Employment Pass or ONE Pass: the requirements for settling in Singapore

Singapore's Ministry of Manpower (MOM) publishes the requirements for two employment permits: the Employment Pass and the ONE Pass. The Employment Pass sets a minimum monthly salary of S$ 5,600 (S$ 6,200 in financial services) up to and including age 23, increasing with age. The ONE Pass, through the "salary" route, requires a fixed monthly salary of at least S$ 30,000 (or its equivalent in foreign currency) earned for the 12 consecutive months preceding the application, based on current or most recent employment. This page summarizes the Ministry's published information. Amounts are in Singapore dollars (S$), without conversion to euros. It does not address taxation.

What this page covers

The conditions are taken from the official pages of the Ministry of Manpower: the Employment Pass eligibility page (updated April 28, 2026), its main page (August 27, 2026), the ONE Pass eligibility page (September 14, 2026), and its main page (October 13, 2026). The thresholds change: please review the Ministry's page as of the date of your application.

The Employment Pass: the minimum wage

The ministry states: «Candidates need to earn at least 5,600 S$ a month.» The threshold is 6,200 S$ in financial services. The ministry specifies that it increases progressively from age 23, up to 10,700 S$ (11,800 S$ in financial services) at age 45 and over. The 5,600 S$ threshold therefore applies up to and including age 23.

The intermediate thresholds, between 23 and 45 years, are not included here: they can be found on the ministry's website.

An increase is announced. The threshold of 5,600 S$ (6,200 S$ in financial services) increases to 6,000 S$ (6,600 S$) from 1 January 2027 for new applications, and for renewals of passes expiring from 1 January 2028. For new applications from 1 January 2027, the threshold for those aged 45 and over increases to 11,500 S$ (12,700 S$ in financial services).

The Employment Pass: the COMPASS points system

In addition to salary, there is a points system. Forty points are required, unless an exemption applies. The ministry provides for three exemptions:

• a fixed salary of at least 22,500 S$; ;
• an intragroup mutation; ;
• a mission of one month or less.

The details of the criteria that award points are not included here.

The ONE Pass: two lanes

The ONE Pass (Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass) opens via two routes, the first of which is divided into two routes.

The "salary" route. A fixed monthly salary of at least S$ 30,000, or its equivalent in foreign currency, is required under two pathways. The "current or last employment" pathway requires that this salary have been earned for the 12 consecutive months preceding the application. The Ministry adds that pass holders already in Singapore must have worked there for at least one year. The "expected employment in Singapore" pathway requires a future salary of at least S$ 30,000 per month with an established company based in Singapore, with employment starting within six months.

The "exceptional achievements" route. It covers sport, arts and culture, and research. It does not include a salary threshold.

The employer. Regarding the salary pathway, the ministry refers to an "established" company (for the current or last job, including foreign employers if applicable): a market capitalization of at least US$500 million, or revenues of at least US$200 million. This condition is not stated for the "exceptional achievements" pathway.

Duration. The title is renewable for periods of five years.

A new path. A track dedicated to artificial intelligence and technology is announced from January 28, 2027. Its conditions are not repeated here.

Employment Pass or ONE Pass: the differences to remember

The family: the Dependant's Pass

The ministry states that the Dependant's Pass allows spouses and children of Employment Pass or S Pass holders to join them. It refers to a separate page for relatives of ONE Pass holders, the content of which is not included here. The required salary threshold for the holder and the validity period are also not specified.

Before obtaining a residence permit: the 90-day stay

France Diplomatie presents a tourist stay of up to 90 days. A "social visit pass" is sent by email upon arrival. The passport must be valid for six months after the planned departure date, a return ticket is required, and the SG Arrival Card must be completed no earlier than three days before arrival. This France Diplomatie page does not handle work permits or family documents.

What this page doesn't say

It says nothing about tax residency in Singapore, nor about the tax rates. It also says nothing about the tax consequences of leaving France: exit tax, tax domicile, and tax returns for the year of departure are covered on our page about leaving France for Singapore.

Numerical example (fictitious profile)

Situation. A fictitious 48-year-old French executive, outside of financial services, is considering a position in Singapore with a fixed salary of 8,000 S$ per month.

Issue. He thinks the 5,600 S$ threshold applies to him. He doesn't know that the threshold increases with age.

Strategy. He reviews the ministry's thresholds at the date of his application, taking into account his age, his sector and the increase announced for 2027.

Result. For those aged 45 and over, the threshold is 10,700 S$: with 8,000 S$ per month, the threshold is below this, with a difference of 2,700 S$ per month, or 32,400 S$ per year. In financial services, the threshold would be 11,800 S$ and the difference 3,800 S$ per month. The "salary" track of the ONE Pass requires a minimum of 30,000 S$ per month, representing a difference of at least 22,000 S$ per month from one's salary. These thresholds apply to applications submitted before January 1, 2027.

What changes depending on your situation

• Your age and your sector of activity, which determine the Employment Pass threshold.
• The date of the request, with the planned increase starting in 2027.
• Your profile: employee, intra-group transfer, short assignment, exceptional achievement.
• Your family's situation.

These points are examined on a case-by-case basis. No result can be announced without this examination.