Singapore Employment Pass and COMPASS: how the points work
The Employment Pass is Singapore's pass for foreign professionals — but meeting the salary floor is only half of it. Since COMPASS, approval also depends on a points framework. Here is how both work.
The Employment Pass (EP) is the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) pass for foreign professionals, managers and executives. It has no quota, but it carries the highest salary bar of the work passes and, since the COMPASS framework was introduced, a second test on top of pay. As of 2026 the qualifying fixed monthly salary starts at around S$5,600 (and roughly S$6,200 in financial services) and scales up with age. Confirm the current figures on mom.gov.sg before relying on them — MOM reviews them regularly.
Salary is the floor, not the finish line
The salary threshold rises with the candidate's age, on the logic that an experienced hire should command experienced pay. Clearing the floor makes you eligible to be assessed — it does not approve the pass on its own. That second stage is COMPASS.
What COMPASS actually measures
COMPASS is a points system. It scores the application across foundational criteria — the candidate's salary against local norms for the role, and their qualifications — and firm-level criteria that look at the diversity of the employer's workforce and how well it supports local hiring. Bonus points are available, for example where the role is on a shortage list. An application needs to reach the passing total to clear COMPASS.
Because two of the criteria are about the employer, not the candidate, the same person can succeed with one company and not another. The employer's profile is part of the decision.
Who the EP is for
The EP suits professional, managerial, executive and specialist roles. Lower-salaried or mid-skilled positions usually point to the S Pass or a Work Permit instead, which have their own thresholds and conditions.
How the application runs
The employer (or an appointed employment agent) submits the EP application through MOM's portal. If approved, MOM issues an In-Principle Approval (IPA); the candidate then travels in, completes issuance and registration, and receives the pass. Processing is typically around three weeks once a complete application is in.
Where this leaves you
If you are moving to Singapore on an EP, the practical work is on the employer's side: confirming your salary fits the age-adjusted threshold and that the application can clear COMPASS. We do not file work passes — that is MOM's process through your employer. What we handle is the short-stay visit visa, useful if you need to travel in briefly first and your nationality requires one.
Sources
Independent visa assistance service. Not affiliated with the Government of Singapore or ICA. The SG Arrival Card is free at ica.gov.sg. A visa does not guarantee entry; admission is decided by ICA officers.