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Employment Pass (EP) Eligibility Explained

Updated 26 Oct 2026 4 min read New to SG Editorial Team
A professional reviewing work-pass paperwork at a sunny desk with a laptop
Short answer

An Employment Pass needs a fixed monthly salary from S$5,600 (S$6,200 in financial services), rising with age, plus at least 40 points on MOM's COMPASS framework. A salary of S$22,500 or more exempts you from COMPASS.

On this page7 sections · tap to jump
  1. 01Stage 1: the qualifying salary
  2. 02Stage 2: COMPASS points
  3. 03Who is exempt from COMPASS
  4. 04How long an EP lasts
  5. 05What counts as your “fixed monthly salary”
  6. 06After approval, and changing jobs
  7. 07What this means for your move

The Employment Pass (EP) is the main work pass for foreign professionals, managers and executives in Singapore. Since 2023 it is assessed in two stages by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM): first a salary threshold, then a points test called COMPASS. Here is what each stage asks, with the figures MOM currently publishes.

Stage 1: the qualifying salary

Your fixed monthly salary must meet a minimum that rises with age. For new applications since 1 January 2025:

  • All sectors except financial services: from S$5,600 a month, increasing progressively with age up to S$10,700 at age 45 and above.
  • Financial services: from S$6,200 a month, rising higher with age.

“Fixed monthly salary” means your basic pay plus fixed monthly allowances — not bonuses, variable pay or allowances that are not guaranteed every month.

Stage 2: COMPASS points

If you meet the salary floor, the application is scored on COMPASS (the Complementarity Assessment Framework), which applies to new applications from 1 September 2023 and to renewals from 1 September 2024. You need at least 40 points to pass.

Card summarising MOM COMPASS: 40 points to pass, four foundational criteria scored 0/10/20, two bonus criteria up to 20 each

How MOM’s COMPASS points are structured.

There are four foundational criteria, each scoring 0, 10 or 20 points:

  • C1 Salary — your fixed monthly salary compared with local PMET salaries in your sector, by age.
  • C2 Qualifications — based on your degree or professional qualifications.
  • C3 Diversity — the share of your nationality among the firm’s PMET staff (more diverse firms score better).
  • C4 Support for local employment — the firm’s share of local PMETs versus its industry peers.

On top of these are two bonus criteria worth up to 20 points each: a skills bonus where the job is on MOM’s Shortage Occupation List, and a strategic economic priorities bonus for firms supporting national priorities.

Who is exempt from COMPASS

You do not need to pass COMPASS if any of the following apply:

  • You earn a fixed monthly salary of S$22,500 or more.
  • The application is for a role of one month or less.
  • You are an intra-corporate transferee (ICT) under Singapore’s trade agreements.

These applicants still need to meet the Stage 1 salary rule for their profile.

How long an EP lasts

A first EP is granted for up to 2 years, and a renewal for up to 3 years (longer for some tech roles). The pass cannot be valid beyond one month before your passport expires, so keep your passport current.

What counts as your “fixed monthly salary”

Your fixed monthly salary is your basic pay plus allowances that are fixed and paid every month. It excludes bonuses, variable or performance pay, the Annual Wage Supplement (13th month), overtime, and allowances that are not guaranteed. A housing or transport allowance counts only if it is fixed and paid monthly — not reimbursed against receipts. Because both the salary threshold and the COMPASS C1 points read this figure, how your package is structured can decide whether you qualify: a modest fixed base topped up by a large discretionary bonus can fall short even when total pay looks high.

After approval, and changing jobs

If the application succeeds, MOM issues an In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter. You then enter Singapore, complete the formalities and have the pass card issued (with a medical examination where required). An EP is tied to a specific employer: if you change jobs, the current pass is cancelled and the new employer applies for a fresh EP under the rules in force at that time. You cannot transfer an EP between employers, and you should not start the new role until the new pass is issued.

What this means for your move

  • Confirm your fixed monthly salary meets the floor for your age and sector — not just the headline figure.
  • Ask your employer to run the COMPASS self-assessment early; it shapes whether the application is worth filing.
  • Line up your Dependant’s Pass plan if family will join you — that has its own salary test (see below).
  • Keep your passport validity well ahead of the pass period.

If you are weighing other options, compare the S Pass criteria for mid-skilled roles, and read how a Dependant’s Pass and working on it work once your family arrives. New arrivals can also start with our first-week admin steps.

General information only, from MOM, with the date each figure was checked. We are not an immigration agent; the final decision on any pass rests with MOM. Confirm the current rules on the official MOM page for your own case.

Sources

  1. Eligibility for Employment Pass — Ministry of Manpower (as of October 2026)
  2. Employment Pass key facts — Ministry of Manpower (as of October 2026)