Singapore offers four main types of permits to work in the country:

  • S Pass
  • Employment Pass (“EP”)
  • Personalised Employment Pass (“PEP”)
  • EntrePass

These permits are often long-term or semi-permanent in nature. Hence, there is an allowance for them to bring their immediate family to live in Singapore. Besides these permits, there are other short-term work permits as well as work permits for foreign workers in Singapore.

S Pass

S Pass is catered mainly to mid-level skilled staff. Applicants are required to have a monthly salary of over $2,300 and fulfil the assessment criteria. There are quota and levy requirements which limits the number of S Pass holders that a company can hire.

The S Pass is attached to the job and ends with the employment contract. Hence, if the S Pass holder loses his job, he has to find a job quickly as he only has a month grace period to stay in Singapore.

There is a salary requirement for S Pass holder to bring their immediate family to live in Singapore. The applicant needs to earn at least $6,000 per month for their family members to qualify for Dependant’s Pass.

 

Employment Pass (“EP”)

Employment Pass is catered mainly to foreign professionals, managers and executives. Applicants are required to have a monthly salary of over $3,600 and possessed acceptable qualifications. Similar to the S Pass, it is connected to the applicant’s occupation and terminates with the employment contract.

In contrast to S Pass, there is no salary requirement for EP holder to bring their immediate family to live in Singapore.

Having an EP allows your spouse and children to live with you. Applicants can apply for Dependant’s Pass for their immediate family members to live in Singapore.

 

Personalised Employment Pass (“PEP”)

Personalised Employment Pass is catered for high-earning foreign professionals. It is a variation of the EP as it is not tied to the individual rather than your occupation. The greater flexibility allows you to switch job without having to re-apply for another employment pass. On the other hand, PEP is only issued once and can only held for 3 years. The PEP holder has a grace period of 6 months to look for another employment if he loses his job.

Applicants are required to have an annual salary of over $144,000 and meet acceptable qualifications. These are usually the captains of the industry and occupied senior positions in the company.

 

EntrePass

EntrePass is catered for foreigners who intend to start new companies incorporated in Singapore. If the company has been incorporated already, it must not be more than 6 months old. The applicant must also meet certain criteria required in the application as an entrepreneur, innovator or investor.

The initial duration of the EntrePass is 1 year, with subsequent renewals every 2 years. Applicants are also allowed to bring their immediate family to live in Singapore.