A major shift in foreign worker policy has been announced recently by the Ministry of Manpower. The new assessment criteria will take effect on January 2012. It is expected that many foreigners looking for a job in Singapore will be significantly impacted with this latest development.

From next January, young foreigners who want to apply for the Q1 Employment Pass (EP) in Singapore will need to earn at least $3,000.

Older applicants will have to command an even higher salary to qualify for the same pass.

Highlights of the Employment Pass (EP) changes are:


Q1 Pass: We will tighten the educational qualifications requirements so that only those from good quality institutions will be eligible. We will also move away from the single qualifying salary of $2,800 today. Instead, the applicant will have to earn a salary of at least $3,000, with the requirements depending on his qualifications and experience:

a) Young graduates from good institutions could qualify if they earn at least $3,000

b) Older applicants would have to command higher salaries to qualify, commensurate with the work experience and quality they are expected to bring


P2 Pass: The qualifying salary will be raised from $4,000 to $4,500.

P1 Pass: There will be no change in the qualifying salary for P1 Pass which remains at $8,000.

You can read the complete Press Release detail from Ministry of Manpower Here.