The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has provided updates to Singapore’s foreign workforce policies at Committee of Supply 2025. In summary, there is an increase in S Pass qualifying salary and levy, changes to the Work Permit framework but no change to Employment Pass qualifying salary.
New S Pass qualifying salary and levy
Starting 1 September 2025, the minimum qualifying salary for the S Pass will rise from S$3,150 to S$3,300, with progressive increases based on age, reaching up to S$4,800 for candidates in their mid-40s. For the Financial Services sector, the minimum qualifying salary will increase from S$3,650 to S$3,800, progressing to S$5,650 for candidates in their mid-40s.
This new qualifying salary will apply to new S Pass applications from 1 September 2025 and to renewal applications expiring from 1 September 2026. Additionally, the S Pass Tier 1 levy will increase from $550 to $650, harmonised with the Tier 2 levy, starting 1 September 2025.
Changes to the Work Permit framework
Currently, the Non-Traditional Sources (NTS) are Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Thailand. From 1 June 2025, the NTS will expand to include Bhutan, Cambodia and Laos to allow businesses to hire skilled non- PMET, (PMET refers to professionals, managerials, executives and technicians) from more countries.
The MOM will raise the maximum Period of Employment and align the maximum employment age for current Work Permit holders with the local retirement age of 63. For new Work Permit applications, the age limit will be set to 61, two years below the local retirement age. These changes will take effect on 1 July 2025.
No change to Employment Pass (EP) qualifying salary
There are no changes to the Employment Pass qualifying salary as MOM had previously announced in Committee of Supply 2024 an increase in the EP qualifying salary, which has been implemented for new applications starting from 1 January 2025.
The increase in the minimum qualifying salary for the S Pass will mean that some employees who previously qualified for an S Pass may no longer meet the new criteria. Businesses will need to project how many current S Pass holders might fall below the new salary thresholds and if applicable, seek alternative work pass categories or possibly face the challenge of finding other qualified employees who meet the new salary thresholds. The increase in levy costs will add to the operating expenses of businesses that hire S Pass holders. Companies should proactively assess how these changes will impact their workforce composition and budgets.
For a deeper discussion on the above, please reach out to your Vialto Partners point of contact, or alternatively:
Yang Li
Partner, Immigration
Irin Ou
Director, Immigration
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