S$5,600 per month - that’s the minimum salary to qualify for an Employment Pass in Singapore. For the financial sector, it’s S$6,200. And since 2023, there’s a points-based system called COMPASS that scores your application on salary, qualifications, company diversity, and support for local workers. Singapore is one of the toughest countries in the world when it comes to immigration, but also one of the most attractive: zero capital gains tax, a rock-solid economy, and salaries in IT, finance, and engineering that would make even Germany envious. If you’re Ukrainian and planning to work in Singapore - here’s everything you need to know about visas and document translation.
Do Ukrainians Need a Work Visa for Singapore?¶
Yes, and you even need a visa just to visit. Ukrainians aren’t on Singapore’s visa-free list. To enter, you need an electronic visa (e-Visa), which must be submitted by an authorized agent or a local contact in Singapore - you can’t apply on your own through ICA.
For work, it’s even stricter. Any paid activity without a Work Pass is illegal. The employer submits the application through the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) online system. So first you find a job, then the company arranges your work pass.
Important: you need to fill out an SG Arrival Card 3 days before arrival through the ICA website or the MyICA app. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the entry date.
Work Visa Types: Which One Fits You¶
Singapore has one of the most developed work permit systems in the world. Each type targets a specific qualification and salary level.
Employment Pass (EP) - For Professionals¶
This is the main permit for managers, specialists, and executive roles. If you’re an IT specialist, engineer, finance professional, or marketer - this is your category.
Minimum salary (2026): - S$5,600/month for most sectors - S$6,200/month for financial services - The salary threshold increases with age - up to S$10,700 (general sectors) and S$11,800 (finance) for professionals in their mid-40s
EP is issued for 2-3 years with renewal options. The employer submits the application through EP Online.
The key requirement since 2023 is the COMPASS (Complementarity Assessment Framework) system. It’s a points-based system that evaluates applications on 4 foundational criteria:
C1 - Salary: compared with local PMET (Professional, Manager, Executive, Technical) workers in the same sector. 90th percentile = 20 points, 65th-90th percentile = 10 points.
C2 - Qualifications: degree from a top-100 global university = 20 points, standard bachelor’s = 10 points, no recognized degree = 0. As of January 1, 2026, MOM has updated the list of top-tier institutions.
C3 - Diversity: if employees of one nationality make up more than 75% of the company - 0 points. The more diverse the workforce, the more points (up to 20).
C4 - Support for Local Employment: how many Singaporeans work at the company compared to other firms in the same sector. More locals - more points.
Passing score - 40. There are also 2 bonus criteria: Skills Bonus (shortage occupation from the Shortage Occupation List) and Strategic Economic Priorities.
If your salary is S$22,500+/month - you skip COMPASS entirely, automatic qualification.
For companies with fewer than 25 PMET employees - automatic 10 points for C3 and C4.
S Pass - For Mid-Skilled Workers¶
For mid-level technical specialists - technicians, assistants, skilled production workers.
Minimum salary (2026): - S$3,300/month (most sectors) - S$3,800/month (finance) - Increases with age: 35 years old - around S$5,000, 40 years old - S$5,200-5,500
Starting January 2027, the minimum will rise to S$3,600 (S$4,000 for finance).
S Pass processing is faster than EP - typically 7-10 business days.
ONE Pass - For Top-Tier Talent¶
The Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass is Singapore’s elite work permit. Minimum salary - S$30,000/month (!). Designed for top executives, star scientists, and business founders.
ONE Pass offers flexibility: you can work for multiple companies simultaneously, run a business, and even your family gets the right to work. Valid for 5 years.
Starting 2027, a new subcategory ONE Pass (AI and Tech) launches - replacing the Tech.Pass. Threshold salary S$22,500 + equity and stock options can count toward the requirement.
Personalised Employment Pass (PEP)¶
PEP is for those already working in Singapore on an EP earning S$22,500+/month, or overseas professionals with a last-drawn salary of S$22,500+. Minimum annual income - S$270,000.
The key advantage - it’s not tied to a specific employer. If you leave your job, you get 6 months to find new employment without losing the pass. But PEP is issued once, for 3 years, with no renewal.
EntrePass - For Entrepreneurs¶
If you want to launch a startup in Singapore - this is your path. But the requirements are tough:
- Company registered (or planned) in Singapore, no older than 6 months
- At least one of: raised S$100,000+ from a Singapore-accredited VC or business angel, participation in a government-supported incubator, or intellectual property / research collaboration with an institution
EntrePass does NOT cover traditional businesses - you can’t open cafes, bars, nightclubs, or hawker centres with this pass. Innovation only.
Issued for 1 year, then renewal - first for 1 year, then 2 years at a time.
Work Permit - For Workers¶
For construction, manufacturing, shipbuilding, and service sector workers. MOM doesn’t set a minimum salary for this category. The employer must obtain a quota and pay a monthly levy.
Comparison Table¶
| Pass Type | Who It’s For | Min. Salary | Duration | COMPASS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Employment Pass | Managers, specialists | S$5,600/mo | 2-3 years | Yes |
| S Pass | Mid-skilled workers | S$3,300/mo | 2 years | No |
| ONE Pass | Top-tier talent | S$30,000/mo | 5 years | No |
| PEP | High-earning EP holders | S$22,500/mo | 3 years (one-time) | No |
| EntrePass | Innovative entrepreneurs | None | 1-2 years | No |
| Work Permit | Workers | None | 2 years | No |
What Documents Are Needed for a Work Pass¶
The document package depends on the pass type, but the standard set for an Employment Pass looks like this:
From the employee: - Passport copy (valid for at least 16 months) - Diplomas and academic certificates - originals or certified copies - Professional qualification certificates (if applicable) - Reference letters from previous employers - Resume (CV) - Passport-size photo
From the employer: - Company business profile (ACRA) - Job details - title, responsibilities, salary - Proof of job posting on MyCareersFuture.sg for at least 14 days (Fair Consideration Framework)
For S Pass - similar set, but you also need verified work experience or a diploma/certificate from an accredited institution.
For EntrePass - business plan, investor or incubator information, company registration documents.
Document Translation Requirements¶
Here’s where things get interesting for Ukrainians. Singapore is an English-speaking country (one of four official languages - English, Mandarin, Malay, Tamil), and all documents for MOM and ICA must be submitted in English.
If your documents are in Ukrainian or Russian - you need a certified English translation. Without it, your application won’t even be reviewed.
What “Certified Translation” Means in Singapore¶
MOM accepts translations from registered translation companies. A certified translation is a translated document accompanied by a signed statement from the translator or agency confirming that the translation is complete, accurate, and true to the original.
For family documents or submissions to ICA (the immigration authority), notarization may be required. ICA officially accepts translations done by an embassy or notarized by a notary public (in Singapore or Malaysia).
For work passes through MOM, notarization usually isn’t mandatory - a certified translation from a professional agency is enough. But if the document relates to family matters (for a Dependant’s Pass, for example) - a notary may be needed.
Which Documents Need Translation¶
- Diploma and transcript - mandatory. MOM verifies qualifications, and if your diploma isn’t in English, a translation is a must
- Qualification certificates - any courses, licenses, professional certifications
- Reference letters - if they’re in Ukrainian or Russian
- Employment record book or work certificates - to confirm work experience
- Marriage / birth certificate - if you’re applying for a family pass (Dependant’s Pass)
- Police clearance certificate - if MOM requests it (for certain sectors)
Important: submit both the original and the translation together. MOM may request additional documents after your initial submission.
Apostille: Needed or Not?¶
Singapore joined the Hague Apostille Convention in 2021. This means documents from convention member states (Ukraine is one of them) can use an apostille instead of full consular legalization.
In practice, MOM usually doesn’t require an apostille for work passes - a certified translation is enough. But an apostille may be needed for: - Educational documents (if the university is unknown and MOM wants additional verification) - Family documents for ICA - Legal documents for court or notarial procedures in Singapore
If you’re getting an apostille in Ukraine - note that the apostille goes on the original document (or a notarized copy), not on the translation. The order: original → apostille → translation.
Translation Costs for Singapore¶
Prices depend on where you get the translation done:
In Ukraine: - Translation of one document (diploma, certificate) - 300-800 UAH per page - Notarization - 200-500 UAH per document - Apostille - 1,000-1,500 UAH per document
In Singapore (if you translate on-site): - From S$30 per page for certified translation - Notarial Certificate - around S$75 per document - Apostille through the Singapore Academy of Law (SAL) - S$86.40 per document
Getting translations done in Ukraine is significantly cheaper. If you’re planning ahead - translate everything before departure. One client relocating from Kyiv to Singapore mentioned they translated a set of 6 documents (diploma, transcript, employment record, certificates) for about 5,000 UAH - including apostille. In Singapore, the same package would’ve cost S$400-500 (12,000-15,000 UAH).
Online option - ChatsControl. Upload your document, get an English translation. Convenient if you don’t have many documents and need them quickly.
Application Process: Step by Step¶
- Find a job - through MyCareersFuture.sg, LinkedIn, or direct company contact. The company must be registered in Singapore and have the required quota
- Employer submits application - through EP Online or myMOM Portal. Fee - S$35 to S$175 depending on pass type
- Receive In-Principle Approval (IPA) - if everything checks out, MOM issues an IPA letter within 1-3 weeks (EP) or 7-10 days (S Pass). IPA is a preliminary approval that lets you enter Singapore
- Enter and register - arrive in Singapore with your IPA, register at the Employment Pass Services Centre (EPSC)
- Get your card - the work pass card arrives approximately 4 business days after registration
The full process from application to card - 3-6 weeks. If documents are incomplete or contain errors, it could stretch to 2-3 months.
What Ukrainians Should Watch Out For¶
Diploma Verification¶
MOM takes qualification verification seriously. If your university doesn’t appear in international rankings, expect additional requests. They may ask for: - Detailed course descriptions (transcript) with translation - Explanation of the grading system (what “excellent” or “5” on a 5-point scale means) - Proof of university accreditation
For COMPASS, this is critical: a degree from a top-100 university gives 20 points, a standard bachelor’s - 10, no recognized degree - 0. Those 10-20 points can make or break your application.
Fair Consideration Framework¶
Singapore strongly protects its local labor market. Before applying for an EP, the employer must post the job on MyCareersFuture.sg for at least 14 days and consider all local candidates. This isn’t just a formality - MOM checks.
The Tricky Part With Ukrainian Documents¶
Ukrainian document formats differ from what’s standard in Asia. The employment record book (trudova knyzhka) is a concept that Singapore simply doesn’t have. Prepare reference letters from former employers instead of (or in addition to) the employment record. If all you have is the record book - translate it with a clear explanation of what the document is.
For diplomas with transcripts - MOM needs to see the specialty name in English, the list of courses, and grades. If your transcript is lengthy (some run 10-15 pages) - translate everything in full, don’t cut corners.
Taxes and Cost of Living¶
Singapore is expensive. Renting a room costs S$800-1,500/month, an apartment - S$2,500-4,000. But income tax is among the lowest in the world: 0% to 22%, with the first S$20,000 completely tax-free. No capital gains tax, no tax on dividends. For anyone used to European rates of 40-50%, it’s a very pleasant surprise.
FAQ¶
How Much Does a Work Visa in Singapore Cost?¶
The application fee for an Employment Pass is S$105 (as of April 1, 2025). The issuance fee is another S$225. For an S Pass - S$60 for application, S$100 for issuance. The main costs are translation and document preparation. If you get translations done in Ukraine - budget 3,000-8,000 UAH for a full package.
Can I Apply for a Work Visa Without an Employer?¶
No, for Employment Pass and S Pass, only the employer can submit the application. Exceptions are PEP (if you already have an EP) and EntrePass (if you’re starting your own business). ONE Pass can also be applied for through an employer or independently (if you meet the requirements).
Does Singapore Accept Translations Done in Ukraine?¶
Yes, MOM accepts certified translations from professional translation agencies, regardless of country. The key is that the translation must be certified (with a statement of accuracy from the translator) and accompanied by the original. For ICA submissions, notarization may be required.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Work Pass in Singapore?¶
Employment Pass - 1-3 weeks for review, S Pass - 7-10 business days, Work Permit - from 3 weeks. After approval (IPA), you’ll need another 4-5 business days for the card to be issued after arrival. Overall, plan for 1-2 months from application to receiving your card.
Can I Bring My Family to Singapore?¶
If your salary is S$6,000+/month, you can apply for a Dependant’s Pass for your spouse and children. At S$12,000+, you can also get a Long-Term Visit Pass for parents. Family passes require translated marriage and birth certificates, and MOM may require notarized translations for these.
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