Singapore Employment Pass Renewal in 2026: COMPASS, Timeline and Common Pitfalls

The Singapore Employment Pass (EP) is the primary work pass for foreign professionals, managers, and executives (PMEs) working in Singapore. For EP holders and their employers, the renewal process has become significantly more complex since the introduction of the COMPASS (Complementarity Assessment Framework) scoring system in September 2023, and again with MOM’s 2025 and 2026 updates to the qualifying salary thresholds.

This guide covers the EP renewal process in 2026: what has changed, what salary thresholds apply, how the COMPASS framework affects renewals, the practical timeline, and the most common reasons EP renewals are rejected — and how to avoid them.

The 2026 Employment Pass Salary Thresholds

MOM adjusts EP salary thresholds annually to keep pace with local wage benchmarks. For EP applications and renewals from 1 January 2026, the qualifying monthly salary thresholds are:

These are the minimum qualifying thresholds — passing the salary test is necessary but not sufficient. Candidates must also achieve a passing COMPASS score (at least 40 points) for new applications and, since September 2024, for EP renewals as well.

COMPASS: How It Affects EP Renewals in 2026

The COMPASS framework assesses EP candidates on four individual criteria and two bonus criteria, awarding points as follows:

A candidate needs at least 40 points to pass COMPASS. A candidate scoring below 40 will have their EP renewal refused, regardless of salary level or employment history.

New: COMPASS Applies to Renewals Since September 2024

This is the most significant change for existing EP holders: from September 2024, the COMPASS framework applies not just to new EP applications but also to EP renewals. EP holders who were granted EPs before COMPASS was introduced are now subject to the full COMPASS assessment on renewal.

The practical implication is that an EP holder who has worked in Singapore for several years on a salary that met the old (pre-COMPASS) threshold may now fail the renewal test if:

• Their salary has not kept pace with local benchmark salary growth (C1 fails)
• Their employer has a high concentration of their nationality among EP holders (C3 fails)
• The employer has a poor local employment support score (C4 fails)

Employers should conduct a COMPASS assessment before any EP renewal — not just as a formality, but as a genuine check on whether the renewal is likely to succeed.

Step-by-Step EP Renewal Timeline in 2026

6 Months Before Expiry: COMPASS Pre-Assessment

Start the process at least 6 months before the EP expires. Use MOM’s COMPASS self-assessment tool to check the candidate’s likely score. Identify any weak criteria (particularly C1 salary benchmarking and C4 LSES) and address them before submission.

3–4 Months Before Expiry: Submit Renewal Application

EP renewal applications must be submitted via MOM’s EP Online portal. The employer (or their employment agent) submits the application — the EP holder cannot submit on their own behalf.

Required supporting documents typically include:

• Updated personal particulars and latest educational certificates (if not previously submitted)
• Latest payslips (minimum 3 months)
• Employer’s CPF contribution history for local employees (to support C4 scoring)
• For companies: latest ACRA business profile and BizFile+ extract

Processing Time: 3–8 Weeks

MOM’s processing time for EP renewals in 2026 is typically 3–8 weeks for straightforward cases. Applications with additional scrutiny (e.g., borderline COMPASS scores, nationality concentration issues, or recent retrenchments at the employer) may take longer. MOM may request additional information via a “Request for Information” (RFI) letter — respond within the stipulated deadline (usually 14 days) to avoid automatic rejection.

Upon Approval: Issue of In-Principle Approval (IPA)

When MOM approves the renewal, an In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter is issued to the employer. The EP holder must collect the new EP card from MOM’s Employment Pass Services Centre (EPSC) with their original passport and the IPA. The new EP is typically issued for 2–3 years.

Most Common Reasons for EP Renewal Rejection in 2026

Based on common MOM rejection patterns, these are the top reasons EP renewals are declined in 2026:

1. Salary Below Benchmark (C1 Failure)

The most common issue. Local salary benchmarks are updated annually by MOM. An EP holder whose salary was competitive 3 years ago may now fall below the median local salary for their occupation and age group. Check the C1 benchmark before renewal — if the candidate is scoring below 10 on C1, a salary review is essential.

2. Nationality Concentration (C3 Failure)

If more than 25% of the employer’s EP holders share the candidate’s nationality, C3 scores 0 (or even negative in extreme cases). This is particularly common for companies in technology and financial services with large teams of engineers or analysts from a single country. Employers need to actively manage their EP nationality mix.

3. Low LSES Score (C4 Failure)

The Local Qualifying Salary (LQS) assessment measures what proportion of the employer’s local workforce earns above the Local Qualifying Salary (currently S$1,600/month for full-time employees). Companies with a high proportion of low-wage local employees will score poorly on C4. This penalises companies that rely heavily on part-time or low-wage local workers despite having a large EP headcount.

4. Employer Non-Compliance Issues

MOM will not renew EPs for employers who have outstanding Fair Consideration Framework (FCF) compliance issues, who are on the Fair Consideration Framework watchlist, or who have received debarment notices. Employers should check their FCF status before submitting renewal applications.

5. Late Submission

Applying for renewal after the EP has expired is a critical error. The EP holder becomes an illegal worker from the date of expiry if the renewal has not been submitted. MOM will reject late renewal applications and the employer may face penalties.

Dependant Pass and Long-Term Visit Pass Implications

EP renewal also affects any Dependant Passes (DP) or Long-Term Visit Passes (LTVP) held by the EP holder’s immediate family members. These passes are tied to the principal EP holder’s status. Upon EP renewal:

• Existing DPs and LTVPs are automatically renewed alongside the EP for the same duration (check the IPA letter for confirmation).
• If the EP renewal is rejected, the DP and LTVP holders lose their pass status and must leave Singapore.

Corporate Secretarial Support for EP Renewals

For Singapore companies managing multiple EP holders, maintaining proper employment records, CPF contribution history, and ACRA corporate documents is critical for smooth EP renewals. Gaps in CPF contributions, outdated business profiles, or errors in the company’s ACRA registered information can cause renewal delays or rejections. See our 2026 company compliance calendar to ensure your company’s records are up to date before any EP renewal submission.

For complex EP situations — including appeals against rejected renewals, EP applications for owner-directors, or work pass needs for new market entrants — professional HR or immigration agent support is advisable. For broader business structuring or financial considerations related to Singapore employment, independent commentary on Singapore business and finance can also be a useful reference.

Conclusion

The EP renewal process in 2026 is more demanding than it has ever been. COMPASS now applies to all renewals, salary benchmarks have risen, and nationality concentration limits are actively enforced. Employers who manage EP renewals reactively — submitting just before expiry without a COMPASS pre-assessment — risk rejection and the sudden loss of key personnel.

The right approach is to plan EP renewals at least 6 months in advance, run a COMPASS self-assessment, and address any weak criteria before submission. If there are structural issues (salary below benchmark, high nationality concentration, or a poor LSES score), these need to be resolved at the employer level — not just on the individual renewal application.

To speak with the team at Raffles Corporate Services about employment pass applications, renewals, or company secretarial support, email [email protected] or call, SMS, or WhatsApp +65 8501 7133.

— The Editorial Team, Raffles Corporate Services