This article summarises the current Ministry of Manpower (MOM) eligibility criteria for the Employment Pass (EP), S Pass, and the family passes available to their holders. All figures and rules come from the official MOM pages cited at the end.
Employment Pass (EP) Eligibility
Two-stage framework
EP candidates must clear both stages:
- Stage 1 — Qualifying salary: Earn at least the EP qualifying salary, benchmarked to the top one-third of local PMET salaries by age. The salary floor rises with age.
- Stage 2 — COMPASS: Score at least 40 points under the Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS), unless exempted.
Candidates who fail Stage 1 are ineligible regardless of COMPASS points.
EP qualifying salary (Stage 1)
The tables below show the minimum fixed monthly salary for new applications and renewals. Two sets of rates apply: current rates, and higher rates effective for new applications from 1 January 2027 and renewals of passes expiring from 1 January 2028.
All sectors (except financial services)
| Age | Current (before 1 Jan 2027 / renewals expiring before 1 Jan 2028) | From 1 Jan 2027 (new) / from 1 Jan 2028 (renewals) |
|---|---|---|
| 23 or below | $5,600 | $6,000 |
| 24 | $5,832 | $6,250 |
| 25 | $6,064 | $6,500 |
| 26 | $6,295 | $6,750 |
| 27 | $6,527 | $7,000 |
| 28 | $6,759 | $7,250 |
| 29 | $6,991 | $7,500 |
| 30 | $7,223 | $7,750 |
| 31 | $7,455 | $8,000 |
| 32 | $7,686 | $8,250 |
| 33 | $7,918 | $8,500 |
| 34 | $8,150 | $8,750 |
| 35 | $8,382 | $9,000 |
| 36 | $8,614 | $9,250 |
| 37 | $8,845 | $9,500 |
| 38 | $9,077 | $9,750 |
| 39 | $9,309 | $10,000 |
| 40 | $9,541 | $10,250 |
| 41 | $9,773 | $10,500 |
| 42 | $10,005 | $10,750 |
| 43 | $10,236 | $11,000 |
| 44 | $10,468 | $11,250 |
| 45 or above | $10,700 | $11,500 |
Financial services sector
| Age | Current (before 1 Jan 2027 / renewals expiring before 1 Jan 2028) | From 1 Jan 2027 (new) / from 1 Jan 2028 (renewals) |
|---|---|---|
| 23 or below | $6,200 | $6,600 |
| 24 | $6,455 | $6,877 |
| 25 | $6,709 | $7,155 |
| 26 | $6,964 | $7,432 |
| 27 | $7,218 | $7,709 |
| 28 | $7,473 | $7,986 |
| 29 | $7,727 | $8,264 |
| 30 | $7,982 | $8,541 |
| 31 | $8,236 | $8,818 |
| 32 | $8,491 | $9,095 |
| 33 | $8,745 | $9,373 |
| 34 | $9,000 | $9,650 |
| 35 | $9,255 | $9,927 |
| 36 | $9,509 | $10,205 |
| 37 | $9,764 | $10,482 |
| 38 | $10,018 | $10,759 |
| 39 | $10,273 | $11,036 |
| 40 | $10,527 | $11,314 |
| 41 | $10,782 | $11,591 |
| 42 | $11,036 | $11,868 |
| 43 | $11,291 | $12,145 |
| 44 | $11,545 | $12,423 |
| 45 or above | $11,800 | $12,700 |
Fast-growing tech companies newly expanding to Singapore and the region may be eligible for the Tech@SG Programme.
COMPASS (Stage 2) — 40 points to pass
COMPASS has four foundational criteria (C1–C4) and two bonus criteria (C5, C6). Each criterion awards 0, 10, or 20 points (bonuses add 10 or 20). The maximum from foundational criteria is 80; bonuses can push the total higher.
C1. Salary (benchmarked to local PMET salaries by sector)
| Candidate’s fixed monthly salary vs. sector benchmark | Points |
|---|---|
| 90th percentile and above | 20 |
| 65th to less than 90th percentile | 10 |
| Below 65th percentile | 0 |
This is separate from the EP qualifying salary (Stage 1). Failing Stage 1 makes the candidate ineligible even if C1 would have scored points.
C2. Qualifications
| Qualification type | Points |
|---|---|
| Degree-equivalent from top 100 QS universities, Singapore Autonomous Universities, or institutions highly-recognised in a field and endorsed by a relevant agency | 20 |
| Other degree-equivalent qualifications (foreign bachelor’s-level per UK ENIC; professional qualifications endorsed by a sector agency; foreign qualifications from local PEIs that qualify) | 10 |
| No degree-equivalent qualification | 0 |
Verification proof is required only if points are claimed from this criterion. Lists are updated annually.
C3. Diversity (nationality share among firm’s PMETs)
- Firms with fewer than 25 PMETs: 10 points by default.
- Firms with at least 25 PMETs: points depend on the candidate’s nationality share among the firm’s PMETs (including PRs, based on passport nationality in government records).
| Nationality share among firm’s PMETs | Points |
|---|---|
| Less than 5% | 20 |
| 5% to less than 25% | 10 |
| 25% or more | 0 |
Use the Workforce Insights tool on myMOM Portal to check your firm’s profile.
C4. Support for local employment (firm’s local PMET share vs. sector)
- Firms with fewer than 25 PMETs: 10 points by default.
- Firms with at least 25 PMETs: points depend on the firm’s local PMET share relative to its sector.
| Local PMET share relative to sector | Points |
|---|---|
| 50th percentile and above | 20 |
| 20th to less than 50th percentile | 10 |
| Below 20th percentile | 0 |
If the firm’s local PMET share is at least 70% (pegged to the 20th percentile economy-wide), the application scores at least 10 points regardless of sector ranking.
C5. Skills bonus (Shortage Occupation List — SOL)
| Condition | Points |
|---|---|
| Job on SOL + candidate’s nationality share < 1/3 of firm’s PMETs | 20 |
| Job on SOL + candidate’s nationality share ≥ 1/3 of firm’s PMETs | 10 |
To obtain the bonus: (1) candidate must perform the listed job duties; (2) employer selects an eligible SOL job title in the EP application; (3) if the candidate needs SOL points to pass COMPASS or applies for a 5-year EP for a specific tech occupation on SOL, additional checks on job requirements apply. Candidates who needed SOL points to pass or get a longer EP are restricted to that occupation; redeployment requires MOM reassessment.
C6. Strategic Economic Priorities (SEP) bonus
| Condition | Points |
|---|---|
| Participate or meet criteria for at least one eligible programme (partnering economic agencies or endorsed by NTUC) | 10 |
Awarded at the discretion of the supporting agency. Valid for up to 3 years or the programme duration, whichever is shorter. Renewal requires continued programme participation plus at least 10 points each on C3 and C4 for each of the 3 months before renewal.
COMPASS exemptions
Candidates are exempt from COMPASS if they meet any of:
- Fixed monthly salary ≥ $22,500
- Overseas intra-corporate transferee (ICT)
- Filling the role for 1 month or less
Tools
- Self-Assessment Tool (SAT): Check eligibility before applying.
- Workforce Insights tool (myMOM Portal): View firm’s C3 and C4 scores, sector benchmarks.
- COMPASS guidebook: Overview and application tips.
S Pass Eligibility
Qualifying salary
S Pass candidates must earn a fixed monthly salary comparable to the top one-third of local associate professionals and technicians (APT) by age. Two rate schedules apply: current, and higher rates for new applications from 1 January 2027 and renewals expiring from 1 January 2028.
All sectors (except financial services)
| Age | Current | From 1 Jan 2027 (new) / from 1 Jan 2028 (renewals) |
|---|---|---|
| 23 or below | $3,300 | $3,600 |
| 24 | $3,368 | $3,668 |
| 25 | $3,436 | $3,736 |
| 26 | $3,505 | $3,805 |
| 27 | $3,573 | $3,873 |
| 28 | $3,641 | $3,941 |
| 29 | $3,709 | $4,009 |
| 30 | $3,777 | $4,077 |
| 31 | $3,845 | $4,145 |
| 32 | $3,914 | $4,214 |
| 33 | $3,982 | $4,282 |
| 34 | $4,050 | $4,350 |
| 35 | $4,118 | $4,418 |
| 36 | $4,186 | $4,486 |
| 37 | $4,255 | $4,555 |
| 38 | $4,323 | $4,623 |
| 39 | $4,391 | $4,691 |
| 40 | $4,459 | $4,759 |
| 41 | $4,527 | $4,827 |
| 42 | $4,595 | $4,895 |
| 43 | $4,664 | $4,964 |
| 44 | $4,732 | $5,032 |
| 45 or above | $4,800 | $5,100 |
Financial services sector
| Age | Current | From 1 Jan 2027 (new) / from 1 Jan 2028 (renewals) |
|---|---|---|
| 23 or below | $3,800 | $4,000 |
| 24 | $3,884 | $4,075 |
| 25 | $3,968 | $4,150 |
| 26 | $4,052 | $4,225 |
| 27 | $4,136 | $4,300 |
| 28 | $4,220 | $4,375 |
| 29 | $4,305 | $4,450 |
| 30 | $4,389 | $4,525 |
| 31 | $4,473 | $4,600 |
| 32 | $4,557 | $4,675 |
| 33 | $4,641 | $4,750 |
| 34 | $4,725 | $4,825 |
| 35 | $4,809 | $4,900 |
| 36 | $4,893 | $4,975 |
| 37 | $4,977 | $5,050 |
| 38 | $5,061 | $5,125 |
| 39 | $5,145 | $5,200 |
| 40 | $5,230 | $5,275 |
| 41 | $5,314 | $5,350 |
| 42 | $5,398 | $5,425 |
| 43 | $5,482 | $5,500 |
| 44 | $5,566 | $5,575 |
| 45 or above | $5,650 | $5,650 |
Qualifications
Declaring qualifications is optional. If declared, the employer must ensure the qualification is authentic and awarded by an accredited institution in the application form’s drop-down list.
Self-Assessment Tool (SAT)
Use the SAT to check eligibility before applying. If SAT shows ineligible, the application will be rejected. If SAT shows eligible, there is around a 90% chance of approval (per MOM).
Quota and levy
Dependency Ratio Ceiling (DRC)
| Sector | DRC |
|---|---|
| Construction | 83.3% |
| Process | 83.3% |
| Marine shipyard | 75% |
| Manufacturing | 60% |
| Services | 35% |
Total Work Permit + S Pass holders cannot exceed the DRC of the total workforce.
S Pass sub-quota (cap within DRC)
- Services: 10% of total workforce
- Construction, manufacturing, marine shipyard, process: 15% of total workforce
Quota is calculated from the average number of local employees (CPF contributions) over the last 3 months. The Local Qualifying Salary (LQS) determines which local employees count. Quota balances update every Saturday.
Levy
Since 1 September 2025, the S Pass levy is $650/month across all sectors and tiers. Daily rate: $21.37 (monthly × 12 ÷ 365, rounded up). Levy liability starts on pass issuance and ends on cancellation/expiry. Payment via GIRO.
Medical insurance
Employers must provide medical insurance for S Pass holders.
Primary Care Plan (PCP)
Employers must buy a PCP for workers who stay in dormitories (7+ occupants) or work in CMP sectors. PCP purchase must be declared on myMOM Portal before the pass can be issued or renewed.
Family Passes for EP and S Pass Holders
Dependant’s Pass (DP)
Eligible sponsors: EP or S Pass holders earning a fixed monthly salary of at least $6,000 (based on sponsor’s salary, not household income), sponsored by an established Singapore-registered company (usually the employer).
Eligible family members:
- Legally married spouse
- Unmarried children under 21, including legally adopted children
Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP)
Eligible sponsors: EP or S Pass holders earning a fixed monthly salary of at least $6,000, sponsored by an established Singapore-registered company.
Eligible family members:
- Common-law spouse
- Unmarried handicapped children aged 21 and above
- Unmarried step-children under 21
- Parents — only if sponsor earns at least $12,000 fixed monthly salary
Family members not eligible for DP may qualify for LTVP. Family members of EP holders who applied as overseas ICT under WTO GATS or an applicable FTA are not eligible for DP or LTVP unless specifically covered by the FTA.
Key facts on family passes
- Duration: Tied to the main pass validity or the requested duration, whichever is shorter.
- Renewable: Yes.
- No foreign worker levy or quota.
- LTVP holders may be eligible to work in Singapore (separate criteria apply).
- Application: Employer or appointed employment agent applies on behalf of each family member. Can be submitted with the main pass application or separately.
EP and S Pass Key Facts at a Glance
| Feature | Employment Pass | S Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Who it’s for | Foreign professionals, managers, executives with job offer meeting eligibility | Skilled workers (associate professionals & technicians) meeting eligibility |
| Who applies | Employer or appointed employment agent (overseas companies need local sponsor) | Employer or appointed employment agent |
| Qualifying salary | Top 1/3 local PMET salaries by age; from $5,600 (non-financial) / $6,200 (financial) | Top 1/3 local APT salaries by age; from $3,300 (non-financial) / $3,800 (financial) |
| Duration (first-time) | Up to 2 years | Up to 2 years |
| Duration (renewal) | Up to 3 years | Up to 3 years |
| 5-year EP | Experienced tech professionals with skills in shortage (SOL) may qualify | Not applicable |
| Renewable | Yes | Yes |
| Quota | No | Yes (DRC + S Pass sub-quota) |
| Levy | No | Yes ($650/month since 1 Sep 2025) |
| Medical insurance | Employer’s choice | Employer must provide |
| Primary Care Plan | Not required | Required for dormitory/CMP sector workers |
| Family passes | DP (spouse/children <21) at $6,000; LTVP (common-law, step-child, handicapped child, parents at $12,000) | Same as EP |
| Relevant legislation | Conditions of Work Pass; Employment of Foreign Manpower Act | Conditions of Work Pass; Employment of Foreign Manpower Act |
What the Official Sources Do Not Cover
The MOM pages provided do not contain information on:
- Student Pass eligibility, renewal, or expiry
- Transition from Student Pass to any work pass
- Permanent Residence (PR) application process, criteria, or approval rates for graduates
- Scholarship bonds, penalties, or bond fulfilment
- ICA processing times for PR or LTVP
- Integration requirements, community service, or “Integration Index” for PR
- Statistics on Chinese students, international student populations, or approval rates by nationality
- Salary thresholds specifically for fresh graduates (the qualifying salaries above apply by age, not graduate status)
For those topics, consult the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and Ministry of Education (MOE) official websites directly.
References
- EP Eligibility — COMPASS, qualifying salaries, exemptions
- EP Key Facts — duration, family passes, legislation
- S Pass Eligibility — qualifying salaries, SAT, qualifications
- S Pass Key Facts — quota, levy, medical insurance, PCP
- S Pass Quota and Levy — DRC, sub-quota, levy rates
- EP Passes for Family — DP and LTVP eligibility for EP holders
- Dependant’s Pass Eligibility — $6,000 salary, eligible family members
- Long-Term Visit Pass Eligibility — $6,000/$12,000 salary, eligible family members
- Long-Term Visit Pass Key Facts — duration, work eligibility, no levy/quota
