EP renewal, salary uplift and dependency ratios — Costs and fees breakdown

EP renewal, salary uplift and dependency ratios cover how employers renew an Employment Pass, meet rising qualifying-salary benchmarks, and manage their foreign-worker ratios. This guide explains the renewal process, the salary trajectory, and the costs in Singapore dollars as at June 2026.

Little Big Employment Agency (EA Licence 19C9790) works with a panel of corporate and employment law firms; this article is general information, not legal advice.

What EP renewal, salary uplift and dependency ratios involve

An Employment Pass is renewed before expiry, and at renewal the candidate must meet the qualifying salary and COMPASS standards in force at that time, which rise over the years. The work-pass framework sits under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act 1990. Notably, Employment Pass holders do not count towards a firm’s dependency ratio ceiling or attract a levy; dependency ratios and levies apply to S Pass and Work Permit holders, a distinction employers frequently confuse.

Who this is for

This is for employers managing existing Employment Pass holders approaching renewal, and for HR teams planning workforce costs. It assumes familiarity with the initial application in our Employment Pass full application walkthrough.

Renewal requirements and salary uplift

At renewal, the pass holder must satisfy the current qualifying salary, which as at 2026 starts at S$5,600 a month (S$6,200 for financial services) and increases with age, and must score at least 40 under COMPASS. Because benchmarks rise over time, a salary that qualified at first issuance may fall short at renewal, requiring an uplift. MOM typically opens renewal about six months before expiry. Dependency ratio ceilings apply to S Pass and Work Permit headcount, not Employment Pass holders, so EP renewals do not consume quota. Benchmark the salary using our 2026 Singapore salary benchmarks.

EP renewal costs and timeline

Indicative figures as at June 2026: MOM renewal fees are S$105 at application and S$225 on issuance, the same as a new pass. There is no levy on Employment Pass holders. Advisory support for a renewal typically runs S$500 to S$1,500. A first renewal is usually granted for up to three years. MOM generally processes renewals within 3 to 8 weeks, and employers should start about six months before expiry to allow for any salary uplift or COMPASS adjustment.

Step-by-step renewal process

Review the pass expiry and open renewal about six months ahead. Re-run the COMPASS self-assessment against current criteria. Compare the current salary to the latest age-based benchmark and apply an uplift if needed. Submit the renewal through MOM’s portal with updated documents. On approval, complete issuance and update records. Separately, monitor S Pass and Work Permit headcount against the dependency ratio ceiling, which the Employment Pass does not affect. For workforce-cost planning, model the picture using our Employment Pass vs S Pass vs EntrePass comparison, and confirm the sponsoring entity via Singapore Pte Ltd registration for foreigners.

Common mistakes and gotchas

The most common errors are assuming a renewal is automatic, failing to uplift salary to the current benchmark, and confusing Employment Pass holders with the dependency-ratio and levy regime that applies to S Pass and Work Permit holders. Starting too late leaves no room to fix a COMPASS shortfall. A deteriorated firm-level workforce profile can cause a renewal to fail even where the candidate is unchanged.

Related guides

See the Employment Pass full application walkthrough, the 2026 Singapore salary benchmarks, and the Employment Pass vs S Pass vs EntrePass comparison.

Authoritative references: the Ministry of Manpower publishes renewal, salary and dependency-ratio rules, and the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority handles entry formalities.

FAQs

Do Employment Pass holders count towards the dependency ratio?
No. Dependency ratio ceilings and levies apply to S Pass and Work Permit holders, not Employment Pass holders.

When should I start an EP renewal?
About six months before expiry, to allow time for any salary uplift or COMPASS adjustment.

Will the qualifying salary be higher at renewal?
Often yes. Benchmarks rise over time and with the candidate’s age, so a salary that qualified initially may need an uplift.

What does renewal cost?
MOM fees of S$105 and S$225, with no levy on Employment Pass holders; advisory support is typically S$500 to S$1,500.

Need help with this? Call, SMS or WhatsApp +65 8501 7133, or email [email protected]. Little Big Employment Agency (EA Licence 19C9790) works with a panel of corporate and employment law firms; this article is general information, not legal advice.