Singapore Employment Pass Application - Recognised Qualifications

Enhanced Employment Pass Framework

From 1 January 2012, the qualifying salary for the Q1 Pass will be increased from SGD2,800 to at least SGD3,000 for young graduates, while older applicants would have to command a higher salary to qualify, commensurate with the work experience and quality they are expected to bring. The qualifying salary for the P2 Pass will be raised from SGD4,000 to SGD4,500. There will be no change in the qualifying salary for P1 Pass which remains at SGD8,000. Concurrently, educational qualifications requirements will be tightened.

To be considered for an Employment Pass, a foreigner must have a fixed monthly salary of at least SGD2,800, and possess acceptable degrees, professional qualifications or specialist skills. The Singapore MOM evaluates each application and qualification on its own merit, based on a wide range of criteria including:

• Global and country institution rankings by independent accreditation boards such as the QS World University Rankings, Academic Rankings of World Universities, etc.
• Employment outcome of the institution’s graduates.
• The institution’s enrollment standards.

1. MOM does not have a list of approved institutions. Possessing a recognised qualification does not automatically guarantee a successful Employment Pass application, as the applicant may need to satisfy other criteria, such as relevant work experience or professional skills.
2. Similarly, applicants who do not possess a recognised qualification may not necessarily be rejected for Employment Pass, if he possesses other compensating factors.