The Employment Pass (EP) is Singapore's premier work visa designed for high-skilled foreign professionals. This comprehensive guide covers EP requirements, the COMPASS assessment framework, company obligations, and application processes to help you secure EP approval successfully.
1What is an Employment Pass?
The Employment Pass (EP) is Singapore's premier work visa for foreign professionals, managers, and executives. It allows skilled foreign talent to work in Singapore and is designed for individuals earning higher salaries with relevant qualifications and experience.
Work Pass Comparison
Understanding different Singapore work passes
Key Features & Benefits
Professional Level
For managers, executives, and specialists
Salary Threshold
Minimum S$5,000/month
Validity Period
1-5 years (first time usually 1-2 years)
Family Benefits
Dependant Pass eligibility for family
2COMPASS Assessment Framework
The Singapore government introduced the COMPASS assessment framework in 2023 as the core tool for evaluating EP applications. This framework uses a two-stage evaluation approach: first checking if applicants meet age-benchmarked salary thresholds, then conducting comprehensive scoring through six criteria, requiring 40 points for approval.
This system aims to ensure foreign talent quality while balancing local employment opportunities. Understanding how COMPASS works is crucial for optimizing application strategies, especially as salary requirements increase annually. Let's explore the specific requirements of these two stages.
Stage 1: EP Qualifying Salary
Must meet minimum salary benchmarked to top 1/3 local PMET salaries by age
S$5,000 → S$10,500
S$5,600 → S$10,700
S$5,500 → S$11,500
S$6,200 → S$11,800
Stage 2: COMPASS Assessment
Need to earn 40 points to pass COMPASS
COMPASS Exemptions
The Six COMPASS Assessment Criteria
Let's examine the six COMPASS assessment criteria in detail. Understanding how each criterion is scored and optimization strategies can help you maximize your chances of achieving high scores.
Salary
Salary is scored against the 90th percentile of local Professionals, Managers, Executives and Technicians (PMETs) of the same age group. The closer or higher your salary is to the 90th percentile, the more points you earn.
- • Age-based salary percentiles
- • Industry and role considerations
- • Updated with local market data
How to Score High
Qualifications
Assessment based on educational background quality and relevant professional qualifications. Top university degrees and professional certifications earn higher scores.
- • University ranking & reputation
- • Professional certifications & licenses
Enhancement Strategies
Diversity
Assesses the candidate's nationality share among the firm's PMET workforce. Lower nationality share (fewer employees from same country) earns higher points.
- • Inverse scoring: lower share = higher points
- • Encourages nationality diversity
- • Based on PMET-level statistics only
Optimization Tips
Local Employment
Firm's local PMET workforce share. Higher local ratio earns more points.
Skills Bonus
Whether role is in Shortage Occupation List. In-demand skills earn bonus points.
Economic Priorities
Whether role aligns with Singapore's strategic economic priorities.
Strategies to Improve COMPASS Score
While certain factors like nationality and age cannot be changed, applicants can still optimize their COMPASS scoring through various means. The key is to maximize scores on controllable criteria while ensuring overall application consistency and authenticity.
Salary Negotiation
Negotiate higher salaries with employers, ensuring you reach or exceed the 75th percentile level for PMETs in your age group.
Professional Certifications
Obtain internationally recognized professional certifications relevant to your work, such as CPA, CFA, PMP, to boost qualification scores.
Company Selection
Choose companies with nationality diversity and commitment to local staff to score higher on diversity and local employment support criteria.
SME Default Scoring
SME with less than 25 PMETs will score default 10 in local employment and diversity.
3Employment Pass Application Process
The EP application process is a systematic journey from preparation to final approval, involving several critical steps. This section provides a comprehensive guide to the complete application process, including timelines, fees, and specific requirements for each stage to help you navigate the application smoothly.
Application Timeline Overview
Application Process Flow
Complete path from preparation to approval
Key Information
3.1Preparation Phase: Document Collection & Qualification Verification
The preparation phase is the foundation for successful EP approval. You need to gather all required documents and complete qualification verification. The qualification verification typically takes weeks or more, so start early.
Required Documents Checklist
Qualification Verification
MOM requires verification of all candidates' educational qualifications. Verification can be done through Government/awarding institution's official verification portals (which provide instant results in most cases) or third-party background screening companies.
If verification through official portals is not available, you will need to engage third-party screening companies, which typically takes several weeks and involves higher costs.
Verification Sources
- • MOM-approved agencies (View full list)
- • Government portals (View full list)
Third-Party Background Screening Company Process
Required Documents
- • Passport personal page
- • National id (if applicable)
- • Change name deed poll (if applicable)
- • Education certifications
- • Transcript (in some cases)
Processing Time
- • Standard: a few weeks
- • Complex cases: longer
3.2Online Submission Phase
Once all documents are prepared, your company or agent can submit your EP application through MOM's official online platform. The application process involves creating a MOM account (login with SingPass or CorpPass), completing the application form, uploading required documents, and paying the S$105 application fee via credit card. This step is relatively straightforward and can typically be completed within one day.
3.3Processing & Assessment Phase
After submission, MOM conducts comprehensive review including COMPASS assessment, document verification, and company eligibility checks. This is the most critical phase of the application process, typically taking 3-8 weeks.
Review Process
Possible Outcomes
3.4Appeal Process (If Application is Rejected)
If your EP application is rejected, understanding the appeal process and improvement strategies can help you succeed in reapplication. An appeal is a formal review process that allows reconsideration of your application when new information is provided or errors are corrected.
Common Rejection Reasons
Understanding these common reasons helps you avoid similar issues and improve reapplication success rates.
Appeal Process Flow
Appeal Key Information
Reapplication
You can reapply immediately after rejection, but recommend improving conditions first for better success rates.
4Employment Pass Issuance & Entry Process
After EP approval, you enter a multi-stage pass issuance and entry process. This includes receiving the IPA approval letter, entering Singapore, pass issuance, card registration, and physical card delivery. The entire process typically takes 1-3 weeks and requires close coordination with your employer to ensure each step is completed smoothly.
4.1IPA Letter & Entry
Upon EP approval, MOM immediately sends an IPA (In-Principle Approval) letter to the applicant (your company or agent). This letter serves as your official entry credential to Singapore, containing your pass details and entry permission. During this phase, you need to immediately plan your entry itinerary, prepare necessary travel documents, and coordinate with your employer for subsequent pass issuance arrangements.
Important Notes
4.2Pass Issuance
After entering Singapore, your employer or authorized agent will formally issue the EP pass through the MOM system. This step confirms your employment eligibility and activates the pass validity period, laying the foundation for subsequent registration procedures.
4.3Pass Registration
First‑time EP holders must also book and attend an in‑person registration appointment at a MOM service centre to verify identity, capture biometric data, and complete document checks. For renewals or certain changes, in‑person registration may not always be required and will depend on the specific circumstances.
Registration Process
Registration Important Notes
Available time slots are subject to MOM’s scheduling and can usually only be finalised after the applicant has arrived in Singapore. We strongly recommend allowing ample time in travel plans to accommodate possible scheduling changes.
4.4Card Delivery
After MOM registration completion, your physical EP card will be mailed to the employer company registered or agent address within 5 working days. This phase marks the completion of the entire EP application process, and you will receive a physical card that can be carried with you.
Employment Pass Features
Multi-Function Card
Integrated work pass and ID functions
Multiple Entry
Multiple entries during validity period
Dependant Pass
Can apply for family dependant passes
5Employment Pass Renewal
EP has a maximum validity of 5 years and requires renewal before expiry. The renewal process is relatively streamlined but still requires meeting current EP requirements, including COMPASS assessment standards.
Renewal Timeline
Optimal Application Time
3 monthsLatest Application Deadline
6 weeksProcessing Time
2-4 weeksRenewal Requirements
Frequently Asked Questions
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