Understanding S Pass for Hiring Foreign Talent in Singapore

S Pass is a work visa that allows mid-skilled foreign individuals to work and stay in Singapore. It allows employers to hire skilled foreign individuals who

This is Xavier from GPC Singapore (now known as DCC Group).  

If you’re running a business in Singapore and is considering hiring foreign talents, securing the appropriate work visa for each foreign talent is crucial.  

Knowing the correct work visa ensures you would not waste time and resources processing the wrong work pass. One of the visas offered in Singapore is the S Pass. What exactly is an S Pass and who is eligible to apply for it? 

What is an S Pass? 

S Pass is a work visa that allows mid-skilled foreign individuals to work and stay in Singapore. It allows employers to hire skilled foreign individuals who may not meet the criteria for an Employment Pass (EP). This application is open to all nationalities. The S Pass is issued with a validity of two (2) years and can be renewed for up to three (3) years.

Employers are required to maintain a quota and pay monthly levy for each S Pass holder. They are also required to provide medical insurance for each S Pass holder. 

Source: MOM Website

Things You Need to Know about S Pass  

  1. If the candidate does not meet the EP criteria, S Pass offers flexibility to employers to hire skilled workers, such as Associate Professional and Technicians (APTs). 
  2. The minimum qualifying salary for S Pass will change from 1 September 2025.       
  3. Foreign workers are not allowed to work at a food stall in a hawker centers, coffee shop or food court in Singapore. These small-scale operations should be manned by owners or family members. 
  4. Declaring Educational Qualification is optional for an S Pass application. 
    If employers declare the candidate’s qualification in the work visa application, the employers are responsible for ensuring that the candidate’s qualification is authentic and was awarded by an accredited institution.  
  5. The number of S Pass holders the employer can hire is limited by a quota.  
    A dependency ratio ceiling (DRC) or quota is the maximum ratio of foreign workers to the total workforce that a company can employ. 
  6. The employers must pay a monthly levy for each S Pass holder.  
    The levy paid depends on the S Pass holders’ qualifications and the number of Work Permit or S Pass holders hired by the employer. 
  7. Use Self-Assessment Tool (SAT) to check candidate’s eligibility before starting the application process. If the SAT indicates that the candidate is not eligible for an S Pass, employers should not continue with the S Pass application process as it will be rejected by MOM. 
  8. S Pass holders are eligible for a Dependent’s Pass (DP) for their spouse and children, if the S Pass holders have a fixed monthly salary of at least S$ 6,000. 

S Pass Quota and Levy Requirements for Employers 

Employers applying for an S Pass for foreigner talents are subject to a quota and must pay monthly levy for all S Pass holders. The S Pass quota allows employers to hire only up to a certain percentage of foreign workers in their company. The current S Pass quota is: 

  • For the services sector, the number of S Pass holders is capped at 10% of the total workforce.  
  • For all other sectors (excluding services), the number of S Pass holders is capped at 15% of the total workforce.  

Information from the company’s CPF account is used to compute the number of local employees hired by the company, which will determine the foreign worker quota.  

Apart from the quota, employers are required to pay monthly foreign worker levy for all their S pass holders. The foreign worker levy is a pricing mechanism to regulate the number of foreign workers in Singapore. The  existing levy rates  are: 

  • For the services sector, the monthly levy rate is $550. 
  • For all other sectors, if the S pass holders make up to 10% of the total workforce, the monthly levy rate is $550. If the S pass holders constitute 10% to 15% of the total workforce, the monthly levy rate becomes $650. 

The levy liability starts from the day the S Pass is issued and ends when the pass is cancelled or expires. 

From 1 September 2025, the S Pass Basic/Tier 1 levy rate will be raised from $550 to $650. There are no changes to the S Pass Tier 2 levy, which will remain at $650. 

Documents Required for S Pass Application 

A candidate must prepare and submit the following documents with an S Pass application. 

  • A scanned copy of the candidate’s passport page showing the personal particulars. 
  • The employer’s or sponsor company’s instant information registered ACRA or company’s latest business profile. 
  • Any additional qualification documents and certificates from respective professional bodies and food establishment 
  • If the candidates are from India or China, transcripts and mark sheets must be submitted. 

Process of S Pass Application  

The S Pass application will be filed by the employer or appointed employment agents (EA). Employers who have never applied for a Work Permit or S Pass must declare their business activity. 

After submission, the application will be reviewed by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and within approximately three (3) weeks, the employer will receive a letter stating approval or rejection.  

If approved, the employer will need to send the In Principle Approval (IPA) letter to the candidate. The candidate will be able to enter Singapore through the single-entry visa provided. Note that the employer has 60 days (about two months) to bring the candidate to Singapore.  

The next step is to have the pass issued, which is also covered by the 60-day allowance and will also be processed by the employer or EA. The following are the requirements to have the S Pass issued. 

  1. Passport details 
  2. Insurance details (medical and work-related) 
  3. Immigration passes details (Embarkation Email upon entering in Singapore)
  4. Candidate’s Singapore Address & Contact Number  
  5. Address where the card will be delivered 
  6. Contact details of the recipient 

A Notification Letter will be released. If stated in the letter, candidates will need to have their photo and fingerprints registered. For this, the candidates must bring their passport, appointment and notification letters, and other required documents.  

Once the verification is completed, the candidate card will be processed for delivery within five (5) working days. 

What Happens if the S Pass Application Gets Rejected? 

If the S Pass application gets rejected, the employer will have three (3) months from the date of rejection to file an appeal. Employers can review the reasons for rejection by logging into the MyMOM portal. Only the employer or EA can submit the appeal. It is essential to read and review the reasons for rejection carefully to address all reservations. The appeal will normally be processed within six (6) weeks. MOM will not discuss appeal matters in person.   

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