Singapore’s Employment Visas: A Guide for STEM Professionals

Singapore has established itself as a global hub for technology and innovation, attracting a diverse pool of STEM professionals. Understanding the various employment visas available is crucial for those looking to contribute their skills to Singapore’s vibrant workforce. Here’s an overview of the current employment visas in Singapore for STEM professionals:

1. Employment Pass (EP) 

The Employment Pass is the primary work visa for foreign professionals in Singapore. It is designed for individuals with a job offer in a managerial, executive, or specialized role. To qualify, applicants typically need a job offer with a minimum monthly salary and recognized qualifications. The EP offers flexibility, allowing professionals to work in various industries within the STEM sector.

The COMPASS system in Singapore refers to the Complementarity Assessment Framework, a points-based system designed to evaluate applications for an Employment Pass (EP). This framework was implemented to ensure that foreign professionals complement the local workforce, rather than compete with it.

To qualify for an EP, candidates must pass a two-stage eligibility framework. The first stage requires candidates to earn at least the EP qualifying salary, which varies by sector and age. The second stage involves passing the COMPASS, which assesses candidates based on various criteria, including salary, qualifications, diversity, and support for local employment.

Candidates need to score at least 40 points to pass COMPASS, with points awarded based on the candidate’s fixed monthly salary compared to local PMET (Professionals, Managers, Executives, and Technicians) salary benchmarks, educational qualifications from top-tier institutions, and other factors.

The COMPASS system aims to provide businesses with greater clarity and certainty for manpower planning, allowing them to select high-quality foreign professionals while improving workforce diversity and building a strong local core.

2. S Pass 

For mid-skilled workers, the S Pass is a viable option. It caters to individuals employed in roles that require a mid-level of skill and experience. To be eligible, candidates must meet specific criteria, including a job offer with a minimum monthly salary and relevant qualifications. The S Pass is an excellent choice for STEM professionals with intermediate expertise. 

3. Entre Pass 

STEM entrepreneurs looking to start or operate a business in Singapore can explore the Entre Pass. This visa is tailored for individuals keen on establishing and managing their own ventures in the country. Requirements include a viable business plan and adequate funding. 

4. Personalized Employment Pass (PEP) 

The Personalized Employment Pass offers greater flexibility for high-earning professionals. It allows holders to switch jobs without the need to reapply for a new pass, making it an attractive option for experienced STEM experts who may explore various opportunities. 

5. Tech Pass 

Introduced to attract top-tier tech talents, the Tech Pass is a recent addition to Singapore’s visa options. It targets established professionals in the technology sector, offering a unique opportunity to contribute to the country’s innovation ecosystem. Eligibility criteria include a minimum fixed monthly salary and a track record of accomplishments in the tech industry. 

Key Considerations: 

  • Salary Requirements: Each visa type has specific salary thresholds. Ensure your compensation aligns with the minimum requirements for the chosen visa. 
  • Qualifications: Singapore places importance on academic and professional qualifications. Ensure your credentials are recognized and meet the standards set by relevant authorities. 
  • Application Process: Familiarize yourself with the application procedures and required documentation for the selected visa. Seek professional advice if needed to navigate the process efficiently. 

 

Singapore’s commitment to building a world-class talent pool is evident in its tailored visa options, designed to attract and retain the best in the STEM fields. With the right preparation and understanding of the visa requirements, STEM professionals can embark on a rewarding career journey in this dynamic nation.

For more detailed information, you can refer to the official Ministry of Manpower website or the Singapore Economic Development Board’s insights page.

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Stemgenic, headquartered in Singapore, is a Professional Recruitment & Career Consulting firm specializing in connecting top-tier industrial experts with leading opportunities in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) industries.

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We specialize in STEM-based industry verticals, covering sectors deeply rooted in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. This focused expertise is what defines us and differentiates us from generic recruiters.

We provide actionable insights powered by deep industry knowledge and strong professional connections. Our approach is tailored to the unique needs of each candidate, offering personalized solutions rather than a one-size-fits-all model. Using advanced AI tools, we analyze market trends, segment opportunities, and strategically connect candidates with roles that align with their expertise and career aspirations.

Industries We Excel In:
  • HealthTech & Medical Devices
  • Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
  • Specialty Chemicals & Petrochemicals
  • Industrial EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction)
  • Food Specialties & Nutrition
  • Industrial OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturers) & Machinery
  • Robotics, AI, and Automation
  • Sustainable Energy & Renewable Technologies

At Stemgenic, we cater to both active and passive candidates, ensuring tailored support for every stage of your career journey.

Active Candidates

For those actively seeking new opportunities, we provide comprehensive support to market your profile to the right industry clusters, maximizing your visibility and exposure to potential employers. Utilizing our AI-driven platform, extensive network, and in-depth industry expertise, we strategically position your skills and experience, significantly enhancing your chances of securing the ideal role.

Passive Candidates

We understand that not everyone is actively looking for a new role. For passive candidates, we offer a confidential and proactive approach to career exploration. With discretion at the forefront, we monitor the market for exclusive opportunities that align with your expertise and aspirations. Many of these roles are not publicly advertised, giving you access to hidden opportunities that could shape the next step in your career.

We offer comprehensive career consulting programs designed to provide complete, end-to-end solutions for candidates navigating their job search. These personalized one-on-one sessions equip you with the tools, strategies, and insights required to approach the job market in the most effective and impactful way. This service is not limited to jobs with our clients and is an independent offering to support candidates on thier jobs earch

These tailor-made programs are customized to each individual depending upon their needs and typical include

  1. Tailored CV/Resume Development
  2. LinkedIn profile optimization
  3. Industry specific Insights and trends
  4. Career Evalution and Review
  5. Career search strategy
  6. Compensation Benchmarking & Negotiation Strategy
  7. Interview preparation
  8. Contacts and Companies outreach support
  9. Curated Jobs Mapping

Stemgenic’s Experts-Cluster Projects are tailored job search campaigns that go beyond traditional applications by proactively connecting professionals with potential employers, even when no formal vacancy is advertised. These projects are specifically designed for individuals with specialized skill sets and experience, addressing the proven demand in industries where companies often struggle to find fresh talent.

This strategic approach ensures your expertise is showcased to decision-makers who can leverage your experience, whether by filling an existing vacancy or creating a new role tailored to your skills. By taking a proactive approach, these campaigns engage directly with key stakeholders, including HR professionals, department heads, and business leaders, to uncover opportunities that align with your qualifications and aspirations.

We know that great candidates often know other great talents. A significant portion of our successful placements comes from referrals, as professionals are naturally connected to like-minded individuals with the right skills and expertise. Our Refer Talents Campaign is designed to leverage these networks, enabling you to recommend talented peers who could thrive in the right opportunities.

Participating is straightforward and impactful—we actively reach out to our connections and encourage referrals. Simply share the details of someone you think would be a great fit for one of our industry-specific roles, and we’ll handle the rest.

By referring, you’re not only helping your peers unlock exciting career possibilities, but you’re also playing a critical role in addressing talent gaps for employers in your industry. As a token of our appreciation, successful referrals are often rewarded with recognition or incentives.

How can we help your Job Search?

How can we support your Workforce Challenges?

We specialize in STEM-based industry verticals, collaborating with organizations deeply rooted in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Our focused expertise defines us and sets us apart from generic recruitment firms, allowing us to deliver customized solutions tailored to the specific needs of our clients and their industry specialization. 

By leveraging deep industry knowledge, strong professional networks, and advanced AI tools, we provide actionable insights that empower our clients to make informed hiring decisions. Our data-driven approach helps analyze market trends, segment talent pools, and strategically connect businesses with top-tier professionals who align with their requirements and organizational goals.

Industries We Serve :
  • HealthTech & Medical Devices
  • Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
  • Specialty Chemicals & Petrochemicals
  • Industrial EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction)
  • Food Specialties & Nutrition
  • Industrial OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturers) & Machinery
  • Robotics, AI, and Automation
  • Sustainable Energy & Renewable Technologies

At Stemgenic, we know that finding the right talent starts with knowing where to look and how to search smartly. Specializing in STEM-based verticals, we focus on identifying skilled professionals in highly specialized and niche roles. By leveraging our industry connections, insights, and a wide range of tools, we simplify the hiring process, delivering candidates that match your unique requirements.

Our approach is a blend of technology-driven insights, consultative expertise, and traditional headhunting techniques, ensuring that every search is efficient and impactful.

Our search services range from comprehensive retained searches for senior and critical positions to standard contingency searches tailored for immediate needs. Using tools like market maps, talent mapping, and competitor analysis, we provide strategic data to empower your hiring decisions and help your organization stay ahead in today’s competitive landscape.

Need someone on-site to help with project-specific hires, a new plant setup, or building a specialized R&D team? We got you covered! Our on-site recruitment solutions (RPO Solutions) are designed to embed seamlessly within your organization, providing hands-on expertise where and when you need it most.

We can deploy our own resources to seamlessly integrate with your team, working as an extension of your organization. This allows us to truly act as a partner in your success, aligning our efforts with your goals and delivering a recruitment experience that feels collaborative, efficient, and tailored to your unique needs.

Stemgenic’s Experts-Cluster Projects are cutting-edge talent acquisition campaigns that go beyond traditional recruitment methods, enabling organizations to connect with exceptional professionals—even in the absence of formally advertised vacancies. These projects are meticulously tailored to address critical talent gaps in industries where sourcing specialized skills and expertise is particularly challenging.

Our strategic approach ensures that top-tier talent is proactively identified and presented to decision-makers, allowing organizations to tap into fresh, market-ready talent before they formally enter the job market. This gives our clients a competitive edge, similar to having a dedicated talent pipeline built for specific skill sets. By proactively identifying and engaging high-potential candidates, Stemgenic equips organizations with the agility to address immediate hiring needs and adapt to evolving business demands seamlessly.

Closing down a plant or restructuring your operations is never easy, especially when it involves employee retrenchment. Our outplacement campaigns are specifically designed for such scenarios, offering a strategic, timeline-driven approach to ensure your workforce transitions smoothly and confidently into their next roles.

Our candidate career consulting programs provide personalized support, including one-on-one sessions, professional resume development, LinkedIn profile optimization, interview preparation, career strategy planning, and job outreach plans. We can also partner with you at the site level, delivering hands-on assistance such as in-person consultations and tailored workshops to address the unique needs of your employees.

We appreciate you providing us with your profile. Your information has been received, and we will contact you when we have a suitable prospect for your profile. 

Wishing you all the best in your job search. 

Thank you

STEMGENIC TEAM

Thank you for submitting your CV and expressing interest in our Career Consultation Program. We appreciate your trust in Stemgenic and our expertise in providing tailored career guidance and opportunities.


Your profile will be thoroughly reviewed by our team to assess alignment with the industries and markets we specialize in. You can expect to hear back from us within 2-5 working days.

Thank you

STEMGENIC TEAM

Thank you for reaching out to us with your requirements. We appreciate your trust and interest in Stemgenic. Our team will get in touch with you ASAP.

Should you have any further questions or need immediate assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact us directly at +65 68544364 or reach out to Savi at +65 8321 0374 (also available on WhatsApp).

Once again, thank you for considering Stemgenic for your needs. We look forward to the opportunity to serve you.