The minimum salary to hire foreigners on an Employment Pass (EP) for jobs in Singapore, has been increased to SGD 3,600 per month. The change will take effect in January 2017.
According to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) the rise is to keep EP salary requirements in line with local wage rates. It also helps to ensure a higher quality of foreign manpower.
In the past, the starting salary for EPs was increased to 3,300 in 2014 and 3,000 in 2012. As of December 2015, there were 187,900 EP holders in Singapore.
Here are the guidelines for existing passes expiring in the near future:
- EPs expiring before 1 January 2017: Renewed as per existing criteria for up to 3 years.
- EPs expiring between 1 January 2017 and 30 June 2017: Renewed as per existing criteria for up to 1 year.
- EPs expiring after 1 July 2017: Renewal will be based on new criteria.