ICA has not published any rule linking Employment Pass (EP) COMPASS scores to Permanent Residence (PR) outcomes. COMPASS is an MOM framework that decides EP eligibility only. PR is a separate application assessed by ICA on its own published factors. This article sets out what each agency publishes, and what it does not.
COMPASS decides EP eligibility, not PR
COMPASS (Complementarity Assessment Framework) applies at the EP stage. An EP candidate must pass a two-stage framework. Stage 1 requires the EP qualifying salary. Stage 2 requires at least 40 COMPASS points, unless the candidate is exempted. A candidate who fails Stage 1 is not eligible for an EP, regardless of COMPASS points.
PR is a different process run by ICA. The COMPASS score is not part of the PR form. Any claim that a specific COMPASS score shortens or lengthens PR processing is not based on a published ICA rule.
EP qualifying salary (Stage 1)
The qualifying salary is benchmarked to the top one-third of local PMET salaries by age. For most sectors, the current minimum is $5,600 at age 23 or below, rising progressively to $10,700 at age 45 and above. For financial services, the current minimum is $6,200 at age 23 or below, rising to $11,800 at age 45 and above.
From 1 January 2027, new applications must meet higher salary floors: $6,000 (rising to $11,500 at age 45 and above) for most sectors, and $6,600 (rising to $12,700) for financial services. For renewals, the higher floors apply to passes expiring from 1 January 2028.
How COMPASS is scored (Stage 2)
An application needs 40 points to pass. Points come from four foundational criteria and two bonus criteria.
C1 Salary benchmarks the candidate’s fixed monthly salary against local PMET salaries in the sector. At or above the 90th percentile earns 20 points. The 65th to below 90th percentile earns 10 points. Below the 65th percentile earns 0 points. This is separate from the EP qualifying salary, which is only the minimum bar.
C2 Qualifications awards points by qualification tier. Degree-equivalent qualifications from top-tier institutions earn 20 points. Other degree-equivalent qualifications earn 10 points. Qualifications without degree-equivalent status earn 0 points but do not block a pass if 40 points are reached elsewhere. Verification proof is required only if points are claimed under this criterion.
C3 Diversity awards points by the candidate’s nationality share among the firm’s PMET employees. Firms with fewer than 25 PMETs score 10 points by default. Firms with at least 25 PMETs score 20 points if the share is below 5%, 10 points if 5% to below 25%, and 0 points if 25% or more.
C4 Support for Local Employment awards points by the firm’s local PMET share relative to its sector. Firms with fewer than 25 PMETs score 10 points by default. Firms with at least 25 PMETs score 20 points at or above the 50th percentile, 10 points at the 20th to below 50th percentile, and 0 points below the 20th percentile. If local PMET share is at least 70% (pegged to the 20th percentile economy-wide), the application scores at least 10 points regardless of sector standing.
COMPASS bonus criteria
C5 Skills bonus applies when the job is on the Shortage Occupation List (SOL). If the candidate’s nationality is below one-third of the firm’s PMETs, the bonus is 20 points. If the share is one-third or more, it is 10 points. A candidate who needed the SOL bonus to pass COMPASS can only be employed in that specific shortage occupation; this is stated in the in-principle approval (IPA) letter.
C6 Strategic Economic Priorities bonus awards 10 points to firms in eligible programmes with economic agencies or endorsed by NTUC. The bonus applies for up to 3 years, or the programme duration if shorter. Renewal requires the supporting agency’s reassessment and at least 10 points on both C3 and C4 for each of the 3 months before renewal.
COMPASS exemptions
A candidate is exempted from COMPASS if any one applies: a fixed monthly salary of at least $22,500; application as an overseas intra-corporate transferee; or a role lasting 1 month or less.
EP duration and features
A first-time EP runs up to 2 years. A renewal runs up to 3 years. Experienced tech professionals with skills in shortage may qualify for a 5-year pass. The EP requires no foreign worker levy or quota. Employers may choose whether to provide medical insurance.
PR eligibility under ICA
A foreigner may apply for PR under these categories: a spouse of a Singapore citizen or PR; an unmarried child below 21 of a citizen or PR; an aged parent of a citizen at least 21; an EP or S Pass holder; a student who passed a national exam (PSLE, GCE ‘N’/‘O’/‘A’ levels) or is in the Integrated Programme; or a foreign investor under the Global Investor Programme run by EDB. EP and S Pass holders log in via Singpass to submit.
ICA considers family ties to Singaporeans, economic contributions, qualifications, age, family profile and length of residency. These are the factors ICA lists. ICA has not published the weight of each factor, the number of places available, or any scoring formula.
What ICA has not published about PR
ICA does not publish PR approval criteria weightings, quotas, or processing-time figures by applicant type. It has also not published any connection between EP COMPASS scores and PR decisions. Any “median PR processing time by COMPASS score” figure should be treated as unsourced. The only PR processing commitment ICA publishes is that applications are processed within 6 months when documents are complete; some take longer.
PR fees and processing
At submission, the fee is S$100 per application. At completion of formalities, the fees are S$20 for the Entry Permit, S$50 for a 5-year Re-Entry Permit, and S$50 for the Singapore Identity Card. All fees are non-refundable. Processing is within 6 months with complete documents; some applications take longer. Applicants must provide certified true copies and official translations for non-English documents.
National Service liability for male PR applicants
Male PR applicants are liable for National Service under the Enlistment Act 1970. Those granted PR as foreign students or under their parents’ sponsorship must register from age 16 and a half and enlist from age 18. Defaulting carries a fine up to S$10,000 or imprisonment up to 3 years. Renouncing or losing PR without serving NS adversely affects future applications to work, study, or hold long-term immigration facilities in Singapore.
Becoming a citizen after PR
Citizenship requires, for most paths, at least 2 years as a PR. A PR married to a citizen for at least 2 years may apply. A PR student residing in Singapore more than 3 years (at least 1 year as PR) who passed a national exam may apply. Citizenship processing is within 12 months; for overseas-born children of citizens, within 1 month.
ICA’s note on migration agencies
ICA states it has no affiliation with any external migration agency or commercial entity that claims to be a Singapore immigration specialist or partner. It does not endorse such consultancy services for PR or citizenship.
