S Pass
The S Pass allows mid-level skilled foreigners who earn a fixed monthly salary of at least $1,800 to work in Singapore. Employers must make S Pass applications on behalf of a job candidate.
S Pass applications are assessed on multiple criteria including salary, education qualification, skills, job type and work experience.
Eligibility
Mid-level skilled foreigners (e.g. technicians) who wish to work in Singapore may apply for an S Pass. Applicants will be assessed on a points system, taking into account multiple criteria. S Pass applicants accumulate points based on how far they meet the criteria. As a general guide, these criteria can be broadly described as (for illustrative purposes only):
- A minimum fixed monthly salary of $1,800
- Educational qualifications
- A degree, diploma
- Technical certificates can be considered. These are, very broadly, courses that train the applicant to be a qualified technician or specialist in their chosen field. The certification should comprise of at least one year of full-time study.
- Type of job (e.g. professional, specialist or technician)
- Number of years of relevant work experience
Work Permit holders who wish to apply for the S Pass must ensure that they meet the above requirements.
Quota
The number of S Pass holders a company can employ is capped at a sub-quota, or Dependency Ceiling (DC), of 25% of the company's total workforce.
Medical Insurance
The requirement to purchase and maintain medical insurance is a Condition of an S Pass. For medical insurance policies taken up or renewed on/or after 1 Jan 2010, the insurance coverage must be at least $15,000 per year for each worker's inpatient care and day surgery during his/her stay in Singapore.
Passes for Family Members
S Pass applicants whose fixed monthly salary is more than $2,500 a month may apply for the Dependant's Pass (DP) for their family members. The DP application and supporting documents may be submitted together with the S Pass application or separately.
S Pass holders who earn less than $2,500 per month are not allowed to bring in their dependants, i.e. spouses, children and other family members.
However, if the children of such S Pass holders wish to study in mainstream public schools in Singapore, they will have to pass a Qualifying Test (QT) or the Admissions Exercise for International Students (AEIS).
