Singapore’s Employment Pass (EP) uses a two-stage eligibility framework. Stage 1 requires the candidate to meet the EP qualifying salary. Stage 2 requires the application to score at least 40 points under the Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS), unless exempted. This article explains the framework, the Skills Bonus under C5, the Shortage Occupation List (SOL), and the official tools for checking eligibility.
Two-Stage Eligibility Framework
Every EP application is assessed in two stages. Stage 1 checks whether the candidate’s fixed monthly salary meets the EP qualifying salary, which is benchmarked to the top one-third of local PMET (Professionals, Managers, Executives, Technicians) salaries by age. Stage 2 applies COMPASS, a points-based system with four foundational criteria (C1–C4) and two bonus criteria (C5–C6). A candidate who does not meet Stage 1 is not eligible for an EP, regardless of COMPASS points.
EP Qualifying Salary (Stage 1)
The qualifying salary depends on sector and age, with higher thresholds for the financial services sector. The current minimums apply to new applications and renewals. From 1 January 2027 (new applications) and 1 January 2028 (renewals of passes expiring from that date), the minimums increase.
All sectors (except financial services) — current minimum:
- Age 23 or below: $5,600
- Age 45 or above: $10,700
- Increases progressively at each age between 23 and 45.
All sectors (except financial services) — from 1 Jan 2027 (new) / 1 Jan 2028 (renewals):
- Age 23 or below: $6,000
- Age 45 or above: $11,500
- Increases progressively at each age between 23 and 45.
Financial services — current minimum:
- Age 23 or below: $6,200
- Age 45 or above: $11,800
- Increases progressively at each age between 23 and 45.
Financial services — from 1 Jan 2027 (new) / 1 Jan 2028 (renewals):
- Age 23 or below: $6,600
- Age 45 or above: $12,700
- Increases progressively at each age between 23 and 45.
Employers must also meet the Fair Consideration Framework (FCF) job advertising requirement before submitting new EP applications.
COMPASS Scoring (Stage 2)
An application needs 40 points to pass COMPASS. Points come from four foundational criteria and two bonus criteria.
C1. Salary
Benchmarks the candidate’s fixed monthly salary against local PMET salaries in the sector.
- 90th percentile and above: 20 points
- 65th to less than 90th percentile: 10 points
- Below 65th percentile: 0 points
This is separate from the EP qualifying salary (Stage 1). A candidate who fails Stage 1 is ineligible regardless of C1 points.
C2. Qualifications
Awards points for degree-equivalent qualifications.
- Top-tier institutions (Top 100 QS, Singapore Autonomous Universities, or endorsed by relevant agency): 20 points
- Other degree-equivalent qualifications (UK bachelor’s-level per UK ENIC, recognised professional qualifications, or qualifying PEI awards): 10 points
- No degree-equivalent qualification: 0 points (candidate can still pass via other criteria)
Verification proof must be submitted if points are claimed from this criterion.
C3. Diversity
Measures the share of the candidate’s nationality among the organisation’s PMETs.
- Fewer than 25 PMETs: 10 points by default
- 25 or more PMETs:
- Nationality share less than 5%: 20 points
- 5% to less than 25%: 10 points
- 25% or more: 0 points
Nationality is based on passport in Singapore Government records.
C4. Support for Local Employment
Measures the organisation’s local PMET share relative to its sector.
- Fewer than 25 PMETs: 10 points by default
- 25 or more PMETs:
- 50th percentile and above: 20 points
- 20th to less than 50th percentile: 10 points
- Below 20th percentile: 0 points
If the organisation’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 standing.
C5. Skills Bonus (Shortage Occupation List)
Recognises jobs requiring highly specialised skills in shortage locally.
- Job on the SOL and candidate’s nationality share among organisation’s PMETs is less than 1/3: 20 points
- Job on the SOL and candidate’s nationality share is 1/3 or more: 10 points
To obtain the C5 bonus:
- The candidate must perform the job duties listed for the specific shortage occupation.
- The employer must select an eligible job title in the EP application.
- If the candidate needs SOL bonus points to pass COMPASS or is applying for a 5-year duration EP for a specific tech occupation on the SOL, additional job requirement checks apply (refer to the SOL Employer Guide).
Candidates who needed SOL bonus points to pass COMPASS or obtain a longer-duration EP can only be employed in that specific shortage occupation, as stated in the IPA letter. Redeployment requires MOM reassessment. Candidates who did not need SOL points are not subject to this restriction but must still notify MOM of occupation changes.
C6. Strategic Economic Priorities (SEP) Bonus
Awards 10 points to organisations participating in or meeting criteria for at least one eligible programme (investment, innovation, internationalisation with economic agencies, or NTUC-endorsed transformation). Award is at the discretion of the supporting agency. Bonus applies for up to 3 years or the programme duration, whichever is shorter. Renewal requires continued participation and at least 10 points each for C3 and C4 for each of the 3 months before renewal.
COMPASS Exemptions
Candidates are exempted from COMPASS if they meet any of these conditions:
- Fixed monthly salary of at least $22,500
- Overseas intra-corporate transferee
- Filling the role for 1 month or less
Official Tools for Checking Eligibility
Self-Assessment Tool (SAT): Employers and employment agents can check a candidate’s eligibility before applying. Access via MOM eServices.
Workforce Insights Tool: Available on the myMOM Portal. Allows organisations to check workforce profile, industry benchmarks, and COMPASS scores for C3 (Diversity) and C4 (Support for Local Employment).
COMPASS Guidebook: Provides an overview of the EP eligibility framework and tips on navigating the framework and submitting applications.
Official Case Examples (from MOM)
Example A-1 (Meets all four foundational criteria): Marketing consultancy, local PMET share at 40th percentile, candidate nationality share 15%, salary at 70th percentile, non-top-tier degree. Scores: C1=10, C2=10, C3=10, C4=10. Total 40 (Pass).
Example A-2 (Small firm, fewer than 25 PMETs): Med-tech start-up, 15 PMETs, salary at 70th percentile, non-top-tier degree. Scores: C1=10, C2=10, C3=10 (default), C4=10 (default). Total 40 (Pass).
Example B (Weak on salary, strong on diversity): Commercial bank, local PMET share 40th percentile, candidate nationality share 3%, salary at 60th percentile, non-top-tier degree. Scores: C1=0, C2=10, C3=20, C4=10. Total 40 (Pass).
Example C (Weak on firm-level criteria, SOL bonus): Software firm, local PMET share 10th percentile, candidate nationality share 35%, salary at 95th percentile, non-top-tier master’s, job on SOL (nationality share ≥1/3). Scores: C1=20, C2=10, C3=0, C4=0, C5=+10. Total 40 (Pass).
