Who can apply for an Employment Pass
The Employment Pass (EP) is for foreign professionals, managers and executives with a job offer in Singapore who meet the eligibility criteria. An employer or appointed employment agent applies on the candidate’s behalf. An overseas company without a Singapore-registered office applies through a local sponsor.
EP candidates must pass a two-stage eligibility framework. Stage 1 requires the EP qualifying salary. Stage 2 requires passing the points-based Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS), unless exempted. A candidate who fails Stage 1 is not eligible for an EP, regardless of the points scored under COMPASS.
Stage 1: EP qualifying salary
The qualifying salary is benchmarked to the top one-third of local PMET salaries by age. It rises progressively with age from 23.
For all sectors except financial services, the current minimum is $5,600, rising to $10,700 at age 45 and above. From 1 January 2027, new applications require a minimum of $6,000, rising to $11,500 at age 45 and above. Renewals expiring from 1 January 2028 follow the same higher figures.
For financial services, the current minimum is $6,200, rising to $11,800 at age 45 and above. From 1 January 2027, new applications require $6,600, rising to $12,700 at age 45 and above.
Employers must still meet the Fair Consideration Framework job advertising requirement before submitting new EP applications. Employers and employment agents can use the Self-Assessment Tool (SAT) to check eligibility before applying.
Stage 2: passing COMPASS
COMPASS requires 40 points to pass. Four foundational criteria each award up to 20 points. Two bonus criteria can make up a shortfall.
C1 Salary benchmarks the candidate’s fixed monthly salary against local PMET salaries in the sector by age. At or above the 90th percentile: 20 points. At the 65th to below 90th percentile: 10 points. Below the 65th percentile: 0 points. This benchmark is separate from the Stage 1 qualifying salary.
C2 Qualifications awards 20 points for degree-equivalent qualifications from top-100 QS universities, Singapore’s Autonomous Universities, or institutions endorsed by a relevant agency. Other degree-equivalent qualifications earn 10 points. No degree-equivalent qualification earns 0 points but does not block a pass if 40 points are reached elsewhere. Verification proof is required if points are claimed.
C3 Diversity awards points by the candidate’s nationality share among the firm’s PMETs. Firms with fewer than 25 PMETs score 10 points by default. At 25 or more PMETs: below 5% share earns 20 points, 5% to below 25% earns 10, 25% or more earns 0.
C4 Support for Local Employment awards points by the firm’s local PMET share relative to its sector. Firms with fewer than 25 PMETs score 10 by default. At 25 or more: at or above the 50th percentile earns 20, the 20th to below 50th percentile earns 10, below the 20th percentile earns 0. If 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.
COMPASS bonus criteria
C5 Skills bonus applies to jobs on the Shortage Occupation List (SOL). With the candidate’s nationality below one-third of the firm’s PMETs, it awards 20 points. At one-third or more, it awards 10 points. Candidates who needed SOL points to pass, or who seek a 5-year EP, face additional job-duty and qualification checks by MOM.
C6 Strategic Economic Priorities bonus awards 10 points to firms in eligible economic-agency programmes or endorsed by NTUC for workforce transformation. The points apply for up to 3 years, or the programme duration, whichever is shorter. Renewal requires continued eligible-programme participation and at least 10 points on both C3 and C4 for each of the 3 months before renewal.
COMPASS exemptions
A candidate is exempt from COMPASS if any condition holds. The fixed monthly salary is at least $22,500. The role is an overseas intra-corporate transferee. The role lasts one month or less.
S Pass eligibility and cost
The S Pass is for foreign employees with a Singapore job offer and a fixed monthly salary comparable to the top one-third of local associate professionals and technicians (APT) by age. Declaring qualifications is optional; if declared, the employer confirms authenticity and an accredited awarding institution.
For all sectors except financial services, the current minimum is $3,300, rising to $4,800 at age 45 and above. From 1 January 2027, new applications require $3,600, rising to $5,100 at age 45 and above. For financial services, the current minimum is $3,800, rising to $5,650 at age 45 and above; from 1 January 2027, it is $4,000, capped at $5,650 at age 45 and above.
The S Pass is subject to quota and levy. Since 1 September 2025, the levy is harmonised at $650 per month across all sectors and tiers. The dependency ratio ceiling (quota) is 83.3% for construction and process, 75% for marine shipyard, 60% for manufacturing, and 35% for services. Within that, S Pass holders are capped at 10% of the firm’s total workforce in services and 15% in construction, manufacturing, marine shipyard and process.
A first-time S Pass runs up to 2 years; renewals run up to 3 years. Duration is limited by passport validity, to within one month of expiry. Employers must provide medical insurance. Workers in dormitories or CMP sectors require a Primary Care Plan before issuance or renewal.
Family passes and salary thresholds
An EP holder earning at least $6,000 a month can bring a legally married spouse and unmarried children under 21 on a Dependant’s Pass. Parents qualify only if the EP holder earns at least $12,000, via a Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP).
S Pass holders earning at least $6,000 fixed monthly also qualify for a Dependant’s Pass. The LTVP covers common-law spouses, step-children under 21, and handicapped children 21 and above at the $6,000 threshold, and parents at $12,000. These thresholds are based on the individual’s salary, not combined household income.
What the official sources do not state about PR
The official pages cited here govern work-pass eligibility. They do not publish Permanent Resident approval criteria, point weightings, nationality quotas, or approval rates by nationality. ICA has not released those figures. Applicants should plan around the work-pass thresholds they can meet and verify their case with MOM’s Self-Assessment Tool before applying.
Official sources
- MOM — Eligibility for Employment Pass
- MOM — Key facts on Employment Pass
- MOM — Eligibility for S Pass
- MOM — Key facts on S Pass
- MOM — S Pass quota and levy requirements
- MOM — Passes for families of Employment Pass holders
- MOM — Eligibility for Dependant’s Pass
- MOM — Eligibility for Long-Term Visit Pass
- MOM — Key facts on Long-Term Visit Pass