Can US citizens work in Singapore on a visa-free entry?

No. Visa-free entry covers tourism and short business visits only. Working in Singapore requires an Employment Pass or other work pass obtained before starting work. Working without a valid pass is illegal under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act and can result in prosecution and deportation.

What is Singapore's Employment Pass?

The Employment Pass (EP) is the main work pass for foreign professionals, managers, and executives. It requires a minimum monthly salary of SGD 5,600 (higher for financial services). Your Singapore employer applies on your behalf through the Ministry of Manpower. The EP is initially valid for 2 years and renewable.

What is Singapore's ONE Pass?

The Overseas Networks and Expertise (ONE) Pass is Singapore's top-tier work pass for exceptional talent. It requires a fixed monthly salary of at least SGD 30,000 or notable achievements in arts, culture, sport, or academia. Valid for 5 years, it allows the holder to work for multiple employers simultaneously.

Can US citizens retire in Singapore?

Singapore does not have a specific retirement visa for foreigners. Long-term stay without working is difficult — Singapore's immigration system is primarily employment-based. US citizens who are spouses or parents of Singapore citizens or PRs can apply for Long-Term Visit Passes.

Can US citizens stay in Singapore longer than 90 days without working?

Options are very limited. The Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) is available to spouses and dependants of Singapore citizens and PRs, or to aged parents of Singapore citizens. There is no general long-stay or retirement visa for foreigners in Singapore.

Working and long-term stay in Singapore for US citizens

Last reviewed: March 30, 2026

US citizens cannot work in Singapore on visa-free entry. The Employment Pass (min. SGD 5,600/month) is the standard work pass. The ONE Pass (SGD 30,000/month) is for exceptional talent. Singapore has no retirement or digital nomad visa.

Option	Details
Visa-free entry	90 days, no work rights
Employment Pass	Min. SGD 5,600/month, employer-sponsored
ONE Pass	SGD 30,000/month, exceptional talent
Long-Term Visit Pass	For family of Singapore citizens/PRs only
Retirement visa	Not available

Note: Singapore's immigration system is almost entirely employment-based. Long-term stays without working are only possible for family members of Singapore citizens or permanent residents.

Work pass options for US citizens

Employment Pass (EP)

The standard work pass for foreign professionals, managers, and executives. Minimum monthly salary: SGD 5,600 (higher for financial services sector — SGD 6,200). Your Singapore employer applies through the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) Work Pass Division online portal. The EP is initially valid for 2 years for new applicants and renewable for up to 3 years. EP holders can bring their spouse and unmarried children under 21 to Singapore on Dependant's Passes, and parents on Long-Term Visit Passes, subject to salary thresholds.

S Pass

For mid-level skilled workers. Minimum monthly salary SGD 3,150 (higher for some sectors). Your employer must have a sufficient quota of S Pass holders relative to their total workforce — not all employers can sponsor S Pass holders. Valid for up to 2 years and renewable.

ONE Pass (Overseas Networks and Expertise Pass)

Singapore's premium work pass for exceptional global talent. Two eligibility routes: (1) Fixed monthly salary of at least SGD 30,000, or (2) Outstanding achievements in arts, culture, sport, academia, or research as assessed by MOM. Valid for 5 years. Unique feature: holders can work for multiple Singapore employers simultaneously and start their own businesses without needing a separate pass. Spouses of ONE Pass holders can also work in Singapore without a separate work pass.

EntrePass

For foreign entrepreneurs who want to start a business in Singapore. Requires incorporation of a private limited company registered with ACRA, plus eligibility criteria including venture capital backing, intellectual property ownership, or incubator support. Valid for 1 year initially, renewable subject to business criteria.

Employment Pass — step by step

1
Secure a job offer from a Singapore employer who is registered and eligible to hire foreign professionals.
2
Your employer submits an Employment Pass application through the Ministry of Manpower's EP Online portal.
3
MOM assesses the application under the Fair Consideration Framework — employers must demonstrate they have considered local candidates fairly.
4
If approved, MOM issues an In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter valid for 6 months.
5
Travel to Singapore on your IPA letter or on a visitor visa.
6
Your employer registers your EP and you collect your physical EP card within a few days of starting work.
7
Renew your EP before it expires — your employer must apply for renewal through EP Online.

Long-term stay without working — very limited options

Singapore's immigration system is designed around employment. Unlike Thailand, Malaysia, or Indonesia, Singapore does not offer retirement visas, passive income visas, or digital nomad visas for foreigners.

The only long-stay options for US citizens who are not working:

Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) — Available to spouses, children, and aged parents of Singapore citizens or permanent residents. The Singapore citizen or PR sponsors the application through the ICA. Validity varies from 1–3 years.

Dependant's Pass — For spouses and unmarried children under 21 of Employment Pass or S Pass holders earning above a minimum salary threshold. Allows long-term stay and, for some holders, work rights with a separate Letter of Consent.

For all other US citizens: the 90-day visa-free entry is the only option. Repeated long stays may attract immigration scrutiny, as Singapore immigration expects genuine short-term visits rather than informal residency.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

Information compiled from official government sources and verified data: