A COMPASS rejection means your Employment Pass (EP) application failed the points-based Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS). COMPASS is Stage 2 of the EP eligibility framework. Stage 1 requires the EP qualifying salary. This article explains how C2 (Qualifications) and C5 (Skills Bonus – Shortage Occupation List) are assessed, what MOM checks, and the official step if an application is rejected.
How COMPASS decides an EP application
COMPASS requires 40 points to pass. Points come from four foundational criteria and two bonus criteria. The four foundational criteria are C1 Salary, C2 Qualifications, C3 Diversity, and C4 Support for Local Employment. The two bonus criteria are C5 Skills and C6 Strategic Economic Priorities.
A candidate who fails Stage 1 (the EP qualifying salary) is not eligible for an EP regardless of COMPASS points. Candidates are exempted from COMPASS if they meet any one condition: a fixed monthly salary of at least $22,500; application as an overseas intra-corporate transferee; or a role lasting one month or less.
If no exemption applies and the score is below 40 points, MOM rejects the EP application.
Why C2 Qualifications points may be lost
C2 awards points by qualification level. MOM awards 20 points for degree-equivalent qualifications from top-tier institutions. These include Top 100 universities on the QS World University Rankings, other highly-reputed Asian universities, Singapore’s Autonomous Universities, and institutions highly recognised in a field and endorsed by a relevant agency.
MOM awards 10 points for other degree-equivalent qualifications. These include foreign qualifications assessed as comparable to a UK bachelor’s degree, with reference to international recognition bodies such as UK ENIC. They also include professional qualifications well recognised by industry and endorsed by a relevant sector agency, and foreign qualifications from local private education institutions.
MOM awards 0 points where there is no degree-equivalent qualification. Do not submit such qualifications. A candidate without degree-equivalent qualifications can still pass COMPASS by earning at least 40 points from the other criteria.
If you need C2 points, submit verification proof with the candidate’s qualifications in the EP application. If you do not need C2 points, you do not need to submit them. MOM updates the qualification lists once a year.
A C2 rejection usually means the qualification was assessed as not degree-equivalent, or verification proof was required but missing. The eligibility page does not prescribe a fixed list of approved evaluation agencies beyond the references above.
Why C5 Skills Bonus points may be lost
C5 awards a bonus for jobs on the Shortage Occupation List (SOL). MOM awards 20 points when the job is on the SOL and the candidate’s nationality is less than one-third of the organisation’s PMET employees. MOM awards 10 points when the job is on the SOL and that nationality share is one-third or more.
Three conditions must hold to obtain the C5 bonus. The candidate must perform the job duties listed for the specific shortage occupation. You must select one of the eligible job titles in the EP application. The candidate must meet additional job checks if either is true: they need the SOL bonus to pass COMPASS, or they are applying for a 5-year EP for a tech occupation on the SOL.
MOM checks the candidate’s job duties, past work experience, and qualifications or industry accreditation for the declared occupation. The SOL Employer Guide sets out additional requirements for candidates who need the SOL bonus to pass COMPASS.
A C5 rejection usually means the declared job did not map to an SOL occupation, the eligible job title was not selected, or the additional checks were not met. Candidates who needed SOL bonus points to pass, or who obtained a longer EP, may only be employed in that shortage occupation. This is stated in the in-principle approval (IPA) letter’s “Important” note. Notify MOM first if redeployment to a different job is needed.
The official step after a COMPASS rejection
MOM provides a dedicated appeal channel for rejected EP applications. The submission method, required documents, processing time, and any deadline are set out on MOM’s appeal page, linked in References.
MOM has not published COMPASS appeal success rates, rejection-rate statistics, or fixed appeal processing timelines. This article does not contain them. Treat any such figures as unverified unless stated on an official MOM page.
How to strengthen a future C2 or C5 submission
For C2, confirm whether the candidate’s qualification is degree-equivalent before applying. Obtain verification proof in advance if you will claim C2 points. Check the published top-tier institution list and the degree-equivalent qualifications list before submitting.
For C5, confirm the role is on the current SOL and select the matching eligible job title. Prepare evidence that the candidate performs the listed job duties and meets the SOL Employer Guide requirements. Keep the candidate’s work experience and industry accreditation documents ready, because MOM checks them.
Employers and employment agents can use the Self-Assessment Tool (SAT) to check eligibility before applying. The Workforce Insights tool on myMOM Portal shows C3 and C4 scores; it does not replace the C2 or C5 assessment.
These are preparation steps, not guarantees. Meeting every criterion does not assure approval. MOM makes the final assessment.
FAQ
Can I submit a new EP application instead of appealing? MOM provides both an appeal channel for rejected applications and a route to submit a new application. Refer to MOM’s appeal page for which applies to your case.
Does MOM publish COMPASS appeal success rates or processing times? No. MOM has not published appeal success rates, rejection rates, or fixed processing timelines for COMPASS decisions. This factsheet does not contain them.
If I claim C2 points, what proof must I submit? 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 them.
Can a candidate without degree-equivalent qualifications still get an EP? Yes. Such a candidate scores 0 on C2 but can still pass COMPASS by earning at least 40 points from the other criteria.