In order to be granted a work visa, foreign workers seeking employment in Singapore will need to meet a higher salary criterion. The minimum qualifying wage for S Pass applications has been raised in Singapore.
Singapore has announced that the S Pass minimum qualifying salary will be increased from $3,150 to $3,300 and the S Pass minimum qualifying salary for the Financial Services sector will be $3,800.
The S Pass work permit offers flexibility to employers to hire skilled workers like Associate Professionals and Technicians (APT) who may not meet the Employment Pass (EP) criteria.
Salary Thresholds
Currently, the salary threshold for new applications and renewals is $3,150 (increases progressively with age from age 23, up to $4,650 at age 45 and above) for all (except financial services).
Singapore has proposed a salary threshold to be at least $3,300 from September 1, 2025 for new applications and from September 1, 2026 for renewals. The qualifying salary will continue to increase progressively with age, up to $4,800 for a candidate in their mid-40s.
The Financial Services sector will continue to have a higher S Pass qualifying salary, given its higher wage norms. The S Pass minimum qualifying salary for the FS sector will be raised from
$3,650 to $3,800. The qualifying salary will increase progressively to $5,650 for a candidate in their mid-40s.
S Pass levy rates in 2025
Singapore is also bringing changes to S Pass levy rates in 2025. From 1 September 2025, the S Pass Basic / Tier 1 levy rate will be raised from $550 to $650. There are no changes to the S Pass Tier 2 levy, which will remain at $650.
S Pass eligibility
To qualify for the S Pass, foreign employees need to have a job offer in Singapore and earn a fixed monthly salary comparable to the top one-third of the local APT workforce by age. For the S pass, an employer or appointed employment agent has to apply on behalf of the applicant. If the pass holder changes jobs, the new employer has to apply for a new pass.
The reason to raise the qualifying salaries and levies for S Pass holders is to uplift the quality of S Pass holders to the top one-third of Singapore’s local Associate Professionals and Technicians (APTs).
Employment Pass (EP) qualifying salary
Employment Pass (EP) qualifying salary thresholds will remain the same and no change in the wage levels have been announced for 2025. The increased EP qualifying salary were implemented for new applications from 1 January 2025, and will apply to renewal applications for passes expiring from 1 January 2026.
The EP minimum qualifying salary were increased from $5,000 to $5,600 per month. For the Financial Services sector which has higher wage norms, it was increased from $5,500 to $6,200 per month. The revised EP qualifying salary also increases progressively with age.
For attracting foreign workers suitable for non-PMET (Professionals, managers, executives and technicians), Singapore has opened borders for workers from Bhutan, Cambodia and Laos from 1 June 2025. Workers from Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Thailand for the non-traditional sources (NTS) of foreign workers.
For the Work Permit holders employed under the NTS Occupation List, the fixed monthly salary should be at least $2,000.