Before renewing an Employment Pass (EP), the employer must reassess eligibility on the applicant’s behalf against current Ministry of Manpower (MOM) rules. This article lists the key items to verify before renewal, based on the official information provided.
Check That Salary Meets the Current Threshold (Stage 1)
Renewing an Employment Pass (EP) must also satisfy Stage 1: meeting the EP qualifying salary threshold.
- Current threshold (applies to the period covered by information dated 28 April 2026): fixed monthly salary of at least S$5,600 for non-financial services (rising with age, up to S$10,700 at age 45 and above); at least S$6,200 for financial services (rising with age, up to S$11,800 at age 45 and above).
- Future adjustment: new applications and renewals expiring from 1 January 2028 will be subject to higher thresholds (starting at S$6,000 for non-financial services and S$6,600 for financial services), with the age-band ceilings raised accordingly. The rules in force at the time of renewal expiry apply.
- Recommended action: obtain from your employer your age, industry and the corresponding age-band threshold, and check whether your fixed monthly salary meets or exceeds that figure. MOM’s Self-Assessment Tool (SAT) can be used for an initial check.
Check Whether COMPASS Is Required (Stage 2)
Beyond Stage 1, renewal must also pass the Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS) unless an exemption applies.
- Passing score: current rules require at least 40 points to pass COMPASS.
- Scoring criteria: COMPASS has six criteria (C1 salary, C2 qualifications, C3 diversity, C4 support for local employment, C5 shortage occupation bonus, C6 strategic economic priorities bonus). The scoring rules, thresholds and eligibility conditions for each criterion follow the latest official guidance.
- Exemption cases: COMPASS is exempt if any of the following applies: fixed monthly salary of at least S$22,500 (consistent with the current FCF exemption standard), application as an overseas intra-corporate transferee, or an intended employment period of one month or less.
- Recommended action: the employer or its agent should use the Self-Assessment Tool (SAT) to check candidate eligibility. Where needed, refer to the COMPASS guide.
Check Company-Related Criteria (C3, C4)
If no exemption applies, the company-related criteria — diversity (C3) and support for local employment (C4) — must be considered.
- Default score for small companies: if the company employs fewer than 25 PMETs (professionals, managers, executives and technicians), C3 and C4 typically receive a default score of 10 points.
- Company with 25 or more PMETs: C3 is scored by the share of the candidate’s nationality among the company’s PMETs (below 5% earns 20 points, 5% to below 25% earns 10 points, 25% or above earns 0 points). C4 is scored by the company’s local PMET share against the percentile of its industry (50th and above 20 points, 20th to below 50th 10 points, below 20th 0 points). If the company’s local PMET share reaches 70% (equivalent to the 20th percentile across the whole economy), C4 earns at least 10 points.
- Recommended action: use the Workforce Insights tool in the myMOM Portal to check the company’s industry classification, local PMET share and the candidate’s nationality share among the company’s PMETs. For PMET definitions, nationality-share calculations and industry classifications, see the COMPASS FAQ.
Check Candidate-Related Criteria (C1, C2, C5)
At renewal, the salary benchmark (C1), qualifications (C2) and shortage occupation bonus (C5) must also be checked.
- C1 salary benchmark: compares local PMET salary percentiles by industry and age (90th and above 20 points, 65th to below 90th 10 points, below 65th 0 points). This benchmark differs from the Stage 1 minimum qualifying salary; an applicant who does not meet the Stage 1 threshold is not eligible for an EP, regardless of the expected C1 score.
- C2 qualifications: top-tier institutions or qualifying qualifications earn up to 20 points; other qualifications meeting degree-equivalent requirements earn 10 points; no degree-equivalent qualification earns 0 points. If points are needed, submit the qualification and verification proof. Otherwise, submission is not required.
- C5 Shortage Occupation List (SOL) bonus: if the job is on the SOL, a bonus applies (10 or 20 points), subject to related additional requirements (such as role-match and, where necessary, extra verification). If the candidate relies on the SOL bonus to pass COMPASS or to apply for a 5-year EP, specific restrictions apply (for example, continuing in the same shortage occupation), and MOM must be notified before any change of role.
- Recommended action: consult the C1 salary benchmark table, C2 details and the recognised list and the SOL guide, and verify the estimated score via SAT.
Check Strategic Economic Priorities (C6, Optional Bonus)
Participants in qualifying programmes earn a 10-point bonus.
- When it applies: participation in investment, innovation or internationalisation programmes endorsed by economic agencies, or in a business transformation programme recognised by the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC).
- Validity: the bonus is valid for up to 3 years, or the duration of programme participation, whichever is shorter.
- Renewal condition: renewal requires continued participation in a qualifying programme and, for 3 consecutive months before renewal, at least 10 points each on C3 and C4.
- Recommended action: if in doubt, ask the relevant support agency about eligibility and renewal arrangements. MOM will reflect the approved status in SAT.
Practical Pre-Renewal Checklist
Checking the following items in order helps reduce common delays:
- Expiry date: confirm the EP expiry date and allow enough time for the employer to process the renewal. Renewals may be submitted within a set window before expiry, per the latest practice.
- Eligibility re-check: the employer uses SAT to re-check the salary threshold and COMPASS score (where applicable), and consults Workforce Insights for company benchmark data.
- Document preparation: prepare the latest documents per the required documents list. Ensure documents are complete, clear and meet requirements.
- Change of role: if a change of occupation is planned during or after renewal, first consult the guide on notifying MOM of changes, especially where the SOL bonus was previously relied upon.
- Dependant’s Pass (DP): if family members hold related passes, note how their validity links to the EP and handle renewals per the rules.