Singapore Work Visa Costs Explained: Employment Pass, EntrePass, and S Pass Fee Comparison

Hiring foreign talent in Singapore is genuinely competitive – the talent pool is deep and the regulatory framework is mature. But before you make an offer, you need to know exactly what each work pass will cost you, not just in government fees, but in salary commitments, monthly levies, and processing time. The three passes most businesses deal with are the Employment Pass (EP), the EntrePass, and the S Pass. Each targets a different profile of worker, and each carries a very different cost structure. Here’s the full breakdown.

Employment Pass: The Go-To for Professionals and Executives

The Employment Pass is Singapore’s primary work authorization for foreign professionals, managers, and executives. It’s what most companies reach for when relocating a senior hire or bringing in a specialist.

Government Fees

The direct Singapore work visa cost for an EP is straightforward:

• Application fee: S$105 (non-refundable, paid at submission)
• Issuance fee: S$225 (paid once In-Principle Approval is granted)
• Multiple Journey Visa (optional): S$30 (needed if the holder will travel and re-enter during pass validity)

Total government outlay: S$330–S$360 per applicant. That’s the fee paid directly to MOM via the EP eService portal.

What makes the employment pass cost Singapore discussion more complex is the salary threshold. As of 1 January 2025, the minimum qualifying monthly salary is:

• S$5,600 for most sectors
• S$6,200 for financial services

These thresholds rise progressively for candidates aged 45 and above – reaching up to S$10,700 per month in general sectors for older applicants. The salary requirement is the real cost lever for employers, not the application fee.

There is no monthly levy for EP holders. That’s a meaningful distinction from the S Pass.

The COMPASS Framework

Since September 2023, all new EP applications must pass the Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS) – a points-based system that scores each candidate across four criteria: salary relative to local peers, qualifications, firm-level diversity, and support for local hiring. A candidate needs at least 40 points to qualify. Employers with a strong track record of hiring Singaporeans tend to find COMPASS manageable; those without local hiring data face a steeper path.

Processing Time

For applications submitted by a Singapore-registered company: approximately 10 business days. For overseas sponsors: up to 6 weeks, sometimes extending to 8 weeks if MOM requests additional documents. Appeals against rejected applications take roughly 6 weeks to process.

For a detailed cost walkthrough – including third-party agency fees that typically run S$1,000 to S$3,000 – this employment pass cost Singapore guide covers the full picture.

EntrePass: For Founders and Entrepreneurs

The EntrePass Singapore is a separate track designed for foreign entrepreneurs who want to start and operate a business here. It’s not a path for employees – it’s for founders who hold equity.

Government Fees

• Application fee: S$200 (non-refundable)
• Issuance fee: S$225
• Multiple Journey Visa: S$30–S$120 depending on nationality

Total: S$425–S$545. The application fee is notably higher than the EP’s S$105, reflecting the more intensive assessment process.

No Salary Threshold – But Real Business Commitments

Unlike the EP, the EntrePass has no minimum salary requirement. Eligibility hinges on the business itself:

• The applicant must hold at least 30% of company shares
• The business must be registered in Singapore
• Total business spending must reach at least S$100,000
• The company must employ at least 1 local employee (Singapore Citizen or PR) earning a minimum of S$1,400/month

MOM assesses whether the business is innovative – typically meaning it’s venture-backed, holds intellectual property, or operates in a high-tech sector. Generic trading or services businesses rarely qualify.

Processing Time

EntrePass applications typically take 8 weeks from submission to decision. The longer timeline reflects the business assessment component.

S Pass: Mid-Level Skilled Workers

The S Pass sits between the EP and the Work Permit. It’s designed for mid-level skilled staff – technicians, supervisors, and specialists – who don’t meet EP salary thresholds but bring relevant qualifications and experience.

Government Fees

The government fees mirror the EP:

• Application fee: S$105
• Issuance fee: S$225
• Multiple Journey Visa (optional): S$30

Total: S$330–S$360. Same as the EP on paper. The real difference is the levy.

Monthly Levy – The Hidden Ongoing Cost

Employers pay a monthly levy of S$650 per S Pass holder, effective from 1 September 2025 (standardised across all sectors and levy tiers). Over a year, that’s S$7,800 per worker on top of salary and the one-time application fees.

For companies hiring multiple S Pass holders, this levy compounds fast. A team of five S Pass holders costs S$39,000 per year in levies alone.

Salary Threshold

From 1 September 2025:

• Most sectors: S$3,300/month minimum
• Financial services: S$3,800/month minimum

Both thresholds increase progressively with age – a 45-year-old applicant in a general sector needs to earn at least S$4,800/month to qualify.

There is also a quota cap: S Pass holders cannot exceed a set percentage of a company’s total workforce (generally 10% in manufacturing, 15% in services). Hitting the quota means no new S Pass approvals until headcount adjusts.

S Pass vs Employment Pass: Which Costs More?

When you apply for an employment pass in Singapore versus an S Pass, the upfront government fees are identical. The divergence is in the ongoing costs and salary commitments.

The S Pass vs Employment Pass decision often comes down to the candidate’s profile and the role’s salary band. If the role commands S$5,600 or more, the EP is cleaner – no levy, no quota pressure. Below that threshold, the S Pass is the only option, but factor in S$7,800 per year in levy costs when building your budget.

What to Budget Beyond Government Fees

The MOM fees are the floor, not the ceiling. Most companies working with immigration consultants or law firms pay an additional S$1,000 to S$3,000 per application in service fees. For complex cases – senior hires, COMPASS borderline scores, or overseas sponsors – that figure can go higher.

Other costs to account for:

• Relocation allowances (if applicable) – not a visa cost, but a real budget line
• Medical insurance – optional for EP holders, but standard practice for senior hires
• Dependent passes – if the employee brings family, each Dependant’s Pass costs S$105 to apply and S$225 to issue

For companies planning to hire at scale, building a per-head cost model before making offers is essential. The government fees are predictable; the salary thresholds and levy obligations are where the real planning happens.

Applying: The Practical Steps

All three passes are applied for through MOM’s myMOM Portal (formerly EP Online). The employer or an appointed employment agent submits the application on behalf of the candidate.

Key steps to apply for an employment pass in Singapore or any of the other passes:

1. Confirm the candidate meets the salary and qualification thresholds
2. Run a COMPASS self-assessment (for EP applications)
3. Submit the application with supporting documents via myMOM Portal
4. Pay the S$105 application fee at submission
5. Await In-Principle Approval (IPA)
6. Pay the S$225 issuance fee and collect the pass card

MOM’s official guidance and the latest fee schedules are published at mom.gov.sg.