The candidate needs a qualifying role offered by a Singapore employer.
EMPLOYMENT PASS
Singapore Employment Pass:start with the company and role, then the candidate
An Employment Pass application is not assessed only on academic qualifications or salary. It commonly requires consideration of the Singapore employer, the role, salary level, COMPASS, recruitment requirements and supporting documents.
Employment Pass applications are independently assessed by Singapore's Ministry of Manpower (MOM). Evereach does not guarantee outcomes.
Last updated: August 2026The minimum increases with age, with higher thresholds in financial services.
Unless a COMPASS exemption applies.
The score depends on multiple candidate- and employer-level criteria.
Where no exemption applies, the vacancy generally remains open for at least 14 consecutive days.
Actual timing may be longer where MOM requests additional information.
EP ELIGIBILITY FRAMEWORK
Employment Pass uses a two-stage framework
The salary threshold comes first, followed by COMPASS where applicable. One stage cannot replace the other.
Qualifying Salary
The candidate must first meet the EP qualifying salary applicable to their age and sector.
COMPASS
Unless exempt, the application must also pass the Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS).
If Stage 1 is not met, a high COMPASS score does not make the candidate eligible for an Employment Pass.
QUALIFYING SALARY
The EP minimum salary is not one fixed number
EP qualifying salary increases progressively with age. Higher thresholds apply in financial services.
CURRENT REQUIREMENT
New applications in 2026
All sectors except financial services
From S$5,600 / month
Increasing progressively with age, up to S$10,700 at age 45 and above.
Financial services
From S$6,200 / month
Increasing progressively with age, up to S$11,800 at age 45 and above.
FROM 1 JAN 2027
New application thresholds
All sectors except financial services
From S$6,000 / month
Increasing progressively with age, up to S$11,500 at age 45 and above.
Financial services
From S$6,600 / month
Increasing progressively with age, up to S$12,700 at age 45 and above.
These are minimum qualifying salary frameworks and are not the COMPASS C1 salary benchmark. COMPASS C1 uses sector-specific local PMET salary benchmarks. The latest MOM requirements and Self-Assessment Tool (SAT) should be considered for a specific application.
Page last updated: August 2026
COMPASS
COMPASS is not only about the candidate
COMPASS considers candidate- and employer-level factors. Applications generally need 40 points.
The applicable score should be assessed against MOM's latest rules, the employer's workforce profile and the candidate's information at the time of application.
Salary
Compares fixed monthly salary with local PMET salary benchmarks in the relevant sector.
Qualifications
Scores applicable academic or professional qualifications.
Diversity
Considers the candidate's nationality among the employer's PMET employees.
Support for Local Employment
Considers the employer's employment of local PMETs.
Skills / Strategic Economic Priorities
Some applications may involve the Skills Bonus or Strategic Economic Priorities Bonus.
FAIR CONSIDERATION FRAMEWORK
Many EP applications require a recruitment process first
Where no exemption applies, employers generally need to advertise the role on MyCareersFuture and fairly consider all candidates.
Examples of advertising exemptions
A company with fewer than 10 employees, a vacancy paying at least S$22,500 fixed monthly salary, a role lasting no more than one month, or certain internal transfer situations. Eligibility should be confirmed against MOM's latest FCF rules.
Fairly consider all candidatesThe occupation advertised should match the EP applicationThe advertised salary should be consistent with the EP applicationMaterial changes may require a fresh advertising period
14 days
Where no exemption applies, the advertisement generally remains open for at least 14 consecutive days.
A formal hiring arrangement for a particular foreign candidate should not be completed in advance during a mandatory advertising period.
WHAT EVEREACH HANDLES
What Evereach handles
We support pre-application review, employer preparation, documents and follow-up, without promising approval, a fixed COMPASS score or special processing access.
Pre-application assessment
Review the Singapore company, role, salary, candidate background and applicable requirements.
Employer-side preparation
Confirm company information, job details, salary and employer-side materials.
MyCareersFuture / FCF coordination
Where applicable, help the employer prepare the job advertisement and related employer-side steps.
COMPASS review
Map relevant COMPASS factors against candidate and company information and identify questions requiring confirmation.
Application preparation
Organise application information and supporting documents and assist with submission within scope.
MOM follow-up
If MOM requests additional information, help organise employer and candidate materials and follow up.
Issuance / post-approval
Following approval, assist with issuance, relevant notifications and subsequent employer matters within scope.
DOCUMENTS & EMPLOYER PREPARATION
An EP application requires more than a CV
Candidate information, employer circumstances and the role should be consistent. These are examples, not a rigid universal checklist.
Candidate information
- Passport details
- Education or professional qualifications where relevant
- Employment history
- Salary and role information
- Supporting documents requested by MOM
Employer and role information
- Singapore company details
- Job title and duties
- Salary package
- Business activities
- Employer workforce information
- Turnover or company information where required
- MyCareersFuture advertisement where applicable
Actual documents depend on the candidate, company, role and MOM requirements at the time of application.
GENERAL PROJECT TIMELINE
How a project is generally planned
First determine whether FCF advertising applies, then plan preparation, submission and MOM follow-up. These are not MOM approval timelines.
No FCF advertising required
Approximately 3–4 weeks as an overall project planning reference
- Eligibility and company review
- Document preparation
- Application submission
- MOM processing / follow-up
14-day advertising required
Approximately 4–6 weeks or more as an overall project planning reference
- Prepare job advertisement
- 14-day MyCareersFuture advertising period
- Fair consideration process
- EP application
- MOM processing / follow-up
These are Evereach project planning references, not MOM approval commitments. MOM generally processes online EP applications or provides an update within 10 business days. Actual timing may be longer where additional information is required.
NEW COMPANY / ENTREPRENEUR
A newly incorporated company may consider an EP, but actual business matters
A short operating history does not automatically prevent an application, but it should be based on a genuine Singapore employer, a real role, reasonable salary and an explainable business arrangement.
What business is the company actually carrying on?Why is this role required?Does the candidate's experience match the role?Does salary meet the current qualifying threshold?Does FCF job advertising apply?Does COMPASS apply?Does the company have sufficient business information to support the application context?
“Register a company, then apply for an EP” is not an automatic approval path. Incorporation and Employment Pass approval are separate regulatory matters.
FAMILY PASSES
Family arrangements are assessed separately after EP approval
Eligible EP holders may apply for a Dependant's Pass or Long-Term Visit Pass for certain family members.
S$6,000General fixed monthly salary threshold to sponsor an eligible spouse or children for a Dependant's Pass.
S$12,000Parents may be eligible for a Long-Term Visit Pass where the EP holder earns this fixed monthly salary.
Eligibility varies by family relationship and pass type. Family passes are separate applications subject to MOM's latest requirements.
CLEAR BOUNDARIES
There is no “guaranteed approval” for an Employment Pass
No guarantee of application outcomeNo promise of a fixed COMPASS scoreNo promise of a fixed approval timeframeNo claims based on “internal relationships” or “special channels”No automatic link between incorporating a company and EP approval
Evereach supports pre-application review, employer preparation, document organisation and project follow-up. MOM independently decides the outcome.
FAQ
Employment Pass questions
Eligibility thresholds and application requirements may change. MOM's latest requirements at the time of application should be used.
What is the minimum Employment Pass salary?
For new applications in 2026, qualifying salary starts from S$5,600 per month outside financial services and S$6,200 in financial services, increasing with age. From 1 January 2027, these starting thresholds rise to S$6,000 and S$6,600 respectively.
Is meeting the minimum salary enough?
No. Qualifying salary is only Stage 1. Unless exempt, the application generally also needs to pass COMPASS and meet other applicable requirements.
How many COMPASS points are needed?
Generally 40 points. The score depends on applicable candidate and employer criteria and should be assessed against MOM's latest rules.
Must every EP role be advertised on MyCareersFuture?
No. Some vacancies may be exempt. Where no exemption applies, the employer generally advertises for at least 14 consecutive days and fairly considers candidates.
Can a newly incorporated company apply for an EP?
It can be assessed against the actual business, role, salary, candidate background and applicable FCF and COMPASS requirements. A newly formed company does not mean automatic approval.
How long does an EP take?
MOM generally processes online applications or provides an update within 10 business days. Actual timing can be longer where additional information or further review is required.
Can an EP holder bring family members?
Eligible EP holders may apply for relevant family passes. A fixed monthly salary of at least S$6,000 is generally required for a Dependant's Pass; specific eligibility depends on the family relationship and MOM's latest rules.
Can Evereach guarantee EP approval?
No. MOM independently assesses Employment Pass applications. Evereach can help review company, role and candidate information and support preparation and follow-up, but cannot guarantee the outcome.
START WITH THE APPLICATION
Preparing an Employment Pass application? First confirm the company, role and candidate fit
Tell us about the Singapore company, proposed role, salary and candidate background. We will first map the project scope and the matters requiring confirmation.
A formal quotation will be provided after the service scope is confirmed.