Who Qualifies for the Singapore ONE Pass in 2026?
The ONE Pass grew from 3,600 holders in December 2023 to 8,500 in December 2025. Who qualifies, what it costs, and how the application journey works.
TLDR – Applicants qualify through a S$30,000 fixed monthly salary route or outstanding achievements in specified fields. – The salary must generally come from one employer for 12 consecutive months, subject to MOM’s company requirements. – Government fees total S$330, plus S$30 for a Multiple Journey Visa if applicable. – MOM processes most applications within four weeks, although achievements-route cases may take longer. – From January 2027, the AI & Tech track allows at least S$22,500 in fixed salary plus qualifying vested equity to meet the S$30,000 benchmark.
Date note: This guide separates rules in force as of August 2026, holder statistics up to December 2025, and changes announced for January 2027.
The 2026 numbers: ONE Pass holders reached 8,500
In a written answer to Parliamentary Question 2699 on 5 August 2026, MOM reported that the ONE Pass population reached 3,600 in December 2023, 6,300 in December 2024 and 8,500 in December 2025. That represents year-on-year growth of +75% in 2024 and +35% in 2025, and a total increase of roughly 136% over two years. The pass launched in January 2023, so there was no December 2022 baseline.
Source: MOM written answer to PQ on the effectiveness of the ONE Pass, 5 August 2026.
The population grew by 2,700 holders in 2024 and by a further 2,200 in 2025. These are year-end counts of active holders, not counts of applications or approvals, and they do not separately account for cancellations or departures.
For scale, the Minister for Manpower reported in March 2024 that approximately 4,200 applications were approved in the scheme’s first year, compared with 3,600 active holders at the end of that year (Singapore EDB). Approvals and active holders are different measures.
Which sectors employ ONE Pass holders?
MOM reported that about 70% of ONE Pass holders as of December 2025 worked in three sectors:
- financial and insurance services;
- information and communication; and
- professional services.
The scheme remains open to applicants in any sector and to individuals with outstanding achievements in sports, arts and culture, academia or research. MOM’s reply named two holders as examples: Dr Anders Jacobsen Skanderup, whose work applies AI to cancer monitoring, and Oliver Jay, who mentors Singapore tech founders.
How does that compare with the Employment Pass population?
The much larger EP population rose from 187,300 holders in December 2022 to 205,400 in December 2023, an increase of +9.7%. It then fell to 202,100 in December 2024, a change of -1.6%, before edging up to 203,300 in December 2025, an increase of +0.6%.
The ONE Pass is growing quickly from a small base while the EP population remains broadly steady. The two are not equivalent: their eligibility tests, scale and employer arrangements are entirely different.
The older Tech.Pass, launched in January 2021, has stayed flat at around 200 holders on average over the last three years, concentrated in information and communication. That is why it is being folded into the ONE Pass AI & Tech track from January 2027.
Is there a nationality breakdown?
No. MOM publishes no nationality breakdown for ONE Pass holders, and nationality statistics for the wider EP population are not a proxy for it. Nationality plays no part in the salary, company or achievements tests.
Do ONE Pass sectors match Singapore’s Shortage Occupation List?
The three sectors holding 70% of ONE Pass holders line up closely with the biggest blocks on MOM’s Shortage Occupation List (SOL), the list of roles that earn an Employment Pass candidate bonus points under COMPASS criterion C5 (MOM: COMPASS C5 Skills Bonus).
| ONE Pass sector (70% of holders, Dec 2025) | Corresponding SOL block |
|---|---|
| Financial and insurance services | Financial services roles, including ultra-high-net-worth and family-office advisory, supported by MAS |
| Information and communication | Infocomm technology — consistently the largest category on the list, covering AI, data science, cybersecurity, cloud and software engineering |
| Professional services | Green economy and carbon-related advisory roles, supported by EDB and Enterprise Singapore |
How the list has changed since 2023
The SOL is not static, and its direction of travel is informative:
- Version 1 — announced March 2023, effective 1 September 2023: 27 occupations across six sectors — agritech, financial services, green economy, healthcare, infocomm technology and maritime. Infocomm technology alone accounted for 13 of the 27.
- Version 2 — effective 1 January 2025: added instrumentation and control engineer, process engineer and semiconductor engineer, adding an industrial and semiconductor dimension.
- Version 3 — effective 1 January 2026: added integrated circuit engineer, podiatrist and medical social worker; removed cyber compliance specialist, cyber defence incident responder and digital product manager; consolidated the AI research titles. The list now spans seven sectors, including a dedicated semiconductor category.
Why the overlap matters to an applicant
The same sectors, and largely the same agencies, appear at every level of Singapore’s skilled-immigration framework:
- Employment Pass: an SOL occupation earns COMPASS bonus points, making an EP easier to secure.
- Five-year EP: experienced tech professionals in an SOL role who pass COMPASS with at least 10 points on the diversity criterion can obtain a five-year EP rather than the standard duration (MOM: 5-year EP for experienced tech professionals).
- ONE Pass: no COMPASS assessment at all — and the January 2027 AI & Tech track targets precisely the AI, data and semiconductor skills that dominate the SOL.
Read together, the SOL shows where Singapore states it cannot hire locally, while the ONE Pass numbers show where senior foreign talent actually landed. They point to the same place. For an applicant, that is a practical signal: if your occupation appears on the SOL and your compensation sits below the ONE Pass threshold, the EP route is likely to be more receptive than the raw salary numbers suggest.
A caveat on secondary sources: several third-party sites list SOL occupations such as blockchain, robotic process automation, quantum computing and AR/VR that do not appear on MOM’s published list. Use MOM’s page and its annexes, not aggregator summaries.
ONE Pass key facts as of August 2026
| Item | Rule as of August 2026 |
|---|---|
| Full name | Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass |
| Main salary threshold | S$30,000 fixed monthly salary |
| Past-salary period | 12 consecutive months from one employer; salaries from multiple employers cannot be combined |
| Alternative route | Outstanding achievements in sports, arts and culture, academia or research |
| Pass validity | Up to five years, renewable for up to five years at a time |
| Employer sponsorship | Not required; the pass belongs to the holder |
| Work flexibility | The holder may work for, start and operate multiple companies concurrently |
| COMPASS | Does not apply |
| Job advertising | Not required |
| Employer quota and levy | None |
| MOM processing time | Within four weeks for most cases |
| Government fees | S$105 application + S$225 issuance, plus S$30 for a Multiple Journey Visa if applicable |
| Family | Spouse, children and parents may apply for separate passes |
| Spouse’s work rights | A Letter of Consent must be approved first; the LOC itself is free |
| Renewal | Five-year average salary route, or the Singapore-business and local-employment route |
| Annual declaration | Income and professional activities must be declared to MOM by 31 January each year |
Sources: MOM: ONE Pass key facts, eligibility and application and fees.
Who qualifies for the Singapore ONE Pass?
There are three routes. You need only one, but clearing a headline threshold does not guarantee approval. MOM assesses the application as a whole and can ask for more evidence.
| Route | Core eligibility test | Established-company test | Evidence typically required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Past salary | S$30,000 fixed monthly salary for 12 consecutive months from one employer | The overseas employer must meet MOM’s established-company threshold | Salary records, employment confirmation, evidence the company meets the threshold |
| Prospective Singapore role | A Singapore employment contract paying S$30,000 fixed monthly salary | The Singapore employer must meet the established-company threshold | Employment contract, evidence on the Singapore company |
| Outstanding achievements | Outstanding achievements in sports, arts and culture, academia or research; no salary threshold | Not applicable | Record of recognition and achievement, with endorsements for the relevant field |
MOM defines an established company as one with market capitalisation of at least US$500 million or annual revenue of at least US$200 million (MOM: ONE Pass eligibility).
Applicants who already hold a Singapore work pass must have worked in Singapore for at least one year before applying.
Can salaries from two employers be combined?
No. MOM is explicit: where you earn from multiple employers, the qualifying S$30,000 must come from one employer only. Separate salaries of S$20,000 and S$10,000 do not add up to a qualifying S$30,000.
What counts as fixed monthly salary?
Fixed monthly salary means basic monthly salary plus fixed monthly allowances. Variable bonuses, commissions, investment income and unvested equity do not count toward the general S$30,000 test.
Equity treatment changes for eligible AI and technology applicants from January 2027, but that track is not in force as of August 2026.
Not sure which route applies? E&H Immigration can review your fixed-salary history, employer eligibility and achievements record before you file. See our Singapore work pass services.
August 2026 rules versus January 2027 changes
The ONE Pass salary threshold has not moved since launch. What is changing is the compensation mix available to AI and technology applicants, along with the salary floors on the passes below it.
| Rule | As of August 2026 | Announced from January 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| General ONE Pass salary route | S$30,000 fixed monthly salary | Unchanged |
| AI & Tech track | Not in force | S$22,500 fixed monthly salary plus qualifying vested equity to reach S$30,000, with an experience condition |
| Tech.Pass | Separate scheme launched January 2021, around 200 holders | Replaced by the ONE Pass AI & Tech track, with five-year validity and five-year renewals |
| EP qualifying salary | S$5,600 general sectors, S$6,200 financial services, rising with age | S$6,000 and S$6,600 for new applications from 1 January 2027; renewals of passes expiring from 1 January 2028 |
| S Pass qualifying salary | S$3,300 general sectors, S$3,800 financial services, rising with age | S$3,600 and S$4,000 for new applications from 1 January 2027; renewals of passes expiring from 1 January 2028 |
Sources: MOM: EP eligibility, MOM: S Pass eligibility, and the Minister for Manpower’s Committee of Supply statement of 3 March 2026.
Looking ahead: the ONE Pass (AI and Tech) track, January 2027
The announced track does not lower the S$30,000 benchmark. It changes what can count toward it and adds a condition the general route does not have.
- Compensation: at least S$22,500 in fixed monthly salary, plus qualifying vested equity — share ownership or exercised stock options — sufficient to reach S$30,000. Unvested awards are unlikely to count.
- Experience: at least five cumulative years as a founder, in a C-suite role, or in a senior technical role such as senior software engineer, accumulated within the previous 10 years. A strong package alone will not qualify you.
- Validity: five years, renewable for five years, matching the main ONE Pass.
The final criteria and evidence requirements will be published closer to the effective date. Nobody can apply under this track before January 2027.
How to apply for a ONE Pass
The ONE Pass has no sponsoring employer. You can file it yourself, or an employer or appointed employment agent can file on your behalf.
Step 1: Identify your route
Decide whether you are relying on qualifying fixed salary over the past 12 months, a prospective role with an established Singapore company, or outstanding achievements. For an overseas salary application, confirm both the salary history and that the employer meets the market-capitalisation or revenue test. Do not combine income from more than one employer.
Step 2: Confirm the fixed-salary calculation
Check that the compensation you rely on is fixed monthly salary. Exclude variable bonuses, commissions and equity from the general calculation.
Step 3: Prepare the evidence
Documents depend on your route and may include:
- passport particulars;
- evidence of fixed monthly salary;
- confirmation of employment and the employment period;
- an employment contract for a prospective Singapore role;
- evidence that the company meets the market-capitalisation or revenue threshold; and
- achievements records and endorsements where relevant.
Follow the document checklist in MOM’s current application service. MOM can request more.
Step 4: Submit and pay the application fee
Submit through MOM’s eService and pay the S$105 application fee. Applications must be complete and internally consistent. A senior job title or a large total compensation figure will not carry an application where the fixed-salary period or company conditions are not met.
Step 5: Allow for processing
MOM processes most ONE Pass applications within four weeks. That is an indicative timeline, not an approval guarantee; document requests, verification or referral to another agency can extend it. Achievements-route applications may involve the relevant public agencies for sports, arts and culture, academia or research, and typically take longer.
Step 6: Follow the In-Principle Approval conditions
On approval, you receive an In-Principle Approval letter setting out the next steps, entry requirements and the deadline for issuance. Entry, medical and registration requirements vary, so follow your own letter rather than assuming a standard process.
Step 7: Complete issuance
Pay the S$225 issuance fee, plus the S$30 Multiple Journey Visa fee if it applies, and complete any registration MOM requires. Rely on MOM’s issuance notification for when you may start work and how your card will be delivered.
Step 8: Apply for family passes
Family applications are separate and are best filed after your own pass is approved. If the main application is rejected, the family applications are rejected too. MOM processes Dependant’s Pass and Long-Term Visit Pass applications within four weeks. Each family pass carries the same S$105 application and S$225 issuance fees.
A spouse may work or run a business only after a Letter of Consent has been approved.
Preparing an application? A preliminary review can tell you whether your salary records, employer evidence and family documents fit the route you have chosen. Request help with a Singapore work pass application.
What does a ONE Pass cost?
Government fees as of August 2026
| Charge | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee | S$105 |
| Issuance fee | S$225 |
| Multiple Journey Visa, if applicable | S$30 |
| Base total | S$330 |
| Total where the visa fee applies | S$360 |
| Each Dependant’s Pass or LTVP | S$330 (S$105 + S$225) |
| Letter of Consent for a spouse | Free |
There is no foreign-worker levy and no employer quota. That does not make the pass cost-free in a wider sense: payroll, tax, corporate compliance, family applications and professional advice all sit outside these figures.
Salary is an eligibility threshold, not a fee
The S$30,000 is compensation you receive, not money paid to MOM. Singapore income tax is likewise not a ONE Pass cost.
Are the fees refundable if MOM refuses the application?
The S$105 application fee is a processing charge and is not refundable once submitted. The S$225 issuance fee is only paid after approval, so it does not arise on a refused application. Confirm the payment terms MOM displays when you file. Fees charged by an employment agency or immigration adviser are governed by your service agreement with them.
ONE Pass renewal requirements
A ONE Pass runs for up to five years, and renewal is not automatic. You must meet one of two routes.
Renewal route 1: five-year average salary
An average fixed monthly salary of at least S$30,000 over the preceding five years in Singapore. It is an average, so it does not require exactly S$30,000 in every single month, but the five-year average and MOM’s evidence requirements must both be met.
Renewal route 2: a Singapore business employing locals
Operate an established Singapore-based company employing at least five local employees, each earning at least the prevailing EP qualifying salary.
That benchmark moves. It is S$5,600 a month for general sectors as of August 2026, rising to S$6,000 for new applications from 1 January 2027, and it is higher for financial services and older employees. The figure that matters is the one in force when you renew, so founders should check the criteria well before expiry.
Annual reporting by 31 January
ONE Pass holders must notify MOM of their annual income and professional activities by 31 January each year.
The declaration exists because holders can work across multiple businesses. Keep records of:
- fixed salary and other professional income;
- employers and professional appointments;
- companies started or operated;
- directorships and advisory roles; and
- anything else relevant to compliance or renewal.
Check MOM’s current declaration form each year for the exact fields and reporting period.
Can a ONE Pass holder work for several companies or start a business?
Yes. Unlike an Employment Pass tied to a sponsoring employer, the ONE Pass lets the holder concurrently start, operate and work for multiple companies without a new pass for each role and without reapplying when changing jobs.
That flexibility still sits inside:
- the annual MOM declaration;
- Singapore company, tax and employment law;
- licensing requirements for regulated occupations; and
- the need to meet a renewal route at the five-year mark.
Family passes and spouse work rights
Family sponsorship is broad, but every family member needs a separate application, and approval of your pass does not automatically produce a family pass or a school place.
| Family member | Pass | Work position |
|---|---|---|
| Legally married spouse | Dependant’s Pass | May work or run a business once a Letter of Consent is approved |
| Unmarried child under 21, including legally adopted | Dependant’s Pass | May work only with a work pass |
| Common-law spouse | Long-Term Visit Pass | May apply for a Letter of Consent |
| Unmarried step-child under 21 | Long-Term Visit Pass | Subject to the conditions of the pass |
| Unmarried handicapped child aged 21 or above | Long-Term Visit Pass | Subject to the conditions of the pass |
| Parent of the holder | Long-Term Visit Pass | No general right to work |
| Parent-in-law | Not eligible through the ONE Pass | Needs an independent route |
| Grandparent | Not eligible through the ONE Pass | Needs an independent route |
| Married child, or child aged 21 or over who is not a handicapped child | Not eligible through the ONE Pass | Must qualify for their own pass |
Sources: MOM: Dependant’s Pass for ONE Pass holders and MOM: Long-Term Visit Pass for ONE Pass holders.
Can a spouse work automatically?
No. A Dependant’s Pass does not by itself authorise employment. The spouse applies for a Letter of Consent and may start work or run a business only once it is approved. MOM charges no fee for the Letter of Consent (MOM: apply for a Letter of Consent). The Dependant’s Pass must have at least three months’ validity remaining at the point of application. For a fuller walkthrough of the work rights, see our guide on Dependant’s Pass holders working in Singapore and the Letter of Consent.
Can children attend a local school?
Eligible children may study in Singapore, but local-school admission is a separate process from immigration approval and depends on age, school type, vacancies and the applicable admissions exercise. Neither a ONE Pass nor a Dependant’s Pass guarantees a place.
Can parents-in-law receive an LTVP?
No. MOM’s LTVP eligibility page for ONE Pass holders lists common-law spouse, unmarried step-children under 21, unmarried handicapped children aged 21 and above, and parents. Parents-in-law are not on it and would need an independent route. If you are planning around a parent’s stay, our Singapore Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) guide sets out the options in detail.
Illustrative ONE Pass scenarios
These are illustrative examples built from the published criteria. They are not E&H Immigration clients and they do not predict MOM decisions.
1. Overseas executive relocating with family — past-salary route
Priya is an Indian vice-president of engineering at an established technology company in Bengaluru. For each of the past 12 consecutive months, she has received the foreign-currency equivalent of more than S$30,000 in fixed monthly salary from that one employer, and her employer clears MOM’s established-company threshold. If you are weighing a move from India more broadly, our short guide for Indians moving to Singapore covers company incorporation, EP, PR and CECA in one place.
She applies under the past-salary route with evidence of her fixed salary, continuous employment and the company’s market capitalisation.
After approval, she applies separately for a Dependant’s Pass for her spouse, Dependant’s Passes for her two children under 21, and Long-Term Visit Passes for her parents — five applications at S$330 each. Her spouse applies for a free Letter of Consent after the Dependant’s Pass is issued and starts work only once it is approved. Her children apply for school places through the relevant admissions process.
Why this route fits: she meets both the salary and company tests, and she wants to move without tying her status to a single Singapore employer.
2. Research scientist without a qualifying salary — achievements route
Dr Marcus Hale is an American computational-biology researcher. His academic salary is well below S$30,000 a month, so no salary route is open to him. His case rests entirely on his record: principal-investigator roles, a substantial publication and citation history, competitive research funding and international recognition in his field.
He applies under the outstanding-achievements route, which carries no salary threshold, with supporting evidence and endorsements. MOM assesses this route in consultation with the relevant public agencies for academia and research, so he plans for a timeline longer than four weeks.
Why this route fits: it is the only route that ignores compensation. It is also the most discretionary — a senior title and a strong CV do not make it automatic, and the evidence has to demonstrate genuine distinction.
3. Former executive launching a Singapore business — past salary, founder renewal
Wei is a Chinese former senior technology executive planning a cross-border e-commerce company in Singapore.
In the 12 consecutive months before applying, he received more than S$30,000 in fixed monthly salary from one established overseas employer whose annual revenue clears the US$200 million threshold, and he applies while that salary history still falls within MOM’s assessment period. His former title and his employer’s size would not be enough on their own. The qualifying salary, the unbroken period and the timing are what carry the application.
After approval, he incorporates in Singapore and works through his ONE Pass instead of having the new company sponsor an EP. At renewal, he must either meet the five-year average salary test or employ at least five local employees at the prevailing EP qualifying salary.
Why this route fits: he already qualifies on recent salary history, and the founder renewal route rewards exactly what he intends to build.
ONE Pass versus Employment Pass
Neither is universally better. The right answer depends on your salary, your employer and what you intend to do in Singapore.
| Issue | ONE Pass | Employment Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Sponsorship | Personal; not tied to an employer | Requires an eligible sponsoring employer |
| Main salary test | S$30,000 fixed monthly salary | S$5,600 general sectors, S$6,200 financial services, rising with age; S$6,000 and S$6,600 from 1 January 2027 |
| COMPASS | Does not apply | Applies unless exempt |
| Shortage Occupation List | Not part of the assessment | An SOL role earns C5 bonus points, and can support a five-year EP |
| Multiple employers | Permitted | Tied to the sponsoring employer |
| Starting a business | Permitted, subject to law and reporting | Requires a suitable role and pass arrangements |
| Validity | Up to five years | Depends on the application and MOM’s assessment |
| Renewal | Five-year average salary, or the business and local-employment route | Employer-sponsored renewal |
| Family | Spouse, children and parents; spouse needs an LOC to work | Depends on current EP rules and the holder’s salary |
| Levy and quota | None | None, but sponsorship and COMPASS apply |
If you are below the ONE Pass threshold, an EP is the usual alternative, but it is not automatic. It depends on employer sponsorship, the qualifying salary for your sector and age, and COMPASS. If your occupation appears on the Shortage Occupation List, your COMPASS position is materially stronger. Age matters on the EP in a way it does not on the ONE Pass — see our analysis of why an Employment Pass gets riskier in your 40s.
Read our guide to the Singapore Employment Pass process.
Get a personalised ONE Pass assessment
The right route depends on more than a job title or a headline package. Salary structure, the 12-month employment period, employer eligibility, achievements evidence, family sequencing and the five-year renewal plan all affect the outcome.
E&H Immigration can assess:
- whether your fixed salary satisfies the current route;
- whether your overseas or prospective Singapore employer meets MOM’s criteria;
- whether an achievements-based application is realistic;
- whether the January 2027 AI & Tech track is worth waiting for;
- which family passes are available to you; and
- how to plan for annual declarations and renewal.
Speak with E&H Immigration about your ONE Pass application.
Not sure where you stand?
Get a personalised assessment of your Singapore PR, citizenship, or work pass options from E&H Immigration’s specialists.
Frequently asked questions
1. Can I apply for a ONE Pass without a Singapore job offer?
Yes. The past-salary route needs no Singapore job offer if the salary, employment-history and established-company conditions are met, and the outstanding-achievements route has no salary requirement at all.
2. Can I combine salaries from two employers to reach S$30,000?
No. MOM requires the qualifying S$30,000 to come from one employer for 12 consecutive months. Salaries cannot be stacked.
3. Do bonuses, commissions or equity count toward S$30,000?
Not under the current general route, which is based on fixed monthly salary. From January 2027, eligible AI and technology applicants may combine at least S$22,500 in fixed monthly salary with qualifying vested equity and must also meet the five-year experience condition.
4. Must my overseas employer meet the market-capitalisation or revenue test?
Yes, if you are relying on past overseas employment. The employer must have market capitalisation of at least US$500 million or annual revenue of at least US$200 million.
5. Can a ONE Pass holder start a Singapore company?
Yes. Holders may start, operate and work for multiple companies concurrently, subject to Singapore law, professional licensing and the annual declaration, and must still meet a renewal route after five years.
6. Is the ONE Pass subject to COMPASS?
No. COMPASS is part of the Employment Pass framework. ONE Pass applicants are also exempt from job-advertising requirements.
7. Can my spouse work automatically after receiving a Dependant’s Pass?
No. Your spouse must obtain a Letter of Consent first and may only begin work once it is approved. MOM charges no fee for the LOC.
8. Can my parents or parents-in-law receive an LTVP?
Your parents can. Parents-in-law cannot because they are not on MOM’s LTVP eligibility list for ONE Pass holders and would need an independent route.
9. How long does a ONE Pass application take?
MOM processes most applications within four weeks. Achievements-route applications generally take longer because other agencies are consulted. The stated time is not an approval guarantee.
10. Is the S$330 government fee refundable if the application is unsuccessful?
The S$105 application fee is not refundable once submitted. The S$225 issuance fee is only charged after approval, so a refused application does not incur it.
11. What must a ONE Pass holder declare by 31 January?
You must declare your annual income and professional activities, including employment, business operations, directorships and other professional roles. Check the current declaration form each year for exact fields.
12. What changes in January 2027?
The ONE Pass (AI and Tech) track replaces Tech.Pass. Eligible applicants can meet the S$30,000 benchmark with at least S$22,500 in fixed monthly salary plus qualifying vested equity, and must have at least five cumulative years as a founder, in a C-suite role or in a senior technical role within the previous 10 years. The general S$30,000 salary route is unchanged. EP and S Pass qualifying salaries also rise on 1 January 2027.
13. What happens when a ONE Pass expires?
You renew by meeting either the five-year average fixed monthly salary test in Singapore or the business route with at least five local employees earning at least the prevailing EP qualifying salary. Renewal remains subject to MOM’s assessment.
14. Is the ONE Pass better than an Employment Pass?
It depends. The ONE Pass is more flexible — no sponsor, no COMPASS and multiple employers — but its threshold is more than five times the EP floor. Below S$30,000, the EP is the realistic route, and an occupation on the Shortage Occupation List strengthens it considerably.
Related reading
- Singapore Employment Pass process
- Singapore work pass services
- Singapore Long-Term Visit Pass
- Singapore permanent residence
Sources
- MOM, Written answer to PQ 2699 on the effectiveness of the Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass, 5 August 2026 — holder numbers, sector breakdown, Tech.Pass.
- MOM, ONE Pass key facts — validity, flexibility, declaration, levy and quota.
- MOM, ONE Pass eligibility — salary, 12-month single-employer rule, company thresholds, achievements route, renewal criteria.
- MOM, Apply for a ONE Pass — fees and processing time.
- MOM, Dependant’s Pass for ONE Pass holders — eligibility and apply — family eligibility and fees.
- MOM, Long-Term Visit Pass for ONE Pass holders — eligibility — parents, step-children, common-law spouse.
- MOM, Apply for a Letter of Consent — the LOC is free.
- MOM, Employment Pass eligibility — EP qualifying salaries and the 1 January 2027 changes.
- MOM, S Pass eligibility — S Pass qualifying salaries and the 1 January 2027 changes.
- MOM, COMPASS C5 Skills Bonus — Shortage Occupation List — current SOL sectors and occupations, effective 1 January 2026.
- MOM, Annex B — Shortage Occupation List, March 2023 — the original 27-occupation list.
- MOM, Five-year Employment Pass for experienced tech professionals with skills in shortage.
- Singapore EDB, Nearly 4,200 applications approved in the first year of the ONE Pass, March 2024.
- Minister for Manpower, Committee of Supply statement, 3 March 2026 — ONE Pass (AI and Tech) track and 2027 salary changes (MOM factsheet on foreign workforce policies, 3 March 2026).
This article provides general information. It is not legal advice and does not guarantee MOM approval. Eligibility, evidence, fees and implementation dates change — check MOM’s current requirements before applying.