Singapore Work Visa for Ukrainians: Document Translation and Requirements 2026

S$5,600 per month - that’s the minimum salary you need before Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower (MOM) will even look at your Employment Pass application. But here’s the catch: that number is only for 23-year-olds. If you’re 35, the expected salary jumps to S$8,000-10,000 because MOM uses an age-progressive scale. And you still need to score at least 40 points under the COMPASS framework. Singapore has built one of the most transparent - and simultaneously most demanding - work immigration systems in Asia. For Ukrainians, there are real opportunities here, especially in IT and engineering. But your documents need to be spotless.

If you’re exploring other Asian destinations - we’ve already covered work visas in Japan and the E-7 visa in South Korea. Here we’ll break down Singapore specifically: types of work passes, the COMPASS points system, document translation requirements, and most importantly - how to avoid getting rejected.

Types of Work Passes: Which One Fits You¶

Singapore offers several types of work passes, each designed for a different tier of professionals. Here are the main options for Ukrainians.

Employment Pass (EP) - for Professionals and Managers¶

This is the main work pass for skilled professionals. It’s what most Ukrainian IT specialists, engineers, finance professionals, and managers end up getting.

Minimum salary in 2026 - S$5,600/month for most sectors and S$6,200 for financial services. But these figures are for the youngest candidates (under 23). The threshold increases with age and can reach S$10,700 (S$11,800 for financial services).

Key requirements:

• Minimum salary based on age-progressive scale
• Passing the COMPASS points assessment (minimum 40 points)
• Degree from a recognized institution or equivalent qualification
• Sponsorship from a Singapore-registered employer

S Pass - for Mid-Level Specialists¶

If the salary offer doesn’t quite reach EP territory but you have a diploma or technical certificate - S Pass could work. Minimum salary - S$3,300/month (S$3,800 for financial services). From July 1, 2026, the minimum rises to S$3,600 (S$4,000 for financial services).

S Pass also falls under COMPASS as of January 2026. Plus, there’s a quota system - companies can only hold a limited number of S Pass holders relative to their total headcount.

Personalised Employment Pass (PEP) - for Top Earners¶

For those earning S$22,500+ per month. PEP isn’t tied to a specific employer - you can freely switch companies without a new pass. Minimum annual income: S$270,000.

ONE Pass - for Exceptional Talent¶

The Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass is the highest tier of work authorization in Singapore. Requirements: a fixed monthly salary of S$30,000 from a single employer for 12 months, or outstanding achievements in your field. The employer must have a market cap of at least US$500 million or annual revenue of at least US$200 million.

Work Pass Comparison Table¶

Pass Type	Min. Salary	Who It’s For	Tied to Employer
Employment Pass (EP)	S$5,600/mo	Professionals, managers	Yes
S Pass	S$3,300/mo (S$3,600 from 07.2026)	Mid-level specialists	Yes
PEP	S$22,500/mo	Highly qualified experienced pros	No
ONE Pass	S$30,000/mo	Exceptional talent	No

COMPASS: the Points System That Decides Everything¶

Since September 2023, all Employment Pass applications go through the COMPASS (Complementarity Assessment Framework) assessment. You need at least 40 points. Fall short and your application gets rejected, even if your salary meets the minimum.

Four Foundational Criteria (C1-C4)¶

C1 - Salary. Compared against salaries of local professionals (PMETs) in the same sector and age group. 10 points at the 65th percentile, 20 points at the 90th. 0 points if below the 65th percentile. In practice: if you’re 35 and work in IT, S$5,600 won’t score a single C1 point because the percentile for your age and sector is higher.

C2 - Qualifications. Updated from January 1, 2026 - revised lists of recognized degrees and institutions. 20 points for a degree from a top-tier institution on MOM’s list. 10 points for a recognized qualification. 0 for unrecognized.

C3 - Diversity. Evaluates the nationality mix of the company’s PMET workforce. If your nationality is underrepresented - you get more points. For Ukrainians this is usually a plus since there aren’t many of us in Singapore. Companies with fewer than 25 PMETs automatically get 10 points.

C4 - Support for Local Employment. Companies with a higher share of local PMETs score more. This is the employer’s criterion, not yours, but it affects your application.

Two Bonus Criteria (C5-C6)¶

C5 - Shortage Occupation List (SOL). +20 points if your role is on the shortage occupation list. In 2026, this includes: cybersecurity specialists (forensics, penetration testing, cyber engineering), AI engineers, cloud infrastructure specialists, healthcare workers, agritech, and green economy roles.

C6 - Strategic Economic Priorities. +10 points if the company participates in EDB (Economic Development Board) or ESG programs.

As KPMG notes in their analysis of 2026 changes:

From Jan. 1, 2026, the amended requirements for the following criteria will go into effect for EP applications (both new and renewals): Criterion 2 (Qualifications), Criterion 5 (Skills Bonus - Shortage Occupation List).

Translation: MOM has updated its lists of recognized degrees and shortage occupations, and these changes are already in effect.

COMPASS Calculation Example for a Ukrainian¶

Let’s say you’re 30 years old, a Senior Software Engineer with a degree from KPI (Kyiv Polytechnic Institute), and you’ve been offered S$8,000/month at a 50-person Singapore IT company.

Criterion	Points	Reasoning
C1 Salary	10	S$8,000 is roughly at the 65th percentile for IT, age 30
C2 Qualifications	10	Recognized degree, but KPI isn’t on MOM’s “top-tier” list
C3 Diversity	10-20	No Ukrainians at the company - diversity bonus
C4 Local Employment	0-10	Depends on the share of Singaporeans at the company
C5 SOL	0-20	If the role is in cybersecurity or AI - +20
Total	30-70	Need minimum 40

If the company prepares well, the chances are solid. If not - even a good salary might not be enough.

Documents for Employment Pass: Full Checklist¶

The application is submitted by the employer through the myMOM Portal. You can’t apply yourself - only the company or a licensed agent can.

Your Documents¶

Passport - at least 6 months validity from the date of application. Copy of the bio page. Important: Ukrainians need a visa to enter Singapore - ICA confirms this on their website. Even for a work trip, you need a separate entry permit.

University degree certificate - the key document. Since September 2023, MOM has made degree verification mandatory for all EP applications. Your degree gets verified through an accredited screening provider for authenticity, institution accreditation, and transcript matching. Unverified degree = automatic rejection.

Transcript (academic record) - full list of courses, grades, credit hours. Required for qualification verification.

Resume (CV) - detailed description of professional experience, skills, projects. Best in a format familiar to Singapore companies: no photo or date of birth (unlike Korea or Germany).

Employment reference letters - company name, position, dates, responsibilities. Especially critical if your degree doesn’t perfectly match the position.

Professional certifications - AWS, PMP, Cisco, Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure. Not mandatory, but can contribute to C2 points under COMPASS.

Photo - passport-style, recent.

Employer’s Documents¶

• ACRA business profile (Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority)
• Written consent from the candidate authorizing the application
• Proof of job posting on MyCareersFuture for at least 14 days (Fair Consideration Framework requirement)

Key detail: the Fair Consideration Framework requires employers to first attempt to find a local candidate. The job must be posted on the national jobs portal for at least 14 calendar days before submitting an EP application.

Document Translation: What You Need to Know¶

Singapore is an English-speaking country, which makes things much simpler for Ukrainians compared to Japan or Korea. All documents for MOM must be in English. If the original isn’t in English - you need a certified translation.

What Needs Translation¶

For Ukrainian documents - pretty much everything:

• Degree certificate and transcript
• Employment reference letters
• Professional certificates (if not issued in English)
• Birth certificate (if required)
• Marriage certificate (for Dependant’s Pass)

Translation Requirements¶

As TRANSLIFE notes in their certified translation guide for Singapore:

MOM accepts translations from registered companies, but doesn’t always require notarization unless the document relates to family or dependent matters.

In plain English: for an EP application, a certified translation from a registered translation company is usually enough. Notarization is mainly needed for family documents (marriage and birth certificates) when applying for a Dependant’s Pass.

A certified translation must include:

• Complete translation of the document
• Translator’s signature or company seal
• Certificate of Accuracy statement
• Translator’s or company’s contact details

You can order translations either in Ukraine (through an agency experienced with Singapore submissions) or in Singapore. Ukraine will be cheaper, but make sure the agency issues certified translations in a format MOM accepts.

For getting a preliminary sense of the translation or preparing a draft English resume, you can use ChatsControl. But for official submission, you need a proper certified translation from a professional.

Translation Cost Comparison¶

Document	In Ukraine	In Singapore
Degree (1-2 pages)	$20-40	S$60-120 (≈$45-90)
Transcript (3-8 pages)	$40-100	S$90-240 (≈$67-180)
Employment reference	$15-30	S$30-60 (≈$22-45)
Marriage certificate	$15-25	S$30-60 (≈$22-45)
Notarization	200-400 UAH	S$75 (≈$56) per document

As noted on the ICA Translation Services portal:

The total fees in Singapore usually include three main parts: Translation Fee, Notarial Certificate Fee (approximately $75 per document), and SAL Apostille Fee ($86.40 per document).

If you need the full package (translation + notarization + apostille) in Singapore - that’s S$160+ per document. It’s much cheaper to get translations done in Ukraine before leaving.

Step-by-Step Guide: from Job Search to In-Principle Approval¶

Step 1. Find an Employer in Singapore¶

Without a contract with a Singapore company, you can’t apply for an EP. Where to look:

• MyCareersFuture - Singapore’s national jobs portal
• LinkedIn - the primary tool for job hunting in Singapore
• JobStreet - popular regional portal
• Indeed Singapore
• Company websites directly: Grab, Shopee (Sea Group), DBS Bank, Razer, Lazada

For Ukrainian IT specialists, the most realistic path is through startups and tech companies in the One-North and Mapletree Business City areas. Major banks (DBS, OCBC, UOB) also actively hire technical talent, but the salary threshold for financial services is higher (S$6,200 base minimum).

Step 2. Get an Offer¶

The offer should include: position, salary (fixed monthly, excluding bonuses), start date, responsibilities. Make sure the salary meets the minimum for your age and sector.

Step 3. Employer Posts Job on MyCareersFuture¶

Before submitting an EP application, the employer must post the vacancy on MyCareersFuture for at least 14 days. This is a Fair Consideration Framework requirement.

Step 4. Prepare and Translate Your Documents¶

While waiting, gather and translate your documents. Degree, transcript, employment references - everything in English, with certification.

Step 5. Employer Submits Application via myMOM Portal¶

The company fills out the online form, uploads documents, and goes through the COMPASS assessment. Fee: S$105 per application.

Step 6. Wait for a Decision¶

As MOM states, online applications are processed within 10 business days. But if additional degree verification through a screening provider is needed, the timeline can stretch to 8 weeks.

Step 7. Receive In-Principle Approval (IPA)¶

IPA is the preliminary approval. With it, you can enter Singapore. IPA is valid for 6 months.

Step 8. Enter Singapore and Complete EP Registration¶

After arrival, the employer registers you through Employment Pass Online (EPOL). Within 2 weeks - medical exam and fingerprint verification. Then you receive your physical EP card.

Issuance fee: S$225 + S$30 for Multiple Journey Visa (if applicable).

Common Rejection Reasons: How to Avoid the Pitfalls¶

According to VerityIntel, here are the most common EP rejection reasons:

Salary Below the Age Threshold¶

This isn’t a situation where you can “almost make it.” A 40-year-old developer earning S$5,600 will get rejected even though the base minimum is exactly S$5,600. MOM expects compensation that matches experience and age. Check your minimum using the SAT (Self-Assessment Tool) on MOM’s website.

Unverified Degree¶

Since 2023, degree verification is mandatory. A fake or unaccredited degree means automatic rejection and a potential ban. MOM verifies through an accredited screening provider: does the institution exist, is it accredited, did it actually issue this specific degree.

Ukrainian state universities (KPI, Taras Shevchenko National University, Lviv Polytechnic, Karazin KhNU) usually pass verification without issues. Private institutions or short-term programs can be more problematic.

Low COMPASS Score¶

Even with a decent salary, you might not hit 40 points. Especially if your degree isn’t from a “top-tier” institution and the employer has few local workers.

Job-Experience Mismatch¶

If your resume says “5 years in marketing” but you’re applying for a Software Engineer role - MOM will reject it. The position must match your education and experience.

Employer Issues¶

Companies with few local workers, low revenue, or poor compliance history are under MOM’s close scrutiny. A two-person “shell company” won’t be able to sponsor an EP.

Family in Singapore: Dependant’s Pass¶

If you’re on an EP earning S$6,000+, your spouse and unmarried children under 21 can get a Dependant’s Pass. For S Pass holders - also S$6,000 minimum.

Required documents:

• Marriage certificate (with translation and notarization)
• Children’s birth certificates (with translation)
• Passports for all family members

Dependant’s Pass doesn’t automatically grant the right to work. Your spouse would need to obtain a Letter of Consent (LOC) after finding an employer.

What’s Next: from EP to Permanent Residence¶

After 2+ years on an Employment Pass, you can apply for Permanent Residence (PR) through the PTS scheme (Professionals, Technical Personnel and Skilled Workers). ICA (Immigration and Checkpoints Authority) makes the decision, and the process takes 6-12 months.

Factors that influence the decision: salary, age, education, years of work in Singapore, contribution to society, family ties.

After 2 years of PR, you can apply for citizenship.

Specifics for Ukrainians¶

Visa Requirements¶

Ukrainians need a visa to enter Singapore - even as tourists. You can’t apply for the entry visa yourself - it must be submitted by a local contact, Singapore strategic partner, or authorized visa agent. This means your future employer usually helps with this.

Apostille¶

Singapore isn’t a member of the Hague Apostille Convention (unlike Germany, Korea, or the US). So for some documents, you might need consular legalization. But in practice, for an EP application, MOM usually doesn’t require either an apostille or legalization - a certified translation and degree verification through a screening provider is enough.

Language Barrier¶

Singapore’s official business language is English. All MOM documents are in English. If your English is at B2+ level, the documentation process will be considerably simpler than for Germany or Korea, where you need translations into the local language.

For preparing English versions of your resume and cover letters, you can use ChatsControl as a starting point, then refine with a native speaker.

Shortage Occupation List: Where +20 Points Are Waiting for You¶

If your profession is on the Shortage Occupation List (SOL), you automatically get +20 bonus points for C5 under COMPASS. This can make or break your application.

As Vulcan Post reports about the updated 2026 list:

Singapore has officially placed four cybersecurity roles on its 2026 Shortage Occupation List, highlighting urgent demand for local professionals in areas like forensics, penetration testing, and cyber engineering.

Beyond cybersecurity, the 2026 SOL includes:

• AI and Machine Learning engineers
• Cloud infrastructure specialists
• Clinical psychologists, physiotherapists, radiographers
• Carbon traders and green economy specialists
• Agritech specialists (alternative protein, novel food)
• Financial advisers for UHNW clients

For Ukrainian IT specialists, the most relevant are cybersecurity and AI/ML. If your position falls under the SOL - that’s a serious advantage.

FAQ¶

How long does it take to get an Employment Pass?¶

Online applications are processed within 10 business days, but if additional degree verification is needed - up to 8 weeks. Total from submission to receiving the physical EP card: 3 weeks to 3 months.

Can I apply for an EP without a university degree?¶

MOM doesn’t formally require a degree as an absolute condition. But without a recognized degree, you get 0 points for C2 under COMPASS, making it very hard to reach 40 points. In practice, it’s only possible with a very high salary or if the position is on the SOL.

How much does the whole process cost for a Ukrainian?¶

Translation of the full document package in Ukraine: $100-250. EP application fee: S$105. EP issuance: S$225 + S$30 for the visa. Flights from Kyiv to Singapore: $500-900 one way. Total: roughly $1,000-1,500, not counting relocation and first few months of living expenses.

Does Singapore recognize Ukrainian degrees?¶

Yes, but through a verification process. State universities (KPI, Taras Shevchenko, Lviv Polytechnic) usually pass without issues. The degree is checked for authenticity through an accredited screening provider - this has been mandatory since 2023.

Do I need an apostille on my documents for Singapore?¶

Singapore isn’t a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, so an apostille per se isn’t needed. For an EP application, a certified translation is sufficient. For certain other procedures (like marriage registration), consular legalization may be required.

Can my spouse work in Singapore?¶

Yes, but your spouse (on a Dependant’s Pass) needs to find an employer and obtain a Letter of Consent (LOC). The LOC is tied to a specific employer and gets cancelled when changing jobs. To qualify for a Dependant’s Pass, your salary must be at least S$6,000/month.