- A genuine job offer from a Singapore-registered employer who will file the application.
- Fixed monthly salary of at least USD 4,200 (USD 4,600 in financial services) in 2026, rising with age to about USD 8,000 at 45+ (USD 8,800 in financial services). Only fixed pay counts: basic salary plus fixed allowances, not bonuses or overtime.
- Acceptable qualifications: typically a degree from a recognised institution, or strong professional credentials. Where the degree is from affects the COMPASS score.
- At least 40 COMPASS points, unless exempt (fixed monthly salary of USD 16,800+, intra-corporate transferee, or posting of one month or less).
Singapore Employment Pass
Singapore
The Employment Pass is Singapore's work pass for foreign professionals, managers, and executives. It is tied to one employer and one role: change employer and you need a fresh application. There is no quota and no employer levy, which is what separates it from the S Pass and Work Permit.
Approval runs through two gates: a salary floor that rises with your age, and COMPASS, a points framework that scores you and your hiring company together. The employer files the application; you cannot self-sponsor.
Eligibility
Key facts
| Income test | Fixed monthly salary of at least USD 4,200 (USD 4,600 in financial services) in 2026, scaled by age to about USD 8,000 at 45+ (USD 8,800 in financial services); rising to USD 4,500 and USD 4,900 from 1 January 2027. You must also clear the 40-point COMPASS test. |
|---|---|
| Fees | USD 78 application fee plus USD 170 issuance fee, normally paid by the employer. |
| Processing time | Most applications are decided within 10 business days of a complete filing. Appeals take 4-6 weeks. |
| Path to permanence | Apply for permanent residency under the PTS scheme once working in Singapore (ICA asks for 6 months of payslips; most apply after 1-2 years). PR processing averages 6-9 months, and citizenship can follow after holding PR. Spouse and unmarried children under 21 can be included in the PR application. |
| Last checked | Oct 2026 (source) |
How to execute it
- Secure a job offer from a Singapore-registered employer at or above the salary floor for your age and sector.
- Ask the employer to run MOM's free Self-Assessment Tool first: it estimates both the salary threshold and your COMPASS score before anything is filed.
- The employer submits the EP application through MOM's portal with your passport, degree certificates, and employment details.
- Receive the In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter, enter Singapore, and complete the card formalities (medical check if required).
- The pass is issued for up to 2 years initially, up to 3 years on renewal. Apply for Dependant's Passes for family once your fixed salary clears USD 4,500.
- If you change employer, the new employer files a fresh EP application; the old pass is cancelled.
Why applications get rejected
- Salary below the floor for the applicant's age and sector.
- COMPASS score under 40, often failing at the firm level: heavy single-nationality concentration or weak local PMET hiring.
- Unverifiable or unrecognised qualifications; degrees from unranked institutions can score zero on the qualifications criterion.
- Insufficient company substance, especially for newly incorporated firms that cannot justify the salary commercially.
- Incomplete documentation or inconsistencies between the application and supporting documents.
Want a lawyer to file it?
Get a MOM-licensed employment agency to pre-check your salary against the age-banded floor and estimate your COMPASS score before your employer files.
Check if you qualify
Visa quiz
Which visa could work for you?
Step 1 of 4About a minute, no email needed
Where do you want to go?
Pick a city, or stay flexible.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to pass COMPASS if my salary is very high?
If your fixed monthly salary is USD 16,800 or more, you are exempt from COMPASS entirely. Below that, the points test applies on top of the salary floor.
Does the salary floor change with my age?
Yes. USD 4,200 (USD 4,600 in financial services) is the entry floor for the youngest applicants. It rises progressively with age to about USD 8,000 at 45+ (USD 8,800 in financial services), and the whole scale steps up to USD 4,500/USD 4,900 from 1 January 2027.
Can my spouse work in Singapore?
Your spouse on a Dependant's Pass needs their own work pass to work, though a Letter of Consent route exists through a Singapore-licensed employer. You can sponsor the Dependant's Pass itself once your fixed monthly salary reaches USD 4,500.
What happens to my EP if I lose my job?
The EP is tied to your employer, so it is cancelled when employment ends. You need a new employer to file a fresh application. Plan the transition timing carefully to avoid a gap in your stay.