The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has announced new minimum qualifying salary requirements for S Pass holders, effective from September 1, 2025, for new applications and September 1, 2026, for renewal applications. In addition, the levy will be increased accordingly. These changes are part of Singapore’s efforts to ensure that S Pass holders are comparable to the top one-third of the local Associate Professionals and Technicians (APT) workforce.
Key Changes and Effective Dates
| Sector | Current Qualifying Salary (SGD) | New Qualifying Salary (SGD) | Effective Date for New Applications | Effective Date for Renewal Applications |
| All Sectors (except for financial Services) |
$3,150 to $4,650 per month | $3,300 to $4,800 per month | September 1, 2025 | September 1, 2026 |
| Financial Services | $3,650 to $5,650 per month | $3,800 to $5,650 per month |
Levy Changes
| Sector | Tier | Current Monthly Levy Rate
(SGD) |
New Monthly Levy Rate (from September 1, 2025) (SGD) |
| Services Sector | Basic/Tier 1 | $550 | $650 |
| All Sectors (excluding Services Sector) | Tier 2 (Note: Basic/Tier 1 refer to Services Sector) |
$650 | No change |
Implications for Employers
- Review and Adjust Salaries: Ensure current and prospective S Pass Holders’ salaries meet the new requirements.
- Budget Planning: Factor in the increased salary thresholds for future hiring and salary reviews.
- Talent Acquisition: The new requirements aim to attract higher-skilled foreign talent, enhancing workforce quality.
- Levy Payments: Employers must continue to pay the monthly foreign worker levy for each S Pass holder. The levy rates are designed to regulate the number of foreign workers in Singapore.
- Quota Management: Ensure your company has sufficient quotas for S Pass holders. The number of S Pass holders you can hire is limited by a quota, which is calculated based on the number of local employees in your company.
Next Steps
- Assess Current Workforce: Identify any necessary salary adjustments.
- Plan for Future Hires: Adjust recruitment strategies and budget plans accordingly.
- Manage Quotas: Regularly check your company’s quota balance and ensure compliance with the dependency ratio ceiling (DRC) for your sector.
- Use the Self-Assessment Tool (SAT): The MOM’s SAT tool has been updated to reflect the new criteria.
- Seek Assistance: Contact EIG for support with the application process and compliance.
Erickson Insights and Analysis
Erickson Immigration Group will continue to monitor developments and share updates as more news is available. Please contact your employer or EIG attorney if you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or case-specific questions.
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