The purpose of this guide is to provide an overview of various work permit schemes available in Singapore. Singapore has become the ideal business and commercial hub in Southeast Asia partly due to its creative immigration policies designed to attract seasoned entrepreneurs and working professionals from around the world.

The following are the main types of Singapore work permit schemes for foreigners in the professional employment visa category:

• Employment Pass (EP)
• Entrepreneur Pass (EntrePass)
• S Pass
• Personalized Employment Pass (PEP)

None of the above Singapore work permits except the S Pass come under a quota system. This means that the work permit will be approved mainly based on the credentials of the applicant and the employing company. More details about the above work passes are provided below:

Work Permit Scheme: Employment Pass

The Employment Pass (EP) is the main type of work permit meant for company owners or skilled employees that will be working in Singapore. Your fixed monthly salary must be more than S$3,000 (w.e.f. 1 January 2012) and you should be a degree holder from a reputable university. There is no official quota system limiting the number of Employment Passes that can be issued.

Validity: Employment Pass is initially issued for 1-2 years (at the discretion of authorities) and  renewable as long as the applicant continues to be employed by the company.

Eligibility: Company owners and professional staff with tertiary education and relevant experience.

Quota System: There is no quota official system for Employment Pass.

Permanent Residence Eligibility: Employment Pass holders are eligible to apply for PR status in due course.

For more detailed information on the Employment Pass, refer to Singapore Employment Pass guide.

Work Permit Scheme: Entrepreneur Pass

Entrepreneur Pass (EntrePass) type of work permit is a variation of Employment Pass and is the primary type of work pass for owners of newly incorporated (or to be incorporated) Singapore companies who wish to relocate to Singapore to operate their new business.

Validity: Entrepreneur Pass is initially issued for 1-2 years (at the discretion of authorities) and  renewable after that as long as the business remains viable.

Eligibility: Business owners who wish to incorporate a new company or have just incorporated a company that is less than six months old.

Quota System: There is no official quota system for EntrePass.

Permanent Residence Eligibility: Entrepreneur Pass holders are eligible to apply for PR status in due course.

For further information on the EntrePass, refer to Singapore EntrePass guide.

Work Permit Scheme: S Pass

The S Pass is for mid-skilled employees who earn a fixed monthly salary of at least $2,000 (w.e.f. 1 July 2011). S Pass applicants are assessed based on employer’s quota eligibility and applicant’s qualifications. Instead of a degree, a technical diploma is acceptable for this kind of work pass.

Validity: S Pass is initially issued for 1-2 years (at the discretion of authorities) and  renewable after that as long as the applicant continues to be employed by the employer.

Eligibility: Mid-level technical staff.

Quota System: Yes. For more details on quota, see Computation of Company’s Quota Balance.

Permanent Residence Eligibility: S pass holders are eligible to apply for PR status, however they may have to wait 4-5 years and have a stable job history in Singapore.

Work Permit Scheme: Personalised Employment Pass (PEP)

The Personalised Employment Pass (PEP) is a special type of Employment Pass that is not tied to a specific employer. The biggest benefit of having a PEP work permit is that you can switch jobs without re-applying for a new employment pass provided that you are not unemployed for more than six months. The biggest downside is that you are not allowed to start your own company as a PEP holder; instead it’s meant for you to be employed by a third-party employer. The eligibility requirements for PEP are quite strict.

Validity: PEP is issued for 5 years and  non-renewable.

Eligibility: Well paid professionals who want to work in Singapore for an employer. PEP holders cannot start their own business in Singapore.

Quota System: There is no official quota system for PEP.

Permanent Residence Eligibility: PEP holders are eligible to apply for PR status in due course.

For further details on PEP, refer to Personalised Employment Pass guide.

Work Permit Scheme: Miscellaneous Work Pass

The Miscellaneous Work Pass is issued to foreigners working in Singapore on short-term assignments. More specifically, you will be issued a Miscellaneous Work Pass if you are:

• involved in activities directly related to the organisation or conduct of any seminar, conference, workshop, gathering or talk concerning any religion, race or community, or political end;
• a foreign religious worker giving talks relating directly or indirectly to any religion; or
• a foreign journalist, reporter or an accompanying crew member not sponsored by any Singapore Government agency.

Validity: Short-term

Quota System: No. Each Misc Work Pass application is considered based in its own merit.

Permanent Residence Eligibility: Misc Work Pass holders are not eligible to apply for PR status.