Employment Pass Application Guide: Fair Consideration, Eligibility, Documents and the EP Online Steps

An Employment Pass (EP) application runs in two stages set by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM): meet the EP qualifying salary, then score 40 points under COMPASS, while employers must advertise the job on MyCareersFuture before applying. MOM states the qualifying salary starts from S$5,600 and rises with age, up to S$10,700 at age 45 and above. An employer or appointed employment agent must apply on behalf of the candidate. This page sets out each stage, the documents, the eService steps and the fees, as published by MOM.

What the Employment Pass is

The Employment Pass allows foreign professionals, managers, executives and technicians to work in Singapore. MOM describes the pass as one for foreign professionals, managers and executives with a job offer in Singapore who meet the eligibility criteria. Holders can bring eligible family members.

MOM lists the pass features as the availability of passes for eligible family members, and no foreign worker levy or quota required. Medical insurance is optional: employers can choose whether to provide medical insurance for EP holders.

A longer duration exists for one group. From September 2023, experienced tech professionals with skills in shortage may apply for a longer 5-year duration EP, according to MOM.

Stage 1: the EP qualifying salary

The qualifying salary is the first gate. MOM benchmarks it to the top one-third of local PMET salaries by age, and candidates who do not meet it will not be eligible for an EP regardless of the points they would have scored under COMPASS.

Two sector tables apply, and each carries a current figure and a scheduled future figure.

Candidates in the financial services sector need higher salaries to qualify, MOM states. The full age-by-age figures for all sectors except financial services are below.

The financial services table runs higher at every age.

MOM’s Employment Pass eligibility page publishes these tables. Our EP minimum qualifying salary guide walks through how the threshold applies to a single offer.

Stage 2: COMPASS and the 40-point pass mark

COMPASS is the second gate. MOM describes it as a transparent points-based system, and an application needs to earn 40 points to pass COMPASS.

Four foundational criteria carry the scoring. A fifth and sixth criterion are bonuses.

Small employers receive default points under two criteria. If the organisation employs fewer than 25 PMETs, the application scores 10 points by default for C3 and 10 points by default for C4, MOM states.

MOM adds one floor for C4. If an organisation’s local PMET share is at least 70%, pegged to the 20th percentile of organisations economy-wide, the application scores at least 10 points regardless of where the organisation stands within its sector.

Candidates without degree-equivalent qualifications are not barred. MOM states they can still pass COMPASS by earning a total score of at least 40 points from other criteria, and that such qualifications should not be submitted.

The two bonuses

The C6 bonus is awarded at the discretion of the supporting agencies running the relevant programme. MOM will notify the organisation if it has been awarded the bonus, and the points will be reflected in the Self-Assessment Tool (SAT).

The bonus points apply for up to 3 years, or for the duration of the organisation’s participation in an eligible programme, whichever is shorter. At the end of that period, the supporting agency reassesses, and renewal requires at least 10 points for C3 and at least 10 points for C4 for each of the 3 months before renewal.

Exemptions from COMPASS

Candidates are exempted from COMPASS if they meet any of these conditions:

• Have a fixed monthly salary of at least S$22,500.
• Are applying as an overseas intra-corporate transferee.
• Are filling the role for 1 month or less.

Our 2026 COMPASS scoring guide breaks down C1 to C6 with simulated scores for common professions.

Before you apply: the Fair Consideration Framework

Advertising comes first, and it is mandatory for most employers. Employers submitting EP applications must first advertise the job on MyCareersFuture and consider all candidates fairly, MOM states.

The advertisement must be open for at least 14 consecutive days. That requirement applies again if you repost an advertisement that has closed, and again if you change any advertisement details, including the unique entity number of the hiring organisation, occupation, salary and the number of vacancies.

MOM will reject EP applications linked to advertisements that are discriminatory or that do not represent the job accurately. The rules on the advertisement are specific:

• The advertisement must not contain discriminatory words or phrases.
• The job advertised must match the occupation in the EP application.
• The employer submitting the EP application must be the same as the one in the job advertisement.
• The advertised salary range must be visible to all candidates, and the maximum salary cannot exceed two times of the minimum salary. MOM’s example: if the minimum salary is S$4,500, then the maximum salary should not exceed S$9,000.
• The range must contain the salary offered to the EP candidate.
• If one advertisement supports multiple EP applications, the total number of EP applications cannot exceed the number of vacancies in the advertisement.

Timing rules also apply to the offer and to old advertisements. You should not make a job offer to a candidate during the mandatory FCF job advertising duration of at least 14 consecutive days. Advertisements that have expired for more than 3 months, or closed for more than 3 months, cannot be used for EP applications.

Exemptions from advertising exist, but fair hiring still applies. MOM states that all employers must practise fair hiring even if their job vacancies can be exempted from advertising on MyCareersFuture.

You are not required to advertise on MyCareersFuture if any of the following apply:

• Your company has fewer than 10 employees.
• The fixed monthly salary for the vacancy is S$22,500 and above.
• The role is short-term, i.e. not more than 1 month.
• The role is to be filled by a local transferee.
• The role you are applying for was filled by an existing employee within your company.
• The role is to be filled by a candidate choosing to apply as an overseas intra-corporate transferee.

MOM sets out the full advertising requirements on its consider all candidates fairly page.

Documents required

Three documents form the base set. MOM lists the personal particulars page of the candidate’s passport, the company’s latest business profile or instant information registered with ACRA, and verification proof for the candidate’s qualifications if applicable.

If the candidate’s name on the passport differs from that on their other documents, MOM asks for an explanation letter and supporting documents, such as a deed poll. MOM may also ask for other documents when it reviews the application, for example documents to prove that the declared salary will be paid.

Verification proof has strict sourcing rules. You only need to verify a candidate’s qualifications once, and MOM accepts proof only from selected background screening companies with an MOM verification reference number, from government or awarding institution verification portals that are officially available in English, public, accessible and verifiable by MOM, from a letter of qualification from professional bodies (e.g. healthcare), or from digital certificates in .opencerts format issued by selected educational institutions.

MOM will not accept education certificates, documents certified by a notary public, school letters, the Online Verification Report of Student Record from the Center for Student Services and Development (CSSD), self-translated verification proofs, or screenshots from sources not verifiable by MOM.

For verification proof issued before 1 September 2023, you will need to ask the background screening company to reissue it with an MOM verification reference number. For qualifications from China, MOM specifies the Online Verification Report of Higher Education Qualification Certificate for a diploma, and the Online Verification Report of Higher Education Degree Certificate for a degree and above.

Regulated occupations need a supporting document from the relevant professional body. MOM publishes the list, which covers dentists, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, lawyers, football players or coaches, TCM practitioners and allied health professions.

Employees in a food establishment need one more item. MOM asks for a copy of the online page that can be accessed when you scan the QR code on the foodshop licence issued by the Singapore Food Agency, showing the licence validity period; a new establishment without the licence may submit the “Application for Foodshop Licence” letter issued by SFA.

The full list sits on MOM’s documents required page.

How to apply through EP eService

The employer or appointed employment agent files online. Candidates do not need to be in Singapore when you apply.

1. Get written consent to apply for an Employment Pass from the candidate.
2. Complete the candidate’s form, which contains the information you will need.
3. Submit the EP application and upload the required documents. Ensure that your organisation’s turnover information for the past 3 years has been updated before submitting.
4. Pay the S$105 fee by GIRO, Visa, Mastercard or Amex.

MOM advises using the Self-Assessment Tool before applying, and states that you should not apply if the SAT shows your candidate does not qualify. Processing takes the following form: applications are processed or given an update within 10 business days, and you may check the status online after 10 business days.

If MOM needs more information, processing may take longer than 10 working days. You then submit the documents through EP eService, or MOM emails you to submit them using its online form.

Family passes come later in practice. You can apply for family passes at the same time as the EP, but MOM warns that you will lose the application fees for each family pass if the EP application gets rejected.

MOM publishes these steps on its apply for a pass page.

Overseas companies without a Singapore-registered office

A local sponsor is required. MOM states that for an overseas company without a Singapore-registered office, you need to apply through a local sponsor.

1. Get written consent to apply for an Employment Pass from the candidate.
2. Download the Employment Pass (Sponsorship) application form for online submission.
3. Complete the form in soft copy and get it signed.
4. Submit the application documents and pay the S$105 application fee by PayNow, Visa, Mastercard or Amex using MOM’s online form.

A Corppass account is needed to complete that form, so apply for Corppass first if you do not have one. Processing is within 6 weeks for most cases, and you may check the status online after 6 weeks. If the pass is approved, MOM emails the in-principle approval letter to the contact person indicated in the application.

After approval: issuance, registration and the card

The in-principle approval letter starts the arrival stage. Before departing, the candidate should print the IPA letter and ensure that they comply with the latest travel requirements; after arriving, they should show the IPA letter to the immigration officer and complete any required medical examinations.

Issuance must happen within 6 months of in-principle approval, and processing is immediate. The candidate must be in Singapore for these steps.

1. Log in to EP eService and provide the required information and documents.
2. Pay the fees using GIRO, Visa, Mastercard or Amex: S$225 for each pass, and S$30 for each Multiple Journey Visa if applicable.
3. Receive the notification letter by email once the pass is issued.

The notification letter is valid for 1 month from the date of issue. It allows the candidate to start work and travel in and out of Singapore while waiting for the pass card, and it states whether registration of fingerprints and photo is required.

Registration, where required, must happen within 2 weeks after the pass is issued. The employer books an appointment at the Employment Pass Services Centre (EPSC), and the candidate brings the original passport, the appointment letter, the notification letter, and a mobile phone with a local number with both Singpass and SGWorkPass apps downloaded.

The digital pass is set up on the day of card registration. The candidate downloads SGWorkPass, logs in with Singpass, and views the digital work pass and employment information.

The physical card arrives by delivery. MOM delivers the card to the given address within 5 working days after the candidate registers and gets documents verified at EPSC, or within 5 working days after checking the documents if registration is not required. Authorised recipients get an SMS or email with delivery details at least 1 working day before delivery.

Two failed deliveries change the collection route. After 2 unsuccessful deliveries, the candidate or an authorised person can collect the card at EPSC after 3 working days, without an appointment.

Renewal

Renewal is possible up to 6 months before expiry. MOM states you can apply to renew an EP up to 6 months (180 days) before the pass expires, and you must apply before the expiry date; for EP (Sponsorship), you can start applying 3 months before the pass expires.

Three criteria apply at renewal. The candidate needs to earn at least the EP qualifying salary, work for the same employer in a managerial, executive, or specialised job, and pass COMPASS. Candidates earning at least S$22,500 fixed monthly salary are exempted from COMPASS, and MOM states plainly that renewals are not guaranteed.

Renewing early costs you nothing in validity. MOM states that new work pass validity will not be reduced or lost when you renew early, and that any remaining validity from your current pass, up to six months, is added on to your renewal.

Once a candidate’s qualification has been verified, MOM does not require it to be verified again at renewal or on a change of employer. If verification is needed, you will be prompted when filling in the EP application form.

MOM’s renew a pass page sets out the renewal form route for EP (Sponsorship) holders.

If the application is rejected

The appeal window is 3 months. You need to submit your appeal within 3 months of getting the rejection; if you miss this period, you will have to submit a new application.

Only one party may appeal. MOM states that only the employer or authorised third party who submitted the application can make enquiries or appeals, and that it will not entertain enquiries or appeals from the candidate or anyone else.

Read the reasons before appealing. You can check the rejection advisory in EP eService for the reasons and advice on next steps, or the rejection letter if you applied manually, and MOM says you should only appeal if you can address the issues set out there.

Supporting documents and remarks are not needed in two cases: where the candidate can now meet the qualifying salary and COMPASS criteria, and where outstanding issues have been addressed, including correcting inconsistencies between the application qualification information and the verification proof, meeting job advertising requirements, and resolving any IRAS tax matters.

MOM publishes a processing indicator for appeals: 85% of appeals are processed within 6 weeks. You can log in to EP eService to check the appeal status and print the outcome letter.

Our Employment Pass processing times guide covers what determines how long a case waits.

What to read next

• Employment Pass eligibility — the qualifying salary, COMPASS points and qualification rules in one place.
• EP minimum qualifying salary 2026 threshold — how the age-banded threshold applies to a specific offer.
• 2026 Employment Pass COMPASS scoring guide — C1 to C6 scoring, bonus points and simulated scores for common professions.
• Employment Pass vs S Pass — salary floors, quotas, levies and which pass fits a given role.
• Employment Pass processing times explained — what determines how long an EP application waits.
• Employment Pass hub — every Employment Pass page on this site, from eligibility to cancellation.

Official sources

• Employment Pass — MOM’s main pass page and section index.
• Key facts on Employment Pass — who the pass is for, duration, renewal and pass map.
• Consider all candidates fairly before you apply for an Employment Pass — advertising duration, accuracy rules and exemptions.
• Eligibility for Employment Pass — qualifying salary tables and COMPASS criteria.
• Documents required for Employment Pass — document list and verification proof rules.
• Apply for an Employment Pass — application steps, fees, issuance and card delivery.
• Renew an Employment Pass — renewal window, cost and IPA validity.
• Appeal against a rejected Employment Pass application — the appeal window, who may appeal and processing.
• Employment Pass eServices and forms — EP eService, SAT and status-checking services.

This packet was retrieved from MOM on 2026-10-07; rules, fees and thresholds change, so confirm the current position on the agency page before you act. Pass & Permit Desk is not an immigration agent, does not file applications or represent anyone, and provides general information only, not immigration or legal advice.