Confirm a valid pass before work begins
Foreign nationals intending to work in Singapore must hold a valid work pass before starting work. An employer engaging a foreign worker must likewise ensure that the person holds a valid pass for the employment.
MOM organises this directory into five groups: professionals; skilled and semi-skilled workers; trainees and students; family members; and exemptions or work while on a visit pass. The tables below explain its 22 entry routes. Follow the relevant route for detailed eligibility, applicants, fees, validity and procedures.
Professionals: four routes
This group distinguishes professional employment, entrepreneurship, high-income professionals and exceptional talent. The routes have different employer relationships and application conditions; they are not interchangeable merely because an applicant is a professional.
| MOM route | Directory scope |
|---|---|
| Employment Pass | Professional, managerial, executive and technical employment. The directory states a monthly salary starting at S$5,600 and COMPASS; check the detailed age, sector and application-date requirements. |
| EntrePass | Starting and operating a Singapore business supported by venture investment or innovative technology. |
| Personalised Employment Pass | Qualifying high-income EP holders or overseas professionals seeking the additional employment flexibility of this route. |
| Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass | Top talent across business, arts and culture, sports, academia and research. |
Skilled and semi-skilled workers: five routes
S Pass and Work Permit routes address different workers. Work Permits also distinguish sectors and specific work purposes. MOM retains the performing-artiste entry with a closure notice; its presence in the directory does not mean new applications remain open.
| MOM route | Directory scope |
|---|---|
| S Pass | Skilled employment; the directory gives a monthly salary starting at S$3,300. Detailed requirements vary with age, sector and the relevant application or renewal date. |
| Work Permit for migrant worker | Skilled or semi-skilled employment in construction, manufacturing, marine shipyard, process or services. |
| Work Permit for migrant domestic worker | Domestic employment in Singapore. |
| Work Permit for confinement nanny | Malaysian confinement nannies, for up to 16 weeks from the birth of the employer’s child. |
| Work Permit for performing artiste | Performers in public entertainment venues. MOM states that the scheme for businesses to apply has ceased. |
Trainees and students: four routes
Training routes and working-holiday routes cover different purposes, ages and durations. These directory figures are an introduction to the respective schemes, rather than their complete eligibility rules.
| MOM route | Directory scope |
|---|---|
| Training Employment Pass | Practical training for foreign professionals earning at least S$3,000 monthly. |
| Work Holiday Programme | A six-month working holiday for qualifying students and graduates aged 18–25. |
| Work and Holiday Visa Programmes | A twelve-month working holiday for qualifying Australian and New Zealand students and graduates aged 18–30. |
| Training Work Permit | Practical training for semi-skilled foreign trainees or students, for up to six months. |
Family members: five routes
Distinguish MOM-issued family passes from employment-consent arrangements linked to an ICA-issued LTVP or LTVP+. Family-member status is not one uniform work authorisation.
| MOM route | Directory scope |
|---|---|
| Dependant’s Pass | Spouses and children of eligible EP or S Pass holders. |
| MOM Long-Term Visit Pass | Eligible parents, common-law spouses, stepchildren or children with disabilities of qualifying EP or S Pass holders. |
| Pre-approved Letter of Consent | Eligible spouses or children of Singapore citizens or permanent residents holding an ICA LTVP/LTVP+. Apply for pre-approval with the LTVP application or renewal. |
| Letter of Consent for ICA LTVP/LTVP+ holders | An employer applies for consent for an eligible holder to work. |
| Letter of Consent for DP business owners | Eligible DP holders seeking to operate a business. |
Exemptions and work while on a visit pass: four routes
An exemption does not authorise every visit-pass holder to undertake any work. Check the activity, personal status and notification requirements of the particular route.
| MOM route | Directory scope |
|---|---|
| Miscellaneous Work Pass | Short assignments of up to 60 days for foreign speakers, religious workers or journalists. |
| Work Pass Exempt Activities | Specified eligible short activities without a work pass, subject to notification to MOM. |
| Foreign-student work exemption | Qualifying full-time students at approved institutions holding an ICA Student’s Pass. |
| Work passes for ICA LTVP holders | Routes relevant to foreigners married to a Singapore citizen or permanent resident, and parents accompanying children studying in Singapore. |
Official source
Written independently from official MOM source material.