Short answer: The S Pass is Singapore’s work pass for mid-skilled foreign employees, such as technicians and associate professionals. In 2026 the candidate must earn at least S$3,300 a month (S$3,800 in financial services), more for older candidates, and the employer must have S Pass quota and pay a monthly levy of S$650. COMPASS does not apply to the S Pass. Higher minimum salaries apply to new applications from 1 January 2027.
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The S Pass sits between the Employment Pass (for professionals and managers) and the Work Permit (for lower-skilled workers). If your company needs to hire a foreign technician, associate professional or specialist who does not qualify for an Employment Pass, the S Pass is likely the right route. This guide covers who qualifies, the salary requirements, quota and levy, how to apply and renew, and what to do if an application is rejected.
Last reviewed on 28 October 2026 against MOM guidance.
What Is the S Pass?
The S Pass is a work pass issued by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) to foreign nationals employed in mid-skilled roles in Singapore. It is designed for positions that need more skills than Work Permit jobs, where the candidate does not meet the Employment Pass criteria.
S Pass holders may be able to bring immediate family to Singapore on a Dependant’s Pass or Long-Term Visit Pass if they meet the salary and other criteria for those passes. S Pass holders may also apply for Singapore Permanent Residence after working here for a period of time.
S Pass Eligibility Criteria 2026
An S Pass application is assessed on the candidate’s salary, the job, and the employer’s quota. There are three practical tests:
- The candidate earns at least the minimum qualifying salary for their age and sector.
- The employer has enough S Pass quota for its sector.
- Any qualifications the candidate declares are genuine.
Minimum Salary
| Sector | Current minimum (age 23 or below) | Current minimum (age 45 and above) | From 1 January 2027 (age 23 or below) | From 1 January 2027 (age 45 and above) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All sectors except financial services | S$3,300 | S$4,800 | S$3,600 | S$5,100 |
| Financial services | S$3,800 | S$5,650 | S$4,000 | S$5,650 |
The minimum rises progressively with age between 23 and 45, so an older candidate must be paid more than the starting figure. The higher 2027 figures apply to new applications submitted from 1 January 2027 and to renewals of passes expiring from 1 January 2028. Use MOM’s Self-Assessment Tool to check the figure for a particular candidate, and confirm the current numbers on the MOM website before applying.
Qualifications
Declaring qualifications in an S Pass application is optional. If the candidate does declare a qualification, it must be authentic and awarded by an accredited institution listed in the application form. MOM may ask for documents to verify a declared qualification, and false declarations are an offence.
Does COMPASS apply to the S Pass?
No. COMPASS, MOM’s points-based Complementarity Assessment Framework, applies to Employment Pass candidates. S Pass applications are not scored under COMPASS. Instead, the S Pass is controlled through the qualifying salary, the sector quota and the levy. If you are comparing the two passes, see our guide to the COMPASS framework for Employment Passes.
S Pass Quota and Levy
Unlike the Employment Pass, the S Pass is subject to both a quota and a monthly levy.
Quota
The number of S Pass holders a company can employ is capped as a percentage of its total workforce:
| Sector | S Pass quota (% of total workforce) |
|---|---|
| Services | 10% |
| Construction, manufacturing, marine shipyard and process | 15% |
If the company has reached its S Pass quota, new S Pass applications and renewals cannot be approved until there is room, for example by hiring more local employees.
Levy
Since 1 September 2025, the S Pass levy is S$650 a month for each S Pass holder, across all sectors and levy tiers. Where an S Pass holder does not work a full calendar month, the daily rate is S$21.37. MOM reviews levy rates regularly, so check the current rate before budgeting.
How to Apply for an S Pass
Step 1: Check eligibility and quota
Use MOM’s Self-Assessment Tool to check whether the candidate is likely to qualify, and check the company’s current S Pass quota to confirm there is room for a new hire.
Step 2: Prepare the application
The employer, or an appointed employment agent, submits the application. You will need:
- the candidate’s written consent to the application;
- the completed candidate’s form;
- the documents requested in the application, such as passport details and any declared qualifications;
- the company’s updated turnover information for the past three years; and
- for first-time applicants, a business activity declaration.
Step 3: Submit through EP eService
Applications are submitted through EP eService on the myMOM Portal. The application fee is S$105.
Step 4: Await the outcome
MOM says applications are processed, or given an update, within 10 business days. Cases that need more checks can take longer.
Step 5: Issue the pass
If approved, MOM issues an In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter. The employer then requests the pass to be issued, paying S$100 for each pass, and the candidate completes any steps MOM requires, such as a medical examination or registration. The card is delivered within five working days of registration or document verification. The passport must be valid for at least seven months, and the pass cannot run beyond one month before the passport expires.
S Pass Renewal
You can apply to renew an S Pass up to six months (180 days) before it expires. To be renewed, the pass holder must meet the eligibility requirements at the time of renewal, including the qualifying salary for their age, the passport must be valid for at least seven months, and the company must have enough S Pass quota. A renewed pass can last up to three years, limited by passport validity. A salary that was enough at the first application may not be enough at renewal, because the minimum rises with age and the higher 2027 figures apply to passes expiring from 1 January 2028.
Common Reasons for S Pass Rejection
- Salary below the qualifying level for the candidate’s age and sector.
- Not enough quota: the company has already reached its S Pass quota and does not have enough local employees to support another S Pass holder.
- Doubtful qualifications: a declared degree or diploma that cannot be verified, or that comes from an institution that is not accredited.
- Job role inconsistency: the job title or description does not fit a mid-skilled role, or looks more like a Work Permit job.
- Incomplete or inaccurate applications: missing documents, or information that does not match the supporting documents.
Appealing a Rejected S Pass Application
You have three months to appeal a rejected S Pass application, through EP eService. MOM advises appealing only if you can address the reasons for rejection, which are shown in the rejection advisory in EP eService. Submitting the same application without changes is unlikely to succeed. MOM says 85% of appeals are processed within six weeks.
How Raffles Corporate Services Can Help
S Pass applications, particularly the salary checks, quota planning and documents, can take time for employers without in-house HR support, and a rejected application delays a key hire.
Raffles Corporate Services helps employers with S Pass eligibility checks, quota planning, applications and appeals. Work pass applications are handled by our associated company, which holds a valid MOM employment agency licence.
Contact us at [email protected] or call or WhatsApp +65 8501 7133 to discuss your S Pass or other work pass needs.
You may also find our guides on the differences between the Employment Pass, S Pass and Work Permit and the COMPASS Points Calculator for Employment Passes useful reading, or browse our work passes and immigration guides.
The Editorial Team, Raffles Corporate Services