The current public pages of the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) do not list the Career Conversion Programme (CCP) as a factor in permanent resident (PR) approval. PR eligibility follows the six categories published by ICA. Employment Pass (EP) renewal depends on the salary threshold and COMPASS (Complementarity Assessment Framework) scoring; S Pass renewal depends on quota and levy requirements. The following sets out each item against the official text.
Two-stage thresholds for EP application and renewal
The EP uses a two-stage eligibility framework (MOM “Eligibility for Employment Pass”):
- Stage 1: Fixed monthly salary meets the EP qualifying salary. For all sectors except financial services, the current starting salary is S$5,600, rising with age to S$10,700 at age 45 and above; for financial services the starting salary is S$6,200, rising to S$11,800. From 1 January 2027 for new applications, and from 1 January 2028 for renewals at expiry, the thresholds rise respectively to S$6,000/S$11,500 and S$6,600/S$12,700.
- Stage 2: Except where exempt, the applicant must pass COMPASS with 40 points. Exemptions: fixed monthly salary of S$22,500 or more, intra-group transfer from an overseas company, or employment of less than one month.
Conclusion: Whether the EP can be held continuously depends on meeting the salary line and the COMPASS score. The official pages do not state that the CCP can replace any of these indicators.
COMPASS scoring details (six criteria)
COMPASS comprises four foundational criteria (C1–C4) and two bonus criteria (C5–C6), with a passing line of 40 points (MOM “Eligibility for Employment Pass”):
| Code | Item | Scoring points |
|---|---|---|
| C1 | Salary | Candidate’s fixed monthly salary against local PMET percentiles: ≥90th percentile 20 points; 65th–<90th percentile 10 points; <65th percentile 0 points |
| C2 | Qualifications | Degree-equivalent qualification from a QS top 100 university / Singapore autonomous university / accredited professional body: 20 points; other degree-equivalent qualification: 10 points; no degree-equivalent qualification: 0 points (40 points can still be reached through other criteria) |
| C3 | Diversity | Firm with fewer than 25 PMETs defaults to 10 points; for 25 or more PMETs, by candidate’s nationality share: <5% 20 points; 5–<25% 10 points; ≥25% 0 points |
| C4 | Support for local employment | Firm with fewer than 25 PMETs defaults to 10 points; for 25 or more PMETs, by local PMET share percentile within the industry: ≥50th percentile 20 points; 20th–<50th percentile 10 points; <20th percentile 0 points; economy-wide local PMET share of ≥70% earns at least 10 points |
| C5 | Skills bonus (Shortage Occupation List (SOL)) | Role on the SOL and candidate’s nationality share <1/3 earns 20 points; ≥1/3 earns 10 points; subject to checks on duties, qualifications and industry certification |
| C6 | Strategic economic priorities bonus | Participation in a qualifying programme endorsed by an economic agency or the NTUC earns 10 points for up to 3 years; renewal requires C3 and C4 each ≥10 points in the preceding 3 months |
Practical note: Employers can use the Self-Assessment Tool (SAT) to estimate scores; for C2, if no bonus is needed, qualification proof need not be submitted; C5 and C6 are bonus items, not mandatory.
S Pass thresholds and quota
The S Pass is for associate professionals and technicians (APT), with a salary threshold lower than the EP (MOM “Eligibility for S Pass”):
- For all sectors except financial services, the current starting salary is S$3,300, rising to S$4,800 at age 45 and above; for financial services the starting salary is S$3,800, rising to S$5,650 at age 45 and above. In 2027/2028 the thresholds rise in step to S$3,600/S$5,100 and S$4,000/S$5,650.
- Educational qualification declaration is optional; if declared, it must be genuine and from a recognised institution.
- Quota: Controlled by sector under the Dependency Ratio Ceiling (DRC) — services 35%, manufacturing 60%, construction and process 83.3%, and marine shipyard 75%. S Pass sub-quota: services 10% of total workforce, other sectors 15%.
- Levy: From 1 September 2025 a flat levy of S$650 per month applies, regardless of sector or tier.
Conclusion: Whether an S Pass holder can renew depends on meeting the salary threshold, the employer’s remaining quota and levy payment. The official pages do not include the CCP among quota-exemption or salary-exemption conditions.
PR eligibility and approval considerations
ICA’s “Becoming a Permanent Resident” lists six categories of eligible applicants:
- Spouse of a Singapore citizen / PR
- Unmarried child under 21, born within a legal marriage or legally adopted
- Parent of a Singapore citizen aged 21 or above
- Employment Pass or S Pass holder
- Student studying in Singapore who has passed at least one national exam (PSLE / N / O / A Levels) or is in the Integrated Programme (IP)
- Global Investor Programme (GIP) investor
Assessment weight: ICA states it considers holistically “family ties, economic contribution, qualifications, age, family profile, length of residence, contribution to and ability to integrate into Singapore, and commitment to putting down roots”. The authorities have not published the weight of each factor, quotas, approval rates or median processing time, nor listed “participation in the CCP” as a bonus or required item.
Fees: S$100 per applicant on submission; upon approval, a further S$20 entry permit + S$50 5-year Re-Entry Permit (REP) + S$50 identity card on completion of formalities. Fees are non-refundable.
Processing time: About 6 months where documents are complete; some cases take longer.
Male NS liability: All male applicants (including student / parent-sponsored categories) assume National Service (NS) liability upon PR approval; renouncing PR without completing NS will seriously affect future long-term pass applications.
Document preparation and process
- Documents: Certified true copies of original documents are required; non-English documents must be accompanied by an official translation (embassy / notary public / private translator certified by an embassy or notary public). ICA does not endorse any private translation company.
- Singpass: All applicants must log in to the ICA e-Service to complete the form via Singpass; a Singpass application takes 2–5 working days.
- Outcome notification: An In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter is issued on approval; PR status is formally granted after formalities are completed; a blue identity card is issued at age 15 and above; a valid REP is required to leave the country.
How the CCP relates to official criteria
| Common reader assumption | Official page statement |
|---|---|
| The CCP can directly add PR points | ICA does not list the CCP as a consideration |
| The CCP can replace a COMPASS indicator | COMPASS C1–C6 only recognise salary, qualifications, nationality share, local employment share, SOL roles and strategic programmes; the CCP is not on the list |
| The CCP can exempt S Pass quota / levy | S Pass quota is calculated by DRC and sub-quota; levy is a flat S$650 per month; there is no CCP exemption clause |
| CCP completion certificate / grant letter is key PR material | ICA’s document list only requires standard proof of identity, qualifications, employment, salary and family; no CCP-specific document is mentioned |
Recommendations (not official rules):
- First confirm you fall within one of ICA’s six categories and hold a valid EP / S Pass.
- Ensure salary consistently meets the pass threshold (EP Stage 1, S Pass qualifying salary) to avoid losing PR eligibility through non-renewal of the pass.
- If taking the EP route, use the SAT to estimate the COMPASS score; if C3 / C4 are low, consider adjusting recruitment structure or pursuing C5 / C6 bonuses.
- Prepare all documents required by ICA’s list; have non-English documents officially translated.
- Male applicants must check the CMPB (Central Manpower Base) website on NS liability before submission.