For foreign professionals seeking to work in Singapore and for the employers who wish to hire them, the Employment Pass (EP) remains the most widely used work authorisation route. Administered by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), the EP is designed for foreign professionals, managers, and executives who meet defined salary and qualifications criteria.

This guide explains the Employment Pass eligibility requirements, salary thresholds, and application process as they stand in 2026 — including the latest updates to the COMPASS framework and qualification verification requirements that all employers and applicants should know about before applying.

What is the Employment Pass?

The Employment Pass is a work authorisation document issued by MOM that allows qualifying foreign nationals to work in Singapore for a specific employer. Unlike the S Pass (which covers mid-skilled workers) or Work Permits (for semi-skilled workers), the EP is targeted at professionals, managers, executives, and specialists (PMES) in knowledge-intensive roles.

The EP is typically valid for 2 years on first issuance (or up to 3 years for candidates with strong profiles), and can be renewed thereafter. Holders of a valid EP may also apply for Dependant’s Passes for their spouse and children, or a Long-Term Visit Pass for other dependants. For companies looking to bring in foreign talent, understanding the EP framework is an essential part of workforce planning alongside maintaining proper corporate compliance.

EP Eligibility Requirements in 2026

To qualify for an Employment Pass in 2026, the applicant must meet two key criteria:

1. Minimum Qualifying Salary

The salary requirement for the EP is age-dependent. For most sectors (except financial services), the minimum qualifying salary in 2026 is as follows:

The age-based salary requirement reflects MOM’s policy of benchmarking EP salaries against local PMET wages. Employers must ensure the offered salary meets both the floor threshold and the COMPASS salary criterion to maximise approval chances.

2. Passing the COMPASS Assessment

Most EP applicants (unless earning S$22,500 or more per month) must pass the Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS) — a points-based system that evaluates each application against four foundational criteria and two bonus criteria. Applicants need at least 40 points to pass:

• C1 – Salary: Measures the candidate’s salary relative to the 65th and 90th percentile of local PMET wages in the same occupation. Earning at or above the 65th percentile earns 10 points; at or above the 90th percentile earns 20 points.
• C2 – Qualifications: Awards 20 points for a degree from MOM’s top-tier institutions list, and 10 points for other recognised qualifications. From 1 January 2026, an updated list of top-tier institutions applies.
• C3 – Diversity: Awards points based on whether the employer’s workforce is overly concentrated in any single nationality. Companies with high diversity in their PMET workforce score more points.
• C4 – Support for Local Employment: Compares the employer’s share of local PMETs against the sub-sector median. Companies with a higher proportion of local PMETs score more points.
• C5 – Skills Bonus: Awards up to 20 bonus points if the role appears on MOM’s Shortage Occupation List (SOL), which is updated annually.
• C6 – Strategic Economic Priorities: Awards up to 10 bonus points for employers engaged in government-supported strategic initiatives (e.g., through EDB or Enterprise Singapore).

From 1 July 2026, the updated COMPASS criteria — including 2026 salary benchmarks and qualification lists — will apply to EP renewals for passes expiring on or after that date.

Qualification Verification Requirement (New in 2026)

A significant change effective in 2026 is that all qualifications used to score points under COMPASS Criterion C2 must now be verified by a MOM-approved screening firm before the EP application is submitted. This mandatory pre-verification step means employers should plan ahead — the verification process typically takes 1 to 2 weeks and must be completed before lodging the application on the myMOM Portal.

Who Applies and How?

Unlike some jurisdictions where the individual applies for their own work authorisation, in Singapore it is the employer who applies for the Employment Pass on behalf of the candidate. Applications are submitted through MOM’s myMOM Portal using Corppass credentials.

The key steps are as follows:

1. Check eligibility: Use MOM’s Self-Assessment Tool (SAT) to assess whether the candidate is likely to qualify before committing to a formal application.
2. Verify qualifications: Engage a MOM-approved screening firm to verify the candidate’s educational qualifications if these are to be used for COMPASS C2 points.
3. Submit the application: Log in to the myMOM Portal and submit the EP application. The application fee is S$105.
4. Await the outcome: Most straightforward applications are processed within 10 business days. Complex cases may take up to 8 weeks.
5. Issue the pass: Upon approval, the employer pays the S$225 issuance fee and the candidate collects their EP card. The EP is typically valid for 2 years (or 3 years for strong profiles).

EP Exemptions from COMPASS

Certain applicants are automatically exempt from the COMPASS assessment and need only meet the minimum salary threshold:

• Candidates earning a fixed monthly salary of S$22,500 or more.
• Short-term employment pass holders (e.g., those on training stints or working for less than one month).
• Intra-company transferees in managerial or specialist roles under the terms of specific free trade agreements.

Fair Consideration Framework (FCF) Obligations

Employers with 10 or more employees must comply with the Fair Consideration Framework (FCF) before hiring an EP holder. This requires advertising the position on the MyCareersFuture portal for at least 28 days (for roles paying below S$22,500/month) and genuinely considering all applications from Singapore citizens and permanent residents before hiring a foreign candidate. Employers who repeatedly fail to give fair consideration to local candidates may be placed on MOM’s watchlist, affecting future EP applications.

Key Upcoming Change: 2027 Salary Increase

Employers should note that from 1 January 2027 (for new applications), the minimum qualifying EP salary for most sectors will increase from S$5,600 to S$6,000 per month. Planning ahead is important — if you are hiring for roles where the offered salary is close to the current threshold, consider whether the package will still qualify post-2027.

Conclusion

The Employment Pass framework in 2026 involves more than just meeting a salary floor. Between the age-adjusted thresholds, COMPASS points assessment, mandatory qualification verification, and Fair Consideration Framework requirements, employers need to plan their foreign hiring carefully and early. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in rejected applications, appeals, or even enforcement action by MOM.

If you need guidance on EP applications, COMPASS scoring, or broader work pass strategy for your Singapore company, the team at Raffles Corporate Services is ready to assist. We also help companies stay on top of their corporate secretarial and compliance obligations — from company secretary services to annual compliance requirements — so that your Singapore entity is well-positioned to attract and retain global talent. Contact us today.

— The Editorial Team, Raffles Corporate Services