TLDR: Employment Pass and S Pass routes serve different jobs and salary levels. Work Permits have sector and source-country rules. EntrePass, PEP and ONE Pass serve qualifying founders or high earners. Family passes require separate checks before employment.
Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower (MOM) sets the eligibility rules for these work passes. The right route depends on the job, salary, age, business and employer’s workforce. The comparison below helps candidates and employers choose which requirements to check first. Policy details were checked on 5 November 2026.
Which Singapore work pass fits the job or business?
| Pass | Main purpose | Main checks |
|---|---|---|
| Employment Pass (EP) | Professional, managerial and executive jobs | Age- and sector-based salary, plus COMPASS unless exempt [1] |
| S Pass | Skilled employee roles | Age- and sector-based salary, employer quota and levy [3][4] |
| Work Permit | Jobs in approved sectors | Source country or region, sector rules, employer quota and levy [5] |
| EntrePass | Eligible innovative or venture-backed businesses | Entrepreneur and business criteria [6] |
| Personalised Employment Pass (PEP) | High-earning professionals seeking job flexibility | Salary and continuing employment requirements [7][8] |
| Overseas Networks & Expertise (ONE) Pass | Top talent and qualifying high earners | Salary route or outstanding achievements, with further eligibility checks [9] |
Employment Pass: salary, age and COMPASS
The Employment Pass is for foreign professionals, managers and executives with a Singapore job offer. As at 5 November 2026, the base fixed monthly salary is S$5,600 outside financial services and S$6,200 in financial services. Those bases apply to candidates aged 23 or below. Required salaries rise with age, reaching S$10,700 and S$11,800 respectively at age 45 and above. [1][2]
For new applications from 1 January 2027, the bases rise to S$6,000 and S$6,600. The revised thresholds also apply to renewals of passes expiring from 1 January 2028. Older candidates face higher thresholds under the revised table too. [1]
Meeting the salary threshold is only the first stage. Unless exempt, candidates must also pass COMPASS with at least 40 points. The employer or appointed employment agent applies. Standard EP validity is up to two years initially and three years on renewal; some experienced tech professionals qualify for a longer pass. EP employment has no foreign worker quota or levy. [1][2]
Read the Employment Pass process guide for application steps and the COMPASS bonus-points guide for more detail.
S Pass: skilled roles, salary, quota and levy
The S Pass is an employer-sponsored route for skilled employees. A job offer and the age-adjusted salary are required. The current base fixed monthly salary is S$3,300 outside financial services and S$3,800 in financial services, for candidates aged 23 or below. The required salary rises with age. [3]
For new applications from 1 January 2027, the bases become S$3,600 and S$4,000 respectively. The changes also apply to renewals of passes expiring from 1 January 2028. Employers must check the relevant age table and available S Pass quota, and pay the monthly levy. [3][4]
The EP versus S Pass comparison explains the differences between the two routes. The lower S Pass salary base does not remove the employer’s quota obligations.
Work Permit: sector and source-country requirements
The Work Permit for migrant workers covers eligible jobs in construction, manufacturing, marine shipyard, process and services. Permitted source countries or regions and detailed conditions depend on the sector. An employer or appointed employment agent submits the application. [5]
MOM does not set a general minimum qualifying salary for this Work Permit. Employers still face sector quotas, monthly levies and duties such as medical insurance and, where applicable, a security bond. Validity is up to two years, subject to the relevant conditions. Work Permit holders cannot sponsor family passes under this route. Migrant domestic workers use a separate Work Permit route. [5]
EntrePass: qualifying founders and innovative businesses
EntrePass supports eligible foreign entrepreneurs operating a venture-backed business or a business with innovative technology. MOM evaluates EntrePass applications with Enterprise Singapore. [6]
EntrePass has no stipulated minimum salary and no foreign worker quota or levy. New passes and the first renewal last up to one year; later renewals last up to two years, subject to renewal criteria. Family-pass eligibility has separate requirements. [6]
Founders considering an employer-sponsored EP instead can read the guide to company incorporation and an Employment Pass.
Personalised Employment Pass: job flexibility for high earners
The PEP serves high-earning EP holders and overseas foreign professionals. The qualifying fixed monthly salary is at least S$22,500. An overseas applicant’s last drawn salary must fall within six months before the application. The PEP lasts up to three years and cannot be renewed. [7][8]
PEP holders can change jobs without applying for a new pass, but must meet continuing income and employment conditions. MOM limits continuous unemployment to six months. The PEP does not permit starting a business or entrepreneurial activity. [7][8]
The Personalised Employment Pass guide covers this route in more detail.
ONE Pass: top talent and qualifying high earners
The ONE Pass is a MOM work pass for qualifying top talent. Salary-based routes include earning S$30,000 a month for the preceding 12 consecutive months or earning that amount under a future Singapore employer. Further eligibility conditions apply. Outstanding achievements in specified fields provide another route. [9]
The pass can last up to five years and is renewable subject to the criteria. ONE Pass holders have flexibility to work for multiple companies and are exempt from COMPASS. No foreign worker quota or levy applies. Eligible family members can receive passes, and a spouse may apply for a Letter of Consent to work. [9]
Family passes: permission to stay and permission to work
A Dependant’s Pass is a family stay pass and does not automatically authorise employment. Depending on the circumstances, an employer can apply for an EP, S Pass or DP-Work Permit. MOM also provides a Letter of Consent route for eligible DP business owners. Spouses of ONE Pass holders have a separate Letter of Consent route. [9][10]
Read the Dependant’s Pass employment and Letter of Consent guide before accepting work or setting up a business.
Next steps for candidates and employers
Start with the candidate’s role, age, fixed monthly salary and intended activity. Employers should then check the relevant salary table, quota position and application conditions. A pass comparison cannot replace assessment against the full MOM criteria.
For help choosing and preparing the appropriate application, see E&H Immigration’s work-pass application services. Detailed application and appeal questions belong in the relevant pass guide, including the EP rejection and appeal guide.
Not sure where you stand?
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Frequently asked questions about Singapore work passes
What is the main difference between an EP and an S Pass?
An EP serves professional, managerial and executive roles and normally requires COMPASS alongside the age-adjusted salary. An S Pass has its own salary thresholds, employer quota and levy. Both routes require checking the candidate’s circumstances. [1][3][4]
Is S$5,600 enough for every Employment Pass applicant?
S$5,600 is the current base outside financial services for candidates aged 23 or below. Older candidates and financial-services candidates need higher salaries. The base changes for new applications from January 2027 and renewals of passes expiring from January 2028. [1]
Does a Dependant’s Pass allow employment?
A Dependant’s Pass alone does not grant permission to work. The appropriate work pass or Letter of Consent depends on the holder’s circumstances and activity. [10]
Can a PEP be renewed?
A PEP cannot be renewed. A holder who intends to continue working after it expires needs another suitable work pass. [7]
Sources & References
- Employment Pass eligibility — Ministry of Manpower
- Employment Pass key facts — Ministry of Manpower
- S Pass eligibility — Ministry of Manpower
- S Pass quota and levy — Ministry of Manpower
- Work Permit key facts — Ministry of Manpower
- EntrePass key facts — Ministry of Manpower
- Personalised Employment Pass key facts — Ministry of Manpower
- Personalised Employment Pass eligibility — Ministry of Manpower
- Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass key facts — Ministry of Manpower
- Dependant’s Pass holders working in Singapore — Ministry of Manpower