☰
IMC Logo
×
Difference between Employment Pass and S Pass in Singapore

Difference between Employment Pass and S Pass in Singapore

  • Modified On: January 12, 2026

Follow Us

Share

Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on linkedin
Share on email

Employment Pass, often known as E Pass and the Skilled Pass known as S Pass are two separate work passes meant for professionals with high-level qualifications and technicians with mid-level skills respectively.

Though both are work passes, there are many differences between these two based on the following criteria.

Free Self-Assessment Tool Check Your Eligibility for EP or S Pass
Click Here
Applicability

Employment Pass in Singapore applies to highly skilled professionals with high qualifications and job offers in Singapore. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) specifies the standard occupations in this link.

S Pass is applicable for Mid-level skilled staff or technicians.

Eligibility and Minimum Salary Requirements

A foreigner having a university degree, professional qualifications, or specialized skills is eligible for E Pass provided he/she has a job offer in Singapore in a managerial, executive, or specialized capacity with a fixed monthly salary of at least SGD 5,000. Older and more experienced candidates need higher salaries.

S Pass is applicable for overseas workers with relevant experience and a degree, diploma, or other technical certificates in a minimum one-year full-time study course. He/she should earn a fixed monthly salary of a minimum of SGD 3,000 while older and more experienced applicants need higher salaries to qualify.

Find Out Your Foreign Employee Quota
Get Started!

Refer to this blog if you have any questions about Singapore E Pass & S Pass. We have covered all relevant details here.

eligibility
The qualifying salary varies based on specific sectors and years of working experience.
Application for Passes
For both E Pass and S Pass, Singapore-registered employers or approved employment agencies can apply to MOM on behalf of employees. New employers need to apply for a new pass if an employee changes jobs.
Validity
The validity for E Pass and S Pass is the same and is up to 2 years for first-time applicants. These passes need to be renewed every 3 years.

With our experience and expertise, we can process your visa application quickly and reliably.

Levy

Levy, the pricing mechanism is applied to regulate the number of foreign workers in Singapore and its rates are periodically reviewed and revised.

For E Pass holders, Skills Development Levy (SDL) applies to both full-time and part-time foreign employees. Employers pay a levy up to the first SGD 5000 of the monthly salary @ 0.25% of 5000 or SGD 2, whichever is higher.                  

For S Pass holders, both foreign worker levy and Skills Development Levy apply and an employer must pay the levy for all S Pass holders. The levy is enforced from the day of S Pass issuance and only ends with cancellation and expiration of S Pass. For S Pass holders employed in the services sector, the levy rate is as under

  •  
 

% of total workforce

Monthly

Daily

 

Services Sector

Tier 1

Upto 10%

SGD 330

SGD 10.85

Tier 2

10%- 13%

SGD 650

SGD 21.37

 

Manufacturing Sectors

Tier 1

Upto 10%

SGD 330

SGD 10.35

Tier 2

10% – 18%

SGD 650

SGD 21.37 

 

Other Sectors

Tier 1

Upto 10%

SGD 330

SGD 10.85

Tier 2

10%-20%

SGD 650

SGD 21.37
The daily levy rate only applies to S Pass holders who don’t work for an entire calendar month.
Quota

No Quota applies for E Pass

For S Pass quota applies and is as under

For manufacturing sectors, the S Pass quota is reduced from 20% to 18% and applicable from January 2022. It is further reduced to 15% from January 2023.

You cannot hire more S Pass holders than 13% of the company’s total workforce in the services sector.

For construction, marine, shipyard, and process, the S Pass quota was reduced to 15% from 18% effective January 2023.

What is the Application Process for Employment Pass or S Pass?
  • Posting a job ad on a government-approved website matching the occupation as per Employment Pass / S Pass application.
  • Submitting the Employment Pass / S Pass application by the employer and must be the same as per the job advertised. The Ad must be open for at least 28 days after publication and another 28 days if changes are made.
Application-Process-for-E-pass-and-s-pass-in-singapore

On the expiry of the active Job ad, the Employment Pass / S Pass application can be initiated.

No Employment Pass / S Pass application is allowed if the employer takes more than 3 months to fill in the vacancy.

Requisite Documentation

In pursuing an S Pass or Employment Pass application, a collection of mandatory documents necessitates submission to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). The prerequisites for each employment visa exhibit subtle variances, yet overall, the subsequent documents are requisite:

  • A duly filled-in application form
  • Detailed particulars of the applicant’s passport and academic credentials
  • An offer of employment encompassing particulars regarding job responsibilities, remuneration, and perks tendered to the applicant, in addition to the period stipulated in the employment accord
  • The curriculum vitae of the applicant, coupled with records delineating professional experience
  • The corporate profile of the employing company, along with fiscal declarations

It is crucial to bear in mind that MOM may make a requisition for supplementary documentation or data during the application procedure, contingent upon the unique circumstances of the application.

The S Pass and Employment Pass, while both designed for foreign PMETs in Singapore, adhere to distinctive criteria and serve disparate purposes. With a comprehensive comprehension of the regulations and meticulous groundwork, the engagement of foreign talents in Singapore can manifest as a constructive contribution to the expansion of commercial enterprises and the economic landscape.

Feel free to contact IMC Group to discover how we can assist you in establishing your team in Singapore. We eagerly anticipate the opportunity to provide expert guidance throughout the entire process.

Useful Links

Employment Pass Application

Apply for an SPass

Free official Self Assessment Tool is available to check eligibility of E Pass or S Pass

Posting a Job Advertisement

Calculate Foreign Worker Quota

Expand your business faster with our Global Capability Center

Global Entity Management is more than compliance

Let’s build the full structure right

Recent Posts

Don’t rely on assumptions

Conduct Due Diligence across HR, financial, and operational areas.

Your Vision, Our Mission.
Let's Discuss.

Contact Us
IMC Logo
Your Vision, Our Mission.
Let's Discuss
Make an Enquiry
Linkedin-in X-twitter Facebook-f Instagram Youtube
Get Started
About
Our Offices

UAE

NBQ Building, Office no. 303, P.O. Box 115887,
Khalid Bin Al Waleed Road, Bur Dubai,
United Arab Emirates

SINGAPORE

143 Cecil Street,
25-04B GB Building,
Singapore – 069542

INDIA

No.7 Sriji Palace,
17, E.V.K Sampath Road,
Vepery, Chennai – 600 007

© IMC

Kindly ignore if you already follow
WhatsApp Icon
✖
IMC Logo IMC Group
WhatsApp Icon Start Chat