Ten-Year Statistics on Employment Pass Exception Approvals and Assessment Criteria

44 Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked the Minister for Manpower (a) for each of the last 10 years, what is the total number of Employment Pass applications that have been granted which do not meet the qualifying salary, broken down by industry sector respectively; and (b) what factors are considered when granting such flexibility.

Dr Tan See Leng: Over 2016 to 2025, the Employment Pass (EP) qualifying salary has increased from $3,300 to $5,600, while the number of EPs has increased from 192,300 to 202,100. Table 1 provides the number of EPs issued that did not meet the EP qualifying salary over this period.

The Ministry of Manpower works with the Ministry of Trade and Industry and economic agencies to provide targeted flexibilities in support of our national priorities. These flexibilities support Singapore's economic growth and transformation and promote job creation for locals, such as in courting new investments and supporting research and innovation.