Before you start

A job offer from a Singapore-registered employer willing to sponsor the pass
Meeting the qualifying salary for your age and sector (EP) or the S Pass salary floor
For the EP: scoring at least 40 points on the points-based COMPASS framework
Passport valid for the duration of the intended pass

Step-by-step

1
Employer applies via MOM
Your employer (or their agent) submits the Employment Pass or S Pass application on MOM's EP Online / myMOM portal. You provide your passport, education, and CV details; you do not file it yourself.
Via employerWho: Your employer/sponsorOutcome usually within ~10 business days (online applications)Application fee ~S$105; pass issuance ~S$225 (employer-paid)
2
Receive the In-Principle Approval (IPA)
If approved, MOM issues an In-Principle Approval letter. This lets you enter Singapore and, in many cases, start work and open the first doors (some banks accept the IPA) before the card is ready.
OnlineWho: Your employer relays it to youValid for entry within the stated window (often up to 6 months)Included
3
Complete medical & register for the pass
Depending on the pass and salary, you may need a medical exam. After arrival the pass is issued and you register to have the card produced; you'll give fingerprints and a photo at an ICA/EP Services Centre.
In personWho: YouCard issued within ~1–2 weeks of registrationMedical ~S$50–150 if required
4
Collect your card and FIN
Your work pass card carries your Foreign Identification Number (FIN) — the 9-character ID foreigners use everywhere in place of an NRIC. Register for Singpass with your FIN to access government and many private e-services.
In personWho: YouSame flow as registrationIncluded in issuance fee

Documents you’ll need

Passport (bio page)
Educational certificates / transcripts (EP)
Signed employment contract or offer letter
Recent passport-size photo
In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter for card registration

Things most newcomers don’t know

There is no physical national ID card for foreigners — it's the FIN + your pass.

Unlike citizens/PRs who hold an NRIC, foreigners are identified by a Foreign Identification Number printed on the work pass. Almost every form, bank, telco, and clinic will ask for your FIN.

Source: ICA

Qualifying salary rises with age and is higher in financial services.

The EP floor is S$5,600/month for the youngest applicants and scales up to S$10,700 by age 45+ (financial services starts at S$6,200, up to S$11,800). Meeting the minimum is necessary but not sufficient — you still need 40 COMPASS points.

Source: MOM eligibility

Thresholds are set to rise again from 1 January 2027.

MOM has already announced the general EP floor moving to S$6,000 (up to S$11,500) and financial services to S$6,600 (up to S$12,700). If your offer is borderline, factor in the increase at renewal.

Source: MOM eligibility

Very high earners skip COMPASS entirely.

A fixed monthly salary of at least S$22,500, intra-corporate transferees, and short stints of one month or less are exempt from the COMPASS points test — useful to know for senior hires.

Source: MOM eligibility

Common mistakes to avoid

Assuming you can apply yourself — only the employer (or their agent) can file with MOM
Treating the pass as portable — it is tied to one employer, so a job switch needs a fresh application
Forgetting your FIN is the key ID — keep it handy for every bank, telco, and government form
Borderline salary offers that meet today's floor but fail at the 2027 increase