Employment Pass (EP) applications follow a mandatory two-stage framework. S Pass has separate salary and quota rules. Permanent Residence (PR) eligibility is defined by ICA categories. This article sets out the current rules and the scheduled changes published by MOM and ICA.
Employment Pass: Two-Stage Eligibility
EP candidates must clear both stages. Stage 1 is a fixed monthly salary floor. Stage 2 is the points-based Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS). Candidates who fail Stage 1 are ineligible regardless of COMPASS score.
Stage 1: EP Qualifying Salary
The qualifying salary is benchmarked to the top one-third of local PMET (Professionals, Managers, Executives, Technicians) salaries by age. It differs by sector and rises with age.
All sectors except financial services — current (new applications before 1 Jan 2027, renewals expiring before 1 Jan 2028):
| Age | Monthly Salary |
|---|---|
| 23 or below | $5,600 |
| 24 | $5,832 |
| 25 | $6,064 |
| 26 | $6,295 |
| 27 | $6,527 |
| 28 | $6,759 |
| 29 | $6,991 |
| 30 | $7,223 |
| 31 | $7,455 |
| 32 | $7,686 |
| 33 | $7,918 |
| 34 | $8,150 |
| 35 | $8,382 |
| 36 | $8,614 |
| 37 | $8,845 |
| 38 | $9,077 |
| 39 | $9,309 |
| 40 | $9,541 |
| 41 | $9,773 |
| 42 | $10,005 |
| 43 | $10,236 |
| 44 | $10,468 |
| 45 or above | $10,700 |
All sectors except financial services — from 1 Jan 2027 (new applications) and 1 Jan 2028 (renewals):
| Age | Monthly Salary |
|---|---|
| 23 or below | $6,000 |
| 24 | $6,250 |
| 25 | $6,500 |
| 26 | $6,750 |
| 27 | $7,000 |
| 28 | $7,250 |
| 29 | $7,500 |
| 30 | $7,750 |
| 31 | $8,000 |
| 32 | $8,250 |
| 33 | $8,500 |
| 34 | $8,750 |
| 35 | $9,000 |
| 36 | $9,250 |
| 37 | $9,500 |
| 38 | $9,750 |
| 39 | $10,000 |
| 40 | $10,250 |
| 41 | $10,500 |
| 42 | $10,750 |
| 43 | $11,000 |
| 44 | $11,250 |
| 45 or above | $11,500 |
Financial services — current:
| Age | Monthly Salary |
|---|---|
| 23 or below | $6,200 |
| 24 | $6,455 |
| 25 | $6,709 |
| 26 | $6,964 |
| 27 | $7,218 |
| 28 | $7,473 |
| 29 | $7,727 |
| 30 | $7,982 |
| 31 | $8,236 |
| 32 | $8,491 |
| 33 | $8,745 |
| 34 | $9,000 |
| 35 | $9,255 |
| 36 | $9,509 |
| 37 | $9,764 |
| 38 | $10,018 |
| 39 | $10,273 |
| 40 | $10,527 |
| 41 | $10,782 |
| 42 | $11,036 |
| 43 | $11,291 |
| 44 | $11,545 |
| 45 or above | $11,800 |
Financial services — from 1 Jan 2027 (new applications) and 1 Jan 2028 (renewals):
| Age | Monthly Salary |
|---|---|
| 23 or below | $6,600 |
| 24 | $6,877 |
| 25 | $7,155 |
| 26 | $7,432 |
| 27 | $7,709 |
| 28 | $7,986 |
| 29 | $8,264 |
| 30 | $8,541 |
| 31 | $8,818 |
| 32 | $9,095 |
| 33 | $9,373 |
| 34 | $9,650 |
| 35 | $9,927 |
| 36 | $10,205 |
| 37 | $10,482 |
| 38 | $10,759 |
| 39 | $11,036 |
| 40 | $11,314 |
| 41 | $11,591 |
| 42 | $11,868 |
| 43 | $12,145 |
| 44 | $12,423 |
| 45 or above | $12,700 |
The qualifying salary is a minimum bar. It is separate from the C1 salary benchmark used in COMPASS scoring.
Stage 2: COMPASS — 40 Points to Pass
COMPASS has four foundational criteria (C1–C4) and two bonus criteria (C5–C6). Total score must reach 40.
C1 Salary
Benchmarks the candidate’s fixed monthly salary against local PMET salaries in the employer’s sector.
| Salary percentile vs sector benchmark | Points |
|---|---|
| 90th percentile and above | 20 |
| 65th to less than 90th percentile | 10 |
| Below 65th percentile | 0 |
C2 Qualifications
Points for degree-equivalent qualifications. Submission is optional if no points are needed.
| Qualification tier | Points |
|---|---|
| Top 100 QS World University Rankings, Singapore Autonomous Universities, or field-specific institutions endorsed by a relevant agency | 20 |
| Other recognised degree-equivalent (UK ENIC-comparable bachelor’s, professional qualifications endorsed by sector agency, qualifying PEI awards) | 10 |
| No degree-equivalent | 0 |
Verification proof is required only if claiming points.
C3 Diversity
Measures the candidate’s nationality share among the firm’s PMETs.
| Firm size | Nationality share | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer than 25 PMETs | — | 10 (default) |
| 25 or more PMETs | Less than 5% | 20 |
| 25 or more PMETs | 5% to less than 25% | 10 |
| 25 or more PMETs | 25% or more | 0 |
Nationality is based on passport in government records. Use the Workforce Insights tool on myMOM Portal to check.
C4 Support for Local Employment
Measures the firm’s local PMET share relative to its sector.
| Firm size | Local PMET share vs sector | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer than 25 PMETs | — | 10 (default) |
| 25 or more PMETs | 50th percentile and above | 20 |
| 25 or more PMETs | 20th to less than 50th percentile | 10 |
| 25 or more PMETs | 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)
Applies when the job is on the Shortage Occupation List (SOL) and the candidate performs the listed duties.
| Condition | Points |
|---|---|
| Job on SOL, candidate nationality share < 1/3 of firm’s PMETs | 20 |
| Job on SOL, candidate nationality share ≥ 1/3 of firm’s PMETs | 10 |
Employers must select an eligible SOL job title. Candidates who need SOL points to pass COMPASS or to qualify for a 5-year EP are restricted to that occupation; redeployment requires MOM reassessment.
C6 Strategic Economic Priorities Bonus
10 points for firms participating in eligible programmes with economic agencies or endorsed by NTUC. Awarded at the supporting agency’s discretion. Valid for up to 3 years or programme duration, whichever is shorter. Renewal requires maintaining at least 10 points each on C3 and C4 for the three months before renewal.
COMPASS Exemptions
COMPASS does not apply if the candidate:
- Earns a fixed monthly salary of at least $22,500
- Is an overseas intra-corporate transferee
- Fills the role for one month or less
EP Key Facts
- Who it is for: Foreign professionals, managers, executives with a job offer meeting eligibility.
- Who applies: Employer or appointed employment agent. Overseas companies without a Singapore entity need a local sponsor.
- Duration: First-time candidates up to 2 years. Renewals up to 3 years. Experienced tech professionals in shortage occupations may qualify for 5 years.
- Renewable: Yes.
- Medical insurance: Employer may choose to provide.
- Levy and quota: None for EP.
- Family passes: Available for eligible family members.
- Fair Consideration Framework: Employers must advertise on MyCareersFuture and consider all candidates fairly before submitting new EP applications.
S Pass: Salary, Quota and Levy
S Pass is for foreign skilled workers (Associate Professionals and Technicians). Eligibility centres on a qualifying salary benchmarked to the top one-third of local APT salaries by age.
S Pass Qualifying Salary
All sectors except financial services — current:
| Age | Monthly Salary |
|---|---|
| 23 or below | $3,300 |
| 24 | $3,368 |
| 25 | $3,436 |
| 26 | $3,505 |
| 27 | $3,573 |
| 28 | $3,641 |
| 29 | $3,709 |
| 30 | $3,777 |
| 31 | $3,845 |
| 32 | $3,914 |
| 33 | $3,982 |
| 34 | $4,050 |
| 35 | $4,118 |
| 36 | $4,186 |
| 37 | $4,255 |
| 38 | $4,323 |
| 39 | $4,391 |
| 40 | $4,459 |
| 41 | $4,527 |
| 42 | $4,595 |
| 43 | $4,664 |
| 44 | $4,732 |
| 45 or above | $4,800 |
All sectors except financial services — from 1 Jan 2027 (new applications) and 1 Jan 2028 (renewals):
| Age | Monthly Salary |
|---|---|
| 23 or below | $3,600 |
| 24 | $3,668 |
| 25 | $3,736 |
| 26 | $3,805 |
| 27 | $3,873 |
| 28 | $3,941 |
| 29 | $4,009 |
| 30 | $4,077 |
| 31 | $4,145 |
| 32 | $4,214 |
| 33 | $4,282 |
| 34 | $4,350 |
| 35 | $4,418 |
| 36 | $4,486 |
| 37 | $4,555 |
| 38 | $4,623 |
| 39 | $4,691 |
| 40 | $4,759 |
| 41 | $4,827 |
| 42 | $4,895 |
| 43 | $4,964 |
| 44 | $5,032 |
| 45 or above | $5,100 |
Financial services — current:
| Age | Monthly Salary |
|---|---|
| 23 or below | $3,800 |
| 24 | $3,884 |
| 25 | $3,968 |
| 26 | $4,052 |
| 27 | $4,136 |
| 28 | $4,220 |
| 29 | $4,305 |
| 30 | $4,389 |
| 31 | $4,473 |
| 32 | $4,557 |
| 33 | $4,641 |
| 34 | $4,725 |
| 35 | $4,809 |
| 36 | $4,893 |
| 37 | $4,977 |
| 38 | $5,061 |
| 39 | $5,145 |
| 40 | $5,230 |
| 41 | $5,314 |
| 42 | $5,398 |
| 43 | $5,482 |
| 44 | $5,566 |
| 45 or above | $5,650 |
Financial services — from 1 Jan 2027 (new applications) and 1 Jan 2028 (renewals):
| Age | Monthly Salary |
|---|---|
| 23 or below | $4,000 |
| 24 | $4,075 |
| 25 | $4,150 |
| 26 | $4,225 |
| 27 | $4,300 |
| 28 | $4,375 |
| 29 | $4,450 |
| 30 | $4,525 |
| 31 | $4,600 |
| 32 | $4,675 |
| 33 | $4,750 |
| 34 | $4,825 |
| 35 | $4,900 |
| 36 | $4,975 |
| 37 | $5,050 |
| 38 | $5,125 |
| 39 | $5,200 |
| 40 | $5,275 |
| 41 | $5,350 |
| 42 | $5,425 |
| 43 | $5,500 |
| 44 | $5,575 |
| 45 or above | $5,650 |
S Pass Qualifications
Declaring qualifications is optional. If declared, the employer is responsible for authenticity and that the institution is in the application form’s accredited list.
Self-Assessment Tool (SAT)
Use the SAT to check eligibility before applying. If SAT shows eligible, there is around a 90% chance the pass will be granted. If SAT shows not eligible, do not apply — it will be rejected.
S Pass Quota (Dependency Ratio Ceiling)
The maximum ratio of foreign workers (Work Permit + S Pass) to total workforce:
| Sector | DRC |
|---|---|
| Construction | 83.3% |
| Process | 83.3% |
| Marine shipyard | 75% |
| Manufacturing | 60% |
| Services | 35% |
S Pass sub-quota within the 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 (based on CPF contributions) over the last three months. The Local Qualifying Salary (LQS) determines which local employees count.
S Pass Levy
- Monthly levy: $650 across all sectors and tiers (since 1 September 2025).
- Daily rate for partial months: $21.37 (monthly × 12 ÷ 365, rounded up).
- Levy liability starts from issuance day, ends on cancellation or expiry.
- Payment via GIRO.
S Pass Key Facts
- Duration: First-time up to 2 years. Renewals up to 3 years. Limited by passport validity (pass valid up to 1 month before passport expiry).
- Medical insurance: Employer must provide.
- Primary Care Plan (PCP): Required for workers in dormitories (7+ occupants) or CMP sectors. Must be purchased after IPA/renewal letter and declared on myMOM Portal before issuance/renewal.
- Family passes: Dependant’s Pass for spouse and children if holder earns at least $6,000 fixed monthly salary.
- Fair Consideration Framework: Employers must advertise on MyCareersFuture and consider all candidates fairly.
Permanent Residence: Eligibility and Process
ICA lists specific eligibility categories. Meeting a category allows submission; approval is not guaranteed.
Eligibility Categories
- Spouse of a Singapore Citizen (SC) or PR
- Unmarried child under 21, born within legal marriage or legally adopted by an SC/PR
- Aged parent of an SC (child at least 21)
- Holder of an Employment Pass or S Pass
- Student in Singapore who has passed at least one national exam (PSLE, GCE N/O/A-Level) or is in the Integrated Programme
- Foreign investor under the Global Investor Programme (GIP) — see EDB website
Assessment Factors
ICA considers family ties to Singaporeans, economic contributions, qualifications, age, family profile, length of residency, ability to contribute and integrate, and commitment to sinking roots. Official weightings are not published.
Application Requirements
- All applicants added to the form must review and declare via Singpass (or ICA-issued credentials if Singpass-ineligible).
- Singpass registration may take 2–5 working days; start only after all applicants have Singpass.
- Documents: certified true copies of originals, official translations for non-English documents (embassy, notary public, or embassy-attested private translations).
- Refer to the ICA PR document checklist.
Fees (Non-Refundable)
| Stage | Fee |
|---|---|
| At submission | $100 per application |
| At completion | $20 Entry Permit + $50 5-year Re-Entry Permit + $50 Identity Card |
Payment online via Visa/Mastercard, AMEX, Internet Direct Debit (DBS/POSB, OCBC, UOB, Standard Chartered), or PayNow.
Processing Time
Within 6 months if all documents are submitted and in order. Some cases take longer. Outcome notified by email or post (for applications before 26 June 2024). Status checkable on MyICA or the e-Service.
National Service Liability
All male SCs and PRs are liable for National Service unless exempted. Male applicants granted PR as foreign students or under parents’ sponsorship must register at 16 and a half years old and enlist at 18 (after pre-tertiary education). No deferment for university studies. Renouncing PR without completing NS adversely affects future immigration applications for the individual and family members.
After Approval
Successful applicants receive an In-Principle Approval. PR is granted after completing formalities. PRs aged 15+ receive a blue Identity Card. A valid Re-Entry Permit is required to travel out and return as a PR.