The COMPASS C2 criterion decides how many qualification points a candidate earns for an Employment Pass (EP). C2 awards 20, 10 or 0 points, and it is one of six COMPASS criteria. To get an EP, the candidate must first meet the qualifying salary and then pass COMPASS with at least 40 points.
COMPASS requires 40 points to pass
COMPASS is the points-based system that EP candidates must pass in addition to the EP qualifying salary. Your application needs to earn 40 points to pass COMPASS.
Candidates who do not meet the EP qualifying salary are not eligible for an EP, regardless of the COMPASS points they would have scored. The qualifying salary is $5,600 for most sectors and rises progressively with age to $10,700 at age 45 and above. For financial services it is $6,200, rising to $11,800 at age 45 and above. From 1 January 2027, new applications use $6,000 (most sectors) and $6,600 (financial services), rising to $11,500 and $12,700 respectively at age 45 and above.
C2 measures the candidate’s qualifications
C2 (Qualifications) awards points according to the candidate’s qualifications. The criterion is separate from the qualifying salary and from the C1 salary benchmark used elsewhere in COMPASS.
If you do not need points from C2, you do not need to submit the candidate’s qualifications or verification proof. The criterion splits qualifications into three bands.
20 points: top-tier degree-equivalent qualifications
A candidate earns 20 points for degree-equivalent qualifications from these institutions:
- Top 100 universities based on QS World University Rankings, and other highly-reputed universities in Asia.
- Singapore’s Autonomous Universities.
- Institutions highly recognised in a particular field and endorsed by a relevant agency.
MOM publishes the list of top-tier institutions. The list is updated once a year.
10 points: other degree-equivalent qualifications
A candidate earns 10 points for other degree-equivalent qualifications, covering three situations:
- Foreign qualifications assessed to be comparable to a bachelor’s degree in the UK system. MOM determines this with reference to international recognition bodies such as UK ENIC (the UK National Information Centre for recognition and evaluation of international qualifications and skills).
- Professional qualifications that are well recognised by the industry and endorsed by a relevant sector agency.
- Foreign qualifications awarded by local private education institutions (PEIs) may also be considered.
MOM also publishes a list of degree-equivalent qualifications. Both lists are updated once a year.
0 points: qualifications that are not degree-equivalent
Qualifications that are not degree-equivalent earn 0 points under C2. MOM states these qualifications should not be submitted.
A candidate without degree-equivalent qualifications can still pass COMPASS by earning a total score of at least 40 points from the other criteria. C2 is therefore not a mandatory criterion.
How C2 combines with the other criteria
COMPASS has four foundational criteria (C1 Salary, C2 Qualifications, C3 Diversity, C4 Support for Local Employment) and two bonus criteria (C5 Skills, C6 Strategic Economic Priorities).
C1 Salary awards 20 points at the 90th percentile and above, 10 points from the 65th to below the 90th percentile, and 0 below the 65th percentile, benchmarked against local PMET salaries in the sector by age.
C3 Diversity awards 20 points when the candidate’s nationality is less than 5% of the firm’s PMETs, 10 points from 5% to below 25%, and 0 at 25% or more. Organisations with fewer than 25 PMETs score 10 points by default.
C4 Support for Local Employment awards 20 points when the firm’s local PMET share is at the 50th percentile or above, 10 points from the 20th to below the 50th percentile, and 0 below the 20th percentile. Organisations with fewer than 25 PMETs score 10 points by default. If the firm’s local PMET share is at least 70%, it scores at least 10 points regardless of where it stands within its sector.
C5 Skills bonus awards 20 points for a Shortage Occupation List (SOL) job when the candidate’s nationality is less than one-third of the firm’s PMETs, and 10 points when it is one-third or more.
C6 Strategic Economic Priorities bonus awards 10 points for participating in or meeting the criteria for at least one eligible programme.
A candidate can reach 40 points without any C2 contribution if the remaining criteria supply enough points.
Verification proof is required only if you claim C2 points
If you need points from C2, you must submit verification proof together with the candidate’s qualifications in the EP application. If you do not need C2 points, you do not need to submit the candidate’s qualifications or verification proof.
Steps you can take before submitting
Confirm whether the candidate’s qualification appears on MOM’s degree-equivalent list before you rely on C2. If the qualification is from a foreign institution, check whether MOM treats it as comparable to a UK bachelor’s degree by reference to UK ENIC, or whether it is a professional qualification endorsed by the relevant sector agency. Prepare the verification proof in advance if you will claim C2 points. If the candidate has no degree-equivalent qualification, plan to reach 40 points from C1, C3, C4, C5 and C6 instead.
Check eligibility before applying
Employers and employment agents can use the Self-Assessment Tool (SAT) to check a candidate’s eligibility before applying. The Workforce Insights tool on myMOM Portal shows the firm’s C3 and C4 scores and industry benchmarks.
Candidates are exempted from COMPASS entirely if they earn a fixed monthly salary of at least $22,500, are applying as an overseas intra-corporate transferee, or are filling the role for one month or less.
