Singapore’s official immigration rules do not contain a separate “family office” track for Employment Pass (EP) or Permanent Residence (PR) applications. The same published criteria apply to all EP holders regardless of whether the sponsoring entity is a bank, a fund manager, or a single-family office (SFO). This article sets out the current official requirements from the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) that an EP holder in any financial-services role must meet.
EP Eligibility: Two-Stage Framework
MOM requires every EP candidate to pass a two-stage eligibility framework.
Stage 1 – Qualifying Salary
The candidate must earn at least the EP qualifying salary for their age and sector. Most SFO roles fall under the financial services sector. The current and upcoming monthly salary floors are:
| Age | Current (new applications before 1 Jan 2027; renewals expiring before 1 Jan 2028) | From 1 Jan 2027 (new applications) / 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 |
Candidates who do not meet the Stage 1 salary are not eligible for an EP, regardless of any COMPASS points.
Stage 2 – COMPASS
Unless exempted, the application must score at least 40 points under the Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS). COMPASS has four foundational criteria (C1–C4) and two bonus criteria (C5–C6):
| Criterion | Maximum Points | Key Determinants |
|---|---|---|
| C1 Salary | 20 | Fixed monthly salary vs. local PMET benchmarks by sector and age |
| C2 Qualifications | 20 | Top-tier university degree (20 pts) or other recognised degree-equivalent (10 pts) |
| C3 Diversity | 20 | Share of candidate’s nationality among the firm’s PMETs (<5% = 20 pts; 5–<25% = 10 pts; ≥25% = 0 pts; firms with <25 PMETs = 10 pts default) |
| C4 Support for Local Employment | 20 | Firm’s local PMET share relative to its sector (≥50th percentile = 20 pts; 20–<50th = 10 pts; <20th = 0 pts; firms with <25 PMETs = 10 pts default) |
| C5 Skills Bonus (Shortage Occupation List) | +20 | Job on SOL and candidate’s nationality share <1/3 (20 pts) or ≥1/3 (10 pts) |
| C6 Strategic Economic Priorities Bonus | +10 | Participation in eligible economic-agency or NTUC-endorsed programmes |
Employers can use the Self-Assessment Tool (SAT) and the Workforce Insights tool on myMOM Portal to check scores before applying.
COMPASS Exemptions
A candidate is exempt from COMPASS if they:
- Earn a fixed monthly salary of at least $22,500
- Are an overseas intra-corporate transferee
- Fill the role for one month or less
PR Eligibility for EP Holders
ICA lists “Holder of an Employment Pass or S Pass” as one of the eligible categories to apply for PR. The application is submitted by the EP holder using their Singpass via the ICA e-Service.
Official Assessment Factors
ICA states it takes into account:
- Family ties to Singaporeans
- Economic contributions
- Qualifications
- Age
- Family profile
- Length of residency
ICA does not publish weightings, detailed scoring rubrics, or sector-specific checklists for PR assessment. There is no official “SFO investment thesis” requirement, no published AUM threshold, and no mandated local-hiring quota for the sponsoring entity in the PR criteria.
PR Application Fees
- At submission: S$100 per application (non-refundable)
- At completion of formalities: S$20 for Entry Permit, S$50 for 5-year Re-Entry Permit, S$50 for Singapore Identity Card
Processing Time
ICA states applications are processed within 6 months if all required documents are submitted and in order. Some applications may take longer.
National Service Liability
All male applicants granted PR (including those sponsored as EP holders) are liable for National Service under the Enlistment Act. They must register at 16½ years old and enlist at the earliest opportunity after turning 18. University studies do not qualify for deferment.
What Official Sources Do Not Cover
The following topics are not addressed in MOM or ICA published rules:
- Specific substance requirements for single-family offices (AUM, investment activity, local hiring quotas)
- An “EDB Family Office Registry” with compliance obligations for work-pass holders
- ICA requests for an SFO investment thesis or deployment pipeline
- PR approval rates broken down by employer type
- Additional documentation requirements for SFO-sponsored EP holders beyond standard EP/PR checklists
If an employer or advisor cites such requirements, ask for the specific gazetted regulation or official circular. As of the latest published pages, they do not exist.
Practical Steps for an EP Holder Considering PR
- Confirm EP eligibility – Use the SAT to verify the candidate meets the qualifying salary and scores ≥40 COMPASS points (or qualifies for exemption).
- Prepare standard PR documents – Certified true copies of identity, education, employment, and income documents; official translations where needed. Refer to the ICA PR document checklist.
- Submit via ICA e-Service – The EP holder logs in with Singpass, completes the form, pays the S$100 fee, and uploads documents.
- Await outcome – ICA will notify via email or post. Status can be checked on MyICA or the e-Service.
- Complete formalities – If approved, pay completion fees and attend any required appointments.