1. Main Visa and Work Pass Types

1. Short-Term Visits and Specific Work Pass Exempt Activities

Eligibility for a short-term visit depends on nationality, passport, and activities. Chinese ordinary passport holders may make permitted visits under the applicable 30-day visa-free arrangement. The SG Arrival Card is an arrival declaration, not a visa, and it does not grant work rights.

Meetings and business negotiations are different from actual work. Certain specified short-term professional activities may qualify as Work Pass Exempt Activities, but they must be on the prescribed list, be carried out during a lawful short-term stay, and comply with applicable notification requirements. The cumulative activity period is limited. Ordinary on-site client services do not qualify for a work pass exemption merely because they are short.

2. Employment Pass (EP)

The current starting fixed monthly salary is SGD 5,600 for general sectors and SGD 6,200 for financial services, with the threshold increasing by age. For applicants aged 45 or above, the corresponding thresholds are SGD 10,700 and SGD 11,800. Unless an exemption applies, the applicant must also pass COMPASS, normally with at least 40 points, and meet applicable fair-consideration requirements.

Academic qualifications are not an absolute requirement for every EP application. An applicant who does not rely on qualification points may still reach the required score through other criteria, but qualifications declared for points must meet verification requirements.

A first EP is generally valid for up to two years, while renewals are generally valid for up to three years. Certain eligible shortage-technology roles may qualify for a longer period. The EP is tied to the employer, and a change of employer generally requires a new application by the new employer.

Published future rules indicate that for new applications submitted from January 1, 2027, the minimum starting salary will rise to SGD 6,000 for general sectors and SGD 6,600 for financial services, continuing to increase with age. These standards will apply to renewals expiring from January 1, 2028.

3. S Pass

For current new applications, the starting fixed monthly salary is SGD 3,300 for general sectors and SGD 3,800 for financial services, increasing with the applicant’s age. The same tier applies to renewals expiring from September 1, 2026.

The employer must have the relevant sector quota and meet recruitment, insurance, and other foreign-worker obligations. The S Pass is not automatically available as a fallback when an applicant does not meet the EP threshold.

A first S Pass is generally valid for up to two years, with the actual period limited by passport validity and approval conditions. At renewal, the salary and employer conditions must again be met. For new applications submitted from January 1, 2027, the minimum starting salary will rise to SGD 3,600 for general sectors and SGD 4,000 for financial services, and will apply to renewals expiring from January 1, 2028.

4. Sector-Specific Work Permit

The Work Permit applies to prescribed sectors such as construction, manufacturing, marine shipyard, process, and services, and is subject to source-country or region, occupation, and age restrictions. It is not a general route for ordinary professional white-collar positions.

Applicants generally must be at least 18 and under 62 at the time of application. Employers must also meet sector quota, insurance, health, accommodation, and other applicable requirements. A first Work Permit is generally valid for up to two years and is limited by passport validity, the contract, and other approval conditions.

The Work Permit does not provide the same family-accompaniment arrangements as EP or S Pass. A change of employer must follow the applicable sector and transfer system; the original permit cannot be used for unrestricted employment.

5. ONE Pass and Personalised Employment Pass (PEP)

ONE Pass generally targets talent who earned, or will earn in Singapore, a fixed monthly salary of at least SGD 30,000 for a continuous 12-month period, with related company conditions also required. People with outstanding achievements in certain recognized fields may apply under special conditions. ONE Pass is generally valid for up to five years. Holders may participate in multiple companies within the approved scope, and must meet continuing-contribution and other eligibility requirements at renewal.

PEP is for eligible high-earning professionals, with a fixed monthly salary threshold generally set at SGD 22,500. PEP is valid for up to three years, can be granted only once, and cannot be renewed. Holders may change jobs without applying for a new employer-sponsored pass. New applicants must earn at least SGD 270,000 in fixed salary in each calendar year, regardless of the actual number of months employed that year, and must meet employment and income-reporting obligations. Continuous unemployment cannot exceed six months.

Neither ONE Pass nor PEP is an open visa guaranteed merely by paying a high salary. PEP holders cannot freelance or undertake entrepreneurial activities. Entrepreneurs should assess EntrePass or another appropriate pass under the separate business eligibility rules; conditions for different individual passes cannot be applied interchangeably.

2. Entry, Family Members, and Other Arrangements

1. Entry, Issuance, and Starting Work

An In-Principle Approval (IPA) does not mean that the work pass has been formally issued. The applicant should start work only after completing the applicable issuance procedures and receiving notification that work may begin, and should register biometric details or collect the pass card as required.

The expiry dates of the entry visa, short-term stay permission, and work pass should be managed separately. The validity of one document must not be treated as automatically extending another status.

2. Family Members and Other Statuses

EP and S Pass holders earning a fixed monthly salary of at least SGD 6,000 may, subject to conditions, apply for Dependant’s Passes for their legally married spouse and unmarried children under 21.

Applications for a Long-Term Visit Pass for parents generally involve a fixed monthly salary requirement of at least SGD 12,000. A Dependant’s Pass does not automatically grant work rights; spouses of ONE Pass holders may apply for a Letter of Consent subject to conditions. Work Permit holders do not receive the same family-accompaniment arrangements.

3. Extensions, Changes, Termination, and Status Maintenance

An existing work pass that has not yet expired does not automatically mean the person may continue working for the former employer, a new employer, or another entity after leaving employment. Actual work rights depend on a currently valid approval that applies to the relevant employer and position.

4. How sailglobal Can Help

If a company plans to send employees to Singapore for a business visit, local employment, professional-talent recruitment, sector-based labor, a short-term project, or accompanying-family arrangements, contact sailglobal to understand the applicable route and application requirements based on the person’s status, job responsibilities, fixed monthly salary, sector, employer conditions, and planned timeline.

Visa and work pass applications are independently decided by the Singapore authorities. sailglobal does not guarantee an approval result or a fixed issuance date.