The S Pass is designed for mid-level skilled foreign workers (e.g. technicians) who wish to work in Singapore. The S Pass applicants must accumulate points and the applications are evaluated based on multiple criteria to consider such as salary, education qualifications, skills, job type and work experience.
However, to moderate the inflow of foreigners, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has tightened the eligibility requirements of S Pass in terms of setting a quota for the number of S Pass holders a company can employ in Singapore. For more details, please visit the MOM website.
Due to the nature of the job, the requirement to purchase and maintain medical insurance is a condition of an S Pass (please refer to the MOM website).
S Pass applicants who earn a minimum monthly salary as set by MOM may apply for the Dependant Pass for their family members. The Dependant’s Pass application and supporting documents may be submitted together or separately with the S Pass application.
Nevertheless, children of S Pass holders can study in mainstream public schools in Singapore if they pass a Qualifying Test (QT) or the Admissions Exercise for International Students (AEIS). For more information, please refer to the Ministry of Education (MOE) website.
For S Pass holders who are applying for the first-time, it is required to declare your organisation’s business activity. Based on the business activity, MOM will evaluate and assign your organisation to the most relevant industry to determine the number of S Pass holders the organisation may employ.
* A copy of the original papers must be submitted for non-English documents or certificates and the official translation is to be done by a certified translator, High Commission/Embassy or a notary public.
Additional documents may be required for Selected Professions:
| Applicants | Documents |
|---|---|
| Regional representative | An approval letter from International Enterprise Singapore stating the purpose, duration and undertaking for the maintenance and repatriation of the applicant to set up the representative office. |
| Applicants from these professions: Legal, Medical, Nursing, Sports and Teaching | Relevant supporting documents with the respective vetting agency/professional body/accreditation agency. For more details, please visit the MOM website. |
| Applicants from food establishments | A copy of the establishment’s National Environment Agency (NEA) license showing the address of premises. |
| Shipbuilding and ship-repairing companies | An authorised third-party would need to submit an original letter from the main shipyard indicating its support on the number of S Pass applications. |
*Note: Food-stall licensees are not allowed to employ foreigners on S Passes.
S Pass applications can be submitted online (via EP online- an online portal from Ministry of Manpower (MOM) website) or manually at any SingPost branch office.
Once the application is approved, the Ministry of Manpower will issue an In-Principle Approval (IPA) notification letter via email. The IPA letter must be produced upon collection of the S Pass at the Employment Pass Services Centre at Ministry of Manpower. The IPA letter is valid for three months from the date of the letter.
Documents required:
*Note: You may get a medical examination in your own country through an established clinic-hospital or in Singapore.
In the event that your S Pass application is rejected by MOM, any appeal must be submitted in writing to MOM Work Pass Division within one month of receiving the rejection letter. It will take a minimum of 3 weeks or more to process an appeal, depending on the complexity of the case.
Employers may renew the S Pass on behalf of the pass holders via an online portal or manually. Employers may submit the renewal applications online or complete the hardcopy renewal form, which will be mailed by MOM to the employer’s address about two months before the pass expires. The completed hardcopy S Pass renewal form have to be mailed to MOM Work Pass Division. Once approved, the employer will receive a letter of notification and the new pass is ready for pick up over at MOM counters at the Employment Pass Services Centre.
The S Pass must be cancelled upon the termination of employment, attainment of Singapore Permanent Residence and missing S Pass holder. The cancellation of pass can be done online (via EP online- an online portal from MOM website) by the employer/sponsor or authorised third party acting on behalf of a company.