Singapore grants 3,000 One Passes for top foreign talent in 2024

SINGAPORE granted 3,000 foreign talent with the Overseas Networks and Expertise (One) Pass for top talent last year, said Minister for Manpower Tan See Leng in a written parliamentary reply on Tuesday (Feb 4).

Of the passes issued, one in six were new applicants – meaning they did not convert from an existing employment pass.

So far, the Ministry of Manpower has only revoked the One Pass of one individual, after the person was convicted for drink-driving, added Dr Tan.

Introduced in 2023, the One Pass is open to top talent across all sectors, and allows them to start, operate and work for multiple companies at any one time. To qualify, applicants must earn a monthly salary of at least S$30,000, either within the past year or with a future employer in Singapore.

The top three sectors that One Pass holders were employed in were financial and insurance services, information and communication as well as professional services, said Dr Tan.

He was responding to a question from People’s Action Party Member of Parliament Patrick Tay, who asked how many One Passes are issued annually, and in which industries these foreign talent are employed in.

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Tay also asked how many One Pass holders held another employment pass prior to receiving the pass, and how many such individuals had their passes revoked on the grounds of revocation.

“The conversion of existing work pass holders who meet the One Pass criteria helps us to anchor talent in Singapore,” said Dr Tan.

The One Pass may be revoked if the pass holder spends an extended period of time being inactive without “good justifications” or has failed to comply with Singapore’s laws, he added.