How to Apply For a S Pass Singapore Work Permit
If you are a foreigner or moving to Singapore with the intent to work here, you need to apply for a Singapore S pass. An S pass is a work visa issued by the Singapore government. Without this, you won’t be allowed to work anywhere in Singapore. Work passes in Singapore come in different forms. The type of work pass that you need to attain depends on the nature of work and qualifications. Generally, mid-skilled workers like journalists, accountants, and technicians need a Singapore S Pass.
Keeping in mind the above, note that all work pass applications have to go through Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower. The Ministry of Manpower is in charge of both the issuing and handling of work visas in Singapore, including the Singapore S pass. In this article, we are going to explain how to apply for an S Pass in Singapore. If you are looking to apply for the personalised employment pass Singapore visa, check out our other guides.
What is the Qualification for the S Pass Work Permit For Singapore?
All S Pass Singapore applicants need to meet the conditions listed below:
1. You have to be a mid-skilled worker. You must have academic qualifications like a diploma. Certificates from Technical institutions are accepted. However, the course must have lasted for at least a year.
2. You must have a job in Singapore. In addition, your employer will be the one to apply for the S Pass Singapore work permit on your behalf.
3. You a minimum fixed monthly salary of $2,300. Note that $2,300 is the minimum monthly salary for less experienced staff. Keep in mind that the S Pass work pass minimum salary requirements for a foreigner with more experience will be higher.
4. You should possess relevant work experience in your respective field or industry.
In summary
This guide has all the information you need to know about applying for a Singapore S Pass. One recommendation is to not delay your application. This is because Singapore has strict criteria when it comes to foreigners entering the country.
The process can be tedious or confusing for first-time applicants when applying for a Singapore S pass working visa. Therefore, you need to find a company that processes a professional work pass like Ren Ai Group.
Ren Ai Group has many resources on our website for the application process for the Singapore Employment Pass and Singapore Work Permit which will be useful for both employers and candidates. If you need help with applying for the Singapore S Pass work permit, contact us today for a free consultation session.
What jobs are not eligible for an S Pass?
Since the S Pass work pass contains certain qualifications and eligibility measures, some jobs are not accepted. This means that if you are entering Singapore with a particular job, applying for an S pass scheme is impossible. Even if you have met the other qualifications, the Singaporean government still does apply. These jobs include masseurs, bar, and hostesses, and food stall owners.
How to apply and submit your S Pass in Singapore?
Getting an S Pass in Singapore can be broken down into three parts. Most of the S Pass application process will either be handled by your employer. The role of a Singapore employment agency is to guide and help your employer in attaining your S Pass.
The foreign worker doesn’t have to apply for the S Pass on his own. This is carried out by the employer in Singapore. He will have to carry out the application. The employer must complete the application through EP Online. EP Online is an online application tool available on MOM’s website. You don’t have to travel down to Singapore in person when the S pass application is being carried out.
We have listed out the steps for the S Pass Singapore work permit or employment work visa application below for applicants:
- You will need to write a letter of consent to your employer in Singapore. In the letter, applying for the S Pass on your behalf should be done by the employer.
- Your employer has to log in to EP Online and fill the S Pass Application Form.
- Documents for the S Pass should be included on the S Pass Application form.
- The employer makes the payment of S$75. This is the S Pass application fee.
- All approved applications get an IPA letter.
This letter must be given to you by your employer. The letter does the following:
● The letter grants you entrance in the form of a single-access visa.
● Acquaints you of the need for a health check upon arriving in Singapore.
● Lists out all the necessary documents when you and your employer do apply to get your S Pass Singapore Work Permit issued.
The application processing time for an S Pass in Singapore is about 3 weeks. On receiving the IPA letter, you have 60 days to enter Singapore’s borders.
How to convert a work permit to S Pass?
These two permits are similar in some ways and differ in a few aspects. The work permit is for semi-skilled individuals that want to work in construction, manufacturing, marine, or other service sectors. The employer should be the one to apply for the work permit for the foreign individual. While the S Pass Singapore work permit is for mid-level skilled workers with a monthly salary of at least S$2,300.
The S pass should also be applied for by the employer and is valid for up to two years. One of the significant differences between these two permits is that the S Pass work permit has more perks. The S Pass allows the individual to bring his or her family along in Singapore while the simple work permit does not.
So, there are many workers that want to convert their work permit to an S Pass work permit. To do that, one must check if they are already eligible for application. The qualifications are, but not limited to, earning at least S$2,300 monthly, having a degree, and having relevant experience in the field of work. When you are eligible, the employer must be the one to process the conversion.
Required documents for S Pass Singapore Work Permit
Upon submitting the application for your S Pass in Singapore, your employer would need to submit documents. This includes a copy of the completed S Pass Application Form, your letter of agreement, and photocopies of the passport(s) that bear your personal details page. In addition, photocopies of your diplomas and other related certifications need to be submitted. A photocopy of your marriage certificate will have to be provided for citing married people.
All recent business profile of the company and Letter of Support or the registration form from a recruitment agency, professional body, or accreditation agency has to be cited. Be sure to contact these institutions for the documentation you need to provide if you fall under the list of professionals listed below. Here is the list:
• Doctors: The Singapore Medical Council.
• Dentists: The Singapore Dental Council.
• Occupational therapists, diagnostic radiographers, radiation therapists, speech therapists, and physiotherapists: The Allied Health Professions Council.
• Pharmacists: The Singapore Pharmacy Council.
• TCM Practitioners: The Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners Board.
• Lawyers: The Legal Services Regulatory Authority.
• Football players or coaches: The Sport Singapore Association
How to get the S Pass issued In Singapore
You have to be physically in Singapore to collect your S pass. For the issuance of an S Pass in Singapore, the employer will need to go through EP Online for S Pass issuance. Kindly note to your employer to prepare a fee of S$100.
Upon being issued the S Pass, a form of the printed letter will be sent notifying you of the successful application. This letter then grants access to both enter and leave Singapore while waiting for your S Pass Card. This informs you of the need to get your photo and fingerprints registered when necessary.
How to convert a work permit to S Pass?
These two permits are similar in some ways and differ in a few aspects. The work permit is for semi-skilled individuals that want to work in construction, manufacturing, marine, or other service sectors.
The employer should be the one to apply for the work permit for the foreign individual. While the S Pass work permit is for mid-level skilled workers with a monthly salary of at least S$2,300. The S pass should also be applied for by the employer and is valid for up to two years. One of the significant differences between these two permits is that the S Pass work permit has more perks.
The S Pass allows the individual to bring his or her family along in Singapore while the simple work permit does not. So, there are many workers that want to convert their work permit to an S Pass work permit. To do that, one must check if they are already eligible for application. The qualifications are, but not limited to, earning at least S$2,300 monthly, having a degree, and having relevant experience in the field of work. When you are eligible, the employer must be the one to process the conversion.
Can an S Pass holder apply to be a Singapore permanent resident (PR)?
Since an S pass holder can bring his or her family into Singapore when entering the country, some may opt to apply for permanent residency to be able to reap the benefits and perks of being a holder. Singapore allows S pass working visa holders to apply for a permanent residency visa if ever they are eligible to apply. The application should be done through the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA). This application would take some time because it needs to be calculated and assessed based on the ICA’s criteria.
What if an S Pass holder wants to switch employers?
Singapore acknowledges the rights of all S Pass visa holders and one of them is the right to change employers or working environment. S Pass holders are allowed to change their employers but should be done through the right channels.
When an employee wants to change employers, the new employer must be the one to apply for a new S Pass scheme. All kinds of S Pass applications are done by the employer to ensure that foreigners are legally working in the Singaporean economy. Each application will be carefully reviewed and approved after such a long time.
Required documents when getting the S Pass issued in Singapore
The employer will still need to submit certain documentation for the issuance of your S Pass in Singapore. Your employer has to provide the passport details. This is in addition to photocopies of the passport’s personal details page with all changes that have been done to it.
Also, details of medical insurance of at least S$15,000 per annum and that covers both hospitalization and surgery has to be bought for you by your employer.
Such insurance has to be provided for all employees in the form of injury or insurance involved with manual work. It is necessary, even for employees whose wages are lower than S$1,600 monthly. He has to provide details of your immigration or Short-Term Visit Permit. You need to provide an address of delivery of your S Pass Card by the Ministry of Manpower, and the Disembarkation or Embarkation card. Also, you need to provide the form that will prove that you had your health check-up.
Registration of your photo and fingerprints
When applying for the S Pass in Singapore for the first time, you must register your photo and fingerprints. This applies if it has been at least 5 years since you last registered.
Registration must be done in a week of getting the S Pass issued at the MOM Services Centre. Registration requires an appointment. You can easily make an appointment through MOM’s website. In this registration, you will need to provide your passport, an appointment letter from your employer, the letter, and all documentation that’s in the letter or IPA.
If everything goes smoothly, you should receive your S Pass about 4 days after registering and submitting your documents.
In summary
This guide has all the information you need to know about applying for a Singapore S Pass. One recommendation is to not delay your application. This is because Singapore has strict criteria when it comes to foreigners entering the country.
The process can be tedious or confusing for first-time applicants when applying for a Singapore S pass working visa. Therefore, you need to find a company that processes a professional work pass like Ren Ai Group.
Ren Ai Group has many resources on our website for the application process for the Singapore Employment Pass and Singapore Work Permit which will be useful for both employers and candidates. If you need help with applying for the Singapore S Pass work permit, contact us today for a free consultation session.
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