EP and PR: Salary, COMPASS, Dependant's Pass, Fees

EP Two-Stage Eligibility: Salary Threshold and COMPASS 40 Points

The EP application uses a two-stage eligibility framework. Stage one requires a fixed monthly salary that meets the EP qualifying salary. Stage two requires passing the COMPASS points-based assessment, with 40 points as the pass mark. Applicants who fail the stage-one salary threshold are not eligible for an EP, regardless of their COMPASS score.

Stage One: EP Qualifying Salary (by Age and Sector)

The qualifying salary is benchmarked to the top one-third of local PMET (professionals, managers, executives and technicians) salaries and rises with age. The current standards apply to new applications made before 1 January 2027 and to renewals expiring before 1 January 2028. The new standards apply to new applications from 1 January 2027 and to renewals from 1 January 2028.

Non-financial services

Financial services

Employers may use the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) Self-Assessment Tool (SAT) to pre-check candidate eligibility. Before submitting a new EP application, employers must still meet the job advertisement requirements under the Fair Consideration Framework (FCF).

Stage Two: COMPASS Points-Based Assessment (40 Points to Pass)

COMPASS comprises four foundational criteria (C1–C4) and two bonus criteria (C5, C6). Each foundational criterion is worth up to 20 points, and each bonus criterion up to 10–20 points. A total of 40 points or more is a pass.

COMPASS Four Foundational Criteria

C1 Salary Benchmark

Compare the candidate’s fixed monthly salary against the local PMET salary benchmark for the same sector:

• 90th percentile and above: 20 points
• 65th to below 90th percentile: 10 points
• Below 65th percentile: 0 points

This benchmark differs from the stage-one EP qualifying salary. Candidates who fail the qualifying salary cannot use C1 points to compensate.

C2 Qualifications

• Degree from a top-tier institution (QS world top 100 universities, other highly regarded universities in Asia, Singapore autonomous universities, and top-tier institutions in relevant fields recognised by the relevant bodies): 20 points
• Other recognised bachelor’s degree equivalent qualifications (including foreign qualifications assessed by MOM with reference to international recognition bodies such as UK ENIC as comparable to a UK bachelor’s degree, industry-recognised professional qualifications, and eligible degrees from local private education institutions): 10 points
• No degree equivalent qualification: 0 points (can still reach 40 points through other criteria)

Where points are needed, qualification verification proof must be submitted; where no points are claimed, no qualification documents are required.

C3 Diversity

Points are awarded by the share of the candidate’s nationality among the company’s PMET workforce:

• Company with fewer than 25 PMETs: default 10 points
• Company with 25 or more PMETs:
  • Nationality share below 5%: 20 points
  • 5% to below 25%: 10 points
  • 25% or more: 0 points

Nationality is determined by the passport nationality in Singapore government records. Companies can view their own share in the Workforce Insights Tool on myMOM Portal.

C4 Support for Local Employment

Points are awarded by the percentile of the company’s local PMET share within its sector:

• Company with fewer than 25 PMETs: default 10 points
• Company with 25 or more PMETs:
  • 50th percentile and above: 20 points
  • 20th to below 50th percentile: 10 points
  • Below 20th percentile: 0 points

If a company’s local PMET share reaches the 20th percentile of the whole economy (about 70%), it scores at least 10 points, so sectors with high local share are not penalised. The Workforce Insights Tool also shows sector classification and percentiles.

COMPASS Two Bonus Criteria

C5 Skills Bonus (Shortage Occupation List / SOL)

• Role on the SOL, and candidate’s nationality is less than one-third of the company’s PMET: +20 points
• Role on the SOL, but nationality share is one-third or more: +10 points

Requirements: the candidate must be employed in an SOL-listed occupation; a qualifying job title must be selected at application; and if relying on SOL points to pass or applying for a 5-year tech EP, additional job role requirements must be cleared. Applicants who receive SOL points will have their IPA letter annotated to work only in that shortage occupation, and must notify MOM for reassessment before changing roles.

C6 Strategic Economic Priorities Bonus

Participating in or meeting at least one eligible programme (recognised by an economic agency or NTUC): +10 points.

The bonus is valid for up to 3 years or the duration of the programme participated in, whichever is shorter. At renewal, C3 must be at least 10 points and C4 at least 10 points for each of the 3 months before the application.

COMPASS Exemptions

COMPASS is waived for any of the following:

• Fixed monthly salary of S$22,500 or more (aligned with the FCF advertisement exemption threshold in force since 1 September 2023)
• Intra-corporate transferees (ICT) of overseas multinational companies
• Employment period of 1 month or less

EP Key Facts: Validity, Renewal and Dependant’s Pass

The EP is for foreign professionals, managers and executives hired in Singapore. It is applied for by the employer or an appointed agent; overseas companies without a Singapore entity must find a local sponsor.

• Validity: First approval is valid for up to 2 years; renewal is valid for up to 3 years. Senior tech professionals with shortage skills may be granted up to 5 years.
• Renewable: Renew before expiry.
• No foreign worker levy or quota.
• Medical insurance: The employer decides whether to purchase cover.
• Dependant’s Pass: EP holders with a fixed monthly salary of S$6,000 or more may apply for dependants.

Dependant applications are submitted separately by the employer and may be filed together with or apart from the EP. Neither the DP nor the LTVP carries a foreign worker levy or quota; LTVP holders who meet the conditions may work in Singapore. When the EP is cancelled, the DP lapses at the same time; the LTVP follows the main pass validity.

EP Holders Applying for PR: Eligibility, Fees and Processing Time

The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) lists holding an EP or S Pass as one of the eligible categories for PR application. Applicants log in with Singpass and submit their application through ICA’s electronic system themselves.

Assessment factors (official wording): family ties, economic contribution, qualifications, age, family profile and length of residence, used to assess the applicant’s ability to contribute to Singapore, integration and intent to settle. ICA has not published the specific weightings or scoring model for each factor.

Fees (non-refundable):

• At submission: the exact fee is as published by ICA.
• On completion of formalities: the exact fee is as published by ICA.

Processing time: Processing duration depends on the individual case; please refer to ICA’s official notification.

National Service obligation: All male applicants (including males granted PR) bear the National Service (NS) obligation. Registration is at 16 and a half, and enlistment at 18. University studies are not deferred; if PR or Singapore Citizen (SC) is granted during university before completion, studies must be interrupted for service. Those who renounce PR without having served will seriously affect their own and their family members’ future long-term pass applications.

PR to Citizenship: Eligibility, Fees and Processing Time

ICA stipulates that a PR who has held PR for at least 2 years and is 21 or older may apply for citizenship (and may include a spouse and unmarried children under 21 in the same application).

Fees (non-refundable):

• At submission: the exact fee is as published by ICA.
• On completion of formalities: the exact fee is as published by ICA.

Processing time: Processing duration depends on the individual case; please refer to ICA’s official notification. Approved applicants may be required to complete the Singapore Citizenship Journey (SCJ) programme.

National Service obligation: As at the PR stage, male citizens bear the same obligation.

Official Reference Pages

• MOM EP eligibility and full COMPASS explanation
• MOM EP key facts
• MOM EP dependant’s passes
• MOM Dependant’s Pass eligibility
• MOM Long-Term Visit Pass eligibility
• MOM Long-Term Visit Pass key facts
• ICA PR application eligibility, fees and processing time
• ICA citizenship application eligibility, fees and processing time