Singapore is a popular destination for professional expats of all kinds, especially those who work in the tech sector. Singapore has even been described as the Silicon Valley of Asia, with giants like Amazon, Google, and Facebook all setting up shop in this exciting country.
Whether you’re looking for a job in tech or another industry altogether, you’ll need to obtain a work permit before you can get hired. While there are various types of work visas in Singapore, one of the most popular is known as the S Pass. Read on to learn all about how to get the S Pass work permit and start your career in Singapore.
What Is an S Pass Work Permit in Singapore?
The S Pass is a work permit Singapore offers to foreign workers. It’s a short-term work permit that typically lasts between 1-3 years (although it can be renewed) and allows foreigners to be legally employed in Singapore.
The intent behind the S Pass (as well as other types of employment passes) is to make it possible for Singaporean businesses to hire talented individuals from all over the globe. However, with strict eligibility requirements, it’s also designed to encourage foreign companies to employ local Singaporean people and give them priority over foreign workers whenever possible.
The S Pass is specifically geared toward less skilled and non-technical workers who earn a minimum of $2,500 per month in a junior position. Examples of workers who might apply for an S Pass include technicians, accountants, and journalists.
Employers need to verify that their employees’ salaries match up with their experience, qualifications, and skills before they can apply for an S Pass.
How to Get an S Pass Work Permit: Requirements and Eligibility
As with other types of work passes and permits, the S Pass comes with a set of specific criteria that you must meet before you can qualify. To be eligible for this particular Singapore job visa, you must check the following boxes before applying:
Monthly Earnings
As mentioned above, you must earn at least $2,500 per month to be eligible for the S Pass. Remember that this limit is specifically set for younger workers in junior positions.
If you are an older worker looking to get hired for a more senior position, your monthly earning requirements will be higher because you also have more work experience and more skills.
Education
In addition to earning requirements, there are also education requirements to consider. Applicants for the S Pass must have a degree or diploma before they can qualify. More specifically, they must have earned it after at least 1 year of full-time study.
Work Experience
To qualify for an S Pass, you must have work experience relevant to the job for which you’re applying.
One of the main purposes of the S Pass is to bring skilled workers to help build up Singaporean businesses. So. if you’ve never worked in the industry of the company looking to hire you, the Singaporean government will be less inclined to grant you a work pass. They’d prefer the job go to a local who has relevant experience or to a more skilled and experienced foreign worker.
S Pass Self-Assessment Tool
Some people might read through the criteria listed above and know right away that they’re a good fit for the S Pass. Others might be on the fence about whether or not they should apply for this type of work permit.
If you fall into the latter group, consider using the S Pass Self-Assessment Tool available through the Ministry of Manpower. This tool is easy to use, available 24/7, and helps you to determine your eligibility before you (and your potential employer) go through the process of applying for an S Pass.
The S Pass Self-Assessment Tool is a great option for those who are unsure of which pass is right for them. But it’s important to remember that this tool does not guarantee anything. You and your new employer will still need to complete a number of other checks and steps before you can be granted an S Pass (or any type of work visa).
This tool is simply meant to point you in the right direction, which can be a timesaver for you, your potential employer, and the Singaporean government.
How to Get an S Pass in Singapore: The Application Process
Now, let’s get down to business and address what everyone wants to know when they’re learning about work visas Singapore has to offer: How do you apply for an S Pass?
If you’ve decided that the S Pass work permit is the right option for you, here are the steps you and your employer will need to go through to help you get approved:
Get a Job Offer
Before we dive into the specific steps of the application process, keep in mind that only an employer or an appointed employment agent can apply for an S Pass.
This means you need to receive a job offer from a potential employer before you can consider applying for this type of work permit. Then, you’ll work with that company to get your S Pass approved as soon as possible.
If you haven’t received a job offer from a company in Singapore yet, take a few steps back and start searching for businesses that are hiring workers like you. The GrabJobs Singapore Jobs page is a great place to kick off your search. It allows you to narrow down your options based on skills requirements, salary, location, and more.
When searching for Singapore jobs, make sure that every company you consider applying to also has their job listed on the MyCareersFuture website. The government requires this step because it ensures the position is open to both foreign workers and Singaporean workers.
For more help on finding a job in Singapore, check out some of our other resources. For starters, the GrabJobs Salary Guide Article, Salary Guide Tool for Singapore, and our list of the Most In-Demand Jobs in Singapore are all excellent resources.
Use these tools to find the right job for you, submit an impressive application, and nail the interview process. Once you’ve received a job offer, your potential employer will go through the following steps (updating you and asking for information along the way) to help you get the proper permit so you can start working.
Submit an Application
To submit an application for an S Pass, your potential employer will need to get written consent from you giving them permission to apply on your behalf. They may also ask for information related to your education or work history to help them fill out the application correctly.
After they’ve filled out the online form, the business will need to pay a $105 application fee. If the application is approved, they will receive a printable document known as an in-principle approval (or IPA) letter. They’ll send a copy to you, which includes a pre-approved single-entry visa for you to travel to Singapore.
Prepare & Travel to Singapore
Within 60 days of the application being approved, you must travel to Singapore and undergo a medical exam. To help you prepare, your employer will need to submit an entry application and purchase medical insurance and work injury compensation insurance.
Get Your S Pass Issued
Once you’ve arrived in Singapore, your employer must log into the Ministry of Manpower portal and pay a $100 fee for your S Pass. Once it’s issued, you and your employer will receive a notification letter via email.
This letter allows you to begin working and traveling in and out of Singapore while you wait for your official S Pass card to arrive. It will also indicate whether or not you need to have your fingerprints and photo taken for your pass.
To get the pass issued, your employer will need to provide the following:
- Your passport details
- Your Singapore contact details
- Your medical insurance details
- Your work injury compensation insurance details
- Your Short-Term Visit Pass (STVP) or immigration pass details
- Your Singapore residential address and office address
Your employer may also need to upload PDF copies of the following documents:
- Your passport page to show your arrival date in Singapore
- Your completed medical examination form
- Your completed declaration form, which should be attached to your IPA letter
Register Fingerprints and Photo
If fingerprints and a photo are required for your S Pass, you need to get them registered within a week of receiving your pass.
Your notification letter will let you know whether or not these requirements apply to you. If they do, you’ll need to make an appointment to visit the Ministry of Manpower Services Centre (Hall C, specifically). Bring the following documents to your appointment:
- Your original passport
- Your appointment letter
- Your notification letter
Receive the S Pass Work Permit
Within 4 working days of registering or verifying your document, your S Pass will be delivered to the address listed on the forms. You will receive an email or SMS message with specific delivery details at least 1 working day before the delivery is scheduled.
If the delivery is unsuccessful after two attempts, you’ll need to go to Hall C at the Ministry of Manpower Services Centre to pick it up in person.
You can do this 3 days after the second delivery attempt, and you do not need an appointment. You will, however, need to bring the following documents:
- Your original passport
- Your notification letter
Someone else can also be sent to pick up your S Pass, but they must have an authorization letter from your employer.
About the S Pass Work Permit: Frequently Asked Questions
Are you still feeling a little confused about how to get the S Pass and what to expect from the process? If so, the answers to these frequently asked questions may shed more light on this particular work pass and help you feel more confident:
How Long Does It Take to Get an S Pass Work Permit Approved?
On average, it takes 3 weeks for the S Pass application to be either approved or denied. Some cases do take longer than this, but most people hear back within a 3-week period.
After you’ve received your approval letter, you also have 60 days to travel to Singapore and continue the steps required to finalize the process. From here, things move fairly quickly, and you’ll likely be able to start work within a few weeks.
Can My Dependents Join Me in Singapore if I Have an S Pass?
If you are approved for an S Pass, your dependents can qualify for a Dependent Pass in Singapore to travel here with you. The Dependent Pass Singapore is available to spouses and children of those who meet the following criteria:
- Hold a valid S Pass or Employment Pass
- Earn a monthly salary of at least $6,000 (individually, not combined household income)
- Are sponsored by an established and Singapore-registered company
What's the Difference Between an S Pass and an Employment Pass in Singapore?
Along with the S Pass, a Singapore Employment Pass is another common work permit.
The Singapore Employment Pass is similar to the S Pass, but it’s geared toward foreign professionals in specialized, managerial, and executive roles. Candidates must earn at least $4,500 per month in junior positions ($5,000 for applicants in the financial sector), and they must have received qualifications from accredited institutions.
Can I Get Health Insurance with an S Pass?
By law, employers are required to buy and maintain health insurance for you for as long as you work for them. This coverage must total at least $15,000 per year and must cover day surgery and inpatient care.
When Do I Need to Renew My S Pass Work Permit?
After you’ve received the S Pass, you can keep it for up to 2 years before you need to renew.
How Often Can I Renew My S Pass?
Your S Pass work permit can be renewed indefinitely—as long as you continue to work for a company based and registered in Singapore.
It’s worth noting, however, that S Pass renewal is not guaranteed. The Singaporean government reserves the right to deny a renewal request for any reason (and reasons are typically not provided).
This information isn’t meant to scare you away from seeking employment in Singapore, but rather to make you aware of the realities of working here. If you plan to work in Singapore long-term, you may eventually want to look into other, more permanent work permit options.
Final Thoughts on the S Pass Work Permit
Are you feeling more prepared to apply for an S Pass work permit in Singapore? If this is the right work pass for you, follow the steps outlined above and you’ll be well on your way to getting hired and starting your new career here.
If you’re looking for open roles in Singapore, check out the listings on GrabJobs. Our career resources page is full of helpful information, from job-seeking tips to guides for nailing job interviews. Check it out today to learn more!
