Singapore Employment Pass 2026: Salary Criteria, COMPASS & Application

What the Singapore Employment Pass (EP) actually is

The Employment Pass is Singapore’s work visa for foreign professionals, managers, executives and specialists who have a job offer from an employer incorporated in Singapore. It is not a freelance permit, not a visa for interns, and not a permanent-residence card. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) issues the pass, normally for 1–2 years at a time and renewable up to 3 years per renewal. An EP allows you to live and work only for the sponsoring employer; change jobs and you must apply afresh.

Who qualifies in 2026

Baseline requirements

• Salary: Fixed monthly salary ≥ S$5,000 (nationals aged 23–45). The threshold rises with age: 45-year-old applicants need ≈ S$10,500. Financial-services firms add 10 % on top of these figures.
• Education: Recognised degree or higher. Diploma plus professional certificates may work if compensation is very high.
• Work experience: Usually 3–5 relevant years.
• Sponsoring company: Must be registered with ACRA, have paid-up capital and a real office in Singapore.

COMPASS test (new points-based system from 1 Jan 2024)

All new EP candidates must score ≥ 40 points across four foundational + two bonus criteria:

1. C1 Salary benchmark – 0 / 10 / 20 pts depending on how your pay compares to sector-specific PMET wages at the 65th percentile. Data is published yearly on MOM’s website.
2. C2 Qualifications – 0 / 10 / 20 pts. Top-tier institutions (e.g., QS top-100) 20 pts; degree-equivalent 10 pts; below degree 0 pts.
3. C3 Diversity – 0 / 10 / 20 pts. If your nationality already makes up ≥ 25 % of the firm’s PMETs you get 0 pts; 5–<25 % = 10 pts; <5 % = 20 pts.
4. C4 Support for Local Employment – 0 / 10 / 20 pts. Based on company’s share of local PMETs relative to industry median.
5. C5 Skills Bonus (rare job list) – 10 / 20 pts extra if the role is on MOM’s Shortage Occupation List (SOL).
6. C6 Strategic Economic Priorities – 10 pts extra for firms participating in certain government innovation programmes.

Score 40 and you pass; score 39 and MOM rejects outright—no appeal on points.

Complete document checklist (2026)

Applicant documents

• Passport biodata page (colour scan, ≤ 2 MB)
• Latest educational certificates + transcripts – verified byDataFlow or university (if institution is not on MOM’s auto-approved list)
• CV / résumé showing employment history, salaries, job responsibilities
• Offer letter / employment contract signed by both parties – must state exact salary, bonuses, job title, duties, start date
• Professional licences (e.g., PE, CPA) if role is regulated
• Previous Singapore immigration passes (if any)

Company documents

• ACRA business profile (≤ 3 months old)
• Last 12 months’ CPF contribution statements for all local staff (PDF from CPF board)
• Latest financial statements or management accounts (audited if turnover > S$5 m)
• Office tenancy agreement or stamped proof of physical premises
• COMPASS self-assessment spreadsheet (download from MOM > EPOnline > Templates)

Step-by-step application process

1. Get a CORPASS account – Your HR logs in to www.corppass.gov.sg and assigns “EP Online” role to the staff who will file.
2. Verify credentials (if required) – Submit degree for verification through MOM’s digital verification vendor (DataFlow) before EP application. Cost S$63.50 per degree; 10–14 days.
3. Run COMPASS self-check – Use MOM’s “COMPASS calculator” to ensure you clear 40 pts. Print PDF report.
4. Submit EP application – Log in to EP Online, fill Form EP-APPL-01, upload scans, pay S$105 per application. Save the reference number.
5. Monitor status – 80 % of cases move to “Pending input from authorised personnel” within 7 days. Respond instantly if MOM asks for extra documents (they give 7 days).
6. Receive In-Principle Approval (IPA) – IPA letter lists two deadlines: (a) enter Singapore if you are overseas and (b) get the pass issued. IPA validity is usually 6 months.
7. Complete formalities
   • Medical exam (only if IPA asks – most EPs waived)
   • Register fingerprints & photo at MOM Services Centre, 1500 Bendemeer Rd (walk-in with appointment)
   • Pay S$225 issuance fee per pass; S$30 per Multiple-Journey Visa (MJV) sticker if you need re-entry.
8. Collect card – Digital EP is uploaded to SGWorkPass app within 1 hour; physical card optional.

Costs breakdown (in SGD, 2026)

• Degree verification (if required): S$63.50
• Initial application fee: S$105
• Issuance fee: S$225
• Multiple-Journey Visa (optional): S$30
• Medical exam (clinic rate): S$50–80
• DataFlow professional experience letter: S$42.50 (optional)
• Typical total payable to government: S$330–360

Processing timeline

COMPASS self-check	Instant
Degree verification (if triggered)	10–14 days
Standard EP application	10–21 working days
Complex cases (shareholders < 30 % local PMET, newly set-up entity)	4–8 weeks
Appeal (if rejected)	6–8 weeks additional

Tip: Apply at least 2 months before employment start date to buffer for extra documents or appeal.

Top rejection triggers and how to avoid them

1. Salary under C1 benchmark – Check MOM’s PMET data by 2-digit SSIC code and 90th-percentile wage before you negotiate the package. Negotiate base salary, not “target” bonus.
2. COMPASS score under 40 – If you lose points on nationality diversity, ask the employer to hire more locals first or demonstrate the role is on the SOL list.
3. “Company has weak local employment profile” – Ensure the firm’s local PMET share ≥ industry median. HR should top-up local hires or move some existing support staff into PMET roles before applying.
4. Job description too generic – State concrete deliverables, technical stack, team size. Copy-paste JDs trigger audits.
5. Education not verifiable
– If your university is not on MOM’s auto-list, start DataFlow early; appeals with late verification are ignored.
6. Virtual office address – MOM officers physically visit 5 % of new small firms. Have a manned office and signboard.
7. Applicant owns > 30 % shares – You still qualify for EP but must prove active day-to-day management and draw market-rate salary. Prepare organogram showing reporting lines and board resolutions.

Insider tips from approved applicants (2025 cohort)

• “We uploaded a one-page COMPASS declaration letter showing exact SSIC code, % of each nationality among PMETs, and an Excel formula screenshot. Officer gave approval in 8 days.” – R. Dutta, software lead, Mumbai
• “I was at S$4,800. HR re-graded my offer to S$5,100 and classified part of my annual bonus as guaranteed monthly salary to hit C1. Pass came through.” – J. Lim, marketing executive, Manila
• “We hired two Singaporean analysts two weeks before my EP application; our local PMET ratio jumped from 28 % to 38 %, pushing C4 score to 20 pts.” – F. Zhang, fintech co-founder, Shenzhen
• “I brought my spouse and two kids. Declare dependents inside the same EP application; later additions require a separate Dependant’s Pass application and another S$105.” – A. Sharma, solutions architect, Delhi

Practical FAQ

1. Can I apply for an EP while on a Short-Term Visit Pass?

Yes. There is no requirement to leave Singapore. File through EP Online; if approved, MOM will issue you an IPA letter. You then complete formalities in-country.

2. Is there a quota or levy for EPs?

No quota, no foreign-worker levy. The only numeric barrier is COMPASS, which indirectly limits companies that refuse to hire locals.

3. How long must I wait to apply for permanent residence (PR)?

Officially you can file PR after “12 months of residence.” Practically, approvals cluster around salary ≥ S$12 k, 2–3 tax assessments, and evidence of family roots in Singapore.

4. Do bonuses count toward the S$5 k salary threshold?

Only guaranteed cash components stated in the contract count. Discretionary bonus is excluded from MOM’s C1 salary calculation.

5. My IPA is valid 6 months but my passport expires in 4 months. Can I still enter?

No. Renew your passport first. IPA can be amended free of charge once if passport details change.

6. What if MOM rejects and I believe the COMPASS data is wrong?

File an appeal within 3 months attaching fresh objective evidence (payslips, market salary surveys, corrected nationality counts). Appeals without new data are refused within 7 days.

7. Can I do freelance work on the side?

Illegal. EP holders must work solely for the sponsoring employer. Take on paid outside work and both you and the employer risk fines up to S$20 k and/or imprisonment.

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