An Employment Pass (EP) candidate must clear a two-stage eligibility framework before MOM grants the pass. Stage 1 sets a qualifying salary. Stage 2 requires passing the points-based COMPASS, unless the candidate is exempted.
Stage 1: the EP qualifying salary
The qualifying salary is benchmarked to the top one-third of local PMET salaries by age. For most sectors, the current minimum is S$5,600 a month at age 23 or below, rising progressively to S$10,700 at age 45 and above.
| Age | Before 1 Jan 2027 (new applications and renewals expiring before 1 Jan 2028) | From 1 Jan 2027 (new applications) and 1 Jan 2028 (renewals) |
|---|---|---|
| 23 or below | $5,600 | $6,000 |
| 24 | $5,832 | $6,250 |
| 25 | $6,064 | $6,500 |
| 26 | $6,295 | $6,750 |
| 27 | $6,527 | $7,000 |
| 28 | $6,759 | $7,250 |
| 29 | $6,991 | $7,500 |
| 30 | $7,223 | $7,750 |
| 31 | $7,455 | $8,000 |
| 32 | $7,686 | $8,250 |
| 33 | $7,918 | $8,500 |
| 34 | $8,150 | $8,750 |
| 35 | $8,382 | $9,000 |
| 36 | $8,614 | $9,250 |
| 37 | $8,845 | $9,500 |
| 38 | $9,077 | $9,750 |
| 39 | $9,309 | $10,000 |
| 40 | $9,541 | $10,250 |
| 41 | $9,773 | $10,500 |
| 42 | $10,005 | $10,750 |
| 43 | $10,236 | $11,000 |
| 44 | $10,468 | $11,250 |
| 45 or above | $10,700 | $11,500 |
Financial services candidates need higher salaries. The current minimum is S$6,200 at age 23 or below, rising to S$11,800 at age 45 and above.
| Age | Before 1 Jan 2027 (new applications and renewals expiring before 1 Jan 2028) | From 1 Jan 2027 (new applications) and 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 |
A candidate who fails Stage 1 is not eligible for an EP, regardless of any COMPASS score.
Stage 2: pass COMPASS with 40 points
COMPASS is a transparent, points-based system. An application must earn 40 points to pass.
Four foundational criteria supply the base points. Two bonus criteria can cover a shortfall.
The four foundational criteria
C1 Salary benchmarks the candidate’s fixed monthly salary against local PMET salaries in the sector. At or above the 90th percentile earns 20 points. The 65th to below 90th percentile earns 10 points. Below the 65th percentile earns 0.
C2 Qualifications awards points by credential tier. A degree-equivalent qualification from a top-tier institution — top 100 universities by QS World University Rankings, other highly reputed Asian universities, Singapore’s Autonomous Universities, or field-endorsed institutions — earns 20 points. Other degree-equivalent qualifications earn 10 points. Candidates without degree-equivalent qualifications earn 0 but can still pass on other criteria.
C3 Diversity rewards a candidate nationality that is a small share of the firm’s PMETs. Organisations with fewer than 25 PMETs score 10 points by default. At 25 or more PMETs: under 5% share earns 20, 5% to under 25% earns 10, 25% or more earns 0.
C4 Support for local employment rewards firms with a strong local PMET share. Organisations with fewer than 25 PMETs score 10 by default. At 25 or more PMETs: at or above the 50th percentile earns 20, the 20th to below 50th earns 10, below the 20th earns 0. If local PMET share is at least 70%, the application scores at least 10 points regardless of sector standing.
The two bonus criteria
C5 Skills bonus applies to jobs on the Shortage Occupation List (SOL). With the candidate’s nationality under one-third of the firm’s PMETs, it earns 20 points; at one-third or more, it earns 10. Candidates who needed SOL points to pass, or who seek a 5-year EP, face extra job-duty and qualification checks.
C6 Strategic Economic Priorities (SEP) bonus awards 10 points to firms in eligible programmes with economic agencies or endorsed by NTUC. The bonus lasts up to 3 years, or the programme duration if shorter.
A candidate can reach 40 points through any combination — for example, 10 each from C1 to C4, or 20 from C1 plus SOL bonus plus others.
Who is exempted from COMPASS
COMPASS does not apply if the candidate meets any one of these conditions: a fixed monthly salary of at least S$22,500; application as an overseas intra-corporate transferee; or a role filled for one month or less.
Check eligibility before you apply
Employers and employment agents should use the Self-Assessment Tool (SAT) to check a candidate’s eligibility before applying. The Workforce Insights tool on myMOM Portal shows a firm’s C3 and C4 scores and its sector benchmarks.
Employers must also meet the Fair Consideration Framework job-advertising requirement on MyCareersFuture before submitting new EP applications.
EP duration and key facts
The EP is for foreign professionals, managers and executives with a Singapore job offer. 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.
First-time candidates get a pass of up to 2 years. Renewals get up to 3 years. Experienced tech professionals with skills in shortage may qualify for a 5-year pass.
The EP carries no foreign worker levy and no quota. Medical insurance for EP holders is at the employer’s discretion.
S Pass rules differ: a lower qualifying salary, a quota and monthly levy, and mandatory medical insurance. Check the S Pass eligibility and quota pages before comparing the two passes.
