Singapore Raises Salary Bar for Foreign Work Visas

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has announced new salary and levy requirements for mid-level foreign workers under the S Pass scheme, aimed at ensuring fair competition and maintaining workforce quality.

From September 1, 2025, the minimum qualifying salary for new S Pass applicants in the general sector will rise from SGD 3,150 to SGD 3,300. Salaries will scale with age, reaching up to SGD 4,800 for those in their mid-40s. For the financial services sector, the new threshold will be SGD 3,800, with a maximum of SGD 5,650 for experienced candidates. These requirements will apply to renewals from September 1, 2026.

In addition, the Basic/Tier 1 S Pass levy will increase from SGD 550 to SGD 650 per month starting September 2025, while the Tier 2 levy remains unchanged. The qualifying salary for Employment Pass holders remains at SGD 5,600 for general roles and SGD 6,200 for financial services, with age-based adjustments.

Singapore is also broadening its talent pool by allowing Work Permit applications for specific non-PMET roles from Bhutan, Cambodia, and Laos starting June 1, 2025, with a minimum salary of SGD 2,000.

The government says the measures are part of a long-term strategy to balance the needs of businesses with the goal of protecting local employment opportunities and sustaining competitive wage standards.