# How to Apply for a Singapore Work Visa from India: Step by Step

> Your employer, not you, applies to MOM. Step by step from job offer to IPA letter and pass issuance, with the 2026 salary floors and COMPASS points.

_Published: 2026-11-02 · Reading time: 5 min · Words: 1197_

## TL;DR

Singapore work passes are applied for by the employer or its appointed employment agent, online with the Ministry of Manpower; the missions in India do not handle them. For an Employment Pass you need a qualifying salary of at least SGD 5,600 a month (higher with age) and 40 COMPASS points. Approval comes as an IPA letter that works as a single-entry visa for 6 months.

## Key takeaways

- Employment Pass, S Pass and Work Permit applications are filed online with MOM by the employer or an appointed employment agent; you give written consent.
- Employment Pass Stage 1: a qualifying salary of at least SGD 5,600 a month, rising with age to SGD 10,700 at 45 and above (financial services SGD 6,200 to SGD 11,800).
- Employment Pass Stage 2: at least 40 points under COMPASS, unless exempt (for example a fixed monthly salary of at least SGD 22,500).
- Fees: SGD 105 to apply and SGD 225 on issuance for an Employment Pass; S Pass SGD 105 and SGD 100.
- The in-principle approval (IPA) letter is a pre-approved single-entry visa: 6 months to enter for an Employment Pass, 60 days for an S Pass.

**For a job-based pass, you don't apply yourself. According to Singapore's Ministry of Manpower, your employer or its appointed employment agent applies online for an Employment Pass, S Pass or Work Permit; Singapore's missions in India do not process work passes. An Employment Pass application costs SGD 105, and MOM processes or updates online applications within 10 business days.**

## Article

Your job in India is to have the right profile, the right papers and to give consent. The steps below follow MOM's own process, as published on the official sources, checked on 15 October 2026. For tourist and business visas, see our Singapore visa guide for Indians.

### Which Singapore work pass matches your job offer?
PassWho it is forWho appliesMOM feesProcessingEmployment Pass (EP)Professionals, managers and executivesEmployer or appointed employment agentSGD 105 application; SGD 225 issuanceWithin 10 business days for online applicationsS PassSkilled workersEmployer or appointed employment agentSGD 105 application; SGD 100 issuanceWithin 10 business daysWork PermitSemi-skilled workers in approved sectorsEmployer or employment agentSGD 35 application; SGD 35 issuanceWithin 1 week for most casesEntrePassFounders of venture-backed or innovative-technology businessesThe candidate can apply directlySGD 105 application; SGD 225 issuanceWithin 6 weeks for most casesIndia is an approved Non-Traditional Source for Work Permits in the construction, marine shipyard and process sectors; in manufacturing and services, Indian workers can be hired only for occupations on the NTS Occupation List. Work Permit applicants must be at least 18 and below 62, and non-Malaysian workers cannot be in Singapore while the application is processed.

### What must your employer do before applying?
For an Employment Pass, the employer has two jobs before filing.

- Advertise locally. Under the Fair Consideration Framework, the job must be advertised on MyCareersFuture for at least 14 consecutive days, and all candidates considered fairly, unless the role is exempt.
- Check the qualifying salary. The current EP floor is SGD 5,600 a month, rising progressively with age from 23 up to SGD 10,700 at age 45 and above. In financial services it runs from SGD 6,200 to SGD 11,800. A candidate below the floor is not eligible, whatever their COMPASS score.
For an S Pass, the current floor is SGD 3,300 a month, rising to SGD 4,800 at 45 and above (financial services SGD 3,800 to SGD 5,650). Employers also provide medical insurance and are subject to a quota and levy. An overseas company without a Singapore-registered office must apply through a local sponsor, and MOM says those EP cases take within 6 weeks for most applications.

### How does COMPASS score an Indian candidate?
An Employment Pass candidate needs at least 40 points across these criteria:

- C1 Salary against local PMET benchmarks: 20 points at the 90th percentile and above, 10 at the 65th to below 90th, 0 below the 65th.
- C2 Qualifications: 20 points for degree-equivalent qualifications from top 100 QS-ranked universities, other highly reputed universities in Asia, Singapore's Autonomous Universities or endorsed specialist institutions; 10 for other degree-equivalent or endorsed professional qualifications; 0 without one.
- C3 Diversity and C4 Support for local employment: 0, 10 or 20 each, with 10 by default for firms with fewer than 25 PMETs.
- Bonuses: 10 or 20 for a Shortage Occupation List role (C5), and 10 for Strategic Economic Priorities (C6).
Candidates without a degree can still reach 40 points from other criteria. COMPASS does not apply to roles paying a fixed monthly salary of at least SGD 22,500, to overseas intra-corporate transferees or to roles filled for 1 month or less.

### Which documents will your employer ask you for?
The employer uploads these to MOM for an Employment Pass:

- the personal particulars page of your passport, plus an explanation letter and supporting documents if your name differs across documents;
- verification proof for your qualifications, if the employer claims COMPASS qualification points;
- documents from the relevant professional body for regulated jobs such as doctors, nurses, dentists, pharmacists and lawyers;
- English translations uploaded with any non-English document as one file;
- your written consent to the application.
The employer adds its own latest business profile or instant information registered with ACRA.

### What happens after approval?
MOM issues an in-principle approval (IPA) letter. For an Employment Pass it is a pre-approved single-entry visa that gives you 6 months to enter Singapore and get the pass issued; for an S Pass, 60 days. You do not need a separate visa from the High Commission.

After arrival, the employer requests issuance online. If required, you register fingerprints and a photo within 2 weeks, and the card is delivered within 5 working days of registration or document verification. An Employment Pass runs up to 2 years for first-time candidates and up to 3 years on renewal. Work Permit holders also take a medical examination within 2 weeks of arrival.

### What changes on 1 January 2027?
New applications from 1 January 2027 (and renewals of passes expiring from 1 January 2028) face higher floors:

- Employment Pass: SGD 6,000, rising to SGD 11,500 at 45 and above; financial services SGD 6,600 to SGD 12,700.
- S Pass: SGD 3,600, rising to SGD 5,100; financial services SGD 4,000 to SGD 5,650.
- 5-year EP for experienced tech professionals: at least SGD 11,500 at age 36 and below, up to SGD 15,499 at 45 and above (currently SGD 10,700 to SGD 14,270).
If your offer sits just above today's floor and the filing may slip into 2027, raise it with your employer early.

### Mistakes Indian candidates make
- Applying at the High Commission. Singapore's missions in India do not process work passes.
- Name mismatches. Different spellings across passport and certificates need an explanation letter and supporting documents.
- Expecting family passes on an S Pass by default. A Dependant's Pass needs a fixed monthly salary of at least SGD 6,000.
- Waiting too long after the IPA. The S Pass IPA gives only 60 days to enter.
Eligibility details are on MOM's Employment Pass eligibility page.

Yatra For Fun's India office in Gurugram prepares flight reservations, hotel bookings, itineraries and cover letters for visa files, with packages from INR 1,000 for a flight reservation to INR 3,000 for the complete set. WhatsApp +91 95230 91018 or use our contact page.

### Frequently asked questions

#### Do I need to be in Singapore when my Employment Pass is applied for?
No. MOM states the candidate does not need to be in Singapore while the employer or agent applies. Work Permit applicants are different: non-Malaysian workers cannot be in Singapore during the application.

#### Can my family join me on a Singapore work pass?
It depends on the pass. For an S Pass, a Dependant's Pass for your spouse and children needs a fixed monthly salary of at least SGD 6,000. Work Permit holders cannot get passes for family members.

#### Can I get a 5-year Singapore Employment Pass?
Experienced tech professionals in a role on the COMPASS Shortage Occupation List can get an EP of up to 5 years if they pass COMPASS, score at least 10 points on diversity and earn at least SGD 10,700 a month at 36 and below, rising to SGD 14,270 at 45 and above.

#### Can an Employment Pass holder apply for Singapore PR?
Yes. ICA lists Employment Pass and S Pass holders among those who can apply for permanent residence themselves through ICA's e-Service using Singpass. The application fee is SGD 100, and ICA's stated timeframe is within 6 months if all required documents are submitted and in order.

## Steps

1. **Confirm the right pass** — Use your job, salary and sector to identify whether the employer needs an Employment Pass, S Pass or Work Permit; only the EntrePass can be applied for directly by the candidate.
2. **Let the employer advertise the role** — For an Employment Pass, the employer advertises on MyCareersFuture for at least 14 consecutive days under the Fair Consideration Framework, unless the role is exempt.
3. **Check salary and COMPASS** — Confirm your offer meets the qualifying salary for your age (EP from SGD 5,600 a month) and that you reach 40 COMPASS points, unless exempt.
4. **Send documents and written consent** — Give the employer your passport particulars page, qualification proof, any professional-body documents, English translations and your written consent.
5. **Employer files with MOM** — The employer or appointed agent applies online and pays the SGD 105 application fee; online EP applications are processed or updated within 10 business days.
6. **Travel on the IPA letter** — The IPA letter is a pre-approved single-entry visa: enter Singapore within 6 months for an Employment Pass, or 60 days for an S Pass.
7. **Complete issuance in Singapore** — The employer requests issuance online; register fingerprints and photo within 2 weeks if required, and receive the card within 5 working days of registration.

## FAQ

### Do I need to be in Singapore when my Employment Pass is applied for?

No. MOM states the candidate does not need to be in Singapore while the employer or agent applies. Work Permit applicants are different: non-Malaysian workers cannot be in Singapore during the application.

### Can my family join me on a Singapore work pass?

It depends on the pass. For an S Pass, a Dependant's Pass for your spouse and children needs a fixed monthly salary of at least SGD 6,000. Work Permit holders cannot get passes for family members.

### Can I get a 5-year Singapore Employment Pass?

Experienced tech professionals in a role on the COMPASS Shortage Occupation List can get an EP of up to 5 years if they pass COMPASS, score at least 10 points on diversity and earn at least SGD 10,700 a month at 36 and below, rising to SGD 14,270 at 45 and above.

### Can an Employment Pass holder apply for Singapore PR?

Yes. ICA lists Employment Pass and S Pass holders among those who can apply for permanent residence themselves through ICA's e-Service using Singpass. The application fee is SGD 100, and ICA's stated timeframe is within 6 months if all required documents are submitted and in order.

## Sources

1. [MOM – Eligibility for Employment Pass (qualifying salary and COMPASS)](https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/employment-pass/eligibility) — Ministry of Manpower, Singapore
2. [MOM – Apply for an Employment Pass](https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/employment-pass/apply-for-a-pass) — Ministry of Manpower, Singapore
3. [MOM – Eligibility for S Pass](https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/s-pass/eligibility) — Ministry of Manpower, Singapore
4. [MOM – Documents required for Employment Pass](https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/employment-pass/documents-required) — Ministry of Manpower, Singapore