Singapore Employment Pass (EP) Guide: Eligibility, Salary Thresholds & COMPASS Framework
Singapore Employment Pass (EP) Guide: Eligibility, Salary Thresholds & COMPASS Framework
Quick Summary:
The Singapore Employment Pass (EP) is a work visa for foreign professionals, managers, executives, and technicians (PMETs). Securing an EP requires passing a mandatory 2-stage eligibility framework: meeting age-adjusted qualifying salary thresholds (Stage 1) and scoring at least 40 points on the COMPASS points-based framework (Stage 2).
1. The 2-Stage EP Eligibility Framework
To successfully obtain an Employment Pass in Singapore, applicants must clear two distinct evaluations:
Stage 1: Qualifying Salary (Age & Sector Adjusted)
The candidate's fixed monthly salary must match or exceed the benchmarked top 1/3 of local PMET wages, scaling progressively with age (starting at age 23 up to age 45 and above).
General Sectors (All except Financial Services):
Current (New applications): Starts at $5,600 (age 23 or below) up to $10,700 (age 45+).
Upcoming (From 1 Jan 2027): Starts at $6,000 (age 23 or below) up to $11,500 (age 45+).
Financial Services Sector:
Current (New applications): Starts at $6,200 (age 23 or below) up to $11,800 (age 45+).
Upcoming (From 1 Jan 2027): Starts at $6,600 (age 23 or below) up to $12,700 (age 45+).
Stage 2: COMPASS Points Assessment Framework
Unless exempt, applications must accumulate a minimum of 40 points across four foundational criteria and two bonus criteria:
Foundational Criteria | Focus Area | Max Points |
|---|---|---|
C1: Salary | Compares candidate's fixed salary against local sector benchmarks by age. | Up to 20 pts |
C2: Qualifications | Assesses candidate education (top-tier institutions vs. degree equivalents). | Up to 20 pts |
C3: Diversity | Measures nationality ratio of firm's existing PMET workforce. | Up to 20 pts |
C4: Support for Local Employment | Evaluates company's hiring ratio of local PMETs relative to industry peers. | Up to 20 pts |
Bonus Criteria:
Skills Bonus (Shortage Occupation List - SOL): Extra points for filling critical tech and specialized talent gaps.
Strategic Economic Priorities (SEP): Points awarded for participating in ambitious economic programs with government backing.
2. COMPASS Exemptions
An application is completely exempt from the COMPASS framework if it satisfies any of the following conditions:
High Salary Threshold: Fixed monthly salary is at least $22,500.
Intra-Corporate Transferees (ICT): Qualified candidates applying under specific international trade agreements.
Short-Term Employment: Filling a professional role lasting 1 month or less.
3. Step-by-Step EP Application Process
Fair Consideration Framework (FCF) Job Advertising: Before applying, employers must advertise the position openly on MyCareersFuture for at least 14 days to fairly consider local candidates.
Run the Self-Assessment Tool (SAT): Employers should utilize MOM's official online SAT portal to verify salary compliance and preview the COMPASS score before final submission.
Document Gathering: Prepare passport details, verified educational credentials, professional employment history, and corporate registry documents.
Online Submission: Submit filings securely via the myMOM Portal eService, paying the $105 application fee.
Approval & Issuance: Once the In-Principle Approval (IPA) is granted, pay the $225 pass issuance fee, complete registration steps, and collect the physical EP card.
Explore related Singapore immigration and work pass topics:
Check COMPASS points calculation examples
Compare EP vs. ONE Pass vs. S Pass requirements
Learn how to sponsor Dependant Passes (DP)
Want to calculate an indicative COMPASS score for a specific candidate profile?
Singapore Employment Pass (EP) Application Services: The 2026 COMPASS & MOM Compliance Guide by Bestar Singapore
Singapore Employment Pass (EP) Guide: Eligibility, Salary Thresholds & COMPASS Framework
Direct Summary:
Bestar Singapore provides end-to-end Singapore Employment Pass (EP) application services for foreign professionals, executives, and entrepreneurs. Our corporate immigration specialists manage mandatory COMPASS points audits (minimum 40 points required), age-adjusted salary benchmarking (starting from S$5,600/month for general sectors and S$6,200/month for financial services), Fair Consideration Framework (FCF) job postings on MyCareersFuture, MOM-accredited degree verification, myMOM Portal filings, and targeted rejection appeals.
Why Leading Companies & Founders Trust Bestar Singapore for EP Applications
Securing a Singapore Employment Pass under the Ministry of Manpower's (MOM) strict regulatory framework requires more than submitting forms—it demands precision scoring, corporate compliance, and audit-proof documentation.
Unlike volume-driven visa agencies, Bestar Singapore integrates corporate secretarial, accounting, tax, and immigration advisory under one roof. Whether you are relocating a senior executive, hiring specialized global talent, or incorporating a new Singapore company to sponsor your own Employment Pass, our specialists eliminate costly rejections and processing delays.
Service Pillar | What Bestar Singapore Delivers | Business & Conversion Impact |
|---|---|---|
COMPASS Pre-Audit | Proprietary points simulation across C1–C6 criteria prior to filing | Identifies points gaps early before paying MOM fees |
FCF Compliance | Compliant MyCareersFuture job drafting & 14-day applicant tracking | Protects employers from MOM fair-hiring audit flags |
Credential Verification | Coordination with MOM-approved background screening agencies | Prevents auto-rejections from unverified diplomas/degrees |
Corporate Readiness | ACRA business profile alignment, financial statements & SingPass setup | Ideal for newly incorporated companies & foreign founders |
Appeals & Renewals | Data-backed written appeals within 3 months & proactive renewal tracking | Maximizes approval recovery on complex or borderline cases |
2026 Singapore Employment Pass Eligibility & COMPASS Requirements
To obtain an Employment Pass in Singapore, candidates and sponsoring employers must pass MOM's 2-Stage Eligibility Framework:
Stage 1: Age-Adjusted Qualifying Fixed Monthly Salary
Candidates must meet or exceed the benchmarked top one-third of local PMET salaries, which increases progressively from age 23 up to age 45 and above:
General Sectors (All industries except Financial Services): Minimum S$5,600/month (age 23 and below), scaling up to S$10,700/month (age 45+). (Note: Scheduled to rise to S$6,000–S$11,500 starting 1 January 2027).
Financial Services Sector: Minimum S$6,200/month (age 23 and below), scaling up to S$11,800/month (age 45+). (Note: Scheduled to rise to S$6,600–S$12,700 starting 1 January 2027).
High-Earner COMPASS Exemption: Candidates earning a fixed monthly salary of S$22,500 or above are completely exempt from COMPASS points scoring.
Stage 2: COMPASS Points Assessment (Minimum 40 Points)
Unless exempt, applications are scored across four foundational criteria and two bonus criteria:
C1 – Salary (Up to 20 pts): Candidate's fixed monthly salary compared against local PMET salary benchmarks by sector and age.
C2 – Qualifications (Up to 20 pts): Degree equivalency and graduation from MOM-recognized top-tier institutions (verified via an MOM-approved screening provider).
C3 – Diversity (Up to 20 pts): Share of the candidate's nationality within the firm's existing PMET workforce.
C4 – Support for Local Employment (Up to 20 pts): Employer's share of local PMET employees relative to industry peers.
C5 – Skills Bonus (Up to 20 pts): Awarded for roles on MOM's Shortage Occupation List (SOL).
C6 – Strategic Economic Priorities Bonus (Up to 10 pts): Awarded to companies participating in qualifying innovation or internationalization programs supported by government agencies.
Bestar Singapore's 5-Step EP Application Process
Our structured workflow takes the administrative burden off your HR and leadership teams while keeping every milestone transparent:
Step 1: Eligibility & COMPASS Audit (Days 1–2) We evaluate the candidate's resume, academic credentials, and proposed remuneration package against MOM's latest COMPASS benchmarks to confirm a 40+ point score before proceeding.
Step 2: FCF Job Advertising & Degree Verification (Days 3–17) Unless exempt, Bestar manages the mandatory 14-day job posting on MyCareersFuture while simultaneously obtaining official educational verification reports from an MOM-accredited background screening body.
Step 3: Dossier Compilation & myMOM Filing (Days 18–20) Our specialists compile Form 8, corporate ACRA profiles, financial records, and certified English translations, submitting an error-free application directly via the myMOM Portal (MOM application fee: S$105).
Step 4: MOM Processing & Query Resolution (Weeks 3–8) Standard MOM processing takes 3 to 8 weeks. Bestar monitors your application status daily and responds immediately if MOM requests additional corporate or role justification.
Step 5: In-Principle Approval (IPA) & Pass Issuance Upon IPA approval, we coordinate medical examinations, biometric appointments at the Employment Pass Services Centre (EPSC), Dependant's Pass (DP) filings for family members, and physical EP card issuance (MOM issuance fee: S$225).
Singapore Work Pass Comparison: EP vs. ONE Pass vs. S Pass
Not sure which work visa fits your hiring or relocation plan? Bestar advises across all Singapore work pass categories:
Feature | Employment Pass (EP) | ONE Pass | S Pass |
|---|---|---|---|
Target Profile | Foreign professionals, managers & executives | Top global talent & C-suite leaders | Mid-skilled technical specialists |
Minimum Salary | S$5,600 (General) / S$6,200 (Financial) | S$30,000/month (or outstanding achievements) | Sector-specific baseline (S$3,300+) |
Assessment Rules | COMPASS Points Framework (40 pts) | Exempt from COMPASS & FCF advertising | Subject to company quota & foreign worker levy |
Validity Period | Up to 2 years (first-time); up to 3 years (renewal) | 5 years | Up to 2 years |
Family Sponsorship | Dependant's Pass (min. S$6,000 salary) / LTVP (min. S$12,000) | Dependant's Pass + Letter of Consent to work | Dependant's Pass (min. S$6,000 salary) |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Bestar Singapore charge for Employment Pass application services? Bestar offers transparent, fixed-fee corporate service packages tailored to whether you require a standalone EP filing, an EP bundled with company incorporation, or family Dependant's Pass sponsorship. Contact our team for an itemized quote excluding mandatory MOM government fees (S$105 application fee and S$225 issuance fee).
Can a foreign entrepreneur apply for an Employment Pass through their own Singapore company? Yes. Foreign founders can incorporate a Singapore Private Limited company through Bestar and apply for an Employment Pass as a director/executive. The company must demonstrate genuine local business operations, paid-up capital, a local corporate bank account, and satisfy COMPASS scoring criteria.
How long does it take to get a Singapore Employment Pass approved in 2026? Once submitted on the myMOM Portal, standard Employment Pass applications take 3 to 8 weeks to process, excluding the mandatory 14-day MyCareersFuture job advertising window and third-party degree verification.
What happens if my Singapore Employment Pass application is rejected? If an application is rejected, MOM provides an advisory reason. Bestar conducts a diagnostic review of your COMPASS points and documentation, gathers supplementary evidence, and submits a formal appeal within MOM's 3-month appeal window.
Start Your Singapore Employment Pass Assessment Today
Avoid costly processing delays and COMPASS points miscalculations. Speak directly with Bestar Singapore's corporate immigration specialists for a complimentary pre-application eligibility check.
Office Address: 23 New Industrial Road, #04-08 Solstice Business Center, Singapore 536209
Phone / WhatsApp: +65 6299 4730 / +65 8836 4489
Email: admin@bestar-asia.com
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM SGT
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