Employment Pass and Work-Pass Routes After Studying in Singapore

Why you need a work pass after graduating

A Student's Pass allows you to study, not to work full-time after you finish. To take up employment in Singapore as a foreign graduate, you generally need a work pass sponsored by your employer, and the move from student to worker is not automatic.

In practice, an employer who offers you a job applies for the appropriate work pass on your behalf. Until that pass is granted, you cannot start full-time employment.

This guide sets out the main routes as neutral official facts. It is general information, not immigration advice, and no job or pass is guaranteed.

The Employment Pass (EP)

The Employment Pass is for foreign professionals in managerial, executive or specialised roles. For most applications the candidate must meet a qualifying salary and the application must pass the COMPASS points framework (covered below).

The qualifying salary and the way it is benchmarked are set by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and are revised periodically, so do not rely on a figure you read elsewhere.

The employer submits the EP application. Read the current EP eligibility and salary criteria on the MOM website before assuming you would qualify.

The COMPASS framework in brief

COMPASS (the Complementarity Assessment Framework) is a points-based system MOM uses to assess most EP applications, in addition to the qualifying salary. Points come from foundational criteria — such as salary, qualifications, diversity and support for local employment — plus bonus criteria.

MOM provides an official Self-Assessment Tool so employers can estimate whether a candidate is likely to qualify. The exact criteria, points and any exemptions are set by MOM and change over time.

Because the scoring is periodically updated, check the current COMPASS rules and use the official tool on the MOM website rather than third-party calculators.

The S Pass

The S Pass is for skilled workers in associate-professional and technician roles who may not meet EP criteria. It has its own qualifying salary, is benchmarked against local wages, and is subject to a quota and a levy paid by the employer.

Which pass fits a given job depends on the role, salary and the employer's situation, and the employer decides which to apply for.

The S Pass salary threshold, quota and levy are set by MOM and revised periodically — verify the current criteria on the MOM website.

• EP: professionals, managers and executives — qualifying salary plus COMPASS.
• S Pass: skilled associate professionals and technicians — salary plus quota and levy.
• The employer chooses and applies for the appropriate pass.
• All thresholds are set by MOM and change — verify officially.

How the transition from Student's Pass works

There is no automatic conversion from a Student's Pass to a work pass. Once you have a job offer, your employer applies for the EP or S Pass, and you may only begin full-time work once it is issued and any conditions are met.

Timing matters — coordinate with your employer so the application is made in good time relative to your graduation and the end of your Student's Pass. If there is a gap, check with ICA and MOM about your status.

No employer or applicant can guarantee approval; the decision rests with MOM.

Where to check and important cautions

The authoritative source for all work passes is MOM, and immigration status questions around your Student's Pass are handled by ICA. Read the relevant pages before making plans that depend on staying to work.

Salary thresholds, the COMPASS framework and pass rules are reviewed regularly, so confirm the current position close to when you actually apply — not from older summaries.

This is general information, not immigration advice. No pass is guaranteed — verify all details on the official MOM website before acting.