EP vs S Pass vs Work Permit: Which Singapore Work Pass Do You Qualify For? (2026)

Singapore has three main work passes for foreign employees. They're not interchangeable — which one applies to you depends on your salary, qualifications, and the type of work. The rights that come with each pass are also very different.

At a Glance

Employment Pass (EP)

For professionals, managers, executives and specialists. New applications go through COMPASS — a points-based system scoring salary, qualifications, employer nationality diversity, and local hiring ratios. You need 40 of 80 points to pass.

EP holders do not contribute to CPF. They have the most mobility: ability to change employers more easily, bring dependants, and apply for PR.

S Pass

For mid-level skilled workers — technicians, nurses, IT associates, junior managers. Minimum salary in 2026: S$3,150/month (scales upward with age and years of experience).

S Pass holders and their employers both contribute to CPF.

Work Permit

Covers semi-skilled foreign workers in construction, marine, manufacturing, services, and domestic work. No salary minimum, but employer levies apply. Most restrictive: no dependant rights, limited job mobility, regulated accommodation in some sectors.

Foreign domestic workers (FDWs) are also on Work Permits, under separate regulations covering rest days, medical coverage, and bond requirements.

The Grey Zone Between EP and S Pass

If your salary is roughly S$4,000–5,500, you're in uncomfortable territory.

Which One Should You Be On?

The answer is usually determined by your salary and your employer's situation — not by choice. But if you're negotiating a Singapore offer and the salary is borderline, it's worth explicitly asking which pass the employer intends to sponsor, and whether that's feasible given their current workforce composition.

Source: MOM — Work Passes. Minimums reviewed annually.