.

Step 1: Confirm eligibility. Check the criteria for the visa type using MOM's Self-Assessment Tool. Match the minimum monthly salary, age, and educational qualifications to the pass.

Step 2: Prepare required documents. Standard paperwork includes:

• The personal particulars page of the candidate's passport (for an S Pass, the passport must be valid for at least 7 months)
• The company's latest business profile registered with ACRA
• Verification proof of the candidate's qualifications, where the application needs points for them
• The application form, completed online

For EP and S Pass applications, the employer must first advertise the role on MyCareersFuture for at least 14 consecutive days and consider all candidates fairly, unless an exemption applies. Work Permit applications do not have this step.

Step 3: Submit the application online. The employer, an employment agency, or the applicant (by pass type) files through the MyMOM portal. Complete every field, since gaps cause delays.

Step 4: Receive the In-Principle Approval letter. MOM issues an IPA letter on approval. It is a pre-approved single-entry visa that lets the applicant enter Singapore and have the pass issued within the validity stated (6 months for the EP, 60 days for the S Pass). It is not a work pass. The IPA also states whether a medical examination is needed after arrival.

Step 5: Enter Singapore and get the pass issued. After the candidate arrives, the employer or employment agent gets the pass issued through MOM's eService. If the notification letter says registration is required, the candidate then registers fingerprints and a photo with MOM, at the Employment Pass Services Centre for an EP or at MOM Services Centre for an S Pass or Work Permit.

Step 6: Notification letter and card delivery. A notification letter confirms issuance and lets the candidate start work while waiting for the card, which MOM delivers within 5 working days after registration or document verification.

How to Sponsor a Work Visa as an Employer

Foreign workers cannot sponsor themselves into most passes. A Singapore entity holds the sponsorship, and that carries obligations.

What you need as a sponsor:

• A company registered with ACRA, with a valid UEN and a local registered office address
• A Corppass account to access the MyMOM portal, or an appointed employment agency
• Headroom under your sector's quota, and the levy budgeted per worker
• A job advertised on MyCareersFuture for 14 days, where the fair consideration rules apply
• Medical insurance and, in some sectors, a Primary Care Plan and security bond

Sponsorship continues after approval. You report salary changes, cancel the pass within 7 days when employment ends, and keep payroll records that match what you declared. MOM audits against these.

No Singapore entity yet? Two routes work. Incorporate a company and sponsor directly, which suits founders planning a real local base. Or use an employer of record (EOR), a third party that already holds a Singapore entity, hires your worker on paper, and runs payroll and compliance for a monthly fee. An EOR fits a first hire or a market test in a global expansion. It costs more per head over time, and it gives you no entity of your own.

Work Pass Fees and Costs

Total cost depends on the pass type, the levy, and extras such as insurance, security bond, or medical examination.

MOM sets these fees and changes them from time to time. Check the official schedule before you apply.

How to Check Work Pass Application Status

Check the status of any application through the MyMOM portal with your Singpass, or the employer's Corppass. The portal shows whether the application is pending, approved, rejected, or awaiting documents. 

Applicants outside Singapore track permit status through EP Online or WP Online. MOM sends updates to the registered email address of the employer or applicant. To look up an application, you need the passport number and date of birth, or the application reference from the acknowledgement.

Once the pass is issued, verify it any time with the FIN printed on the card. Employers should run this check before the first day of work, since an IPA letter alone does not confirm a valid pass.

If MOM rejects the application, you have 3 months to appeal. The appeal needs new facts or documents that answer MOM's concerns.

How to Renew a Work Pass

Most passes renew before expiry. The steps:

1. Check renewal eligibility. MOM indicates whether the pass renews and on what terms. Some do not, including the PEP and Work Holiday Pass.
2. Update salary information. The minimum salary must meet the current threshold, which sits above the level at first issue.
3. Submit online. File up to 6 months before the expiry date through the MyMOM portal, and always before the pass expires.
4. Pay the renewal fees. For an Employment Pass this is the SGD 225 issuance fee (plus SGD 30 for a Multiple Journey Visa, if applicable), and for an S Pass it is SGD 100.
5. Receive the renewed pass card with the new validity period.

Renewal also requires the employer to confirm continued employment and meet ongoing obligations: medical insurance, quota, and levy payments.

Bringing Family: Dependant's Pass and LTVP

Higher-tier pass holders can bring family. Three options exist.

A Dependant's Pass runs to the same expiry as the main pass and renews alongside it. Work Permit holders cannot sponsor family passes at all, and S Pass holders earning below SGD 6,000 a month cannot either. Factor the health insurance and school costs in early: they land outside the salary calculation, and they surprise people.

Work Pass Exemptions

Some short-term activities run on a Short-Term Visit Pass (STVP) with no work pass. Submit an e-notification to MOM after arrival and before you start. The cap is 90 days per calendar year across all such stints.

Each stint runs only as long as the STVP issued at the checkpoint allows. You can extend the notification before its end date, provided you stay inside the 90-day cap and your STVP is valid for the extension period. MOM will not consider extending the STVP itself for a work-pass-exempt activity.

As of October 2026, MOM allows these work pass-exempt activities:

• Arbitration or mediation for cases that are not religious, race-related, or political
• Exhibition participation as a registered exhibitor, to demonstrate, display, or sell during official opening hours
• International Judges of the Supreme Court on Singapore International Commercial Court (SICC) matters or related work
• Registered foreign lawyers with the SICC carrying out permitted representation or advisory work
• Casino junket work for overseas-based licensed junket representatives or promoters
• Film and fashion production roles such as actor, model, director, crew, or photographer
• Performances by actors, singers, dancers, musicians or key support staff at government-supported events or at public performance venues such as theatres and concert halls (not at bars, nightclubs, pubs, hotels, private clubs or restaurants with a Category 1 Public Entertainment Licence, unless the event is government-supported)
• Journalism activities (including media coverage and media tours) supported by the Government or a statutory board
• Specialised technical services to commission or audit new plant or equipment, install or maintain machinery, or transfer process know-how
• Seminars and conferences as speaker, moderator, facilitator, or trainer, where the event is not sales-led, religious, race-related, or political
• Sports activities supported by the Government or a statutory board, such as competing, coaching, officiating, or event support
• Tour facilitation providing logistical support for foreign tour groups

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right pass is the first real step for any foreigner working in Singapore. Match the role, experience, salary, and sector to the correct pass, then check the quota, levy, and employer obligations.

• Professionals and managers: the EP is the default route. For flexibility, look at the PEP or the ONE Pass.
• Mid-level skilled roles: the S Pass is the standard pathway.
• Sector-specific work in construction, manufacturing, or services: the Work Permit.
• Trainees and students: the TWP and Work Holiday Pass cover short engagements.
• Short-term projects: some activities run on a Short-Term Visit Pass under the exemptions.

Founders planning to move to Singapore and run their company usually start with the EntrePass or ONE Pass. Employers hiring foreign talent cover most roles with the EP and S Pass. Confirm salaries, levy rates, and conditions against the latest MOM criteria before you file, and take local advice where the structure is complex.