The Strategic Economic Priorities (SEP) bonus is a 10-point addition under Criterion 6 (C6) of Singapore’s COMPASS framework for Employment Pass applications. It is not part of C5. C5 is the Skills bonus for Shortage Occupation List (SOL) roles.
What the SEP bonus awards
An EP application earns 10 points under C6 if the employer participates in at least one eligible programme recognised by MOM. The award is at the discretion of the supporting agency running the programme. MOM notifies the employer if the bonus is granted, and the points appear in the Self-Assessment Tool (SAT).
Eligible programmes
The official list of eligible programmes is published at:
COMPASS C6 Strategic Economic Priorities (SEP) bonus eligible programmes
Employers must check that page for the current programmes. The list may include schemes run by economic agencies or endorsement by the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) for company and workforce transformation.
How the bonus is granted
- The employer must be actively participating in an eligible programme.
- The supporting agency decides whether to endorse the employer for the SEP bonus.
- MOM is notified by the agency. The employer does not submit a separate “Letter of Support” with the EP application.
- Points are reflected in the SAT once awarded.
Validity period
SEP bonus points apply for up to 3 years, or for the duration of the employer’s participation in the eligible programme — whichever is shorter.
Renewal of SEP bonus points
At the end of the validity period, the supporting agency reassesses whether to continue supporting the employer. Renewal requires both of the following for each of the 3 months before renewal:
- At least 10 points for C3 Diversity
- At least 10 points for C4 Support for local employment
These criteria ensure SEP-backed employers maintain workforce diversity and local hiring efforts.
Stacking with other COMPASS criteria
The SEP bonus (C6, 10 points) stacks with:
- C1 Salary (0, 10, or 20 points)
- C2 Qualifications (0, 10, or 20 points)
- C3 Diversity (0, 10, or 20 points; 10 points default if <25 PMETs)
- C4 Support for local employment (0, 10, or 20 points; 10 points default if <25 PMETs)
- C5 Skills bonus (SOL) (10 or 20 points, depending on nationality share)
An application must reach 40 total points to pass COMPASS. The SEP bonus contributes up to 10 of those 40 points.
COMPASS exemptions
Candidates are exempt from COMPASS entirely (including C6) if they meet any of these conditions:
- Fixed monthly salary of at least $22,500
- Overseas intra-corporate transferee (ICT)
- Filling the role for 1 month or less
Exempt candidates do not need to pass COMPASS or earn any bonus points.
Tools to check eligibility
- Self-Assessment Tool (SAT): Check a candidate’s COMPASS score before applying.
SAT - Workforce Insights tool (on myMOM Portal): View the organisation’s C3 and C4 scores, sector classification, and local PMET share benchmarks.
Workforce Insights tool - COMPASS Guidebook: Overview of the EP eligibility framework and application tips.
COMPASS Guidebook (PDF)
