Employment Pass (EP) (Singapore)
Singapore's primary work visa for foreign professionals, managers, and executives earning at least SGD 5,600 per month (SGD 10,700 for financial services), assessed under the COMPASS points-based framework since September 2023.
What Is a Singapore Employment Pass?
Key Takeaways
- ✓The Employment Pass (EP) is Singapore's work visa for foreign professionals, managers, and executives (PMEs). It's the most common visa for white-collar foreign workers in the country.
- ✓Since September 2023, all new EP applications must pass the COMPASS framework, a points-based system that evaluates both individual qualifications and employer workforce diversity.
- ✓The minimum qualifying salary is SGD 5,600 per month for most sectors, rising with age and experience. Financial services sector candidates need at least SGD 10,700 per month.
- ✓EP holders can bring dependants to Singapore if they earn at least SGD 6,000 per month (Long-Term Visit Pass) or SGD 6,000 for a Dependant's Pass.
- ✓The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) processes EP applications, typically within 3 to 8 weeks.
The Employment Pass is Singapore's go-to work visa for professional talent. If you're hiring a software engineer from India, a marketing director from Australia, or a finance manager from the UK for your Singapore office, the EP is almost certainly the right visa. But getting one isn't as simple as it used to be. Singapore has progressively tightened EP requirements over the past five years. The biggest shift was COMPASS, introduced in September 2023. It adds a points-based assessment layer on top of the salary and qualification requirements. The system evaluates whether the candidate and the employer meet Singapore's workforce development goals, not just whether the individual is qualified for the job. For HR teams, this means EP applications now require strategic thinking about your company's overall workforce composition, not just the individual hire's credentials. A great candidate might still be rejected if your company's local-to-foreign ratio or skills diversity score is too low.
COMPASS Framework Explained
COMPASS (Complementarity Assessment Framework) is the points-based system that determines EP eligibility. It evaluates candidates across four foundational criteria and two bonus criteria.
| Criterion | Category | Points Available | What It Measures |
|---|---|---|---|
| C1: Salary | Individual | 20 points (meets/exceeds sector benchmark) | Whether the offered salary is competitive relative to local PMET salaries in the same sector |
| C2: Qualifications | Individual | 20 points (recognized qualifications) | Educational credentials from top-tier institutions or equivalent professional qualifications |
| C3: Diversity | Firm-related | 20 points (nationality diversity) | Whether the company's workforce has excessive concentration of any single nationality among PMETs |
| C4: Support for local employment | Firm-related | 20 points (good local PMET share) | Whether the company employs a fair share of local PMETs relative to its sector |
| Bonus: Skills (shortage occupation) | Bonus | 10 points | The role is on MOM's Shortage Occupation List (SOL) |
| Bonus: Strategic Economic Priorities | Bonus | 10 points | Meeting criteria tied to Singapore's economic development objectives |
EP Salary Requirements
The minimum qualifying salary is a floor, not a guarantee of approval. Actual required salaries increase with the candidate's age and experience.
Minimum salary benchmarks
The base minimum is SGD 5,600 per month for most sectors, introduced in September 2023 (up from SGD 5,000). For the financial services sector, the minimum is SGD 10,700 per month, reflecting the higher salary levels in that industry. These are entry-level thresholds for young candidates in their mid-20s. MOM expects higher salaries for older and more experienced candidates. A 40-year-old applying with a salary of SGD 5,600 will almost certainly be rejected because the benchmark increases with age.
Progressive salary expectations
MOM doesn't publish a precise formula, but the principle is clear: older candidates must earn more. The salary benchmark is pegged to what local PMETs at similar experience levels earn. If local professionals with 15 years of experience in your sector earn SGD 12,000 per month at the median, your foreign hire with similar experience should be earning at least that amount. This is also how COMPASS C1 works: it compares the offered salary against the local PMET salary distribution in the same sector.
EP Application Process
The employer (not the candidate) submits the EP application through MOM's online EP Online system.
Step-by-step process
First, the employer posts the job on MyCareersFuture for at least 14 days (Fair Consideration Framework requirement, with some exemptions for companies with fewer than 10 employees or roles paying SGD 22,500+ per month). After the advertising period, the employer submits the EP application through EP Online with supporting documents: candidate's educational certificates, passport copy, company details, and COMPASS-related information. MOM processes the application, typically taking 3 to 8 weeks. If approved, the candidate enters Singapore and the In-Principle Approval (IPA) is converted to the actual EP card.
Fair Consideration Framework (FCF)
The FCF requires employers to advertise jobs on MyCareersFuture before applying for an EP. The ad must run for at least 14 days and must be open to Singaporeans. MOM monitors FCF compliance and places companies on a watchlist if they appear to discriminate against local candidates. Being on the FCF watchlist means closer scrutiny of all EP applications and potential restrictions on hiring foreign workers. Exemptions apply for small companies (fewer than 10 employees), intra-corporate transferees, and positions with fixed monthly salaries of SGD 22,500 or above.
EP Costs and Processing Fees
EP costs are relatively low compared to US and UK work visa fees, but employers should factor in the full picture including FCF advertising and potential relocation expenses.
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| EP application fee | SGD 105 | Per application, non-refundable |
| EP issuance fee | SGD 225 | Paid upon approval |
| Multiple Journey Visa (if needed) | SGD 30 | For candidates requiring a visa to enter Singapore |
| MyCareersFuture job posting | Free | Mandatory under FCF for most employers |
| Medical examination | SGD 50 to SGD 100 | Required before EP card issuance |
| Dependant's Pass application | SGD 105 | Per dependant |
| Legal/immigration agent fees (optional) | SGD 500 to SGD 3,000 | Many companies use immigration agents for complex cases |
EP Renewal and Cancellation
EP management doesn't end at approval. Employers must handle renewals, cancellations, and compliance obligations throughout the employment period.
Renewal process
EP renewals can be submitted up to 6 months before expiry. Renewals are subject to the same COMPASS assessment as new applications (from September 2024 onward for existing EP holders). This means an EP that was approved before COMPASS may not be renewed if the employer or candidate can't meet the new points threshold. Renewal periods are typically 2 to 3 years. The renewal application should be submitted through EP Online with updated salary information and any changes in job scope.
Cancellation obligations
When an EP holder leaves the company, the employer must cancel the EP within one week of the last day of employment. The worker has a Short-Term Visit Pass of up to 30 days after cancellation to make arrangements to leave Singapore or transfer to a new employer. Employers who don't cancel passes promptly face penalties from MOM. If the worker wants to change employers, the new employer must submit a new EP application before the cancellation takes effect.
Employment Pass Statistics [2026]
Key data points about Singapore's Employment Pass program.
EP vs S Pass vs Work Permit
Singapore has three main work pass types, each targeting a different segment of the foreign workforce. Choosing the right one depends on the role's skill level and salary.
When EP is the right choice
Use the EP for professional, managerial, and executive roles paying SGD 5,600+ per month. The candidate should have strong educational qualifications or significant professional experience. The EP has no quota (unlike S Pass) and no levy (unlike S Pass and Work Permit). It's the most flexible pass for employers, but COMPASS means approval isn't guaranteed even at high salaries.
When to consider S Pass or Work Permit
S Pass is for mid-skilled workers earning at least SGD 3,150 per month, subject to a quota (employer can only have a certain percentage of workforce on S Pass) and a monthly levy. Work Permit is for semi-skilled and unskilled workers in specific sectors (construction, manufacturing, marine, services), with the lowest salary thresholds but the strictest quotas and highest levies. If the role doesn't meet EP salary or skill requirements, S Pass or Work Permit may be the appropriate category.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can EP holders start a business in Singapore?
What's the COMPASS exemption for high earners?
How does nationality diversity affect COMPASS?
Can an EP be converted to permanent residence?
What happens if an EP application is rejected?
Written by Adithyan RK