When is a Singapore S Pass needed to hire an employee?

An S Pass is usually applied for when hiring foreign employees for mid-skilled roles. The current minimum monthly salary starts from S$3,300 for most sectors, and company-specific quotas and the foreign worker levy (Levy) apply.

The minimum salary rises with age to S$4,800 for those aged 45 and above, and starts from S$3,800 for financial services. For new applications from 1 January 2027, it starts from S$3,600 for most sectors (S$4,000 for financial services). Approval depends on MOM's review.

• For a newly incorporated company: the S Pass quota is based on the number of local employees, so hiring on an S Pass may be difficult without local staff.

Lee Kim Alliance provides an Employment Pass application service.

As of November 2026, source: MOM