The Compass System represents a departure from the conventional approach, focusing on a candidate’s holistic profile rather than just academic qualifications. The criteria for EP eligibility are now more nuanced, taking into account various factors that reflect an applicant’s skills, experience, and potential contributions to Singapore’s workforce.
Key Requirements and Criteria
To qualify for EP applications, candidates will need to pass a 2-stage eligibility framework:
| Stage 1 | Earn at least the EP qualifying salary, which is benchmarked to the top 1/3 of local PMET salaries by age. |
| Stage 2 | Unless exempted, pass the points-based Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS). Note: Candidates who do not meet stage 1 will not be eligible for an EP, regardless of the points they would have scored under COMPASS. The 2-stage eligibility framework applies to new EP applications from 1 September 2023, and renewals of EPs expiring from 1 September 2024. |
Stage 1: EP Qualifying Salary
The Employment Pass (EP) qualifying salary criteria for both new applications and renewals have been updated as follows:
- For all sectors except financial services, the minimum salary requirement is $5,000. This amount increases gradually based on age, reaching up to $10,500 for applicants aged 45 and above.
In the financial services sector, the minimum salary requirement is $5,500. Similar to other sectors, this requirement increases with age, reaching up to $11,500 for applicants aged 45 and above.
All Sectors Chart (except financial services)
| Age | EP qualifying salary |
| 23 or below | $5,000 |
| 24 | $5,250 |
| 25 | $5,500 |
| 26 | $5,750 |
| 27 | $6,000 |
| 28 | $6,250 |
| 29 | $6,500 |
| 30 | $6,750 |
| 31 | $7,000 |
| 32 | $7,250 |
| 33 | $7,500 |
| 34 | $7,750 |
| 35 | $8,000 |
| 36 | $8,250 |
| 37 | $8,500 |
| 38 | $8,750 |
| 39 | $9,000 |
| 40 | $9,250 |
| 41 | $9,500 |
| 42 | $9,750 |
| 43 | $10,000 |
| 44 | $10,250 |
| 45 or above | $10,500 |
Financial Services Sector Chart
| Age | EP qualifying salary |
| 23 or below | $5,500 |
| 24 | $5,773 |
| 25 | $6,045 |
| 26 | $6,318 |
| 27 | $6,591 |
| 28 | $6,864 |
| 29 | $7,136 |
| 30 | $7,409 |
| 31 | $7,682 |
| 32 | $7,955 |
| 33 | $8,227 |
| 34 | $8,500 |
| 35 | $8,773 |
| 36 | $9,045 |
| 37 | $9,318 |
| 38 | $9,591 |
| 39 | $9,864 |
| 40 | $10,136 |
| 41 | $10,409 |
| 42 | $10,682 |
| 43 | $10,955 |
| 44 | $11,227 |
| 45 or above | $11,500 |
Stage 2: Compass
The COMPASS system is a clear and transparent points-based approach, providing businesses with a precise framework for workforce planning. It empowers employers to choose skilled foreign professionals effectively, fostering diversity in the workforce and strengthening the local talent pool.
Achieving Success in COMPASS
To successfully pass COMPASS, your application must accumulate a minimum of 40 points.
Criteria of Compass
C1: Salary
This criterion benchmarks your candidate’s salary against the local PMET salaries in your sector. It is different from the EP qualifying salary, which is the minimum bar that candidates need to pass to obtain an EP.
How to score points
| Candidate’s fixed monthly salary compared to salary benchmarks by sector | Points |
| 90th percentile and above | 20 |
| 65th to less than 90th percentile | 10 |
| Below 65th percentile | 0 |
C2: Qualifications
This criterion awards points to candidates based on their qualifications.
How to score points
| Candidate’s qualifications | Points |
| Top-tier institutions, such as: Top 100 universities based on QS World University Rankings, and other highly-reputed universities in Asia Singapore’s Autonomous Universities Institutions that are highly-recognised in a particular field and endorsed by a relevant agency | 20 |
| Degree-equivalent qualifications, which generally refer to: Foreign qualifications that are assessed to be comparable to a bachelor’s degree in the UK system. MOM determines this with reference to international recognition bodies, such as the UK National Information Centre for recognition and evaluation of international qualifications and skills (UK ENIC). Professional qualifications that are well-recognised by the industry and endorsed by a relevant sector agency. | 10 |
| No degree-equivalent qualifications Note: Candidates without degree-equivalent qualifications can still pass COMPASS by earning a total score of at least 40 points from other criteria. | 0 |
Verification proof requirements
If points are required from this criterion, you must submit verification proof along with your candidate’s qualifications in your EP application. Otherwise, there is no need to provide your candidate’s qualifications and verification proof.
C3: Diversity
This criterion grants additional points to applications where the candidate’s nationality represents a smaller proportion of the firm’s PMET (Professionals, Managers, Executives, and Technicians) employees. Having a diverse range of nationalities enhances companies by bringing in fresh perspectives and networks, fostering a more inclusive and robust workforce.
How to score points
If your organisation employs:
- Fewer than 25 PMETs, your application will score 10 points by default.
- At least 25 PMETs, your points will depend on the share of your candidate’s nationality among your organisation’s PMETs.
| Share of candidate’s nationality among organisation’s PMETs | Points |
| Less than 5% | 20 |
| 5% to less than 25% | 10 |
| 25% or more | 0 |
C4: Support Local Employment
This criterion recognises organisations that create opportunities for the local workforce and build complementary teams comprising both local and foreign professionals.
How to score points
If your organisation employs:
- Fewer than 25 PMETs, your application will score 10 points by default.
- At least 25 PMETs, your points will depend on your organisation’s local PMET share relative to its sector.
Image source: MOM
C5: Skill Bonus (Shortage Occupation List)
This bonus recognises jobs that require highly specialised skills, which are in shortage in the local workforce. The SOL is determined by a robust evaluation process that takes into account industry needs and local workforce development efforts.
How to score points
| Skills bonus | Points |
| Job on the Shortage Occupation List (SOL)Share of candidate’s nationality among your organisation’s PMETs is less than 1/3 | 20 |
| Job on the SOLShare of candidate’s nationality among your organisation’s PMETs is 1/3 or more | 10 |
C6: Strategic Economic Priorities Bonus
This bonus recognises organisations that are either:
- Undertaking ambitious investment, innovation and internationalisation activities in partnership with economic agencies
- Endorsed by National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) as strong partners on company and workforce transformation activities
Singapore seeks to anchor and grow firms that can contribute to the innovative capacity of our economy, enhance our global linkages, and strengthen our economic competitiveness. Such firms should also have the scale or potential to provide good jobs for locals.
How to score points
| Strategic Economic Priorities (SEP) bonus | Points |
| Participate or meet the criteria for at least one of the eligible programmes | 10 |
The award of the SEP bonus will be at the discretion of the supporting agencies running the relevant programme. MOM will notify your organisation if it has been awarded the SEP bonus and the points will be reflected in the Self-Assessment Tool (SAT). You may approach the relevant supporting agency if you have any queries.
Validity of SEP bonus points
The bonus points will apply for up to 3 years, or for the duration of your organisation’s participation in an eligible programme, whichever is shorter.
Renewal eligibility for SEP bonus points (Exemptions from COMPASS)
At the end of the validity period, your supporting agency will reassess whether to continue supporting your organisation for the SEP bonus for a further duration. This renewal will be subject to your organisation’s continued participation in an eligible programme and meeting both of the following criteria:
- Earn at least 10 points for C3. Diversity for each of the 3 months before renewal
- Earn at least 10 points for C4. Support for local employment for each of the 3 months before renewal
These criteria ensure that organisations eligible for the SEP bonus points make efforts to diversify and improve their workforce profile.
Candidates are exempted from COMPASS if they meet any of these conditions:
- Have a fixed monthly salary of at least $22,500 (similar to the prevailing Fair Consideration Framework (FCF) job advertising exemption from 1 September 2023)
- Are applying as an overseas intra-corporate transferee
- Are filling the role for 1 month or less
The introduction of the Compass System marks a progressive leap in Singapore’s immigration policies. By focusing on skills, experience, and adaptability, the nation is not only attracting top-tier talent but also nurturing a workforce capable of thriving in a rapidly evolving global economy. Prospective applicants, armed with a comprehensive understanding of the new requirements, can confidently navigate the EP application process, contributing their expertise to Singapore’s vibrant professional landscape and reaping the rewards of a successful and fulfilling career. SGTI stands ready to assist employers in comprehending these changes and ensuring seamless integration of skilled professionals into the workforce.
