*This guide was first published in April 2022 and has since been updated as of July 2023.
If you're a business owner in Singapore, you may be wondering how to go about obtaining an S Pass for a foreign worker. In this guide, we'll provide an overview of the process and requirements for obtaining an S Pass, as well as some tips on how to make the application process as smooth as possible. Let's get started!
The S Pass is a mid-level work visa for skilled workers. It is targeted at individuals who do not qualify for the Employment Pass but possess relevant qualifications and work experience. S Pass holders are subject to a quota system based on the ratio of local to foreign workers in a company. The S Pass is initially valid for up to two years and can be renewed for another three years, depending on the worker's qualifications and the company's compliance record.
Yes, there is! Candidates need to earn at least:
Applicants with more work experience will also correspondingly require a higher salary to qualify.
Candidates are required to have relevant work experience and qualifications (such as a degree or diploma, or in some cases, relevant technical certificates). The specific educational requirements vary depending on the sector and the applicant's work experience. For more information on acceptable qualifications, please refer to the MOM’s article on “Eligibility for S Pass”.
The quota for S Pass holders varies across different sectors and is counted within your total quota for foreign workers. Let's take a look at the S Pass holder quotas for different sectors:
Sector | Quota (from 1 Jan 2023 onwards) |
Construction | 15% |
Process | 15% |
Marine shipyard | 15% |
Manufacturing | 15% |
Services | 10% |
If you exceed the existing quota, your company will still be allowed to keep your excess workers (until their S Passes expire), but you’ll be unable to apply for new (or renew) S Passes.
It is good to keep updated, as the quota for certain sectors may differ each year. For more information on upcoming changes in the S Pass quota, please see the MOM’s page on “S Pass quota and levy requirements”.
Tip: To learn more about the foreign worker quota, head over to our “Foreign worker quota: A guide for employers in Singapore”!
MOM has a quota calculator that allows you to calculate the number of Work Permit and S Pass holders your company can employ.
Application for an S Pass must be done by the employer, or appointed employment agent.
You may check the S Pass application status on the myMOM Portal.
Renewals can be done by the employer or appointed employment agent via the myMOM Portal.
There are a few requirements that you need to meet in order to renew an S Pass for your employee:
Other important information to take into account if you are renewing S Passes for your employees:
Yes, you need to pay a monthly levy for S Pass holders. This starts on the day the S Pass is issued and ends on the day that the pass is cancelled or expires.
Depending on the sector of your company, the foreign worker levy rates for S Pass holders vary and are organised into different tiers. Presented below is a concise table outlining the levy rates across various sectors:
Sector | Tier | Quota % | Levy |
---|---|---|---|
Construction | Basic/Tier 1 | ≤10% | $450 |
Construction | Tier 2 | >10% ─ 15% | $650 |
Process | Basic/Tier 1 | ≤10% | $450 |
Process | Tier 2 | >10% ─ 15% | $650 |
Marine Shipyard | Basic/Tier 1 | ≤10% | $450 |
Marine Shipyard | Tier 2 | >10% ─ 15% | $650 |
Manufacturing | Basic/Tier 1 | ≤10% | $450 |
Manufacturing | Tier 2 | >10% ─ 15% | $650 |
Services | Basic/Tier 1 | ≤10% | $450 |
Tip: Head over to “Foreign Worker Levy (FWL): A guide for employers in Singapore” to learn more about FWL!
You need to pay a levy for S Pass via GIRO (General Interbank Recurring Order). Here are the detailed instructions on how to pay the levy via GIRO.
Each month's levy will be deducted on the 17th of the following month from your bank account (or the next working day if it falls on a weekend or public holiday).
Before the deduction date, make sure you have adequate money in your account. Your bank may charge you a failed transaction fee if the GIRO deduction fails.
If you don’t pay the full levy on time, you may face these penalties:
Employment Pass | S Pass | Work Permit | |
---|---|---|---|
Target group | Foreign professionals, managers and executives | Mid-level skilled/ technical staff | Semi-skilled migrant workers in the following sectors: - Construction - Manufacturing - Marine shipyard - Process - Services In addition, there are also Work Permits for: - Migrant domestic workers - Malaysian confinement nannies - Foreign performing artistes - Process - Services You may refer to the MOM website on “Work passes” for more information. |
Minimum monthly salary required for pass holders | Currently: - At least $4,500 (older candidates need higher salary to qualify) For new applications from Sep 2022 + Renewal applications from Sep 2023: - At least $5,000 - At least $5,500 (for financial services) | Currently: - At least $2,500 (older candidates need higher salary to qualify) For new applications from Sep 2022 + Renewal applications from Sep 2023: - At least $3,000 - At least $3,500 (for financial services) | No minimum salary required |
Are family members provided passes? | May apply for a Dependent’s Pass for family members, if they meet this eligibility criteria | No | |
Is levy required? | No | Yes | Yes |
Is there any quota? | No | Yes | Yes |
Does the employer need to provide insurance? | Employers can choose whether or not to provide medical insurance for EP holders | Employers must buy and maintain medical insurance for S Pass holders. The insurance coverage must be at least $15,000 per year and cover inpatient care and day surgery. | Employers must buy and maintain medical insurance for Work Permit holders. The insurance coverage must be at least $15,000 per year. This insurance should cover inpatient care and day surgery, including hospital bills for conditions that may not be work related. |
If you are looking to apply for a Work Permit or Employment Pass for your foreign workers, you can check out these guides:
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