Singapore: work passes and the route to permanent residence
Singapore sorts foreign workers into three main passes by salary: the Employment Pass for professionals, the S Pass for mid-skilled staff and the Work Permit for most factory, construction and service jobs. Only EP and S Pass holders can apply for PR.
Singapore: route to permanent residence
Graduate, get an Employment Pass or S Pass from an employer, then apply for PR after some years. Singapore has no post-study work visa and PR is discretionary.
- Student's PassSingapore degree
- EP / S PassEmployer-sponsored passMust meet the salary floor; EP also needs 40 COMPASS points
- WorkBuild years in SingaporeSalary, tenure and family ties count
- PR applicationApply to ICANo published points or minimum years
- PRPermanent residence
Singapore: route to permanent residence
Work Permits cover most factory, construction and service jobs, but holders cannot apply for PR. The path runs through an S Pass.
- Work PermitEmployer hires youApproved source countries only; South Korea is included
- SkillsUpgrade and gain experienceCertificates and years raise your value
- S PassMove up to an S PassSalary from S$3,300 a month (S$3,600 from Jan 2027)
- PR applicationApply to ICAWork Permit holders cannot apply
- PRPermanent residenceDiscretionary
Rules as of October 2026. Sources: MOM Employment Pass eligibility, MOM S Pass eligibility, MOM Work Permit services sector rules. Always confirm with the official immigration authority.
Pass types and requirements
Pick a pass to see its salary, education and experience requirements, how long it lasts and where it leads.
Official authority Ministry of Manpower (work passes) and ICA (residence) ↗
Student's Pass Student's Pass
Official page ↗- Language
- Set by the school
- Education
- Admission to a Singapore institution
- Experience
- None
- Other conditions
- No automatic work visa after graduation
- Length of stay
- Length of the course
- Leads to
- Employment Pass or S Pass
EP Employment Pass
Official page ↗- Language
- No test
- Education
- Not required, but a degree earns COMPASS points
- Experience
- Reflected in salary
- Other conditions
- Salary from S$5,600 (S$10,700 at 45+), rising to S$6,000 for new applications from Jan 1, 2027; 40 COMPASS points
- Length of stay
- Up to 2 years first, then up to 3 years per renewal
- Leads to
- PR application
S Pass S Pass (mid-skilled)
Official page ↗- Language
- No test
- Education
- Declaring qualifications is optional
- Experience
- Reflected in salary
- Other conditions
- Salary from S$3,300 (S$4,800 at 45+), S$3,600 from Jan 1, 2027; employer quota and levy; family pass from S$6,000
- Length of stay
- Up to 2 years, renewable
- Leads to
- PR application
Work Permit Work Permit
Official page ↗- Language
- None for the permit; some sectors test for higher levy tiers
- Education
- None
- Experience
- None
- Other conditions
- Approved source countries only (South Korea is a North Asian source); aged 18–62 at application; no family
- Length of stay
- Renewable; can work until 64
- Leads to
- S Pass (Work Permit holders cannot apply for PR)
PR Permanent residence
Official page ↗- Language
- No test
- Education
- Considered
- Experience
- Years working in Singapore are considered
- Other conditions
- Apply to ICA on an EP or S Pass; no published points or minimum years
- Length of stay
- Permanent (re-entry permit needed for travel)
- Leads to
- Citizenship application possible later
October 2026 rules. Sources: MOM Employment Pass eligibility, MOM S Pass eligibility, MOM Work Permit services sector rules. Confirm with the official immigration authority before applying.
Foreign workforce by pass
Number of pass holders, from the Ministry of Manpower.
| Pass | Dec 2023 | Dec 2024 | Dec 2025 | Jun 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Employment Pass | 205,400 | 202,100 | 203,300 | 204,300 |
| S Pass | 178,500 | 178,200 | 178,900 | 177,300 |
| Work Permit (all) | 1,113,000 | 1,165,900 | 1,222,700 | 1,243,600 |
| Work Permit in construction, marine and process | 441,100 | 456,800 | 482,600 | 490,700 |
| Migrant domestic workers | 286,300 | 301,600 | 316,900 | 323,800 |
Which pass fits your job
The usual pass for each job. Pay decides it in the end: a well-paid technician can qualify for an S Pass.
| Job | Usual pass | Can lead to PR? |
|---|---|---|
| Welder | Work Permit | Only after moving to an S Pass |
| Assembly line worker | Work Permit | Only after moving to an S Pass |
| Industrial machinery mechanic | S Pass | Yes, by applying to ICA |
| Meat and poultry trimmer | Work Permit | Only after moving to an S Pass |
| Meat packer | Work Permit | Only after moving to an S Pass |
| Butcher | Work Permit | Only after moving to an S Pass |
| Livestock and poultry farmworker | Work Permit | Only after moving to an S Pass |
| Electrician | S Pass | Yes, by applying to ICA |
| Plumber | Work Permit | Only after moving to an S Pass |
| Construction laborer | Work Permit | Only after moving to an S Pass |
| Auto mechanic | S Pass | Yes, by applying to ICA |
| Cook | Work Permit | Only after moving to an S Pass |
| Hotel housekeeper | Work Permit | Only after moving to an S Pass |
| Warehouse worker | Work Permit | Only after moving to an S Pass |
| Registered nurse | S Pass | Yes, by applying to ICA |
| Nursing assistant | Work Permit | Only after moving to an S Pass |