S Pass Transfer to Another Company: Why It Is a New Application, Not a Transfer

Short answer: There is no S Pass transfer. An S Pass holder who wants to join another company needs the new employer to apply for a new S Pass, and MOM says the existing pass need not be cancelled first. The new employer must meet the salary, quota and levy rules, and each application is assessed on its own merits.

This article is general information only and is not legal, tax or immigration advice. For matters needing legal advice, we work with a panel of experienced Singapore law firms.

Can an S Pass holder transfer to another company?

An S Pass is tied to one employer, so a job change needs a fresh application by the new employer. MOM’s guidance, in its FAQ What if an S Pass holder wants to change employers?, is that the prospective employer applies for a new S Pass and that there is no need to cancel the existing pass before doing so. MOM adds that each application is considered based on the merits of the case.

That last point matters for candidates. A pass holder who has worked in Singapore for years is not guaranteed approval, because the new application is assessed against current criteria and the new employer’s profile. The practical task is to test the case before anyone resigns.

What does the new employer have to satisfy?

The new employer must meet the same tests as for any new S Pass hire. The key ones are listed below, drawn from MOM’s quota and levy page and S Pass eligibility page.

Requirement	What MOM says (as at 11 October 2026)
Salary	Fixed monthly salary at least the minimum for the candidate’s age and sector, benchmarked to the top one-third of local associate professionals and technicians
Quota	S Pass holders capped at 10% of the total workforce in services and 15% in construction, manufacturing, marine shipyard and process; the overall sector ratio also applies
Levy	S$650 a month for each S Pass holder, harmonised across all sectors and tiers since 1 September 2025; it runs from the day the pass is issued until it is cancelled or expires
Fair consideration	MOM publishes a page on considering all candidates fairly before applying for an S Pass
Self-check	Use the Self-Assessment Tool; if it shows ineligible, MOM says the application will be rejected

Quota is the most common surprise for a growing services firm. The quota is based on the average number of local employees over the last 3 months, taken from the company’s CPF records, so late or inaccurate CPF and salary declarations can lower it. For the full picture, see our S Pass guide for 2026.

What salary does the new employer have to offer?

The new employer must offer at least the S Pass minimum for the candidate’s age, and the figure depends on when the application is submitted. Applications submitted before 1 January 2027 use the current table, and applications submitted from 1 January 2027 use the higher 2027 table. These are selected ages for the all-sectors schedule.

Candidate age	Minimum now	Minimum for applications from 1 Jan 2027
25	S$3,436	S$3,736
30	S$3,777	S$4,077
35	S$4,118	S$4,418
40	S$4,459	S$4,759
45 or above	S$4,800	S$5,100

Source: MOM, S Pass eligibility page, as at 11 October 2026. Financial services employers use a separate schedule. A candidate who already holds an S Pass but now earns below the new minimum for their age may find that a job change triggers the higher test, even though the current pass renews on the older table. Our companion article shows when a job scope change needs a fresh application.

How does the process work, step by step?

1. The candidate and new employer check eligibility on MOM’s Self-Assessment Tool.
2. The new employer confirms quota and levy readiness and meets the fair consideration steps on MOM’s page.
3. The candidate completes MOM’s candidate’s form for EP and S Pass applications, if the employer needs it for the filing.
4. The new employer files a new S Pass application on myMOM.
5. On approval, the new employer receives an in-principle approval and the pass is issued on completion of the usual steps.
6. The previous employer cancels the old pass at the end of notice, within the MOM deadline.

The order of steps 4 and 6 is where most candidates worry. Because MOM does not require cancellation before the new application, you can resign, serve notice, and have the new employer apply in parallel. The old pass is still cancelled by the old employer, and a gap in valid employment can arise if the new pass is not ready.

What does the previous employer have to do on cancellation?

Under MOM’s S Pass cancellation rules, the previous employer must cancel the S Pass within 1 week after the last day of notice, and can submit the cancellation up to 14 days in advance. Cancellation on the EP eService is immediate unless submitted in advance. Levy stops 1 day before the cancellation date.

Before cancelling, the employer needs to give reasonable notice of repatriation, seek tax clearance from IRAS at least 1 month before the last day of employment, settle outstanding employment issues including salary, and buy an air ticket home unless the worker agrees in writing to bear that cost. If the worker is staying in Singapore for the new job, discuss with the old employer how these steps apply to your case, and keep the arrangement in writing.

After cancellation, MOM states that the worker cannot work, even while waiting to leave Singapore. If the worker is still in Singapore, the employer can request a Short-Term Visit Pass of up to 30 days to cover the stay. Working on a visit pass is not permitted, so do not start the new job until the new S Pass is issued.

What happens to my family’s passes?

When an S Pass is cancelled, MOM states that all related passes issued to family members are also cancelled, and they cannot be reinstated. The new employer must therefore apply afresh for each Dependant’s Pass or Long-Term Visit Pass.

A Dependant’s Pass needs the main pass holder to earn a fixed monthly salary of at least S$6,000, which is MOM’s rule for S Pass holders. A holder earning below that cannot sponsor a Dependant’s Pass. Our guide to what happens to family passes when an S Pass ends explains the wind-down in detail.

How should you time a job change around 1 January 2027?

If the new employer can file before 1 January 2027, the current salary table applies, and from 1 January 2027 the higher table applies to new submissions. MOM assesses each case on its merits, so filing earlier does not guarantee approval, but it can matter when the candidate’s salary sits close to the minimum.

Do not backdate or inflate salary to clear the test. MOM tests the fixed monthly salary declared in the application, and an offer that cannot be supported by the contract and payroll will cause problems later. Where the new role is for a different occupation or a higher level, consider whether an Employment Pass is the better route.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to cancel my S Pass before the new employer applies?

No. MOM says there is no need to cancel the existing pass before the new employer applies.

Can I work for the new company while the application is pending?

No. The new employer needs an issued S Pass first. Do not start work on the strength of an application alone.

Will my previous years in Singapore help me?

MOM assesses each application on its merits against the current rules. Time spent in Singapore is not a substitute for meeting the salary and quota criteria.

What if my new salary is lower than my old one?

It must still meet the minimum for your age and sector at the time of application. A lower salary can fail the test even if you hold a valid pass today.

Who pays the levy for the new job?

The new employer pays S$650 a month for each S Pass holder, from the day the pass is issued until it is cancelled or expires.

Moving jobs on an S Pass, or hiring one? Contact Little Big Employment Agency for pass, PR and citizenship applications. Email [email protected] or Call/SMS/WhatsApp +65 8501 7133.

Last reviewed: 11 October 2026. The Editorial Team, Little Big Employment Agency.