Written Answer to PQ on EP applications that do not meet QS
NOTICE PAPER NO. 444 OF 2026 FOR THE SITTING ON 4 FEBUARY 2026
QUESTION NO. 918 FOR WRITTEN ANSWER
MP: Chua Kheng Wee Louis
To ask the Minister for Manpower (a) for each of the last ten 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.
Answer:
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.
Table 1: Total number of issued EP that do not meet the EP qualify salary
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Number of issued EPs that do not meet the qualifying salary
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Construction, Marine, Process
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2. MOM works with MTI 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.