S Pass Singapore: Salary, Quota, Levy and Application Guide (2026-2027)
By Lucas Seah, Founder of Excellence Singapore Group | Last Updated: July 2026
The S Pass is Singapore’s work pass for mid-skilled foreign staff, such as technicians and associate professionals. A candidate must earn a fixed monthly salary of at least S$3,300 (S$3,800 in financial services), and the employer or an appointed employment agent applies through the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), not the worker. From 1 January 2027, new applications must meet a higher S$3,600 minimum, and renewals of passes expiring from 1 January 2028 face the same threshold. Unlike the Employment Pass, the S Pass also carries a quota and a S$650 monthly levy, so the real cost of a hire goes well beyond the salary. This guide, part of our work pass in Singapore hub, walks employers and applicants through the salary rules, quota maths, levy, obligations and the application itself.
Key Takeaways
- The minimum qualifying salary is S$3,300 a month now, rising to S$3,600 for new applications from 1 January 2027 and for renewals of passes expiring from 1 January 2028.
- The floor rises progressively with age, up to S$4,800 for candidates in their mid-40s; financial services has a higher floor of S$3,800.
- The levy is harmonised at S$650 a month across all sectors and tiers.
- Quota: S Pass holders can form at most 10 percent of your workforce in services and 15 percent in other sectors.
- The employer or an appointed agent applies; a first pass lasts up to 2 years, renewals up to 3.
- Employers must buy medical insurance and, in some cases, a Primary Care Plan; COMPASS does not apply.
What is the S Pass and who is it for?
The S Pass sits between the Employment Pass and the Work Permit in Singapore’s work pass ladder. It covers skilled and mid-skilled roles that MOM groups under associate professionals and technicians: production supervisors, draughtsmen, laboratory and maintenance technicians, and similar posts that call for a degree, diploma or solid technical training plus relevant experience.
MOM assesses each candidate on the fixed monthly salary, qualifications and work experience. The employer or an appointed employment agent files the application; candidates cannot apply on their own. A first pass is issued for up to 2 years, and renewals last up to 3 years at a time, provided the holder still meets the criteria at renewal.
Holders who meet MOM’s dependant criteria can bring immediate family to Singapore; our Dependant’s Pass guide covers what family members can and cannot do here. If you want an eligibility read on a specific candidate before making an offer, our work visa team can assess the profile first.
S Pass qualifying salary in 2026 and the 2027 increase
The minimum qualifying salary for a new S Pass application is S$3,300 a month. That figure applies to the youngest candidates only. The floor rises progressively with age, reaching up to S$4,800 for candidates in their mid-40s, because MOM benchmarks S Pass salaries against the top one-third of local associate professional and technician salaries. Financial services carries a higher floor of S$3,800, reflecting higher local wages in that sector.
Two dates matter for planning. From 1 January 2027, new applications must meet a S$3,600 minimum. Renewals are staggered: passes expiring before 1 January 2028 renew against the current thresholds, while passes expiring on or after 1 January 2028 must meet the new S$3,600 floor at renewal. MOM has so far published only the S$3,300 to S$3,600 change; financial services thresholds stay higher, so check MOM’s S Pass page for the sector figure in force when you apply.
In our experience the renewal date is the detail employers miss. A renewal filed in late 2027 for a pass expiring in March 2028 is assessed at S$3,600, not S$3,300, so the pay rise belongs in the 2027 budget, not the 2028 one.
Does COMPASS apply to the S Pass?
No, COMPASS does not apply to the S Pass. The Complementarity Assessment Framework is a points test for Employment Pass applications only, and this is one of the most common misconceptions we hear from employers. We have seen hiring managers hold back perfectly good S Pass applications while trying to compute a COMPASS score that will never be asked for.
An S Pass application turns on three things instead: the qualifying salary for the candidate’s age, the candidate’s qualifications and experience, and whether you have quota headroom. If the role is actually EP-level, COMPASS does matter. Our MOM COMPASS calculator guide walks through the scoring, and our Employment Pass 2026 benchmarks post covers what employers must do now.
S Pass quota: how many can you hire?
S Pass holders can form at most 10 percent of your total workforce in the services sector, and 15 percent in construction, manufacturing, marine shipyard and process. This cap, called the sub-Dependency Ratio Ceiling, sits inside each sector’s overall DRC, which limits all foreign workers including Work Permit holders.
| Sector | Sector DRC (all foreign workers) | S Pass sub-quota | Monthly levy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construction | 83.3% | 15% | S$650 |
| Process | 83.3% | 15% | S$650 |
| Marine shipyard | 75% | 15% | S$650 |
| Manufacturing | 60% | 15% | S$650 |
| Services | 35% | 10% | S$650 |
DRC means Dependency Ratio Ceiling, the maximum share of foreign workers (S Pass plus Work Permit) allowed in a firm’s total workforce for that sector.
MOM computes your quota from payroll data, not from what you declare. The count of local employees is taken from CPF contributions and averaged over 3 months. Under the Local Qualifying Salary rules, a local employee counts as 1 person when paid at least S$1,800 a month, and as 0.5 when paid S$900 to below S$1,800. Locals paid below S$900 do not count at all.
That makes quota a payroll question as much as an immigration one. Late CPF submissions or staff wrongly engaged as contractors shrink your local count and can push you over quota; see our guide to employee versus contractor status under MOM guidelines. The LQS moves too: the July 2026 LQS salary hike changed how SME local counts are computed, and every LQS rise ripples into S Pass entitlements.
S Pass levy: what you pay
Every S Pass holder attracts a levy of S$650 a month across all sectors and tiers. Rates were harmonised at this single figure on 1 September 2025; before that, levies varied by sector and tier. One flat number simplifies budgeting: each S Pass hire adds S$7,800 a year on top of salary, insurance and any Primary Care Plan. If you also employ Work Permit holders, our foreign worker levy and quota guide has the full 2026 rate matrix.
For partial months, MOM charges a daily rate of S$21.37, worked out as the monthly levy times 12, divided by 365, and rounded up to the next cent. The levy runs while the pass is in force and is payable by the employer. Build it into your monthly payroll cost alongside CPF for local staff; our payroll services guide covers the mechanics.
What else must S Pass employers provide?
Medical insurance comes first. Employers must buy coverage that meets MOM’s minimum requirements for every S Pass holder and keep it in force for the whole employment period.
Some workers also need a Primary Care Plan (PCP). The PCP is compulsory for S Pass holders who live in dormitories housing 7 or more workers, and for those working in the construction, marine shipyard and process sectors, regardless of where they live. Put it in place before the pass is issued.
Fair hiring rules apply before you even file. Advertise the role on MyCareersFuture and consider local applicants fairly; keep records of your shortlisting decisions in case MOM asks. Skipping this step is a common reason applications stall.
How to apply for an S Pass, step by step
Here is the sequence for a typical first S Pass hire. The employer or the appointed employment agent drives every step.
- Declare your business activity. First-time employers declare their business activity to MOM so the correct sector quota and levy apply.
- Advertise the role. Post the job on MyCareersFuture and consider applicants fairly before shortlisting a foreign candidate.
- Submit the application. Apply through the myMOM Portal with the candidate’s passport details, qualifications and the declared fixed monthly salary.
- Receive the In-Principle Approval (IPA). If the application is approved, MOM issues an IPA letter that the candidate uses to enter Singapore.
- Buy insurance and any PCP. Put medical insurance, and a Primary Care Plan where required, in place before requesting issuance.
- Get the pass issued. Complete the issuance formalities, after which the holder can start work and receives the pass card.
Build in time for the job advertisement and for the candidate’s arrival. Processing itself is usually the short part; the FAQ below covers typical timelines.
S Pass vs Employment Pass vs Work Permit
Choosing between passes mostly comes down to salary level and headcount flexibility. The Employment Pass starts at S$5,600 a month with COMPASS but has no quota or levy. The S Pass is cheaper on salary but carries both. The Work Permit has no minimum salary and the strictest, sector-specific controls.
| Pass | Minimum salary | Quota | Levy | Typical roles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Employment Pass | From S$5,600 a month (higher in financial services), plus COMPASS | None | None | Professionals, managers, executives |
| S Pass | From S$3,300 now; S$3,600 for new applications from 1 Jan 2027 | 10% services, 15% other sectors | S$650 a month | Technicians, associate professionals |
| Work Permit | No minimum salary | Strictest, sector-specific | Varies by sector and skill level | Semi-skilled workers in approved sectors |
For a fuller comparison across every pass type, start with our work passes in Singapore hub. Founders weighing self-sponsorship should read our EntrePass versus Employment Pass guide.
Planning around the 1 January 2027 threshold
The cleanest savings come from timing. A new application filed before 1 January 2027 is assessed against the current S$3,300 floor, so if a planned hire earns between S$3,300 and S$3,599, filing in 2026 avoids an immediate pay bump.
Renewals follow the expiry date, not the filing date. A pass expiring on 31 December 2027 renews against the current thresholds; one expiring on 2 January 2028 must meet S$3,600. Map every S Pass holder’s expiry date now, and if several sit below S$3,600, spread the raises across your normal increment cycle rather than absorbing a cliff in late 2027.
Also sanity-check the pass choice itself. For roles where you would pay near Employment Pass levels anyway, compare the total cost: the EP has no levy or quota, but it starts at S$5,600 and must clear COMPASS.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum salary for an S Pass in Singapore?
The minimum qualifying salary is S$3,300 a month, rising progressively with age to S$4,800 for candidates in their mid-40s. Financial services has a higher floor of S$3,800. From 1 January 2027, new applications must meet S$3,600, and renewals of passes expiring from 1 January 2028 must meet it too.
What is the difference between an S Pass and an Employment Pass?
The Employment Pass covers professionals earning at least S$5,600 a month and includes the COMPASS points test, with no quota or levy. The S Pass covers mid-skilled workers from S$3,300 a month and carries a quota of 10 to 15 percent of your workforce plus a S$650 monthly levy, but no COMPASS.
Does COMPASS apply to S Pass applications?
No. COMPASS applies only to Employment Pass applications. S Pass candidates are assessed on the qualifying salary, qualifications and work experience, and the employer must have quota headroom. The salary benchmark reflects the top one-third of local associate professional and technician salaries.
How many S Pass holders can a company hire?
S Pass holders can form at most 10 percent of your total workforce in the services sector and 15 percent in construction, manufacturing, marine shipyard and process. MOM computes the quota from the number of local employees receiving CPF contributions, averaged over 3 months, with locals counted in full or half based on salary.
How much is the S Pass levy?
The levy is S$650 a month for every S Pass holder, harmonised across all sectors and tiers since 1 September 2025. For partial months, the daily rate is S$21.37, calculated as the monthly rate times 12, divided by 365, and rounded up. That works out to S$7,800 a year per worker.
How long does an S Pass application take?
Most online applications are processed within about 10 business days, though some take longer if MOM needs more information. Check the current processing time on the MOM website before you plan a start date, and factor in time for advertising the role and for the pass to be issued after approval.
Get help with your S Pass application
Getting an S Pass approved is rarely just a form. The quota maths, the 2027 thresholds and the insurance and fair-hiring duties all have to line up before MOM says yes. Our work pass and immigration services cover eligibility checks, quota planning, the application itself, and renewals timed around the January 2027 increase. Excellence Singapore supports employers with incorporation, payroll and work passes under one roof, so talk to us before your next foreign hire.
