COMPARE WORK PASSES
Work Permit vs S Pass VS Employment Pass: which do you need?
Singapore EA Licence 25C3142
| Pass | Min salary (general) | Min salary (financial services) | COMPASS | Quota | Levy | Security bond | Dependant's Pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Employment Pass | $5,600 | $6,200 | Yes | No | No | Not required | From $6,000 |
| S Pass | $3,300 | $3,800 | No | Yes | Yes | Not required | From $6,000 |
| Work Permit | No salary floor | — | No | Yes | Yes | $5,000 | Not eligible |
S$5,000 per non-Malaysian Work Permit holder; Malaysians exempt; refundable on the worker's departure with no outstanding levies or violations.
Compiled from officially published Ministry of Manpower information · Last reviewed against officially published rates: 2026-06-13. Figures may change — confirm with official sources before acting.
WORK PERMIT
What is a Work Permit?
S PASS
What is an S Pass?
The S Pass is for mid-skilled staff-associate professionals, technicians and specialists who sit above Work Permit level but don’t meet Employment Pass criteria. It requires a minimum qualifying salary that rises with age, and like the Work Permit it carries a quota and a monthly levy. The S Pass is not assessed under COMPASS. Many S Pass roles still require Fair Consideration advertising before you file.
EMPLOYMENT PASS
What is an Employment Pass?
CHOOSING
Which pass does my worker need?
A QUICK RULE OF THUMB
Professional/managerial/executive → Operational and semi-skilled Work Permit. Skilled mid-level S Pass. Employment Pass. The salary the role can pay usually settles which of the three is realistic.
QUOTAS & LEVIES
Which passes have quotas and levies?
The Work Permit and S Pass both do. Each S Pass and Work Permit holder counts against your Dependency Ratio Ceiling – a cap on the share of foreign workers in your headcount – and carries a monthly levy you can’t deduct from the worker’s pay. The Employment Pass has neither a quota nor a levy, which is one of its main attractions.
COMMON MISCONCEPTION
Which passes are assessed under COMPASS?
Only the Employment Pass. COMPASS – the points framework scoring salary, qualifications, firm diversity and support for local employment applies to EP applications and renewals. The S Pass and the Work Permit are not assessed under COMPASS; the S Pass turns on its qualifying salary, quota and levy instead. It’s a common misconception that COMPASS covers the S Pass-it doesn’t.
SWITCHING
Can a worker move from one pass to another?
Sometimes. A worker on an S Pass who is promoted into a professional role and meets the EP salary and COMPASS can move onto an Employment Pass at the next application – it’s a fresh application, not an automatic upgrade. Movement the other way, or between sectors, depends on the role and eligibility. We can advise which pass fits as a role or salary changes,
Work passes compared - common questions
What's the difference between a Work Permit, S Pass and Employment Pass?
The Work Permit is for semi-skilled workers (quota, levy, no COMPASS), the S Pass for mid-skilled roles (salary floor, quota, levy, no COMPASS), and the Employment Pass for professionals and executives (higher salary floor, COMPASS, no quota or levy). The role and salary decide which applies.
Does the S Pass need COMPASS?
No. COMPASS applies to the Employment Pass only. The S Pass is assessed on its minimum qualifying salary, quota and levy — not COMPASS. It's a common misconception, but the two passes are assessed differently.
Which pass has no quota or levy?
The Employment Pass. It carries neither a Dependency Ratio Ceiling nor a monthly levy — only a qualifying salary and COMPASS. The Work Permit and S Pass both have quotas and levies.
Which pass is hardest to get?
There's no single answer — each has its own bar. The EP must clear COMPASS and a higher salary; the S Pass and Work Permit depend on quota space and sector rules. The "hardest" is whichever your role and headcount make tightest.
Can an S Pass holder be upgraded to an Employment Pass?
If the worker moves into a professional role that meets the EP salary and can clear COMPASS, yes — through a fresh EP application, not an automatic upgrade. We can advise whether a move is realistic.
Do I need to advertise the job before applying?
For many Employment Pass and S Pass roles, yes — Fair Consideration advertising on MyCareersFuture applies. Work Permit roles generally don't require it. We confirm what applies to your specific role.
Which source countries can I hire from?
Work Permit and S Pass hiring is restricted to approved source countries, which vary by sector. The Employment Pass has no source-country restriction. We work through licensed partners in the region for Work Permit and S Pass sourcing.
Is Biz Manpower a licensed recruitment agency in Singapore?
Yes. Biz Manpower Pte Ltd holds Singapore Employment Agency Licence 25C3142, regulated under the Employment Agencies Act. You can verify the licence yourself on MOM's public Employment Agency directory.
Know which pass you need? Start here.
Foreign Workers
"I need workers"
Hire professionals & executives
"I need a professional
Employment Pass & compliance
"I already have my candidate - I just need the pass approved"
EA Licence 25C3142