What are Visa, Work Permits & Salary Requirements
If you are looking to work as an Indian professional in Singapore, you must consider visa rules in terms of salary. Your monthly income will depend on the level of visas you can apply for; Employment Pass (EP), S Pass, PR applications, and even Dependent Pass applications are all affected by your level of monthly income.
What is the minimum salary required for an Employment Pass (EP) in Singapore?
To be eligible to apply for an Employment Pass (EP) in Singapore in 2025, your base level salary is SGD 5,600/month for new applicants. As you gain experience and age, the number threshold increases. For example, if you are a candidate in your mid thirties, you may need to have a minimum salary of at least SG$ 6,800–7,000/month to be eligible.
Furthermore, in the last number of years the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has focused on establishing the COMPASS framework as a points-based system, and as a candidate you will now have to showcase a salary as part of their eligibility. Compensation is a more important criterion than salary, based on your education, skills and diversity.
As an Indian professional applying for Employment Passes (EP), you have to ensure that your offer meets the company's salary requirements. In tech and finance, companies often offer junior to mid level positions with salaries over the EP level and the higher salary bands in salary positions generally allow you to have a higher chance of your pass approval if you are competing against global talent for limited roles.
Do higher salaries increase chances of PR or Dependent Pass approval?
Yes absolutely. In Singapore, higher salary incomes equate to an increased chance of both a Permanent Residency (PR) and Dependent Pass approvals.
As we know, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) tends to view Indian expats on Employment Passes with more favorable consideration for Permanent Residency (PR) who are earning SGD 8,000/month or more, especially if they have been there for a few years.
To qualify for a Dependent Pass (SP) there is a minimum required salary of SGD 6,000/month by EP holders to allow their spouse and children to join. For Long-Term Visit Passes (LTVP) for parents, the required salary is further higher (SGD 12,000/month).
MOM and ICA assess each application with a full employment history, classifications of jobs, income level stability, and more emphasis on the planned long-term future economic contributions in Singapore.
How Salary Packages Work in Singapore?
When reviewing job offers in Singapore, Indian professionals should consider the big picture beyond just the base salary. Most companies offer complete compensation packages that include bonuses, allowances, and tax benefits.
Do Indian professionals receive housing, transport, or meal allowances?
Many Indian professionals in Singapore receive allowances of some form depending on the nature of the company, the level of seniority, and the industry. Senior expatriates or expatriates working on international term contracts may also receive housing allowances if they work for a multinational corporation (MNC) or a government-linked company.
Transport allowances are less common but may be provided to expatriates whose work requires travel or irregular working hours. Some employers provide meal allowances or subsidized cafeteria access, particularly in the tech, healthcare, and finance industries. Of course, not all companies offer these allowances or benefits automatically, and in most cases, local hires only receive a fixed monthly salary without anything to enhance their total pay.
Clarifying what is included in the package being offered is very important during the hiring or job negotiation process. In addition, all such allowances are taxable unless expressed otherwise. Overall, these allowances are not guaranteed, but would certainly contribute to boosting the overall compensation package for Indian professionals in Singapore.
What is the average tax Indian employees pay in Singapore?
Indian professionals working in Singapore pay relatively low income taxes compared to many countries in the West. Singapore utilises a progressive tax system meaning that the rates that tax payers will pay gets higher as the earnings of taxpayers get higher.
As of 2025, taxpayers will be taxed at a progressive rate of 0% to 22% for resident taxpayers. Most Indian expatriates earning incomes of the range of SGD 60,000 to SGD 150,000 per annum pay personal income tax at the rate of 7% to 15%. Foreign employees wishing to be taxed as residents (183+ days in the preceding year) benefitting from the availability of personal reliefs and lower personal tax rates.
Foreign employees who are non-residents will pay income tax on their employment income at either a rate of 15% or the taxable income rate as a resident the higher of the two will apply to your employment income. Singapore does not tax capital gains or inheritance tax unlike India, therefore allowing professionals who uproot their families to a foreign destination, an overall financial advantage.
Are Indian expats entitled to CPF or other social security benefits?
In general, Indian expats are exempt from CPF (Central Provident Fund) contributions unless they secure permanent resident (PR) status. The CPF is a mandatory social security savings scheme for Singapore citizens as well as PRs to save for retirement, housing, and healthcare. However, Indian professionals who fall under bilateral social security agreements or PR status can receive CPF benefits similar to locals.
For Indian expats who are not PRs, employers usually provide private insurance or gratuity bonuses instead. Some companies provide either just medical insurance, dental coverage, or for senior professionals, pension style plans. Still, while Indian employees may not get CPF benefits initially, once they apply for PR (permanent resident) status they will unlock CPF contributions.
Career Growth & Salary Hikes in Singapore
Career development in Singapore tends to be clear, meritocratic, and performance based; Indian professionals tend to work in skilled roles, like IT, finance, and healthcare jobs.
While most promotions and salary increases take place on a predictable cycle, they vary based on performance and industry trajectories.
How fast do salaries grow for Indian professionals in Singapore?
Indian professionals in Singapore tend to enjoy steady increases in salary, especially in sectors such as tech, banking, and healthcare. On average, most professionals can expect annual salary hikes of 4% to 7%, provided they meet or exceed performance expectations. High performers often land in the 10% or higher bracket.
Promotions, which usually occur every 2 to 3 years, bring more significant jumps:
- Typical salary hike during a promotion: 15% to 25%
- Promotions may come with added responsibilities and benefits
Job switches either to a new company or a different sector often yield much larger jumps:
- Some Indian professionals report 30% or more increase in pay when changing employers
Certain high-growth sectors such as fintech, data analytics, and software development offer quicker salary advancements due to the faster value-creation cycle compared to more traditional industries.
Do performance bonuses and promotions affect total compensation?
Yes, performance bonuses and promotions have a significant impact on total compensation for Indian professionals working in Singapore. While base salaries are fixed, the performance-based bonus is often worth 10%–25% (or more) of total annual compensation, particularly in areas like banking, finance, and IT.
Year-end bonuses may exceed one month's salary for high-performers and be worth two to four months' salary for management and senior tech roles, depending on company performance, KPIs, and the like.
Promotions are a significant factor, as they generally include both an increase in salary (often 15%–30%) and greater responsibilities, opportunities and sometimes perks. Certain promotions may also be associated with stock options or long-term incentive plans, especially at startup firms or MNCs.
Therefore, keeping up with performance targets along with being promoted and advancing their career from one role to another role can result in a huge boost in both immediate income and long-term earnings potential for Indian professionals.
Are salaries in Singapore keeping up with inflation in 2025?
In 2025, salary growth in Singapore has generally kept pace with inflation in several industries, though the trend varies by sector. Inflation is estimated at around 3%–4%, and many companies have adjusted their compensation structures accordingly.
In high-demand, skilled sectors, Indian professionals have an edge:
- Tech, finance, and healthcare roles often see salaries outpacing inflation, especially for mid-to-senior level positions.
- Annual increments and performance bonuses help offset the rising cost of living.
However, for lower-wage sectors like retail, F&B, and logistics:
- Wage growth has been slower, making it harder for workers to manage rising living costs.
- These sectors tend to offer fewer benefits or inflation-linked bonuses.
To help cushion inflation’s impact, some companies offer additional perks:
- Cost-of-living allowances
- Transport or meal subsidies
Overall, for Indian professionals in white-collar or skilled jobs, salaries remain fairly resilient and competitive in 2025, even with ongoing inflationary pressure.
