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To be rolled out in January 2027, the track will replace Tech.Pass as part of broader foreign workforce refinements the Ministry is introducing.
All figures reflected are in SGD.
Singapore will introduce a new ONE Pass (AI and Tech) track from January 2027, Minister for Manpower Dr Tan See Leng said on Tuesday (3 March 2026).
Speaking at the Ministry of Manpower (MOM)'s Committee of Supply Debate, Minister Tan said the new track will replace the existing Tech.Pass and sit under the ONE Pass framework. Elaborating in a separate update, MOM said the track will feature updated criteria to better recognise leading AI and technology innovators, amid intensifying global competition for frontier tech talent.
To this effect, Minister Tan reiterated that Singapore must remain open to global talent, while ensuring foreign professionals complement and strengthen the local workforce.
Details on the eligibility criteria for the ONE Pass (AI and Tech) track are as follows:
Higher EP and S Pass salary benchmarks
Alongside the new ONE Pass track, MOM will raise salary thresholds for Employment Pass and S Pass holders, as follows
- Employment Pass: from $5,600 to $6,000
- S Pass: from $3,300 to $3,600
These changes apply to new applications from 1 January 2027 and renewals from 1 January 2028. The S Pass qualifying salary is projected to reach $4,000–$4,500 by around 2030.
Levy framework adjustments
While attracting specialised talent, the Minister outlined a parallel priority: ensuring sustainable growth and higher quality across the broader Work Permit system.
With Singapore’s local workforce ageing, he highlighted, Work Permit Holders (WPHs) remain essential in delivering infrastructure, goods and services.
As he shared, over the past five years,
- Work Permit numbers in Construction have grown by 36%, as projects resumed post-COVID.
- Across all sectors, Work Permit numbers have increased by 186,000, or 27%.
While acknowledging business needs, the Minister stressed that growth must remain sustainable given infrastructural and social constraints. Firms are expected to operate more efficiently through technology adoption and job redesign – supported by existing grants.
To this point, he shared the following updates:
First, MOM will simplify the Work Permit levy framework, which has evolved over decades into 24 different rates and tiers. The first step will reduce this from 24 to 20 rates, with progressive streamlining over time. The aim is to make it easier for businesses to plan hiring, training and retention strategies.
For the Manufacturing and Services sectors, the bottom two levy tiers will be combined.
For the new combined tier:
- Manufacturing: $300 (higher-skilled), $470 (basic-skilled)
- Services: $400 (higher-skilled), $600 (basic-skilled)
The highest levy tier rates will remain unchanged, ensuring firms with heavier reliance on Work Permit holders continue to pay higher rates.
For the Marine Shipyard and Process sectors:
- Levy rates will be gradually aligned with Construction.
- Levies for basic-skilled workers will rise by $100 and $150 respectively.
Minister Tan said the revisions are designed to incentivise companies to hire, retain and train higher-skilled workers.
All revised levy schedules will take effect from 2028, giving businesses advance notice to plan adjustments. MOM will also work with industries to strengthen frameworks for identifying higher-skilled workers eligible for lower levies.
Expanding the Non-Traditional Source Occupation List
From September 2026, eight new occupations will be added to the Non-Traditional Source Occupation List (NTS-OL), spanning food services, social services and air transportation. The NTS-OL allows firms to hire higher-quality non-PMET workers from non-traditional source countries for roles where local hiring is challenging.
The expansion includes four additional F&B roles, including frontline waiters – offering businesses an alternative pathway to retain workers who may not meet higher S Pass salary thresholds.
Lead image: MOM LinkedIn
Infographic: MOM COS 2026 press release
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