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Ayaan Global · Singapore work pass

Work in Singapore, pass by pass.

Understand Employment Pass, S Pass and Work Permit rules, salary criteria and employer responsibilities before you commit. Honest guidance for professionals and their families. Decisions rest with employers and Singapore authorities.

Request Counselling Find my route
Merlion statue with the city skyline at dusk
Marina Bay waterfront with towers under a blue sky
Indoor waterfall and glass dome lit in blue
No pass for saleWe never sell jobs or work passes.
Official rules onlyChecked against MOM and ICA.
Employer appliesWe explain who does what, step by step.
No fake offersWe help you verify, never invent.
Family firstDependant options explained.

Which route should you research first?

Pick the line that sounds like you. Each tab shows what to look into, not a promise of approval.

Check the offer and the pass type

For most work passes the employer applies to the Ministry of Manpower on your behalf. Which pass fits depends on your qualifications, salary and the job, and an approval is not guaranteed.

Verify on official site
  • Ask which pass the employer plans to apply for
  • Check the salary and qualification criteria for that pass on the MOM website
  • Wait for the official in-principle approval before you resign or travel
  • Verify the company and the job independently

Common work passes

Singapore uses different passes for different skill levels. Criteria, salary thresholds and quotas are updated often, so always check the current figures with MOM.

Employment Pass (EP)

For professionals, managers and executives. It has salary and qualification criteria, and new applications are assessed under a points-based framework.

Criteria change

S Pass

For mid-skilled technical staff. It has salary and qualification criteria, and employers face quotas and levies.

Criteria change

Work Permit

For semi-skilled workers in specific sectors such as construction, manufacturing and services. Eligibility depends on sector and nationality, and employers face quotas and levies.

Verify on official site

Personalised Employment Pass

A pass not tied to one employer, for some high earners and some existing pass holders who meet strict criteria.

Needs verification

ONE Pass, Tech.Pass and EntrePass

Passes for top talent, tech leaders and entrepreneurs. A high bar with detailed requirements, not a general route.

Needs verification

Our role

We help you understand options and organise your file. We cannot guarantee a job, pass, permanent residence or approval.

A work pass does not guarantee permanent residence or citizenship. Those are separate applications with their own criteria, and approval is not assured.

A small city-state with a big job market

Singapore is compact and well connected, and English is widely used at work. Living costs, especially rent, can be high, so compare any salary offer with your expected expenses.

Singapore waterfront with flowers and office towers
Waterfront and business districtBanks, firms and regional offices cluster around the central area.
Buildings covered in greenery in Singapore
A city in a gardenGreenery is built into buildings, streets and public spaces.
Green terraced building with plants on every level
Greener workplacesMany newer offices and residences are designed around plants and daylight.

Sectors worth researching

Finance, technology, engineering, logistics, healthcare, hospitality and professional services. These are areas to look into, not promises. Demand and pay vary over time, so check real job postings.

Needs verification

Quotas, levies and licensing

Some passes carry quotas and levies for the employer, which affects who gets hired. Doctors, nurses, lawyers, engineers and teachers usually need professional registration, so check the regulator early.

Verify on official site

A step-by-step way to prepare

  1. Review your profileEducation, experience, field, salary expectations and family situation.
  2. Choose a pass to researchEmployment Pass, S Pass, Work Permit or a pass for founders and top talent.
  3. Find genuine employersUse official portals and verified companies. Never pay to get an interview.
  4. Review the offer carefullyJob title, salary, location and conditions, in writing.
  5. Employer applies to MOMThis is the employer's application. You may be asked for documents and verification.
  6. Receive in-principle approvalDo not resign or travel to work before you have the official approval letter.
  7. Arrive and complete formalitiesMedical checks and pass issuance, where required, then plan housing and settling in.

Document checklist (to start preparing)

  • Valid passport (keep it with you, never send it through the website)
  • Degree certificates and transcripts
  • Education verification, if the authorities ask for it
  • Experience letters and an updated CV
  • Recent passport-size photograph
  • Offer letter and employment contract
  • In-principle approval letter, once issued
  • Marriage and birth certificates for family passes

Requirements change by pass and over time. Always follow the official checklist.

Protect yourself from fake jobs and pass sellers

Scams targeting people who want to work abroad are common. Slow down and verify before you pay, travel or hand over documents.

ScamShield (opens in a new tab)
  • Anyone selling a "guaranteed" work pass or job offer
  • Requests for money from you to "secure" a job or approval
  • Advice to come on a visit pass and look for work
  • Job offers made only through social media or messaging apps
  • Agents who are not licensed and cannot be verified with MOM

Check it at the source

Questions families ask

Can I apply for a Singapore work pass on my own?
For most passes, no. The employer applies to the Ministry of Manpower. A few passes for founders, top earners and top talent are different, so check the official pages.
Can I work in Singapore on a visit pass?
No. A visit pass does not permit you to work. Be very cautious of anyone who suggests otherwise.
What is the points-based assessment for the Employment Pass?
New Employment Pass applications are assessed against a framework that considers factors such as salary, qualifications and the employer's workforce. The details change, so read the current MOM guidance.
Should I pay someone to get a job or pass?
No. Giving or taking kickbacks for jobs is illegal in Singapore. Be very careful if anyone asks you for money, and verify through MOM and ScamShield.
Does a work pass lead to permanent residence?
Not automatically. Permanent residence is a separate application handled by the immigration authority. Approval is not guaranteed, and criteria can change.
Can my family come with me?
Sometimes, depending on your pass type and the criteria for dependants. Confirm on the MOM and ICA websites.
What does it cost?
Government fees, medical checks, agency fees and living costs vary and change. We do not quote figures here; confirm on official sources.

Talk to us about working in Singapore

Share a few basics and our team will get in touch. This is guidance only; we cannot promise a job, work pass, residence or approval.

Please do not enter passport numbers, ID numbers or bank details in this form.

Information on this page is general guidance and may be out of date. Always confirm with official Singapore government and employer sources.