Foreign skilled workers seeking work visas in Singapore now have higher salary thresholds to meet.
Singapore Increases S Pass Salary Thresholds and Levy Rates
Starting next month, the minimum qualifying salary for S Pass applications in Singapore will increase from S$3,150 to S$3,300. For the financial services sector, the minimum increases from S$3,650 to S$3,800. These changes are part of Singapore's ongoing effort to align S Pass salary thresholds with the top one-third of local Associate Professionals and Technicians wage ranges [1][2][3].
The new salary requirements will rise progressively with age, reaching up to S$4,800 for applicants aged 45 and above, and S$5,650 for older financial services workers. These changes will take effect from September 1, 2025, for new applications. For renewal of S Pass permits, the new salary thresholds will take effect one year later, from September 1, 2026 [3][4].
In addition to the salary changes, the S Pass Basic/Tier 1 levy rate will increase from S$550 to S$650, effective from September 1, 2025. The Tier 2 levy remains unchanged [1][3][4].
The Employment Pass (EP) qualifying salary thresholds will remain the same for 2025. However, the EP minimum qualifying salary was increased from $5,000 to $5,600 per month, and for the Financial Services sector from $5,500 to $6,200 per month [5].
The S Pass work permit allows employers to hire skilled workers like Associate Professionals and Technicians who may not meet the Employment Pass criteria. If a pass holder changes jobs, the new employer has to apply for a new pass [6].
In other news, Singapore has opened borders for workers from Bhutan, Cambodia, and Laos for attracting foreign workers suitable for non-PMET roles. Workers from Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Thailand for the non-traditional sources (NTS) of foreign workers are also welcomed [7].
Here's a summary of the changes:
| Date | New Applications Minimum Salary | Renewals Minimum Salary | Tier 1 Levy | |------------------|------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------|----------------------| | From Sept 1, 2025| S$3,300 (S$3,800 for financial sector), increases with age | Previous threshold applies until Sept 1, 2026 | Increases from S$550 to S$650 | | From Sept 1, 2026| Same as above | S$3,300 (S$3,800 for financial sector), with age progression | S$650 |
[1] - [7] Source: Ministry of Manpower, Singapore.
The financial sector in Singapore will require a minimum salary of S$3,800 for S Pass applications, an increase from the current S$3,650, as part of the efforts to align with the top wage ranges of local Associate Professionals and Technicians. The defi and business sectors, like many others, will face an increase in the S Pass Basic/Tier 1 levy rate from S$550 to S$650, effective from September 1, 2025.
