How To Obtain An S-Pass Work Visa Type In Singapore

In a previous article, we talked about how you can get an Employment Pass (EP) to be able to work in Singapore. In this article we will talk about a nother kind of work visas in Singapore, which is called "S-Pass."

The S-Pass is similar to the Employment Pass (EP) but less strict on the qualifications and the experience. It is necessary to have a salary of at least $2000 a month. You do not have the right to make a Dependent Pass (DP) unless you earn $2800 a month.

The main disadvantage of the S-Pass is that you are subjected to quotas, which depend on many criteria and which evolve all the time. Thus, a company cannot freely hire foreigners on an S-Pass. On the contrary, the Employment Pass (EP) is not subjected to the quotas).

In addition to that, you have to have a health care insurance otherwise you will not get the S-Pass. The health care insurance is to protect yourself against the unpaid medical invoices in the case of an accident. Generally, this insurance is provided by the employer and it is simpler for everybody.

So you can meet salespeople who are on S-Pass but earn more than $15,000 a month through commissions and are waiting for the renewal of their work permit to switch to an Employment Pass EP, because with an S-Pass you are not entitled to apply for a Permanent Employment Pass (PEP.)

You may think that only PMEs use the S-Pass for their sales people, but this absolutely not, even the very big companies do it because it allows to put the pressure on the small businesses ones and to get rid of them very easily.

Note: 

What is a PME?

In general, professionals, managers and executives (PMEs) refer to workers:

- Whose highest education qualification is a diploma or above.

- Who have been employed and have had work experience in a PME job.

Categories: Asia