The strong Singapore Dollar (SGD) and stable political environment have made Singapore a magnet for both highly-skilled expats and lower-skilled foreign workers.
Furthermore, Singapore’s ageing local population and low Total Fertility Rate (TFR) of 0.97 in 2024, means that we will likely continue to be reliant on foreign talent to supplement our local workforce in the long-term.
According to stats published by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), there are close to 1.6 million foreign workers in Singapore as of December 2024. In comparison, the resident labour workforce in Singapore was 2,446,600 workers as of December 2024. This means that nearly 4 in 10 workers in Singapore are foreigners. This number of foreign workers also includes 310,600 migrant domestic workers (MDW) and work permit holders in the construction, marine shipyard and process sectors.
Work Permits, S Pass & Employment Pass (EP)
In general, there are three types of work passes in Singapore that foreigners can be hired in Singapore. These are Work Permit, S Pass and Employment Pass (EP).
Work Permit
Work Permits in Singapore are designed for semi-skilled foreign workers from approved countries, primarily in sectors like construction, marine shipyard and process sectors, as well as manufacturing and services sectors.
Each sector has specific criteria and quotas under the Dependency Ratio Ceiling (DRC). Foreign employees must hail from specific source countries, such as Malaysia, China, North Asian countries (Hong Kong, Macau, South Korea, Taiwan), and India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Philippines, as well as from 1 July 2025, Bhutan, Cambodia and Laos within the Non-Traditional Source (NTS) region.
Work Permits are valid for up to 2 years and renewable, subject to the Retirement Age in Singapore, which is currently 63 years-old. While no minimum salary is required, permit holders cannot apply for passes for family members.
As of December 2024, there are a total of 1,165,900 work permit holders in Singapore inclusive of 301,600 migrant domestic workers (MDWs) and 456,800 Work Permit holders in the construction, marine shipyard and process (CMP) sectors.
Read Also: Guide To Work Passes In Singapore: Work Permits, S Pass and Employment Pass (EP)
S Pass
S Pass in Singapore is designed for mid-level skilled employees of any nationality, requiring relevant educational qualifications and work experience. To qualify, applicants should have a degree, diploma, or specific technical certificates, along with several years of experience.
From 1 September 2025, the minimum salary requirement for new applicants increased to $3,300/month (from $3,150/month previously). For the Financial Services sector, a higher minimum salary of $3,800/month is applicable from 1 September 2025 (from $3,650/month previously). More experienced and older applicants will also have higher minimum salary requirements.
As of December 2024, there are a total of 178,200 S Pass workers in Singapore.
Read Also: Guide To Hiring A Foreign Employee On An S Pass In Singapore
Employment Pass (EP)
Those on an Employment Pass (EP) are usually foreign professionals in managerial, executive, or specialised roles. From 2025, the minimum monthly salary for new EP applicants is set at $5,600, with higher requirements for older and more experienced candidates. This threshold is higher for those in the Financial Services at $6,200.
EP applicants must hold a university degree, professional qualifications, or specialist skills, with stricter salary criteria for those with more experience.
To enhance the selection process, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) implemented the Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS) from 1 September 2023. EP applications must meet both the salary criteria and score adequately on COMPASS.
EPs are initially valid for 2 years and can be renewed for 3-year periods. There are no set quotas or levies for EP holders. Employers have the discretion to provide medical insurance for EP employees.
As of December 2024, there are a total of 202,100 foreign employees on EPs in Singapore.
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