What is the minimum salary for an Employment Pass in 2026?

The EP qualifying salary starts from S$5,600 a month for the youngest applicants in all sectors except financial services, and from S$6,200 in financial services. Because it is benchmarked to the top one-third of local PMET salaries by age, it rises progressively with age to S$10,700 (S$11,800 in financial services) at age 45 and above. From 1 January 2027 these floors increase to S$6,000 (all sectors) and S$6,600 (financial services), up to S$11,500 and S$12,700 respectively at 45+.

What is COMPASS and how many points do I need?

COMPASS (the Complementarity Assessment Framework) is the points-based second stage of the EP assessment. An application passes at 40 points. Points come from four foundational criteria, each scoring 0, 10 or 20, salary, qualifications, workforce diversity and the firm’s support for local employment, plus up to two bonus criteria for jobs on the Shortage Occupation List and for participation in strategic economic programmes.

Who is exempt from COMPASS?

An EP application is exempt from COMPASS if the candidate earns a fixed monthly salary of at least S$22,500, is an overseas intra-corporate transferee, or is filling the role for one month or less. Exempt applications must still meet the Stage 1 qualifying salary, though the S$22,500 threshold clears it automatically.

Can I apply for an Employment Pass myself?

No. The employer, or an appointed employment agent, must apply on the candidate’s behalf, a candidate cannot apply directly. An overseas company without a Singapore-registered office must apply through a local sponsor. Before applying, employers generally must advertise the role on MyCareersFuture under the Fair Consideration Framework, and can use MOM’s Self-Assessment Tool to check eligibility first.

How does the EP differ from the ONE Pass and the PEP?

The Employment Pass is tied to a specific employer and requires both the qualifying salary and a COMPASS pass. The ONE Pass is for top-tier talent earning S$30,000 a month (or qualifying by outstanding achievement), is exempt from COMPASS, allows work across multiple companies, and runs up to 5 years. The Personalised Employment Pass is for high earners (a fixed monthly salary of S$22,500 and at least S$270,000 a year), is also COMPASS-exempt, lets the holder change jobs freely, runs up to 3 years and is issued only once.

Singapore Employment Pass (EP) 2026: Eligibility, COMPASS & Salary

Published: 24 June 2026 · Last reviewed: 25 September 2026 · Reviewed by Ray Tay, Co-Founder & Managing Director, VIVOS PTE. LTD. (ACRA Filing Agent FA20240323 · MOM EA Licence 24S2425)

Quick answer: The Singapore Employment Pass (EP) is the work pass for foreign professionals, managers and executives with a job offer in Singapore. In 2026 a new applicant must earn at least S$5,600 a month (S$6,200 in financial services), rising with age to S$10,700 (S$11,800) at 45 and above, and must also score at least 40 points under the COMPASS framework unless the fixed monthly salary is S$22,500 or more. From 1 January 2027 the minimum rises to S$6,000 (S$6,600 in financial services).

Employment Pass at a glance (2026–2027)

Item	Rule
Minimum salary, new applications (2026)	S$5,600 a month (S$6,200 in financial services), rising progressively with age to S$10,700 (S$11,800) at age 45 and above
From 1 January 2027	S$6,000 (S$6,600 in financial services), rising to S$11,500 (S$12,700) at age 45 and above
Renewals	The 2027 salary levels apply to Employment Passes expiring on or after 1 January 2028
COMPASS	At least 40 points across the COMPASS criteria; not required if the fixed monthly salary is S$22,500 or more
Pass duration	Up to 2 years for a first-time pass; renewals up to 3 years
Who applies	The employer, or an employment agency acting for it (VIVOS holds MOM Employment Agency Licence 24S2425)

Quick check: Use our free Employment Pass Salary & COMPASS Calculator to see instantly whether a candidate clears both stages of MOM's assessment.

Watch on YouTube: Singapore Employment Pass Salary Rises in 2027 — Here's the Deadline · 1 min 57 sec.

Who Qualifies for a Singapore Employment Pass, and What Does it Cost in Salary Terms?

The Employment Pass (EP) is for foreign professionals, managers and executives with a Singapore job offer. Qualifying is a two-stage test: first you must meet the EP qualifying salary, currently from S$5,600 a month for a young applicant (from S$6,200 in financial services), rising progressively with age to S$10,700 (S$11,800 in financial services) at age 45 and above, and second you must score at least 40 points on COMPASS, the points-based assessment, unless you are exempt. Failing the salary stage disqualifies you regardless of your COMPASS score. The employer or an appointed agent applies on your behalf; there is no foreign-worker levy or quota.

Government fees are S$105 on application and S$225 on issuance, and online applications are processed or given an update within 10 business days. Before applying, most employers must advertise the role on MyCareersFuture for at least 14 consecutive days under the Fair Consideration Framework. All figures verified against MOM on 14 September 2026. For the full age-by-age salary table, see our EP minimum salary guide (2026 vs 2027); founders applying through their own company should read the Employment Pass for business owners guide.

Table Of Content

What is Employment Pass?

The Employment Pass (EP) is Singapore’s main work pass for foreign professionals, managers and executives (PMEs) who hold a job offer from a Singapore employer. It is tied to that employer, and the company, or an appointed employment agent, submits the application on the candidate’s behalf. Unlike Work Permits and S Passes, the EP is not subject to a foreign-worker levy or quota, which is why it is the route most multinational and growth companies use to bring in senior or specialist hires. Eligible family members can apply for a Dependant’s Pass or a Long-Term Visit Pass, and EP holders may later apply for permanent residence (PR).

Since the framework was tightened, getting an EP is no longer just about hitting a single salary number. Two related but distinct talent routes sit alongside the EP for higher-earning or top-tier candidates: the ONE Pass (Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass) and the Personalised Employment Pass (PEP), and we compare all three below.

The Two-Stage Framework

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) assesses every EP application against a two-stage framework:

Stage 1: Qualifying salary. The candidate’s fixed monthly salary must meet or exceed the EP qualifying salary for their age. This is a gating test: an application that fails Stage 1 is disqualified regardless of its COMPASS score.
Stage 2: COMPASS. The application must then pass COMPASS, the Complementarity Assessment Framework, by scoring at least 40 points, unless one of the exemptions applies.

In short: salary first, then points. Both stages must be cleared for the EP to be granted.

Stage 1: EP Qualifying Salary by Age

The EP qualifying salary is benchmarked to the top one-third of local PMET salaries by age, so it rises with the candidate’s age. The figures below apply to new applications and renewals. Financial-services roles carry a higher floor than all other sectors.

EP qualifying salary, current (fixed monthly salary)

Candidate’s age	All sectors except financial services	Financial services
Age 23 or below (youngest applicants)	From S$5,600	From S$6,200
Increasing progressively with age …	… rising with age	… rising with age
Age 45 and above	Up to S$10,700	Up to S$11,800

The qualifying salary increases progressively between the youngest and oldest age bands; the values above are the floor (youngest) and ceiling (age 45+). Source: MOM Employment Pass eligibility.

From 1 January 2027 (for new applications) and for renewals expiring from 1 January 2028, these floors rise:

EP qualifying salary, from 1 Jan 2027 (new applications); renewals expiring from 1 Jan 2028

Candidate’s age	All sectors except financial services	Financial services
Youngest applicants	From S$6,000	From S$6,600
Age 45 and above	Up to S$11,500	Up to S$12,700

Source: MOM Employment Pass eligibility. Meeting the qualifying salary clears Stage 1 only; the application must still pass COMPASS unless exempt.

Stage 2: The COMPASS Points Test

COMPASS (the Complementarity Assessment Framework) is a points-based test. An application passes at 40 points. Points come from four foundational criteria, each scoring 0, 10 or 20, plus up to two bonus criteria. The foundational criteria are split evenly between attributes of the candidate (salary, qualifications) and the employer (workforce diversity, support for local employment).

COMPASS foundational criteria (each scores 0 / 10 / 20)

Criterion	20 points	10 points	0 points
C1 Salary	At or above the 90th percentile	65th to below 90th percentile	Below the 65th percentile
C2 Qualifications	Degree from a top-tier institution	Other degree-equivalent qualification	No degree-equivalent qualification
C3 Diversity	Below 5%	5% to below 25%	25% or more
C4 Support for local employment	At or above the 50th percentile	20th to below 50th percentile	Below the 20th percentile

Firms with fewer than 25 PMET employees score 10 by default on C3 (Diversity) and C4 (Support for local employment). A firm with at least a 70% local PMET share scores at least 10 on C4. Source: MOM COMPASS key facts.

Two bonus criteria can add further points:

COMPASS Bonus Criteria

Criterion	Points	How it is earned
C5 Skills bonus	+20 (or +10)	+20 if the job is on the Shortage Occupation List (SOL); +10 if the candidate’s nationality makes up one-third or more of the firm’s PMETs (and the role is on the SOL).
C6 Strategic Economic Priorities bonus	+10	Awarded where the firm participates in an eligible programme with an economic agency or NTUC.

Source: MOM COMPASS key facts. Because the employer’s own workforce profile feeds into C3, C4 and the C5 skills bonus, two candidates with identical pay and qualifications can score differently at different companies.

COMPASS Exemptions

Some applications skip Stage 2 entirely. An EP application is exempt from COMPASS if the candidate:

earns a fixed monthly salary of at least S$22,500; or
is an overseas intra-corporate transferee (ICT); or
is filling the role for one month or less.

Exempt applications still have to meet the Stage 1 qualifying salary (the S$22,500 exemption naturally clears it). Note that the S$22,500 salary threshold is the same figure that lets a high earner qualify for the Personalised Employment Pass (PEP).

Duration & Renewal

A first-time EP is issued for up to 2 years; on renewal it can be granted for up to 3 years. Experienced tech professionals in roles on the shortage list may receive an EP valid for up to 5 years. The EP is renewable, subject to the candidate and employer continuing to meet the prevailing criteria (including the qualifying salary and COMPASS at the time of renewal).

Family passes for EP holders

An EP holder earning a fixed monthly salary of at least S$6,000 can sponsor family members; parents need the holder to earn at least S$12,000. Each family member needs a separate application.

Family member	Pass type
Legally married spouse	Dependant’s Pass
Unmarried children under 21 (including legally adopted)	Dependant’s Pass
Common-law spouse	Long-Term Visit Pass
Unmarried step-children under 21; unmarried handicapped children 21 and above	Long-Term Visit Pass
Parents (EP holder earning S$12,000 or more)	Long-Term Visit Pass

See our service pages for the Dependant’s Pass and Long-Term Visit Pass.

Renewal and cancellation essentials

Renewals are assessed against the qualifying salary and COMPASS benchmarks in force at the time of renewal, which is why the 1 January 2027 salary floors also bite on renewals of passes expiring from 1 January 2028. When employment ends, the employer must cancel the EP within 1 week of the last working day; the pass holder normally receives a 30-day short-term visit pass to settle affairs, linked Dependant’s Passes and LTVPs are cancelled at the same time, and the employer must complete tax clearance with IRAS before releasing the final salary. Read more in our IR21 tax clearance guide.

How to Apply

The employer or an appointed employment agent applies on the candidate’s behalf, a candidate cannot apply for an EP directly. An overseas company without a Singapore-registered office must apply through a local sponsor. Key steps and requirements:

Fair Consideration Framework (FCF). Before applying, employers must generally advertise the role on MyCareersFuture to give locals fair consideration (some exemptions apply).
Self-Assessment Tool (SAT). Employers can use MOM’s SAT to check whether a candidate is likely to qualify (salary and COMPASS) before submitting.
No levy or quota. Unlike Work Permits and S Passes, the EP has no foreign-worker levy and is not counted under a quota.
Family. Eligible family members can apply for a Dependant’s Pass or Long-Term Visit Pass.
Pathway to PR. EP holders may later apply for permanent residence.

Fair Consideration Framework: the advertising rule

Unless exempt, the employer must post the vacancy on MyCareersFuture for at least 14 consecutive days before submitting the EP application, and must not make a job offer during that window. The advertised salary range must include the salary offered to the EP candidate and the maximum cannot exceed twice the minimum; the job title and hiring entity must match the application; and an advertisement that has been closed or expired for more than 3 months cannot be used. Any change to the advertisement (entity, occupation, salary, number of vacancies) restarts the 14-day clock.

Exempt from advertising (fair hiring still applies): companies with fewer than 10 employees; roles paying a fixed monthly salary of S$22,500 or more; roles of one month or less; roles filled by a local transferee within the group; and overseas intra-corporate transferees.

Documents required

Who	Documents
Employer or appointed agent	Candidate’s written consent to apply; completed candidate form; latest ACRA business profile; employment contract or offer showing title, duties and fixed monthly salary; MyCareersFuture advertisement reference; company turnover information for the past 3 years updated with MOM; supporting details if this is the company’s first EP
Candidate	Passport biodata page; educational certificates (degree or higher, verified where required); CV and work references; certified English translations of any non-English document
Overseas employer without a Singapore office	Employment Pass (Sponsorship) form submitted through a local sponsor with Corppass; processing takes up to 6 weeks

Fees, processing time and what happens after approval

Step	Detail
Application fee	S$105 per pass, paid on submission (GIRO, Visa, Mastercard or Amex)
Processing time	Processed or given an update within 10 business days for online applications; within 6 weeks for overseas companies applying through a local sponsor
In-principle approval (IPA)	Acts as a pre-approved single-entry visa; the candidate has 6 months to enter Singapore and get the pass issued, and the IPA states whether a medical examination is needed
Issuance fee	S$225 per pass, plus S$30 for a Multiple Journey Visa where applicable; the candidate must be in Singapore
Notification letter	Valid for 1 month; allows the candidate to start work and travel while the card is produced
Fingerprints and photo	If required, within 2 weeks of issuance at the Employment Pass Services Centre
Pass card	Delivered within 5 working days after registration or document verification; digital pass available in the SGWorkPass app

Family passes can be filed together with the EP, but if the EP is rejected the family-pass fees are lost, so most employers file them after approval. MOM’s Self-Assessment Tool should be run first: if it shows the candidate does not qualify, do not apply.

EP vs ONE Pass vs PEP

The EP is the workhorse pass, but two alternatives suit different profiles. The ONE Pass targets top-tier talent and is not tied to a single employer; the PEP gives high-earning professionals the freedom to change jobs without re-applying. The table below sets them side by side.

Employment Pass vs ONE Pass vs Personalised Employment Pass

Feature	Employment Pass (EP)	ONE Pass	Personalised Employment Pass (PEP)
Who it’s for	Professionals, managers & executives with a Singapore job offer	Top-tier talent (business, arts/culture, sports, academia/research)	High-earning EP holders or overseas professionals
Min. fixed monthly salary	From S$5,600 (S$6,200 financial services), rising with age to S$10,700 / S$11,800 at 45+	S$30,000 (or qualify via outstanding achievement)	S$22,500 (and at least S$270,000 per calendar year)
COMPASS points test	Yes — score 40 (unless exempt)	Exempt	Exempt
Tied to an employer	Yes (employer/agent applies)	No (multiple companies allowed)	No (change jobs freely)
Duration	Up to 2 yrs (first), 3 yrs (renewal); up to 5 yrs for tech roles on the SOL	Up to 5 years	Up to 3 years
Renewable	Yes	Yes (5 yrs each)	No (issued once)
Run a business	Restricted (directorship rules apply)	Yes	No (use EntrePass / ONE Pass)
Who applies	Employer / appointed agent	Candidate, or employer / agent	Candidate, directly

Employment Pass for Founders and Business Owners

A foreign founder can hold an EP through a company they own: incorporate a Singapore private limited company, appoint a resident director, and have the company apply for the EP with the founder as an employee on a fixed monthly salary that clears the age-based threshold. MOM looks harder at newly incorporated companies, so applications filed with a paid-up capital plan, a business plan, an office address, early contracts or revenue, and a credible salary tend to fare better than those filed on day one. Founders who cannot yet meet the salary floor may qualify for an EntrePass; those earning S$30,000 a month should compare the ONE Pass. Our dedicated guide to the Employment Pass for business owners covers structuring, the self-employed EP route and the common reasons founder applications are refused.

What If the Application Is Rejected?

The most common reasons MOM refuses an EP are a salary that is low for the role or the candidate’s age, qualifications that do not match the job, a thin or newly formed employer with little operating track record, missing or inconsistent documents, and a Fair Consideration Framework advertisement that was not run correctly. The employer has 3 months from the rejection to appeal, and an appeal only succeeds when it answers MOM’s stated reasons with new evidence such as a revised salary, a fuller job description, verified qualifications or proof of local hiring efforts. Where the gap is structural, a fresh application after fixing it is often faster than an appeal.

Key Takeaways

The EP is for foreign PMEs with a Singapore job offer; the employer or an appointed agent applies, and there is no levy or quota.
Qualifying is a two-stage test: meet the qualifying salary (Stage 1), then pass COMPASS at 40 points (Stage 2). Failing Stage 1 disqualifies regardless of COMPASS.
The qualifying salary runs from S$5,600 (S$6,200 in financial services) and rises with age to S$10,700 / S$11,800 at 45+; floors rise again from 1 Jan 2027.
COMPASS scores four foundational criteria (salary, qualifications, diversity, support for local employment) plus two bonuses; the employer’s workforce profile matters.
COMPASS is waived for candidates earning at least S$22,500 a month, intra-corporate transferees, or roles of one month or less.
An EP runs up to 2 years first, 3 years on renewal (up to 5 years for tech roles on the SOL), and is renewable.

Relocating talent to Singapore?

Getting an EP application right, the qualifying salary, the COMPASS score, and the Fair Consideration Framework, is where time and money are won or lost. VIVOS advises companies and individuals on immigration via business formation, work-pass strategy and relocation, so the entity, the role and the application line up.

Frequently
Asked Questions

Who qualifies for a Singapore Employment Pass?

The Employment Pass is for foreign professionals, managers and executives who hold a job offer from a Singapore employer. To qualify, the candidate must clear a two-stage test: first, their fixed monthly salary must meet the EP qualifying salary for their age; and second, the application must score at least 40 points on COMPASS, unless an exemption applies. Failing the salary stage disqualifies the application regardless of its COMPASS score.
What is the minimum salary for an Employment Pass in 2026?

The EP qualifying salary starts from S$5,600 a month for the youngest applicants in all sectors except financial services, and from S$6,200 in financial services. Because it is benchmarked to the top one-third of local PMET salaries by age, it rises progressively with age to S$10,700 (S$11,800 in financial services) at age 45 and above. From 1 January 2027 these floors increase to S$6,000 (all sectors) and S$6,600 (financial services), up to S$11,500 and S$12,700 respectively at 45+.
What is COMPASS and how many points do I need?

COMPASS (the Complementarity Assessment Framework) is the points-based second stage of the EP assessment. An application passes at 40 points. Points come from four foundational criteria, each scoring 0, 10 or 20, salary, qualifications, workforce diversity and the firm’s support for local employment, plus up to two bonus criteria for jobs on the Shortage Occupation List and for participation in strategic economic programmes.
Who is exempt from COMPASS?

An EP application is exempt from COMPASS if the candidate earns a fixed monthly salary of at least S$22,500, is an overseas intra-corporate transferee, or is filling the role for one month or less. Exempt applications must still meet the Stage 1 qualifying salary, though the S$22,500 threshold clears it automatically.
How long is an Employment Pass valid, and can it be renewed?

A first-time Employment Pass is issued for up to 2 years, and a renewal for up to 3 years. Experienced tech professionals in roles on the shortage list may receive an EP valid for up to 5 years. The EP is renewable, provided the candidate and employer continue to meet the prevailing criteria, including the qualifying salary and COMPASS at the time of renewal.
Can I apply for an Employment Pass myself?

No. The employer, or an appointed employment agent, must apply on the candidate’s behalf, a candidate cannot apply directly. An overseas company without a Singapore-registered office must apply through a local sponsor. Before applying, employers generally must advertise the role on MyCareersFuture under the Fair Consideration Framework, and can use MOM’s Self-Assessment Tool to check eligibility first.
How does the EP differ from the ONE Pass and the PEP?

The Employment Pass is tied to a specific employer and requires both the qualifying salary and a COMPASS pass. The ONE Pass is for top-tier talent earning S$30,000 a month (or qualifying by outstanding achievement), is exempt from COMPASS, allows work across multiple companies, and runs up to 5 years. The Personalised Employment Pass is for high earners (a fixed monthly salary of S$22,500 and at least S$270,000 a year), is also COMPASS-exempt, lets the holder change jobs freely, runs up to 3 years and is issued only once.