Immigration update: Singapore | Increment of S Pass qualifying salary criteria

7 December 2018

Increment of S Pass qualifying salary criteria

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has issued a reminder (as announced in early March 2018) that the S Pass minimum monthly qualifying salary will be increased to S$2,300 from 1 January 2019.

Background

Currently, the minimum qualifying salary for an S Pass is S$2,200 per month.

New S Pass Application :
From 1 January 2019, new S Pass applicants will need to meet the new salary criteria of S$2,300 per month.

Renewal of S Passes :
For existing S Pass holders, the MOM has provided a period for employers to adjust. Please refer to the following schedule:

Santa Fe Analysis

The increase in the S Pass minimum salary requirement is one of the measures by the MOM to tighten the S Pass eligibility of foreign workers, with the goal of tightening the Fair Consideration Framework (FCF) to help protect the local workforce. This increase could mean higher employment costs for some employers.

Employers should ensure that new S Pass candidates are able to meet the new minimum monthly salary criteria. Employers should also review the salaries for their current S Pass holders and ensure that the projected salaries will be sufficient for the renewals.

Employers are encouraged to use the Self-Assessment Tool (SAT) on its website to assess if the potential S Pass candidates will meet the salary criteria.

Should you have any questions, please contact: 

Natalia Kho
Immigration Manager
Santa Fe Relocation
Singapore
D: +65 6398 3004
M: +65 9829 9080
E: natalia.kho@santaferelo.com

Hallie Toh
Regional Immigration Manager
Santa Fe Relocation
Singapore
D: +65 6398 3015
M: +65 9004 6846
E: hallie.toh@santaferelo.com

Soumeya Messadi
Head of Immigration – APMEA
Santa Fe Relocation
Singapore
D: +65 6398 3520
M: +65 9169 6061
E: soumeya.messadi@santaferelo.com

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