HIGHER S PASS QUALIFYING SALARY
The Manpower Ministry will also increase the qualifying pay for S Pass holders, who work as skilled migrant workers in specialized capacities, from S$ 3,150 to S$ 3,300. The eligible earnings will be gradually increased as announced in Budget 2022 in the third and final action.
Individuals in their mid-40s will continue to earn up to S$ 4,800 as the qualifying income increases.
A higher S Pass qualifying income will continue to be in the financial services industry, which has higher income standards, rising from S$ 3, 650 to S$ 3,800. For individuals in their mid-40s, this will gradually increase to S$ 5, 650.
The changes go into effect on registration software starting on September 1 of this year and starting on September 1, 2026.
Starting on September 1, the S Pass Tier 1 charge, which affects up to 10 % of a company’s labor, will increase from S$ 550 to S$ 650. This will make it compatible with the Tier 2 charge, which is levied on the top 5 % of a company’s labor.
MOM said it had been informed of concerns about rising costs for labor and hiring restrictions, and that it had so reduced the qualifying salary to give companies more time to adjust.
Dr. Tan also provided an update on the points-based Complementarity Assessment Framework ( COMPASS), which has been applied to renewals since Sep. 2024 and new employment pass applications since Sep. 1, 2023.
He claimed that COMPASS had passed into about 30 % of the current employment pass stock, and that early results indicated that” we are moving in the right direction.”
The share of businesses with higher foreigners of a single nationality has decreased by 7 %, while the share of businesses with higher foreigners has decreased by 15 %.
These businesses also provided 4, 000 additional PMET employment to locals, according to Dr. Tan.
M-SEP SCHEME ENHANCEMENT
Additionally, the government made changes to the Manpower for Strategic Economic Priorities (M-SEP ) program.
M-SEP, which was introduced in December 2022, allows businesses with development plans to partially employ more S Pass and work permits holder over industry quotas.
The assistance time for the scheme may be extended from two to three years starting on May 1. For a firefighter to qualify, a person must also meet two requirements.
Second, they may be promoting opportunities that support the country’s gateway plan, engaging in technology and research and development, or supporting internationalization in order to contribute to Singapore’s top economic interests.
Second, they must undertake to hiring and training local workers, both by expanding the regional workforce, sending workers for coaching that improves their jobs, or taking part in specific qualifying programs.
From May 1, a second pathway may be added to the next condition, which will allow businesses to send locals on leadership programs or international exposure. Additionally, MOM will expand the list of programs that are available and covered by the two restrictions.