Japanese citizens moving to Republic of Singapore
Japanese nationals typically move to Republic of Singapore through its standard work, study, family, and skilled-migration routes rather than through a dedicated bilateral scheme. Eligibility and processing times are set by Ministry of Manpower (MOM), so check each route below for its primary source.
We cover 7 Singapore routes — 4 can be started without a job offer, and
Tourist entry
Tourist-entry rules for Japanese nationals are set by Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and change periodically — check the official entry-requirements page before travelling. Either way, tourist entry does not confer the right to work, study long-term, or establish residence.
Treaty & bilateral memberships
No nationality-specific treaty routes apply.
Consular processing: a Republic of Singapore consulate or visa application centre in your country of residence
Long-tail depth brief
Japanese to Republic of Singapore at a glance
Version 2026-07-02
| Signal | Current value | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Covered routes | 7 4 do not require an employer sponsor; 0 are marked as settlement routes. | Visa route dataset |
| Sponsor-free routes | 4 Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass (ONE Pass), EntrePass, Personalised Employment Pass (PEP), and more. | Visa route dataset |
| Settlement-mapped routes | 0 No covered route is currently flagged as directly leading to permanent residence. | Visa route dataset |
| Dominant skilled route | Employment Pass (EP) Sponsor or job offer required; temporary route. | MOM — Employment Pass - 8 July 2026 |
| Published salary floor | SGD 5,600/mo Employment Pass - all sectors except financial services | MOM - Employment Pass eligibility - 1 January 2025 |
| Published processing clock | 10 days – 2 weeks MOM says Employment Pass applications submitted online are processed, or receive an update, within 10 business days. | MOM - Apply for an Employment Pass - 1 July 2026 |
| Government cost example | SGD 330 Single applicant, no Multiple Journey Visa | MOM - Employment Pass application - 1 July 2026 |
Index rule: Rendered on nationality corridor pages that pass shouldIndexCorridor; sparse fallback-only corridors remain omitted from static generation and sitemap. Source datasets: /api/public/visas, /api/public/salary-thresholds, /api/public/processing-times, /api/public/fees.
What this means for Japanese citizens
Of the 7 Republic of Singapore routes we cover, 4 can be started without an employer sponsor and 0 have confirmed permanent residence mapping. Language-test requirements vary by route — check each route below for the requirement set out in its official source.
Headline figures — Employment Pass (EP)
Computed from our continuously re-verified, primary-sourced data. Indicative, not legal advice.
Salary you must earn
SGD 5,600/mo
Employment Pass - all sectors except financial services
Verified 1 January 2025 · MOM - Employment Pass eligibility
Government cost
SGD 330
Single applicant, no Multiple Journey Visa
Dependants apply under the relevant Dependant Pass or Long-Term Visit Pass route and have separate MOM fees.
Verified 1 July 2026 · MOM - Employment Pass application
How long it takes
10 days – 2 weeks
MOM says Employment Pass applications submitted online are processed, or receive an update, within 10 business days.
Verified 1 July 2026 · MOM - Apply for an Employment Pass
All Republic of Singapore routes open to Japanese applicants
General routes available to all nationalities. Click any to read the full guide.
Employment Pass (EP)
Work pass for foreign professionals, managers, and executives earning above the qualifying salary, issued to employers.
Sponsor required · Non-settlement
S Pass
Work pass for mid-level skilled foreign workers earning above the S Pass qualifying salary, subject to employer quota and levy.
Sponsor required · Non-settlement
Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass (ONE Pass)
Premium 5-year pass for top-earning professionals, business leaders, and outstanding achievers — not tied to a single employer.
No sponsor needed · Non-settlement
EntrePass
Work pass for foreign entrepreneurs starting and operating a venture-capital-backed or innovative business in Singapore.
No sponsor needed · Non-settlement
Personalised Employment Pass (PEP)
Non-employer-tied work pass for high-earning EP holders or overseas professionals earning above SGD 22,500 per month.
No sponsor needed · Non-settlement
Dependant's Pass (DP)
Pass for spouses and children of EP, S Pass, EntrePass, or PEP holders meeting the minimum salary threshold.
No sponsor needed · Non-settlement
Student Pass
Pass for international students studying full-time at approved Singapore educational institutions.
Sponsor required · Non-settlement
Frequently asked questions
Can Japanese citizens enter Republic of Singapore without a visa?+
Tourist-entry rules for Japanese nationals are set by Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and change periodically — check the official entry-requirements page before travelling. Either way, tourist entry does not confer the right to work, study long-term, or establish residence.
Which Republic of Singapore visa routes are best suited to Japanese applicants?+
Japanese nationals typically move to Republic of Singapore through its standard work, study, family, and skilled-migration routes rather than through a dedicated bilateral scheme. Eligibility and processing times are set by Ministry of Manpower (MOM), so check each route below for its primary source.
Where do Japanese applicants typically apply for a Republic of Singapore visa?+
Applications are typically processed at a Republic of Singapore consulate or visa application centre in your country of residence. Some digital and in-country applications can be filed directly with Republic of Singapore's immigration authority without a consular visit.
Do Japanese citizens need a job offer to move to Republic of Singapore?+
Not necessarily. 4 of the 7 Republic of Singapore routes we cover can be started without an employer sponsor, while the rest need a sponsoring employer or job offer. If you do not have an offer yet, the no-sponsor routes are the place to start.
Can Japanese citizens get permanent residence in Republic of Singapore?+
Most Republic of Singapore routes we cover are temporary rather than direct settlement routes. You may still be able to switch to a settlement route later — check each route's detail.
How much does the Employment Pass (EP) cost for a Japanese applicant?+
Government fees for the worked example (Single applicant, no Multiple Journey Visa) total about SGD 330. Dependants apply under the relevant Dependant Pass or Long-Term Visit Pass route and have separate MOM fees. Figures from MOM - Employment Pass application, verified 1 July 2026. Treat these as indicative — confirm the current schedule on the official source before budgeting.
What salary do Japanese applicants need for the Employment Pass (EP)?+
The Employment Pass - all sectors except financial services floor is SGD 5,600/mo, effective 1 January 2025 (MOM - Employment Pass eligibility). Your occupation's published going rate may bind higher — whichever is greater applies.
How long does the Employment Pass (EP) take to process from Japan?+
The typical published decision window is 10 days – 2 weeks. Japanese applicants usually file via a Republic of Singapore consulate or visa application centre in your country of residence, and consular-post backlogs can add to the wait. Source: MOM - Apply for an Employment Pass, verified 1 July 2026.