At the Committee of Supply debate on 3 March 2026, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong confirmed that Singapore will raise the minimum qualifying salaries for both the Employment Pass and S Pass from 1 January 2027 for new applications, and from 1 January 2028 for renewals. The changes are significant enough to affect workforce planning, payroll [...]
On 17 February 2026, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong confirmed in his Budget 2026 speech that Singapore's Employment Pass (EP) and S Pass qualifying salaries will rise from 1 January 2027 for new applications, and from 1 January 2028 for renewals. For HR managers who are planning headcount, budgeting for 2027 salary costs, and preparing renewal [...]
At the Ministry of Manpower's Committee of Supply 2026 debate on 3 March 2026, Singapore confirmed the next round of Employment Pass and S Pass qualifying salary increases. The new thresholds take effect from 1 January 2027 for new applications, and from 1 January 2028 for renewals of passes expiring from that date. For HR [...]
Singapore's strategy for attracting frontier technology talent is undergoing its most significant overhaul since the Tech.Pass was introduced in January 2021. On 3 March 2026, Minister for Manpower Dr Tan See Leng announced at the Ministry of Manpower's Committee of Supply debate that the Tech.Pass will be retired and replaced by a new ONE Pass [...]
The S Pass sits in a critical position in Singapore's work pass architecture: it covers mid-skilled foreign employees in most sectors, operates under a quota system, and is subject to a levy that makes every hire a direct cost calculation for employers. In 2026, the S Pass is also in transition — a salary step-up [...]
Singapore's technology immigration landscape is about to undergo its most significant structural change in years. In March 2026, the Ministry of Manpower announced at the Committee of Supply debate that the Tech.Pass will be replaced by a new ONE Pass (AI and Tech) track from January 2027, sitting under the Overseas Networks & Expertise (ONE) [...]
What Is the ONE Pass (AI and Tech) Track? Singapore's Ministry of Manpower announced at the Committee of Supply 2026 debate that a new ONE Pass track for artificial intelligence and technology professionals will open for applications on 1 January 2027. The track will operate under the existing Overseas Networks & Expertise (ONE) Pass framework [...]
Singapore's Ministry of Manpower raises Employment Pass and S Pass qualifying salaries on a predictable cycle — and with the next round of increases confirmed for 1 January 2027, employers have roughly seven months to plan, budget, and restructure their foreign workforce strategy. The S Pass qualifying salary will rise from SGD 3,300 to SGD [...]
Singapore has long used specialist tech visa schemes to compete for frontier talent — and from 1 January 2027, the Ministry of Manpower is raising the bar significantly. The Tech.Pass, administered by the Economic Development Board since 2021, will be retired and replaced by the new ONE Pass (AI and Tech) track, announced by Minister [...]
On 3 March 2026, Minister for Manpower Dr Tan See Leng announced that a new ONE Pass AI and Tech track will be available from January 2027, replacing the existing Tech.Pass entirely. The announcement, made during the Committee of Supply debates, signals Singapore's intent to compete more aggressively for frontier technology talent — particularly in [...]