The page provides a detailed discussion on the “Singapore S Pass,” explaining what it is, who it applies to, the salary scale, and the types of jobs for which it is issued.
Also, know how to apply for it, how to check S pass application status after applying, and what to do if it gets rejected- along with other important information.
What is the S Pass?
The Singapore S Pass refers to a work permit issued by the Singapore government for various foreign workers who are considered mid-skilled workers.
It is mainly intended for foreigners with professional qualifications. The pass is granted for a period of one to two years, which can later be renewed.
The minimum salary requirement for the S Pass is 3,150 SDG, although this can be higher in fields like technology and engineering, or depending on the applicant’s experience.
S Pass Status
Applications for the Singapore S Pass are generally submitted by a registered employer in Singapore or their authorized agent.
However, after the application is submitted, you can check some of your application details on your own.
The term “Singapore S Pass Status” refers to the process by which you can find out the current state of your application.
For example: Processing, Pending, Approved, or Rejected- one of these statuses will be shown. The steps of this process, known as “Singapore S Pass Status Checking,” are described in detail below.
How to Check the Status of a Singapore S Pass Application
To check the status of your Singapore S Pass application online, you will need your Foreign Identification Number or Passport Number, along with your Date of Birth.
With these two pieces of information, you can check the status of your application in Singapore. Follow the steps below:
- To check the status of your S Pass application, first visit the Singapore Ministry of Manpower’s online application status checking website.
- Here, select the “Check work pass and application status” button.
- After visiting the site, your first task is to select the “Language.”
- Choose the language you are most comfortable with.
- Once selected, the page will reload, and a new page will appear.
- This page will contain some information related to checking the application status.
- Click on the “Start” button at the bottom.
- Next, a page will appear to input information, where you first need to enter your date of birth.
- So, select your date of birth here.
- Then you will see two options below- one is Foreign Identification Number, and the other is Passport Number.
- Select the one you have, or the one with which you want to check your S Pass application status.
- Then click on the “Submit” button.
As soon as you click it, the page will reload, and on the next page, you will see the detailed status of your S Pass application.
If it says Approved, then you will need to contact your agency to collect the pass.
If it shows Valid, it means your S Pass has already been delivered, and the page will also mention until what date it is valid. You must renew the S Pass by this date if you wish to continue working.
If it shows Processing or Pending, it means the process will take some more time.
However, if it shows Rejected, it means some incorrect information was provided in your application, which caused it to be rejected.
How Long Does It Take for an S Pass Application to Be Approved
After applying for the Singapore S Pass, it generally takes around three weeks for it to be approved. The process involves several steps.
For example, after the application is submitted, it usually takes the Ministry of Manpower about three weeks to review and verify the documents.
However, if any additional documents are required, it may take a few extra days.
Once it is approved, issuing the In-Principle Approval (IPA) may take another one to three days.
In summary, the Singapore S Pass is usually approved within three weeks or less after the application, but in some cases, it may take up to four weeks.
Why You Might Need to Check Your S Pass Status
When working in Singapore, the S Pass is extremely important. If your application is still being processed, then you must check its status to get updates.
There are also several other reasons to check the status, such as:
- After applying for the S Pass, checking the status will help you confirm whether your application has been approved, is still pending, or has been rejected.
- In addition, if incorrect information or documents were submitted, it can be identified quickly. If there is any problem during renewal, it can be solved in advance.
- Moreover, the status of the S Pass is very important for both the employer and the employee because starting or continuing work completely depends on the approval of the S Pass.
Understanding the S Pass Status Results
After applying for the S Pass, when you check the status, you will see several types of results, such as:
- Approved: This means your S Pass application has been approved, and now you can collect it and start working in Singapore.
- Pending: This means it is still under the verification process for approval. The Ministry of Manpower will review it and then provide either an approval or a rejection.
- Rejected: This means your S Pass application has not been accepted. It has been rejected by the Ministry of Manpower, and there can be various reasons for it. Therefore, you need to find out the reasons, resolve them, and reapply.
- Additional Documents Required: This means additional documents are needed to verify your application, which you must submit to the Ministry of Manpower.
What to Do If Your S Pass Application Is Pending for Too Long
After applying for the S Pass, it usually gets approved or rejected within a specific period.
However, if you see that your application has been pending for a long time, there may be several reasons for it. In this case, you can take certain steps, such as:
First, you must make sure that all the documents you submitted are correct and complete.
If necessary, you can contact your employer, who can directly communicate with the Ministry of Manpower to resolve the issue.
There may also be other reasons for the delay, such as issues with additional application documents or workload pressure in the office. Therefore, in such cases, it would be better to wait a little longer.
What to Do If Your S Pass Application Is Rejected
The S Pass application may be rejected by the Ministry of Manpower for various reasons. If it has been rejected for any reason, instead of being disappointed, you can take certain actions, such as:
- The Ministry of Manpower clearly mentions the reason for the rejection. Therefore, in this case, read that reason carefully.
- If there were any mistakes in the application or documents, correct them and resubmit the application.
- If there are any issues with the application, you can contact your employer, have them corrected, and reapply through your employer.
- If you see that even though there were no mistakes or all documents were correct, your application has been unfairly rejected, then you have the opportunity to appeal again. For this, you must appeal within three months.
How to Renew Your S Pass and Check Renewal Status
Once an S Pass is approved, its validity is usually up to two years. However, at least one month before the validity of the S Pass expires, you must prepare for renewal and apply for renewal.
If you continue working under the same employer, then your employer must reapply for the renewal on your behalf. After submitting the renewal application, its status can be checked in the same way as before.
If the renewal application for the S Pass is approved, you can again start working in Singapore for another two years.
However, if you are no longer with your current employer and have joined another employer, then you must apply for a new S Pass under the new employer.
Common Issues When Checking S Pass Status Online
Sometimes, after applying for the S Pass online, you may face certain problems when trying to check the status. Two notable issues are presented below:
The first issue may be the website not loading. The Singapore Ministry of Manpower’s website generally does not go down.
However, sometimes the server may be down due to maintenance, so if such a problem occurs, you should try again after some time.
The second issue may be the status not showing. The reason for this could be that your passport number or Foreign Identification Number is incorrect. In this case, check the information you provided and try again.
Tips to Avoid Delays in Your S Pass Application
In some cases, after applying for the Singapore S Pass, it remains in processing for a long time. However, there are some tips to avoid such delays.
I am sharing them with you, which you should follow before submitting the application, such as:
- Submit all documents related to the S Pass correctly and completely.
- Make sure that your passport has sufficient validity.
- Keep regular communication with your employer so that he submits the application on time.
- Read the Ministry of Manpower’s guidelines thoroughly and prepare the application accordingly.
- Strictly follow the Singapore photo guidelines and ensure that your photo meets all the requirements.
- For any documents that need to be submitted with translations, make sure they are translated by a professional translator.
- At the time of application, confirm whether any additional documents will be required.
FAQs About S Pass Status
Here are some additional frequently asked and important questions about the Singapore S pass status for better understanding.
Can family members join an S Pass holder in Singapore?
Yes. If you meet the minimum fixed monthly salary criteria (currently SGD 6,000 or above), your employer can apply for a Dependant’s Pass or Long-Term Visit Pass for your spouse and children.
Is there a minimum salary requirement for an S Pass?
Yes. As of 2025, applicants generally need to earn at least SGD 3,150 per month (higher for older or more experienced candidates). The requirement may change based on the Ministry of Manpower’s updates.
Does having an S Pass lead to Permanent Residency (PR) in Singapore?
Holding an S Pass does not guarantee PR, but it makes you eligible to apply. Your chances depend on factors like your length of stay, salary, qualifications, and employer’s track record.
Can an S Pass holder change jobs in Singapore?
Yes, but you cannot transfer an existing S Pass to a new employer. Your new employer must cancel the old S Pass and apply for a fresh one on your behalf.
What is the quota system for S Pass applications?
Employers in Singapore can only hire a limited number of S Pass holders based on their company’s quota. For most industries, S Pass holders cannot exceed 10%–15% of the company’s total workforce.
Can an S Pass holder study part-time in Singapore?
Yes, you may take part-time or evening courses in Singapore while holding an S Pass, provided it does not interfere with your job and your employer has no objection.
Do S Pass holders need medical insurance?
Yes. Employers are required by law to provide medical insurance coverage for all S Pass holders, with a minimum coverage of SGD 15,000 per year for inpatient care and day surgery.
What happens if my employer cancels my S Pass?
If your employer cancels your S Pass, you must stop working immediately. You will usually receive a Short-Term Visit Pass to stay in Singapore for up to 30 days before leaving or applying for a new pass through another employer.
Can I travel outside Singapore while holding an S Pass?
Yes. As long as your S Pass is valid, you can freely exit and re-enter Singapore. Just make sure your pass and passport are not close to expiry before traveling.
Is there an age limit for applying for an S Pass?
There is no official maximum age, but older applicants may face higher salary requirements, and MOM tends to prioritize younger, skilled workers who meet Singapore’s workforce needs.