--- title: "Singapore Employment Pass 2026: from SGD 5,600/mo needed" url: https://settleanywhere.com/countries/singapore/employment-pass/ lang: en updated: 2026-10-11 --- Singapore · Work # Singapore Employment Pass **Income needed:** from SGD 5,600 a month ≈ $4,370 Employment Pass (EP) First checked against official sources on 11 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) - **Income needed:** from SGD 5,600 a month ≈ $4,370 (Income of at least SGD 5,600 a month (≈ $4,370) · Qualifying fixed monthly salary at the youngest ages (23 and below) for sectors other than financial services, for new applications before 1 January 2027 and renewals expiring before 1 January 2028; rises with age to SGD 10,700 at 45 and over. COMPASS also applies unless exempt. Income of at least SGD 6,200 a month (≈ $4,840) · Financial services sector, same period; rises with age to SGD 11,800 at 45 and over. Income of at least SGD 6,000 a month (≈ $4,680) · From 1 January 2027 for new applications (renewals of passes expiring from 1 January 2028); rises with age to SGD 11,500 at 45 and over. Financial services: SGD 6,600, rising to SGD 12,700. A fee of SGD 105 (≈ $82) · Application fee per pass, paid when the application is submitted. A fee of SGD 225 (≈ $180) · Issuance fee per pass, paid when the pass is issued. A fee of SGD 30 (≈ $23) · Multiple Journey Visa fee per visa, where applicable.) - **First stay:** 2 yrs (First-time up to 2 years; renewals up to 3 years; experienced tech professionals in shortage skills may get 5 years.) - **Who can apply:** Any passport (Open to eligible foreign nationals subject to the program rules and general entry requirements.) - **Work:** Limited (Employment for the sponsoring employer and approved role; changes require MOM compliance.) - **Spouse work:** Needs a permit (Eligible family members may qualify for separate passes subject to salary/other criteria. Your spouse or partner needs their own work permit to work in Singapore: a work pass, or a letter of consent for business owners.) ## Key facts Employment Pass is a work route for Singapore. Applicants need income from SGD 5,600 a month ≈ $4,370. You can stay 2 yrs, renewable. Local work: limited. Checked 2026-10-11 against the official source. - **Money needed:** from SGD 5,600 a month ≈ $4,370 - **Government fees:** SGD 105 ≈ $82 · +2 more - **Processing:** 10 business days - **First stay:** 2 yrs ## Cost, time and long term To apply: 3 government fees listed below; income to show from SGD 5,600/mo ≈ $4,370; decision: 10 business days. No lawyer or agent fee is included. **Government fees: SGD 105 ≈ $82 · +2 more** - SGD 105 (≈ $82) Application fee per pass, paid when the application is submitted. - SGD 225 (≈ $180) Issuance fee per pass, paid when the pass is issued. - SGD 30 (≈ $23) Multiple Journey Visa fee per visa, where applicable. **Shown, not spent: SGD 5,600+/mo ≈ $4,370 · +2 more** - SGD 5,600 a month (≈ $4,370) Qualifying fixed monthly salary at the youngest ages (23 and below) for sectors other than financial services, for new applications before 1 January 2027 and renewals expiring before 1 January 2028; rises with age to SGD 10,700 (≈ $8,350) at 45 and over. COMPASS also applies unless exempt. - SGD 6,200 a month (≈ $4,840) Financial services sector, same period; rises with age to SGD 11,800 (≈ $9,210) at 45 and over. - SGD 6,000 a month (≈ $4,680) From 1 January 2027 for new applications (renewals of passes expiring from 1 January 2028); rises with age to SGD 11,500 (≈ $8,980) at 45 and over. Financial services: SGD 6,600, (≈ $5,150) rising to SGD 12,700 (≈ $9,920). **Renewal: Renewable** The pass can be renewed, for up to 3 years at a time. [Ministry of Manpower](https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/employment-pass/key-facts) **Permanent residence: Time here counts** Employment Pass holders can apply for permanent residence. ICA weighs family ties to Singaporeans, economic contribution, qualifications, age and length of residency, and processes applications within 6 months if documents are complete. [Immigration and Checkpoints Authority, Singapore](https://www.ica.gov.sg/reside/PR) **Citizenship: Time here doesn't count** Citizenship needs at least 2 years as a permanent resident (aged 21 or over); time on this pass is not counted. [Immigration and Checkpoints Authority, Singapore](https://www.ica.gov.sg/reside/citizenship) **Processing: 10 business days** Online applications are processed or updated within 10 business days; an overseas company without a Singapore-registered company takes within 6 weeks for most cases. [Ministry of Manpower, Singapore](https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/employment-pass/apply-for-a-pass) **Where to apply: Abroad or in-country** Your employer or agent applies online; the candidate does not need to be in Singapore at the time. [Ministry of Manpower, Singapore](https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/employment-pass/apply-for-a-pass) ## Why this route may not fit Check this before you apply. - Time on this route doesn't count toward citizenship - Needs a job offer from an employer in Singapore - Work rights are limited ### What you'll need #### Who can apply - A Singapore employer or appointed employment agent applies. - Overseas employers without a Singapore office need a local sponsor. - The applicant passes the qualifying salary stage and the COMPASS assessment unless exempt. - Salary and points criteria change over time. #### What you must show - Until 1 January 2027 (renewals expiring before 1 January 2028), the qualifying fixed monthly salary starts at SGD 5,600 (≈ $4,370) at age 23 and below, outside financial services. - That figure rises with age to SGD 10,700 (≈ $8,350) at 45 and over. - In financial services, the same period starts at SGD 6,200 (≈ $4,840) and rises to SGD 11,800 (≈ $9,210) at 45 and over. - From 1 January 2027 for new applications (renewals of passes expiring from 1 January 2028), the figure starts at SGD 6,000 (≈ $4,680) and rises to SGD 11,500 (≈ $8,980) at 45 and over. - In financial services from 1 January 2027, the figure starts at SGD 6,600 (≈ $5,150) and rises to SGD 12,700 (≈ $9,920). ## What happens at day 183 How Singapore decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records. - **Stay on this route:** **Up to 2 years at first, renewable** - **Tax residence:** - **At least 183 days in a preceding\_calendar\_year** One key tax-residence test is presence/work for at least 183 days in preceding calendar year; additional tests include continuous 3-year presence and certain cross-year employment. - **At least 183 days in a previous calendar year** Foreigner tax residence by stay or work in Singapore - **Foreign-source income:** **Territorial** Singapore taxes income arising in or derived from Singapore, including employment exercised there; foreign-sourced income received in Singapore by resident individuals is generally exempt. [All tax rules for Singapore](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/singapore/tax/) Tax records checked 12 Oct 2026 **Full official text** Employer-sponsored work pass for foreign professionals, managers and executives with a Singapore job offer. (sources 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) #### What you must show and pay - Income of at least SGD 5,600 a month (≈ $4,370) · Qualifying fixed monthly salary at the youngest ages (23 and below) for sectors other than financial services, for new applications before 1 January 2027 and renewals expiring before 1 January 2028; rises with age to SGD 10,700 (≈ $8,350) at 45 and over. COMPASS also applies unless exempt. (sources 1, 2) - Income of at least SGD 6,200 a month (≈ $4,840) · Financial services sector, same period; rises with age to SGD 11,800 (≈ $9,210) at 45 and over. (source 2) - Income of at least SGD 6,000 a month (≈ $4,680) · From 1 January 2027 for new applications (renewals of passes expiring from 1 January 2028); rises with age to SGD 11,500 (≈ $8,980) at 45 and over. Financial services: SGD 6,600, (≈ $5,150) rising to SGD 12,700 (≈ $9,920). (source 2) - A fee of SGD 105 (≈ $82) · Application fee per pass, paid when the application is submitted. (source 3) - A fee of SGD 225 (≈ $180) · Issuance fee per pass, paid when the pass is issued. (source 3) - A fee of SGD 30 (≈ $23) · Multiple Journey Visa fee per visa, where applicable. (source 3) #### Requirements - A Singapore employer or appointed employment agent applies. (sources 1, 2) - Overseas employers without a Singapore office need a local sponsor. (sources 1, 2) - The applicant passes the qualifying salary stage and the COMPASS assessment unless exempt. (sources 1, 2) - Salary and points criteria change over time. (sources 1, 2) - Until 1 January 2027 (renewals expiring before 1 January 2028), the qualifying fixed monthly salary starts at SGD 5,600 (≈ $4,370) at age 23 and below, outside financial services. (sources 1, 2) - That figure rises with age to SGD 10,700 (≈ $8,350) at 45 and over. (sources 1, 2) - In financial services, the same period starts at SGD 6,200 (≈ $4,840) and rises to SGD 11,800 (≈ $9,210) at 45 and over. (source 2) - From 1 January 2027 for new applications (renewals of passes expiring from 1 January 2028), the figure starts at SGD 6,000 (≈ $4,680) and rises to SGD 11,500 (≈ $8,980) at 45 and over. (source 2) - In financial services from 1 January 2027, the figure starts at SGD 6,600 (≈ $5,150) and rises to SGD 12,700 (≈ $9,920). (source 2) #### Stay - First-time up to 2 years; renewals up to 3 years; experienced tech professionals in shortage skills may get 5 years. - First stay: up to 24 months, decided case by case. - Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal. #### Nationality Open to eligible foreign nationals subject to the program rules and general entry requirements. #### Work Employment for the sponsoring employer and approved role; changes require MOM compliance. #### Family Eligible family members may qualify for separate passes subject to salary/other criteria. Your spouse or partner needs their own work permit to work in Singapore: a work pass, or a letter of consent for business owners. Checked 2026-10-11 ## Official sources 1. [Employment Pass key facts](https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/employment-pass/key-facts) · Ministry of Manpower · checked 2026-10-10 2. [Employment Pass eligibility: qualifying salary and COMPASS (Stage 2)](https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/employment-pass/eligibility) · Ministry of Manpower, Singapore · checked 2026-10-10 3. [Apply for an Employment Pass](https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/employment-pass/apply-for-a-pass) · Ministry of Manpower, Singapore · checked 2026-10-11 4. [Eligibility for Dependant's Pass](https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/dependants-pass/eligibility) · Ministry of Manpower, Singapore · checked 2026-10-12 5. [Working in Singapore for Dependant's Pass holders](https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/dependants-pass/working-in-singapore) · Ministry of Manpower, Singapore · checked 2026-10-12 6. [Eligibility for a Letter of Consent for Dependant's Pass holders who are business owners](https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/loc-for-dependants-pass-business-owners/eligibility) · Ministry of Manpower, Singapore · checked 2026-10-12 7. [Becoming a Permanent Resident](https://www.ica.gov.sg/reside/PR) · Immigration and Checkpoints Authority, Singapore · checked 2026-10-11 8. [Becoming a Singapore Citizen](https://www.ica.gov.sg/reside/citizenship) · Immigration and Checkpoints Authority, Singapore · checked 2026-10-11 ## Employment Pass and its alternatives | Route | Money needed | Stay | Work | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Employment Pass | Needs income from SGD 5,600 a month ≈ $4,370 | 2 yr, renewable | Limited | | [Personalised Employment Pass](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/singapore/personalised-employment-pass/) | Needs income of SGD 23k+ a month ≈ $18k | 3 yr | – | | [S Pass](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/singapore/s-pass/) | Needs income from SGD 3,300 a month ≈ $2,580 | 2 yr, renewable | – | | [LTR · Highly Skilled](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/thailand/ltr-highly-skilled-professional/) Thailand | Needs income of $80k+ a year | 5 yr, renewable | – | | [Engineer/Specialist visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/engineer-specialist/) Japan | – | 5 yr, renewable | Limited | ## Questions people ask ### How much money do I need for the Employment Pass? Income of at least SGD 5,600 a month (≈ $4,370). Qualifying fixed monthly salary at the youngest ages (23 and below) for sectors other than financial services, for new applications before 1 January 2027 and renewals expiring before 1 January 2028; rises with age to SGD 10,700 (≈ $8,350) at 45 and over. Income of at least SGD 6,200 a month (≈ $4,840). Financial services sector, same period; rises with age to SGD 11,800 (≈ $9,210) at 45 and over. Income of at least SGD 6,000 a month (≈ $4,680). From 1 January 2027 for new applications (renewals of passes expiring from 1 January 2028); rises with age to SGD 11,500 (≈ $8,980) at 45 and over. A fee of SGD 105 (≈ $82). Application fee per pass, paid when the application is submitted. ### How long can I stay on the Employment Pass? First-time up to 2 years; renewals up to 3 years; experienced tech professionals in shortage skills may get 5 years. ### How long does the Employment Pass take to process? Online applications are processed or updated within 10 business days; an overseas company without a Singapore-registered company takes within 6 weeks for most cases. ### Can I work on the Employment Pass? Limited. Employment for the sponsoring employer and approved role; changes require MOM compliance. ### Can I bring my family on the Employment Pass? Eligible family members may qualify for separate passes subject to salary/other criteria. ### Does the Employment Pass lead to permanent residence in Singapore? Time on the Employment Pass counts toward permanent residence in Singapore. Time on the Employment Pass doesn't count toward citizenship. ### How are Employment Pass holders taxed in Singapore? No special regime in our records is tied to the Employment Pass. The standard rules apply: Singapore taxes income arising in or derived from Singapore, including employment exercised there; foreign-sourced income received in Singapore by resident individuals is generally exempt. ## More in Singapore [ONE Pass](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/singapore/one-pass/) [Tech.Pass](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/singapore/tech-pass/) [Work Holiday · AU & NZ](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/singapore/work-holiday-pass-whvp/) [Work Holiday Programme](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/singapore/work-holiday-pass-programme/) [EntrePass](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/singapore/entrepass/) [Student's Pass](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/singapore/students-pass/) ## Work visas elsewhere [🇮🇩 Special talent visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/indonesia/e33a-special-talent-sponsored/) [🇦🇪 Golden · Senior specialist](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-arab-emirates/golden-specialised-professional/) [🇲🇾 Residence Pass-Talent](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/malaysia/rp-t/) [🇰🇷 K-STAR to F-2](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/south-korea/kstar-f2-talent-track/) [🇹🇼 Job-seeker visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/taiwan/employment-seeking-resident-visa/) [🇭🇰 IANG graduate visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/hong-kong/iang/) ≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated. ## How this was checked **Checked on 2026-10-11 against 8 official sources.** Status: verified against the official sources. Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out. 1. [Employment Pass key facts](https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/employment-pass/key-facts) · Ministry of Manpower · checked 2026-10-10 2. [Employment Pass eligibility: qualifying salary and COMPASS (Stage 2)](https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/employment-pass/eligibility) · Ministry of Manpower, Singapore · checked 2026-10-10 3. [Apply for an Employment Pass](https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/employment-pass/apply-for-a-pass) · Ministry of Manpower, Singapore · checked 2026-10-11 4. [Eligibility for Dependant's Pass](https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/dependants-pass/eligibility) · Ministry of Manpower, Singapore · checked 2026-10-12 5. [Working in Singapore for Dependant's Pass holders](https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/dependants-pass/working-in-singapore) · Ministry of Manpower, Singapore · checked 2026-10-12 6. [Eligibility for a Letter of Consent for Dependant's Pass holders who are business owners](https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/loc-for-dependants-pass-business-owners/eligibility) · Ministry of Manpower, Singapore · checked 2026-10-12 7. [Becoming a Permanent Resident](https://www.ica.gov.sg/reside/PR) · Immigration and Checkpoints Authority, Singapore · checked 2026-10-11 8. [Becoming a Singapore Citizen](https://www.ica.gov.sg/reside/citizenship) · Immigration and Checkpoints Authority, Singapore · checked 2026-10-11 Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the [changes page](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/), and the [methodology page](https://settleanywhere.com/methodology/) explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email [contact@stayglobe.app](mailto:contact@stayglobe.app?subject=Correction) with a link to the official source.