Insights for work and life.
The Complete Singapore Employment Pass Guide 2026: Salary, COMPASS and Application Steps
Every Employment Pass (EP) decision in Singapore turns on two tests: a salary floor that rises with age, and a 40-point COMPASS score. This Singapore Employment Pass guide sets out both tests, the figures that apply today and from 1 January 2027, and the steps an employer follows from first assessment to card issuance. Figures are taken from the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) Employment Pass page and our own tracking, as at 5 November 2026.
The EP is for foreign professionals, managers and executives. It is not subject to a quota or levy, but MOM can and does reject applications that fail either test or that look weak on the role, qualifications or employer.
Singapore Employment Pass guide: who the pass is for
The EP suits candidates who hold a recognised degree or equivalent and who will perform a professional, managerial or executive role. Technician roles and lower salaries usually fall under the S Pass. If you are a company director running your own business, the EntrePass or ONE Pass may fit better. For a comparison of those routes, read our comparison of the EP, ONE Pass and Tech.Pass.
MOM also expects the employer to be a bona fide, registered business. Shell companies and employers with no local hiring record attract closer scrutiny, as we explain in our article on how MOM detects phantom workers.
Quick eligibility checklist
- A job offer from a Singapore-registered employer.
- A fixed monthly salary that meets the qualifying salary for the candidate’s age and sector.
- At least 40 COMPASS points, unless the application is exempt.
- Recognised qualifications, verified through your documents and, where needed, an education check.
- A genuine professional, managerial or executive role.
EP qualifying salary 2027 and today’s thresholds
MOM sets the EP qualifying salary as the first stage of its two-stage test. Per MOM, as at 5 November 2026, the floor is S$5,600 per month for most sectors and S$6,200 for financial services, both for candidates aged 23 or below, and it climbs with age until 45. From 1 January 2027, the floors rise to S$6,000 and S$6,600 respectively, for new applications. Renewals follow the new table only for passes expiring from 1 January 2028.
| Sector | Now (aged 23 or below) | Now (aged 45+) | From 1 January 2027 (aged 23 or below) | From 1 January 2027 (aged 45+) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Most sectors | S$5,600 | S$10,700 | S$6,000 | S$11,500 |
| Financial services | S$6,200 | S$11,800 | S$6,600 | S$12,700 |
The full age-by-age table is in our EP salary by age tables for 2026 and 2027. Remember that the salary must be fixed monthly pay. Bonuses, allowances that are not guaranteed and one-off benefits do not count towards the floor. If an employer plans to cut pay after approval, see what MOM expects when an EP holder’s salary is reduced.
The COMPASS framework: earning 40 points
The Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS) scores each application against four foundational criteria and two bonus criteria. Per MOM, the candidate needs 40 points in total. Each criterion is scored from 0 to 20 points. The foundational criteria cover salary, qualifications, workforce diversity and local workforce support. The bonus criteria reward skills on the Shortage Occupation List and strategic economic priorities.
A strong salary lifts the first criterion, but salary alone rarely reaches 40. A firm with a diverse nationality mix and a healthy share of local professionals scores far better than a firm with one dominant nationality. See how to improve your COMPASS diversity score and the August 2026 COMPASS salary benchmarks that apply from January 2027.
Who is exempt from COMPASS
Some applications are exempt, including certain intra-corporate transferees under Singapore’s trade agreements and applicants earning at or above MOM’s high-salary exemption. Read our guide to the intra-corporate transferee exemption. Confirm the current exemption conditions on MOM’s site before relying on them.
How the Employment Pass application works, step by step
The employer, or an authorised agent, files through MOM’s online system. MOM states the processing time on its site, and applications can take several weeks. Our walk-through of the process is in our employer guide to the myMOM portal.
- Self-assess. Use MOM’s Self-Assessment Tool to check salary and COMPASS before filing.
- Prepare documents. Passport, certificates, résumé, job description and company details.
- Submit the application. The employer pays the application fee. MOM lists an application fee of S$105 and an issuance fee of S$225 for an EP, as at 5 November 2026.
- Track the status. See what each MOM EP status means.
- Collect the In-Principle Approval. The candidate may need to enter Singapore only after approval, using the correct entry documents.
- Complete issuance. After arrival, complete the medical or registration steps MOM prescribes, then collect the pass.
Why Employment Pass applications fail, and what to do next
Common reasons for rejection are a salary below the age-and-sector floor, a weak COMPASS score, unclear role scope, and inconsistent information. MOM does not always give detailed reasons. A well-prepared appeal can address specific points, but a blind resubmission rarely helps. See our guidance on EP appeal letters and rejection recovery.
Some patterns recur. A salary near the minimum for a senior title raises questions about credibility, as we discuss in how MOM tests salary credibility. Poor contract drafting also hurts, so review the contract clauses MOM scrutinises before submission.
After approval: renewal, family passes and changing jobs
An EP is initially valid for up to two years and renewals for up to three years, according to MOM. Plan renewals early because the salary and COMPASS tables change. See our full EP renewal walkthrough. A pass is tied to one employer, so a job move needs a new application: here is how changing employer on an EP works.
A qualifying EP holder can apply for Dependant’s Passes for a spouse and children, subject to MOM’s salary and relationship rules. See which work passes allow a spouse to join you.
Employer tips from this Singapore Employment Pass guide
Three habits separate smooth filings from troubled ones. First, run the self-assessment before the offer letter goes out, not after, so the salary can be set with the age-based floor in mind. Second, align the job title, duties and salary: a senior title paired with a modest pay package invites questions. Third, keep a clear paper trail of local recruitment efforts, because MOM’s Fair Consideration Framework applies to employers advertising professional vacancies. Our Fair Consideration Framework employer guide covers the advertising rules.
Finally, plan timing around the January 2027 changes. If a candidate is close to the current floor, filing before 1 January 2027 may avoid the higher salary requirement, although COMPASS benchmarks and your own hiring timeline still matter. Do not rush an incomplete application only to beat a date, as a rejection can cost more time than waiting.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a quota or levy on the Employment Pass?
No. Per MOM, the EP carries no quota and no foreign worker levy. Salary and COMPASS act as the gatekeepers instead.
Can an EP holder apply for PR?
Yes, EP holders may apply under ICA’s Professionals, Technical Personnel and Skilled Workers scheme, though approval is discretionary. See our Singapore PR pathway guide.
Next steps
If you need help assessing a candidate or preparing an application, speak with the licensed team at Singapore Employment Agency. If you are also incorporating a company or relocating a team, Raffles Corporate Services can support the corporate side, and Singapore Secretary Services handles company secretarial duties.
Verify all figures on mom.gov.sg before filing, because MOM revises thresholds from time to time.
, The Editorial Team, Little Big Employment Agency
Real people. Right here in Singapore.