To recruit experienced professionals, businesses can advertise on local job portals, participate at career fairs, and/or engage executive search firms.
Hiring local talent
The Singapore Government provides businesses with strong support to develop their local talent pipeline. Businesses can explore the following resources to access and develop the local talent pool:
| Platforms providing access to local talent | Platforms to help employers develop local talent |
|---|---|
| MyCareersFuture enables employers to post job vacancies and facilitates online job matching between local job seekers and employers. | Workforce Singapore (WSG)’s programmes assist employers to transform their workforce to meet manpower needs. |
| Employment & Employability Institute offers companies a repository of talent for their recruitment needs. | Employers can tap into SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG)’s initiatives to reskill and develop their local talent pool. |
| Supported by EDB and managed by the Human Capital Leadership Institute (HCLI), the Singapore Leaders Network (SGLN) helps employers to prepare mid- and senior-level Singaporean executives working in multinational corporations or large local enterprises for global leadership roles through activities that enable members to learn, coach, and network. |
Hiring global talent
Singapore is a global hub for attracting and retaining the world’s best talent and remains committed to providing robust support for your business to acquire and nurture talent.
All foreigners who intend to work in Singapore must obtain a valid pass, commonly known as a work visa, before they start work. Employers must ensure that their employees hold a suitable and valid pass throughout their employment.
Foreign professionals, managers, and executives (PMEs) need an Employment Pass (EP) to work in Singapore. Singapore uses the Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS) to assess new EP applicants. For renewal of existing EPs, COMPASS will apply from 1 September 2024.
Overview of work passes in Singapore
| Pass | Applicant | Passholder | Min. monthly salary | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Employment Pass* | Employer | Foreign professionals, managers, and executives |
The qualifying salaries for new applications (from 1 Jan 2025) and renewals (from 1 Jan 2026) will be revised to:
Learn more details by reading this MOM press release. |
|
| Personalised Employment Pass | Individual | Current Employment Pass holders and overseas foreign professionals | S$22,500 | 3 years (not renewable) |
| Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass (ONE Pass) | Individual | Top talent in all sectors (e.g., business, arts, and culture; sports; academia and research) | S$30,000 | 5 years (for new applications and renewals) |
|
Tech Pass
Note: This pass is administered by the EDB. |
Individual | Established tech entrepreneurs, leaders, or technical experts | S$22,500 | 2 years (for new applications and renewals) |
| EntrePass | Individual | Foreign entrepreneurs keen to operate a business that is venture-backed or possesses innovative technologies | None |
|
| S Pass | Employer | Skilled workers (associate professionals and technicians) |
For renewals
For new applications/ For renewals from 1 Sep 2024
For new applications from 1 Sep 2025/ For renewals from 1 Sep 2026^
^Rates are subject to change. |
2 years |
| Work Permit for Migrant Worker | Employer | Semi-skilled employees from approved source countries/regions for the construction, manufacturing, marine shipyard, process, or services sectors | None | 2 years (for new applications and renewals) |
*Other criteria: New Employment Pass applicants must pass the Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS) with 40 points (see below). This framework is applicable to renewals of existing EPs from 1 Sep 2024.
Fair employment practices
All employers in Singapore must comply with laws and regulations on fair hiring and adopt good Human Resource practices. Businesses should hire fairly based on merit, and not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, nationality, or race. Find out more about the Fair Consideration Framework and Tripartite Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices.
For more details on the various work passes, do contact us at Astria Consulting as we help you to perform a self-assessment to check on your eligibility of the candidate before proceeding.
Conclusion
Hiring in Singapore can be a complex and tedious process if you do not know the requirements stipulated by the Ministry of Manpower. With the introduction of the COMPASS framework, foreign candidates will need to first assess the type of pass that he/she is eligible for before applying so as to avoid pitfalls.
At Astria Consulting, we provide end-to-end business setup solutions, including:
- Company Incorporation, Company Secretary and Nominee Services
- Accounting & Tax
- HR & Payroll
- Family Office & Fund Administration
- Business Advisory
- Training & Others
- Get Started with Astria Consulting Today!
- Email: salesteam@astriaconsulting.com
- Phone: +65 8684-8843
- Website: www.astriaconsulting.com
- Let us help you establish your business in Singapore with ease!
Legal Disclaimer
Thank you for reading this guide.
The Contents of this guide are provided on an “as is” basis without warranties of any kind. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Astria Consulting does not warrant and hereby disclaims any warranty:
As to the accuracy, correctness, reliability, currentness, timeliness, non-infringement, title, merchantability, or fitness of the Contents of this guide for any particular purpose.
That the Contents available through this guide or any functions associated therewith will be uninterrupted or error-free, or that defects will be corrected or that this guide and the server are and will be free of all viruses and/or other harmful elements.
Astria Consulting shall also not be liable for any damage or loss of any kind, howsoever caused as a result (direct or indirect) of the use of the guide, including but not limited to any damage or loss suffered as a result of reliance on the Contents contained in or available from this guide.
The Contents in this guide do not constitute financial or other professional advice. If financial or other professional advice is required, services of a competent professional should be sought.
Astria Consulting reserves the right to update or modify this guide from time to time. Astria Consulting further reserves all rights to deny or restrict access to this guide to any particular person, or to block access from a particular Internet address to this guide, at any time, without ascribing any reasons whatsoever.
Astria Consulting is not responsible for the contents of any linked site, or any link contained in a linked site.
The hypertext links provided herein are provided only for convenience and the inclusion of any link does not imply endorsement by Astria Consulting of the referenced site.
© 2025 Astria Consulting Pte. Ltd.. All rights reserved.
This document or parts thereof shall not be reproduced in any form whatsoever without the prior written consent of Astria Consulting.
