Work Permit & Visa Guide For Singapore in 2026

In Singapore, the key to legal employment for foreign staff is a work pass, the official term for what many call a work permit or work visa. These passes are administered by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), which categorises them into three main groups: professionals, skilled and semi-skilled workers, and trainees or students.

This guide will walk you through each category, detailing the specific passes available, their eligibility criteria, processing times, and validity. We will also cover when you can engage in short-term work pass-exempt activities, which are functions you can perform on a visit pass without a formal work pass.

These passes are meant for professionals, managers, and executives working in higher-skilled or leadership roles. They typically require relevant qualifications, experience, and higher salaries compared to other categories.

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

Applications are filed by the employer or an appointed employment agent via the EP eService. Online applications are typically processed within 10 working days, but if the hiring company does not have a Singapore-registered entity, it can take up to 8 weeks. 

An approved EP carries an initial validity of up to 2 years and can be renewed for up to 3 years.

Eligibility Criteria:

• The minimum qualifying salary for EP applications starts at SGD 5,600 in most sectors and SGD 6,200 in financial services, and increa ses with age up to SGD 10,700 (most sectors) or SGD 11,800 (financial services) at age 45 and above.
• Applications must meet the points-based COMPASS requirement and score at least 40 points.
• Employers must advertise the role on MyCareersFuture for at least 14 consecutive days and consider all candidates fairly, unless an exemption applies.

The Entrepreneurship Pass (Entrepass) is for foreign founders who want to start and run a venture-backed or innovative business in Singapore. With no minimum salary requirement, it’s designed for entrepreneurs, technologists, and investors building new ventures rather than taking a salaried role.

Candidates can apply for an EntrePass themselves. Most applications are processed within 8 weeks, and are issued for an initial period of up to 1 year and can be renewed for up to 2 years.

Eligibility Criteria:

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

The Personalised Employment Pass (PEP) is designed for high-earning existing Employment Pass holders or overseas foreign professionals who want flexibility. You can change employers without reapplying and take roles in any sector, though regulated professions still require the appropriate Singapore registration to practise.

Candidates can also apply for the PEP on their own, and most applications are processed within 8 weeks. A PEP is granted for a fixed term of up to 3 years and is not renewable.

Eligibility Criteria:

• You are earning a fixed monthly salary of at least SGD 22,500. For overseas applicants, the last drawn salary must be within the past 6 months of the application.
• You must remain employed in Singapore. If you are unemployed for more than 6 months, the pass must be cancelled.
• You are not an Employment Pass Holder under the sponsorship scheme.

The Overseas Networks & Expertise (ONE) Pass is built for top talent who want room to manoeuvre. It lets you hold multiple roles at the same time (e.g. start or run a company, consult, or be employed) without reapplying for a new pass when you switch jobs.

You can apply directly, or your employer or an employment agent can apply on your behalf. Most applications take about 4 weeks for an outcome. If successful, the ONE Pass is awarded for an initial duration of up to 5 years and is renewable for up to 5 years.

Eligibility Criteria (any one of the following):

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

This group covers employees in technical, operational, or hands-on roles. The passes here are quota-controlled and come with requirements such as minimum salaries, levies, and medical coverage.

The S Pass is for mid-level skilled staff in technical, operational, or supervisory roles. MOM positions it as a flexible route for employers to hire associate professionals and technicians who may not meet EP criteria.

Applications are filed by the employer or an employment agent via the EP eService. MOM typically provides an outcome or update within about 10 business days. The standard validity period for an S Pass is up to 2 years, with renewals possible for 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, increasing with age, up to SGD 5,650 at age 45 and above.
• The role must be advertised on MyCareersFuture for at least 14 consecutive days and all applicants are considered fairly, unless exempt.
• The employer is subject to the S Pass quota and a monthly levy of SGD 650.
• The employer must provide medical insurance for the S Pass holder.
• The employer must purchase a Primary Care Plan (PCP) for the worker if they stay in dormitories that can accommodate 7 or more workers, or work in construction, marine shipyard, and process sectors.

There are four work permit types, each for a specific job scope:

• Migrant workers: eligible roles in construction, manufacturing, marine shipyard, process, or services. 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, typically 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.

Although there is no minimum salary, depending on the job scope, employers hiring work permit holders may be subject to foreign worker quotas, pay a monthly levy (varies by sector and tier), purchase a PCP, and provide medical insurance for their employees.

Employers or agents apply online via the relevant eService. MOM indicates about 1 week for online applications and around 3 weeks for paper applications.

These passes are designed for students, interns, or trainees seeking short-term training or work experience in Singapore. They’re usually temporary, non-renewable, and must be tied to an approved course or training programme.

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

Applications are filed by the employer in Singapore via EP eService. This pass is strictly short-term, with a maximum validity of 3 months, and is not renewable.

Eligibility Criteria:

• For foreign students, the training must be part of their course of study, and they must either be from an acceptable institution or be paid a fixed monthly salary of at least SGD 3,000.
• For trainees from an overseas office or subsidiary, they must be paid a fixed monthly salary of at least SGD 3,000.

The Work Holiday Pass under the Work Holiday Programme lets eligible students and recent graduates take up short-term work while holidaying in Singapore. You can work in most sectors (e.g. retail, tourism, F&B), but if you want to take a regulated profession such as medicine or law, you have to meet the relevant Singapore registration requirements.

Candidates apply directly online. MOM indicates about 3 weeks to process, and if approved, the pass is valid for up to 6 months and is not renewable.

Eligibility Criteria:

• You are aged 18 to 25 at the time of application.
• You are an undergraduate or graduate of a university in Australia, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Switzerland, the United Kingdom or the United States.
• Your university is recognised by the government of the aforementioned list of countries or regions.
• If you are an undergraduate, you must be a resident and full-time student for at least 3 months before applying.
• If you are a graduate, you must have been a resident and full-time student of the university.

Designed specifically for Australian and New Zealand citizens, the Work and Holiday Visa Programme provides a unique 12-month pass to live, work, and travel in Singapore, with the flexibility to take on a wider range of roles compared to the standard Work Holiday programme.

You apply directly online as the candidate. MOM indicates about 4 weeks to process, and if approved, the pass is granted for a 12-month period. However, it is not renewable and can only be held once.

Eligibility Criteria:

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

The Training Work Permit (TWP) lets foreign trainees and students take up short, structured practical training in Singapore for semi-skilled or unskilled roles. It is meant for training attachments, not long-term employment.

Employers can apply online for a work permit. MOM issues an interim approval in about 1 working day, with a final outcome typically within 3 weeks after all documents are submitted. The TWP is valid for a maximum of 6 months and is not renewable.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Employees must be from a related overseas company coming to Singapore for practical training.
• Foreign students must be enrolled at a Singapore institution, and the attachment must be part of the course requirements.
• The employer is subject to the foreign worker quota and a monthly levy of SGD 200-300.
• The employer must provide medical insurance for the TWP holder.

Some short-term activities can be done in Singapore on a short-term visit pass (STVP) without a work pass. However, you’re required to submit an e-notification to MOM after you arrive and before you start, and are capped at a total of 90 days per calendar year across all such stints. 

Each stint can only run for as long as your STVP validity (typically 14–90 days). You can extend the notification before it ends as long as you remain within the 90-day cap and your STVP stays valid. 

As of Nov 2025, these are the work pass-exempt activities that MOM allows:

• Arbitration or mediation services for cases that are not religious, race-related, or political
• Exhibition participation as a registered exhibitor to demonstrate, display, or sell items during official opening hours
• International Judges of the Supreme Court serving on SICC matters or related Supreme Court 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 for location shoots or fashion shows
• Performing at government-supported events or at public performance venues
• Specialised technical services to commission or audit new plant or equipment, install or maintain machinery, or transfer process know-how for new operations
• Seminars and conferences where you act as speaker, moderator, facilitator, or trainer and 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 key event support
• Tour facilitation providing logistical support for foreign tour groups

Choosing the right work pass is the most important step for foreigners to start working in Singapore. Match the role, experience, salary, and sector to the correct pass, then check any quota/levy and employer obligations that apply.

• For professionals and managers, the Employment Pass (EP) is the default route. If you need flexibility and can meet the requirements, consider the Personalised Employment Pass (PEP) or the ONE Pass.
• For mid-level skilled roles, the S Pass is the standard pathway.
• For sector-specific work (e.g. construction, manufacturing, or services), Work Permit holders are the ones authorised to take up these roles.
• For trainees and students, options like the Training Work Permit and Work Holiday Pass enable short-term engagements.
• For certain short-term projects, some activities can be done on a Short-Term Visit Pass under work pass exemptions.

Always consult the latest MOM criteria to confirm salaries, levy rates, and other conditions before submitting an application. This diligence is the final step to a successful and compliant onboarding for the worker.