From 9% of first-year gross base salary.
AIS recruitment fees are quoted from 9% of the candidate's first-year gross base salary. The final fee is confirmed after we understand the role, seniority, search complexity and scope.
The percentage alone does not describe the search. The employer should know what work is included before the engagement begins.
Four things shape the fee.
Complexity
Specialist, regulated or hard-to-define roles may require more briefing, research and screening work.
Seniority
Senior and leadership appointments usually need a more focused search, deeper assessment and closer process management.
Search reach
A local search and a Singapore-plus-overseas search involve different sourcing routes and candidate conversations.
Process scope
The agreed level of screening, shortlist notes, coordination and follow-through affects the work delivered.
Make the work visible.
AIS recruitment support is built around a clear role brief and a focused hiring process. The search should be specific enough for the employer to understand what is happening next.
Align the responsibilities, level, salary context, must-haves and reasons the role is worth taking.
Decide where to look and whether the search should focus locally, overseas or across both markets.
Approach candidates whose skills and experience relate to the actual role rather than sending a broad, unfiltered list.
Assess role fit, seniority, availability and compensation context before presenting a shortlist.
Provide clear candidate context and support the next conversations so the process does not stall.
Recruitment is not a work-pass application.
Recruitment, work-pass applications and professional consultation solve different problems. They can support one another, but they should not be presented as one blended fee.
Recruitment
Find and assess candidates for an employer's role. Quoted separately from 9% of first-year gross base salary.
Work pass
Review and submit an eligible work-pass application, including the applicable MOM and AIS charges.
Consultation
Provide focused advice on a specific case, route or next-step decision.
One clear brief
If a role may need both recruitment and immigration support, define each scope before work starts.
Bring the useful details.
A focused brief helps AIS quote the right work and helps the search start without assumptions.
- The role. Share responsibilities, seniority, reporting line, location and the skills that matter most.
- The package. Provide the salary range, benefits, working arrangement and any work-pass context.
- The market. Explain whether you want a local search, overseas search or a defined combination.
- The decision. Tell us the target start date, interview stages and who will make the hiring decision.
The more specific the brief, the more useful the sourcing strategy, shortlist and fee discussion will be.
FAQ
Is the recruitment fee 9% for every role?
9% is the starting point. The final fee is quoted after reviewing role complexity, seniority and search scope.
Does the fee include work-pass applications?
Recruitment is priced separately from work-pass and consultation services. If both are needed, AIS will clarify the separate scope and charges.
Does AIS recruit locally and overseas?
The search scope is agreed for the role. It may focus on Singapore, overseas candidates or a defined combination depending on the employer's brief.
When do I receive the final quote?
After the role briefing and scope discussion, AIS will confirm the proposed search and fee before the recruitment work begins.