Singapore Employment Pass in 2026

The Employment Pass (EP) is Singapore's main work pass for foreign professionals, managers and executives. An employer or appointed employment agent normally applies for the candidate.

Stage 1: qualifying salary

For new applications before 1 January 2027, MOM currently publishes starting fixed monthly salary floors of:

  • S$5,600 outside financial services; and
  • S$6,200 in financial services.

The threshold rises progressively with age. For age 45 and above, MOM's current table reaches S$10,700 outside financial services and S$11,800 in financial services.

MOM has already announced higher floors for new applications from 1 January 2027: S$6,000 outside financial services and S$6,600 in financial services.

Meeting Stage 1 is mandatory.

Stage 2: COMPASS

Unless exempt, the candidate must also pass the Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS) with at least 40 points.

COMPASS considers salary, qualifications, nationality diversity and the employer's support for local employment, with possible bonus criteria. The COMPASS C1 salary benchmark is different from the EP minimum qualifying salary.

MOM currently exempts specified candidates from COMPASS, including those earning at least S$22,500 fixed monthly salary, qualifying overseas intra-corporate transferees, and candidates filling a role for one month or less.

Employer and job requirements

The employer generally must satisfy the Fair Consideration Framework job-advertising requirement unless an exemption applies. A high salary does not remove the need for a genuine qualifying role.

Candidates normally do not self-apply. The employer, employment agent or in certain cases a local sponsor submits the application.

Duration

MOM states:

  • first-time EP: up to 2 years;
  • renewal: up to 3 years.

Experienced technology professionals in specified shortage occupations may qualify for a longer five-year EP.

Family

An EP holder earning at least S$6,000 fixed monthly salary can generally sponsor a legally married spouse and unmarried children under 21 for a Dependant's Pass, subject to the current rules.

Permanent residence

ICA lists Employment Pass holders among the categories who may be eligible to apply for permanent residence. There is no automatic PR conversion after a fixed number of EP years.

Compare ONE Pass, Personalised Employment Pass, S Pass, and Permanent Residence.

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Verified against Ministry of Manpower sources on 20 September 2026.

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