Singapore Visa & Immigration Guide

Overview

Singapore's work-pass framework is filtered through the COMPASS points system, layered on top of minimum salary floors that increase each September. The Employment Pass is the flagship route for professionals; the Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass targets top earners and specialists; EntrePass and Tech.Pass cover founders and elite tech talent. Permanent residency is discretionary, granted through the Ministry of Manpower's PTS scheme or a talent-based route.

How the immigration system works

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) administers all work passes and PR. The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) handles visit passes, Long-Term Visit Passes and citizenship. Employers typically apply for passes on behalf of workers. Personal income tax tops out at 24% and there is no capital gains tax.

Best for

Skilled professionals earning SGD 5,600+/month (higher for financial services)
Senior specialists and top earners (SGD 30,000+/month) via ONE Pass
Founders raising capital or running venture-backed startups (EntrePass)
Elite technology talent (Tech.Pass)
Family members of pass holders (Dependant's Pass, LTVP)

6 structured pathways into Singapore

work

Employment Pass (EP)

Medium

The main work pass for foreign professionals earning at least SGD 5,600/month and scoring 40+ on the COMPASS points system.

Who it's for: Managers, executives, specialists and technicians with a Singapore job offer meeting the salary floor and COMPASS threshold.

Timeline

3–8 weeks

Cost

SGD 105 (application) + SGD 225 (issuance)

Documents

5 items

Requirements

Monthly salary ≥ SGD 5,600 (SGD 6,200 in financial services)
COMPASS: at least 40/100 across salary, qualifications, diversity, local employment support
Recognised degree or professional qualification
Employer sponsorship in Singapore

Process

1Employer submits EP application via MyMOM portal
2MOM issues in-principle approval (IPA)
3Enter Singapore on IPA and complete medical
4Attend biometrics and collect EP card

Documents

• Passport
• Degree certificate + transcripts
• CV
• Employer offer letter
• Company ACRA profile

Common mistakes

• Underestimating COMPASS — a strong salary doesn't offset weak qualifications or diversity scores
• Applying with an unaccredited degree that MOM won't recognise

Tools for this pathway

Application builder Readiness Risk Timeline Cost Cover letter

Official source

work

Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass (ONE Pass)

Hard

5-year self-sponsored pass for top talent earning SGD 30,000+/month or with outstanding achievements in arts, science, tech or academia.

Who it's for: Top earners with a fixed monthly salary of SGD 30,000+ in the last 12 months (with an established company) or exceptional-talent candidates.

Timeline

4–8 weeks

Cost

SGD 105 + SGD 225

Documents

3 items

Requirements

SGD 30,000+/month salary track record OR outstanding achievements
Passport valid 6+ months
No employer sponsor needed

Process

1Submit online via MOM portal with salary/achievement evidence
2MOM assesses within 4 weeks
3Receive IPA and issue pass

Documents

• Passport
• Payslips (12 months)
• Employer references / achievements portfolio

Common mistakes

• Confusing base salary with total compensation — only fixed monthly salary counts

Tools for this pathway

Application builder Readiness Risk Timeline Cost Cover letter

Official source

business

EntrePass

Hard

Work pass for foreign entrepreneurs starting or operating a venture-backed, innovative or IP-holding company in Singapore.

Who it's for: Founders with funding from a recognised VC/business angel, IP-holding startups, or graduates of accredited incubators.

Timeline

8 weeks

Cost

SGD 105 + SGD 225

Documents

5 items

Requirements

Meet at least one 'entrepreneur / innovator / investor' criterion
Incorporate a Pte Ltd less than 6 months old (or plan to)
Business plan

Process

1Submit application with business plan and funding evidence
2MOM assesses innovation and viability
3Receive IPA
4Register company and collect pass

Documents

• Passport
• Business plan
• Cap table / funding evidence
• IP evidence
• CV

Common mistakes

• Applying with a generic services company — MOM looks for genuine innovation or IP

Tools for this pathway

Application builder Readiness Risk Timeline Cost Cover letter

Official source

work

Tech.Pass

Hard

2-year self-sponsored pass for elite tech founders, leaders and experts, letting holders start companies, work, mentor and invest freely.

Who it's for: Applicants meeting two of: fixed monthly salary SGD 22,500+, 5+ years leading a tech product team, or 5+ years leading a company valued USD 500M+ or with USD 30M+ funding.

Timeline

8–10 weeks

Cost

SGD 225 (issuance)

Documents

4 items

Requirements

Meet 2 of 3 Tech.Pass criteria
Passport

Process

1Submit via EDB portal
2EDB assesses achievements
3Receive letter of eligibility and issue pass

Documents

• Passport
• Payslips
• Employer/investor references
• Product/company track record

Common mistakes

• Lacking documentary evidence of the tech leadership track record

Tools for this pathway

Application builder Readiness Risk Timeline Cost Cover letter

Official source

study

Student Pass

Easy

Study pass for international students at MOE-registered institutions, with limited part-time work for eligible universities.

Who it's for: Students accepted at government-approved schools, polytechnics, universities or accredited private education institutions.

Timeline

4–6 weeks

Cost

SGD 90 (application) + SGD 60 (issuance)

Documents

4 items

Requirements

Offer of place
Proof of finances
Medical exam if 15+
Security bond (private schools)

Process

1School registers student in SOLAR system
2Student applies for pass within timeframe
3Enter Singapore, complete medical, collect pass

Documents

• Passport
• Offer of place
• Financial evidence
• Passport photo

Common mistakes

• Assuming automatic part-time work rights — only autonomous universities allow up to 16 hours/week during term

Tools for this pathway

Application builder Readiness Risk Timeline Cost Cover letter

Official source

family

Dependant's Pass (DP) and Long-Term Visit Pass

Easy

Family reunification passes for spouses and children of EP, S Pass, ONE Pass and PR holders.

Who it's for: Legally married spouses, unmarried children under 21 of eligible pass holders (EP holders must earn SGD 6,000+/month for DP).

Timeline

3–8 weeks

Cost

SGD 105 + SGD 225 per pass

Documents

3 items

Requirements

Pass holder salary threshold (SGD 6,000+/month for DP)
Marriage / birth certificates
Employer sponsorship for DP

Process

1Sponsor submits application via MOM/ICA
2IPA issued
3Enter Singapore, medical, biometrics, collect pass

Documents

• Passport
• Marriage / birth certificates
• Pass holder's IPA / EP card

Common mistakes

• Spouse working on a DP without a Letter of Consent (LOC) — LOC was scrapped, spouses now need their own work pass

Tools for this pathway

Application builder Readiness Risk Timeline Cost Cover letter

Official source

Eligibility checker

Check your eligibility for Singapore

Smart eligibility checker

Find your visa pathway in seconds

Indicative results based on official government programs — not legal advice.

Citizenship

Used to detect visa-free agreements, reciprocity rules and country-specific quotas.Country of residence

The mission accredited to your residence handles your file. Third-country applications take longer.Destination country

Determines visa category, processing time and document list.Purpose / visa type

Different purposes route to different categories with very different success rates.

Real-world examples

If this sounds like you…

Malaysian mechanical engineer moving to Jurong

Salary of SGD 6,500/month with a recognised degree comfortably meets EP + COMPASS. Same-language market and MRT proximity keep relocation costs low.

→ Employment Pass

Read full case study →

Indian tech lead earning SGD 32,000/month

Direct ONE Pass candidate — 5 years of Singapore-employer-agnostic residency and freedom to work across companies, mentor and invest.

→ ONE Pass

Read full case study →

Indonesian finance professional (senior associate)

Financial services floor is SGD 6,200/month — meeting it plus a good CFA / MBA gives strong COMPASS points on qualifications and salary.

→ Employment Pass (Financial)

Read full case study →

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is the Employment Pass?

Singapore's main work pass for foreign professionals earning at least SGD 5,600/month (SGD 6,200 in financial services) and scoring 40+ on the COMPASS points system. Employers apply for it and it is renewable in 2–3 year blocks.

Can I obtain permanent residence in Singapore?

Yes. Most PR is granted through the Professionals/Technical Personnel and Skilled Workers (PTS) scheme after time on an EP or S Pass. Approval is discretionary and typically takes 6–12 months to assess.

How does COMPASS scoring work?

COMPASS awards up to 20 points each for salary, qualifications, workforce diversity and local employment support. Bonus points are available for shortage occupations and strategic investments. You need 40 to qualify.

Can my spouse work on a Dependant's Pass?

No. As of May 2021, spouses on a DP need their own EP, S Pass or Work Permit to work — the previous Letter of Consent was scrapped.

How much tax will I pay?

Personal income tax is progressive up to 24% for residents. There is no capital gains tax and dividends are tax-exempt for residents.

Do I need a job offer for the ONE Pass?

No. The ONE Pass is self-sponsored — you can work for multiple employers or start your own company for 5 years.

How long until Singapore citizenship?

Typically 2+ years as a PR before you can apply, with citizenship granted at MOM/ICA discretion. Singapore does not recognise dual citizenship, so applicants must renounce their previous nationality.

Official sources