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Singapore Employment Pass 2027: New Salary Thresholds (and What to Do Before the Deadline)
Quick answer: From 1 January 2027, Singapore’s Employment Pass (EP) qualifying salary rises from S$5,600 to S$6,000 per month (S$6,200 to S$6,600 in financial services), and the age-adjusted ceiling climbs to S$11,500 (S$12,700 in financial services) at age 45 and above. Applications submitted before 1 January 2027 are assessed at today’s lower thresholds, and renewals of passes expiring from 1 January 2028 must meet the new floor. Candidates still need 40 points under MOM’s COMPASS framework.
What changes on 1 January 2027?
From 1 January 2027, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) raises the Employment Pass qualifying salary. New EP applications must meet a higher fixed monthly salary, and the age-adjusted benchmark — which scales the requirement up with a candidate’s age and experience — rises alongside it. The change applies to new applications from 1 January 2027, and to renewals of Employment Passes expiring from 1 January 2028. (Source: MOM Employment Pass eligibility, updated 28 April 2026.)
The new Employment Pass salary thresholds
| Applies to | General sectors | Financial services |
| Before 1 Jan 2027 (current) | S$5,600/mo (up to S$10,700 at 45+) | S$6,200/mo (up to S$11,800 at 45+) |
| From 1 Jan 2027 | S$6,000/mo (up to S$11,500 at 45+) | S$6,600/mo (up to S$12,700 at 45+) |
The qualifying salary increases progressively with age from age 23. Applications filed before 1 January 2027 are assessed at the current, lower thresholds — so timing matters.
Does the 2027 change affect renewals?
Yes. It is not only new applicants. If your Employment Pass expires from 1 January 2028, your renewal must also meet the higher qualifying salary. Both new hires and renewals are in scope, so employers should review salaries for staff whose passes come up for renewal in 2028 well in advance.
How does COMPASS fit in?
Salary is only half the test. Every EP application must also score at least 40 points under MOM’s COMPASS framework, which awards points across salary, qualifications, workforce diversity, and support for local employment. Because one COMPASS criterion is scored on salary relative to sector and age benchmarks, the 2027 salary increase can also affect COMPASS scoring. Candidates earning a fixed monthly salary of S$22,500 or more are exempt from COMPASS.
What should you do before the deadline?
If you are close to the current threshold, file your Employment Pass in 2026 — applications submitted before 1 January 2027 are assessed at today’s salary bar. If a renewal is coming up in 2028, review the salary now rather than at the last minute. And if you are a founder relocating to Singapore, this is the moment to incorporate and sponsor your own Employment Pass while the rules are lighter.
Founders: incorporate and sponsor your own EP
A foreigner can own 100% of a Singapore company, and that company can act as the sponsoring employer for the founder’s Employment Pass. Handling incorporation and the work pass application together — company set-up, corporate secretarial, and MOM submission — is the cleanest way to beat the 2027 deadline.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Singapore Employment Pass salary from 1 January 2027?
S$6,000 per month for most sectors and S$6,600 for financial services, rising with age to S$11,500 (S$12,700 financial services) at age 45 and above.
Does the 2027 EP change affect renewals?
Yes. Renewals of Employment Passes expiring from 1 January 2028 must meet the new, higher thresholds.
Are applications filed in 2026 affected?
No. Applications submitted before 1 January 2027 are assessed at the current, lower thresholds.
Is salary the only Employment Pass requirement?
No. Candidates also need 40 points under MOM’s COMPASS framework, unless they earn a fixed monthly salary of S$22,500 or more, which qualifies for a COMPASS exemption.
Talk to VIVOS
VIVOS PTE. LTD. is a Singapore business advisory and immigration firm handling incorporation, corporate secretarial, accounting, and work passes under one roof. Book a free consultation or WhatsApp +65 9366 9399.
Full video transcript
If you’re an entrepreneur planning to get an Employment Pass in Singapore, remember one date: 1 January 2027. That’s when the Employment Pass salary bar goes up — and applications filed before it are judged by today’s lighter rules. I’m Ray Tay, co-founder of VIVOS. Here’s exactly what changes, and what to do about it. Right now, the Employment Pass qualifying salary starts at S$5,600 a month — S$6,200 in financial services. From 2027, that floor rises to S$6,000, and S$6,600 in financial services. And it’s not just entry level — the age-adjusted ceiling climbs too, up to S$11,500 for experienced hires. Here’s the part people miss: it’s not only new applicants. If your Employment Pass expires from 1 January 2028, your renewal must also meet the higher salary. So new hires and renewals are both in scope. And remember — salary is only half the test. You still need 40 points under the Ministry of Manpower’s COMPASS framework, which scores your pay, your qualifications, and your employer’s profile. So what should you do? If you’re close to the current threshold, file your Employment Pass in 2026 — applications submitted before 1 January 2027 are assessed at today’s salary bar. If a renewal is coming up, review the salary now, not in December. And if you’re a founder, this is the moment to incorporate and sponsor your own pass while the rules are lighter. At VIVOS, we handle Singapore incorporation and the full Employment Pass application — from company set-up to MOM submission — so you will beat the deadline cleanly. Book a free consultation at vivos.com.sg, or WhatsApp us. I’m Ray Tay. Don’t wait until 2027.
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