Quick answer: A visa only gets you to the checkpoint. A pass is what lets you stay, work or study. Professionals need an Employment Pass from S$5,600 a month, mid-skilled staff need an S Pass from S$3,300, and rank-and-file workers need a Work Permit. High earners can apply for the ONE Pass at S$30,000 or the Personalised Employment Pass at S$22,500, both of which are not tied to one employer. Family members use the Dependant’s Pass or a Long-Term Visit Pass, students use a Student’s Pass, and visitors get a Short-Term Visit Pass on arrival. Salary floors rise again in January 2027.
Almost every question that starts with “what visa do I need for Singapore” is really a question about passes. This guide maps them all, with the current figures and the changes already announced.
Visa or pass?
| Entry visa | Pass | |
| What it does | Allows travel to a Singapore checkpoint | Allows you to stay, work or study |
| Who needs it | Only visa-required nationalities | Everyone who stays beyond a short visit, or who works or studies |
| Issued by | ICA, before travel | MOM for work passes, ICA for residence and student passes |
| Example | A visa sticker or electronic visa | Employment Pass, Student’s Pass, Long-Term Visit Pass |
Every pass at a glance
| Pass | For | Key threshold in 2026 | Who applies | Tied to one employer? |
| Employment Pass | Professionals, managers, executives | From S$5,600 a month, S$6,200 in financial services, rising with age. Must also score 40 COMPASS points | Employer | Yes |
| S Pass | Mid-skilled staff | From S$3,300, S$3,800 in financial services, rising with age. Subject to quota and a S$650 levy | Employer | Yes |
| Work Permit | Semi-skilled workers in approved sectors | Sector rules, quota and levy | Employer | Yes |
| Work Permit for migrant domestic workers | Household helpers | Employer eligibility, bond and insurance | Employer | Yes |
| ONE Pass | Top talent across any field | Fixed monthly salary of at least S$30,000, or outstanding achievement in sports, arts and culture, or academia and research | Candidate or employer | No |
| Personalised Employment Pass | High-earning professionals | S$22,500 a month to apply, and S$270,000 fixed annual salary to keep it | Candidate | No |
| Tech.Pass | Experienced tech leaders and founders | Last drawn fixed salary of at least S$22,500, plus leadership or company criteria | Candidate, through EDB | No |
| EntrePass | Entrepreneurs, innovators, investors | At least 30% shareholding in an ACRA-registered company that is venture-backed or owns innovative technology, plus one qualifying criterion | Candidate | Tied to the business |
| Training Employment Pass | Foreign trainees and students on attachment | At least S$3,000 a month | Employer | Yes |
| Work Holiday Pass | Students and graduates aged 18 to 25, or 18 to 30 for Australians and New Zealanders | 6 months, or 12 months for the Australia and New Zealand scheme | Candidate | No |
| Miscellaneous Work Pass | Short-term assignments such as speaking engagements | Up to 60 days | Employer or organiser | Yes |
| Dependant’s Pass | Spouse and children under 21 of eligible pass holders | Sponsor must earn at least S$6,000 a month | Sponsor’s employer | Follows the main pass |
| Long-Term Visit Pass | Parents, common-law spouse, stepchildren, and families of citizens and PRs | Sponsor must earn at least S$12,000 a month for parents | Sponsor | Follows the sponsor |
| Student’s Pass | Foreign students | Place in a registered school | Student, through the school | Tied to the school |
| Short-Term Visit Pass | Visitors | 30 or 90 days, decided at the checkpoint | Issued on arrival | No |
| Permanent Residence | Long-term settlement | ICA assessment | Applicant, sponsored where relevant | No |
Working passes in detail
Employment Pass
The main pass for professionals, managers and executives.
| Item | Detail |
| Qualifying salary, 2026 | From S$5,600 a month, S$6,200 in financial services, rising with age |
| From 1 January 2027 | S$6,000 and S$6,600. New applications move first, renewals follow for passes expiring from 1 January 2028 |
| COMPASS | Must score at least 40 points, unless exempt, for example salaries of S$22,500 or more |
| Validity | Up to 2 years for a first pass, up to 3 years on renewal |
| Quota or levy | None |
| Family | Dependant’s Pass and LTVP possible if the salary threshold is met |
See our EP eligibility guide, the COMPASS framework and EP renewal. Our Employment Pass service handles the application end to end.
S Pass
For mid-skilled staff such as technicians.
| Item | Detail |
| Qualifying salary, 2026 | From S$3,300, rising with age to about S$4,800 at 45 and above. Financial services starts at S$3,800, rising to about S$5,650 |
| From 1 January 2027 | S$3,600 and S$4,000, with the age progression rising accordingly |
| Levy | S$650 a month, harmonised across sectors and tiers since 1 September 2025 |
| Quota | Yes, a share of the company’s total workforce |
| Qualifications | Declaring qualifications is optional, but the Self-Assessment Tool decides eligibility |
More in S Pass criteria and S Pass quota, or use our S Pass service.
Work Permit
For semi-skilled workers in sectors such as construction, manufacturing, marine shipyard, process and services, and for migrant domestic workers. Quota, levy, source country rules, medical insurance and a security bond apply, and the employer carries the obligations. See Work Permit Singapore.
Passes that are not tied to one employer
ONE Pass
| Item | Detail |
| Salary route | Fixed monthly salary of at least S$30,000 for 12 consecutive months, from current or prospective Singapore employment |
| Achievement route | Outstanding achievement in sports, arts and culture, or academia and research, assessed holistically |
| Validity | 5 years |
| Renewal | Average monthly salary of at least S$30,000 over the preceding 5 years in Singapore, or running a Singapore company employing at least 5 locals at the prevailing EP salary |
| From 28 January 2027 | An AI and Tech track opens at a base salary of S$22,500 with additional non-cash components allowed |
Personalised Employment Pass
| Item | Detail |
| To apply | Fixed monthly salary of S$22,500. For overseas candidates, the last drawn salary must be within the 6 months before applying |
| To keep it | S$270,000 fixed annual salary for passes applied for from 1 September 2023 |
| Unemployment | Cancelled if you are unemployed for more than 6 months |
| Not allowed | Freelancing, sole proprietorship, being a company partner or director-shareholder, restricted occupations, or running a business |
See our PEP guide.
Tech.Pass and EntrePass
Tech.Pass is for experienced tech leaders, with a last drawn fixed monthly salary of at least S$22,500 plus leadership or company-scale criteria, administered through EDB. See our Tech.Pass guide.
EntrePass is for founders and investors. You need at least 30% shareholding in an ACRA-registered private limited company that is venture-backed or owns innovative technology, and you must meet at least one criterion: funding of S$100,000 or more from a recognised investor, backing by a recognised accelerator, a track record of founding and selling a venture-backed business, registered intellectual property that is hard to replicate, or an active research collaboration with a Singapore institution. Food outlets, hospitality, wellness, employment agencies and geomancy businesses do not qualify. See our EntrePass guide.
Family passes
| Pass | Who it covers | Sponsor requirement |
| Dependant’s Pass | Legally married spouse, unmarried children under 21 | Pass holder earning at least S$6,000 a month |
| LTVP through MOM | Common-law spouse, stepchildren, handicapped children, parents | At least S$12,000 a month for parents |
| LTVP through ICA | Spouse, children, parents of citizens and PRs | Sponsored by the citizen or PR |
A Dependant’s Pass or LTVP holder needs a Letter of Consent to work. Compare the two in Dependant Pass vs LTVP, or use our LTVP application service.
Students and visitors
Student’s Pass is issued by ICA for foreign students with a place in a registered school. Working is restricted, as covered in can a student pass holder work in Singapore.
Short-Term Visit Pass is what visitors receive at the checkpoint, usually 30 or 90 days. Extensions are applied for online only, and only when 14 days or less remain.
Which pass fits your situation
| Your situation | Likely pass |
| Hired as a professional by a Singapore company | Employment Pass |
| Hired in a technician or mid-skilled role | S Pass |
| Hired for a semi-skilled role in an approved sector | Work Permit |
| Earning S$30,000 a month or more, want flexibility | ONE Pass |
| Earning S$22,500 a month, want to change jobs freely | Personalised Employment Pass |
| Founding a venture-backed or IP-owning company | EntrePass |
| Senior tech operator or founder | Tech.Pass |
| Joining your spouse who holds an EP or S Pass | Dependant’s Pass |
| Parent joining a child who works here | LTVP, if the sponsor earns at least S$12,000 |
| Studying | Student’s Pass |
| Settling permanently | Singapore PR |
Changes already announced
| When | What changes |
| 1 January 2027 | EP qualifying salary rises to S$6,000, and S$6,600 for financial services, for new applications |
| 1 January 2027 | S Pass qualifying salary rises to S$3,600, and S$4,000 for financial services |
| 28 January 2027 | ONE Pass AI and Tech track opens at a base salary of S$22,500 |
| 1 January 2028 | The higher EP salary applies to renewals of passes expiring from this date |
If your pass expires in 2027 or 2028, plan the salary conversation with your employer now rather than at renewal.
How applications work
| Pass | Who submits | Where |
| EP, S Pass, Work Permit, DP, LTVP through MOM | Employer or appointed employment agent | myMOM Portal, with Corppass |
| ONE Pass, PEP | The candidate, or an employer | MOM eServices |
| Tech.Pass | The candidate | EDB |
| Student’s Pass | Student, after the school issues the registration letter | ICA SOLAR |
| LTVP through ICA, PR, citizenship | Sponsor or applicant | ICA e-Service, with Singpass |
Approved work pass applications produce an In-Principle Approval letter, which sets the deadline for entering Singapore and completing the formalities.
How First Immigration can help
- Pass selection: we tell you which pass your case actually fits, including when a different pass is the faster route.
- Applications and renewals for EP, S Pass and family passes, with a COMPASS pre-check before submission.
- Salary planning for the 2027 and 2028 thresholds.
- PR and citizenship when it is time to stop renewing passes.
Book a free assessment through our contact page.
Frequently asked questions
What are the main work pass types in Singapore?
Employment Pass for professionals, S Pass for mid-skilled staff and Work Permit for semi-skilled workers, plus the ONE Pass, Personalised Employment Pass, Tech.Pass and EntrePass for senior talent and founders, and Training Employment Pass, Work Holiday Pass and Miscellaneous Work Pass for short-term situations.
What is the difference between a visa and a work pass?
A visa allows you to travel to a Singapore checkpoint. A pass allows you to stay, work or study once you are here. Many nationalities need no visa, but everyone who works needs a pass.
What is the minimum salary for an Employment Pass in 2026?
From S$5,600 a month, and S$6,200 in financial services, rising with age. It increases to S$6,000 and S$6,600 for new applications from 1 January 2027.
What is the minimum salary for an S Pass in 2026?
From S$3,300 a month, and S$3,800 in financial services, rising with age. It increases to S$3,600 and S$4,000 from 1 January 2027.
Which passes are not tied to one employer?
The ONE Pass, the Personalised Employment Pass and Tech.Pass. The EntrePass is tied to the business you run.
Can my family join me in Singapore?
Yes, if you earn enough. A Dependant’s Pass needs a sponsor earning at least S$6,000 a month, and an LTVP for parents needs at least S$12,000.
Can a Dependant’s Pass holder work?
Only with a Letter of Consent from MOM.
Who applies for the work pass, me or my employer?
For the EP, S Pass and Work Permit, the employer or its appointed agent applies. The ONE Pass, PEP and Tech.Pass can be applied for by the individual.
Do I need a quota or levy for an Employment Pass?
No. Quota and levy apply to the S Pass and Work Permit, not the EP.
How long does a work pass application take?
Most applications submitted online receive an outcome within a few weeks, though processing varies by pass type and whether MOM asks for more information.
Official sources: MOM pages on Employment Pass eligibility, S Pass eligibility, Work Permits, Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass eligibility, Personalised Employment Pass eligibility, EntrePass eligibility, Training Employment Pass, Work Holiday Pass and Miscellaneous Work Pass; EDB on Tech.Pass; ICA on Student’s Pass and visit passes. Figures checked October 2026.
Disclaimer: Salary thresholds, levies and criteria are set by MOM, EDB and ICA and change regularly, with further increases already announced for 2027 and 2028. Confirm the current figures before applying.
