What Is the Minimum Salary for a Singapore Employment Pass in 2026 — and from 2027?

By the VIVOS team — ACRA Registered Filing Agent FA20240323 · MOM Employment Agency Licence 24S2425 · Last reviewed: 22 July 2026

For EP applications in 2026, the qualifying salary is S$5,600/month — S$6,200 for financial services — rising progressively with age to around S$10,700 (S$11,800 FS) in a candidate’s mid-40s. From 1 January 2027, new applications require at least S$6,000 (S$6,600 for financial services).

Key facts

• 2026 floor: S$5,600 · financial services S$6,200
• From 1 Jan 2027 (new applications): S$6,000 · financial services S$6,600
• Age scaling: the floor rises with age — mid-40s benchmark ≈ S$10,700 (S$11,800 FS)
• Salary alone is not enough: most candidates must also pass the COMPASS points framework
• Renewals: move to the new floors on the cycle MOM specifies — check current guidance at filing time

The two gates: salary and COMPASS

Meeting the qualifying salary opens the door; COMPASS decides whether you walk through it. The framework scores salary against local norms in your sector, qualifications, workforce diversity and the employer’s local-hiring record. A candidate paid exactly at the floor in a firm with weak COMPASS fundamentals can still be refused — which is why founder applications need the company’s side of the scorecard planned as carefully as the candidate’s. Our full EP eligibility and COMPASS guide walks the scoring.

Hiring in late 2026? Mind the January cliff

Applications filed before 1 January 2027 are assessed at the current S$5,600/S$6,200 floors, where eligible; from 1 January the S$6,000/S$6,600 floors apply to new applications. For hires on the margin, filing in Q4 2026 versus Q1 2027 can change the required package — plan offers accordingly, and remember employers must also satisfy fair-consideration requirements.

Relocating as a founder? The EP can be sponsored by your own Singapore company — see our EP service and the EP vs EntrePass vs ONE Pass comparison.

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2027 increase affect passes already approved?

Existing passes are unaffected until renewal; new applications from 1 January 2027 face the higher floors.

Is meeting the salary enough to get an EP?

No — most candidates must also pass COMPASS, which scores salary against local norms, qualifications, firm diversity and local-hiring record.

Can a founder pay themselves the qualifying salary from their own company?

Yes — founder EPs sponsored by your own Singapore company are common; the role and the company’s fundamentals must be credible. VIVOS structures the incorporation and the EP as one process.

Talk to a specialist: WhatsApp +65 9366 9399 or contact@vivos.com.sg — incorporation, passes and compliance handled by one licensed team.