Requirement for Foreign Employees to Work
All foreign employees working in Singapore are required to have a valid work pass before commencing work in Singapore. The most common work passes are Employment Passes, S Passes and Work Permits. When applying for work visas for foreign employees to work in Singapore, the type of work and the individual employee’s general skillset determine which work pass is most suitable.
Employment Passes are for foreign professionals, managers and executives earning at least S$4,500 a month and have acceptable qualifications (more experienced candidates would require a higher monthly salary).
From 1 December 2020, Employment Pass applicants in the Financial Services Sector will require a minimum salary of S$5,000 a month (more experienced candidates would require a higher monthly salary).
S Passes are for mid-level skilled staff earning at least S$2,500 a month and meet the assessment criteria, such as holding a degree, diploma or acceptable technical certificates and have relevant work experience (more experienced candidates would require a higher monthly salary). Employers of S Pass holders are limited by a quota for their sector and have to pay a monthly levy for each worker holding an S Pass.
Work Permits are for semi-skilled foreign workers from approved countries working in the construction, manufacturing, marine shipyard, process or services sector. Depending on the sector, employers of Work Permit holders are limited by a quota for their sector and have to pay a monthly levy for each worker holding a Work Permit.