Singapore Work Permit for Indians: Employer Steps and Timeline

Fees, salary thresholds and timelines here come from Singapore's Ministry of Manpower, as published on the official sources, checked on 15 October 2026. Singapore's High Commission and Consulates-General in India do not process work passes; your employer deals with MOM directly. For visit visas, see our Singapore visa guide for Indians.

Which pass will your Singapore employer apply for?

EntrePass is the one work pass a candidate can apply for directly. It costs SGD 105 plus SGD 225 on issue and is decided within 6 weeks for most cases, but it is only for serial entrepreneurs, high-calibre innovators or experienced investors running a venture-backed or innovative-technology business.

What does the employer do for an Employment Pass, step by step?

1. Advertise the job. Under the Fair Consideration Framework, unless exempt, the employer advertises on MyCareersFuture for at least 14 consecutive days and considers all candidates fairly.
2. Check Stage 1, the qualifying salary. A candidate below the qualifying salary for their age is not eligible, whatever their COMPASS score.
3. Check Stage 2, COMPASS. The role needs at least 40 points across salary against local benchmarks (C1), qualifications (C2), diversity (C3) and support for local employment (C4), with bonuses for Shortage Occupation List roles (C5) and Strategic Economic Priorities (C6). A fixed monthly salary of at least SGD 22,500, an overseas intra-corporate transfer or a role of 1 month or less is exempt.
4. Collect documents and your written consent. The list is set out further below.
5. Apply online and pay SGD 105. An overseas company without a Singapore-registered office applies through a local sponsor.
6. Send you the in-principle approval (IPA) letter. It is a pre-approved single-entry visa that gives you 6 months to enter Singapore and get the pass issued.
7. Issue the pass after you arrive. The employer issues it online and pays the SGD 225 issuance fee. You register fingerprints and a photo within 2 weeks if required, and the card is delivered within 5 working days of registration or document verification.

On qualifications, C2 gives 20 points for a degree-equivalent qualification from a top 100 QS-ranked university or another listed top institution, 10 for other degree-equivalent qualifications and 0 without one. A candidate without a degree can still pass COMPASS by scoring 40 points from the other criteria. The detail is on MOM's Employment Pass eligibility page.

How is the Work Permit route different for Indian workers?

• India is an approved Non-Traditional Source (NTS) for the construction, marine shipyard and process sectors. In manufacturing and services, NTS workers can be hired only for occupations on the NTS Occupation List.
• You must be at least 18 and below 62 when the employer applies, and Work Permit holders can work until 64.
• The employer buys a security bond for non-Malaysian workers, medical insurance and, where applicable, work injury compensation insurance and a Primary Care Plan.
• Non-Malaysian workers cannot be in Singapore while the application is processed.
• The permit usually runs up to 2 years, limited to 1 month before your passport expires and 2 months before the security bond expires. No passes are issued for family members.

The sequence MOM sets out on its Work Permit application page: written consent, online application (within 1 week for most cases), the employer prints the IPA letter, you show it on arrival, a medical examination within 2 weeks of arrival (plus a Settling-in or Onboard programme where applicable), the permit is issued, and the card arrives within 5 working days.

How long does it take from job offer to pass card?

The published stages before the IPA add up to at least 14 days of advertising plus up to 10 business days for MOM to process or update the application, if nothing is queried. First-time EPs run for up to 2 years and renewals for up to 3 years.

Are the salary thresholds changing?

• Employment Pass: for new applications from 1 January 2027, and renewals of passes expiring from 1 January 2028, the qualifying salary becomes SGD 6,000 rising to SGD 11,500 at 45 and above (financial services SGD 6,600 to SGD 12,700).
• S Pass: from the same dates, SGD 3,600 rising to SGD 5,100 (financial services SGD 4,000 to SGD 5,650).
• 5-year EP for experienced tech professionals: roles on the Shortage Occupation List need at least SGD 10,700 for candidates aged 36 and below, rising to SGD 14,270 at 45 and above; from 1 January 2027 this becomes SGD 11,500 to SGD 15,499. The candidate must also score at least 10 points on C3.

If your offer is close to the threshold and the application could slip into 2027, check it against the new figure.

What will your employer need from you, and what should you avoid?

For an EP, MOM lists these uploads:

• The personal particulars page of your passport, with an explanation letter and supporting documents if your name differs across documents
• The company's latest business profile or instant information registered with ACRA (from the employer)
• Verification proof of your qualifications if the employer claims COMPASS qualification points
• Documents from the professional body for regulated jobs such as doctors, nurses, dentists, pharmacists and lawyers
• English translations uploaded together with any non-English document as one file
• Your written consent to the application

Common mistakes to avoid: expecting Singapore's missions in India to handle the pass; letting the IPA window lapse; and starting with a passport close to expiry, since S Pass and Work Permit durations are capped at 1 month before passport expiry. If family will join you on an S Pass, the Dependant's Pass needs a fixed monthly salary of at least SGD 6,000.

Work passes are handled by your employer, but relatives who visit you later still need a Singapore visit visa through an Authorised Visa Agent. Yatra For Fun's India office in Gurugram prepares flight reservations, hotel bookings, itineraries and cover letters for such files, from INR 1,000 for a flight reservation to INR 3,000 for the full set. WhatsApp +91 95230 91018 or contact us.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to be in Singapore while my employer applies for my pass?

Not for an Employment Pass or S Pass: MOM says the candidate does not need to be in Singapore. For a Work Permit it is the opposite: non-Malaysian workers cannot be in Singapore while the application is processed.

How long is a Singapore Employment Pass valid?

MOM issues first-time Employment Passes for up to 2 years and renewals for up to 3 years. The 5-year EP is a separate option for experienced tech professionals in Shortage Occupation List roles.

Can I apply for Singapore permanent residence later?

Yes, Employment Pass and S Pass holders can apply for PR themselves through ICA's e-Service with Singpass. The application fee is SGD 100, and ICA says decisions come within 6 months if all required documents are in order, though some take longer.

Who pays the Employment Pass fees?

The SGD 105 application fee is paid by the employer or its employment agent when applying. The SGD 225 issuance fee is charged per pass when it is issued, plus SGD 30 for each Multiple Journey Visa if applicable.