Employment pass vs. S pass: choosing the right work permit

A clear breakdown of Singapore's work pass categories to help you bring the right talent onboard.

Singapore's work pass framework

Singapore offers several work pass categories for foreign professionals. The two most common are the Employment Pass (EP) and the S Pass. Knowing the differences matters for compliance and cost planning.

Employment pass (EP)

For: Professionals, managers, executives, and specialists

Key requirements:

Minimum salary of $5,600/month (higher for older, more experienced candidates)
Recognised qualifications (degree or professional credentials)
Must pass the COMPASS framework scoring

COMPASS framework: A points-based system evaluating salary, qualifications, diversity, and support for local employment.

No quota: Unlike S Passes, there is no company-level quota for EPs.

S pass

For: Mid-skilled technical staff

Key requirements:

Minimum salary of $3,150/month (higher for older candidates)
Relevant qualifications and work experience
Subject to company quota and levy

Quota: Companies can employ S Pass holders up to a percentage of their total workforce (varies by sector).

Levy: Employers pay a monthly levy for each S Pass holder.

Which should you choose?

| Factor | Employment pass | S pass | |--------|----------------|--------| | Salary threshold | $5,600+ | $3,150+ | | Quota | No | Yes | | Levy | No | Yes | | COMPASS | Required | Not required | | Dependent pass | EP holders earning $6,000+ | Not eligible |

Our recommendation

The right choice depends on the role, the candidate's profile, and your company's workforce composition. Our work permit specialists assess each case individually and recommend the best path forward.

Get started

Contact our team for a free eligibility assessment for your next Singapore hire.