Employment Pass (EP) In Singapore

The Employment Pass allows foreign professionals, managers and executives to work in Singapore.

Candidates need to earn at least $5,000 a month. Employers must also demonstrate that they have fairly considered all jobseekers.

Employment Pass and S Pass – advertising requirements under the Fair Consideration Framework

Consider all candidates fairly before you apply for an Employment Pass

To promote fair employment practices and improve labour market transparency, employers submitting Employment Pass (EP) applications must first advertise the job on MyCareersFuture and consider all candidates fairly.

Fair Consideration Framework (FCF)

The Fair Consideration Framework (FCF) sets out the requirements for all employers in Singapore to consider candidates fairly for job opportunities. Employers should not discriminate candidates based on non-job related characteristics such as age, sex, nationality or race.

All employers in Singapore are expected to adhere to the Tripartite Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices.

Click here to learn about FCF requirements

New Criteria (Upcoming changes) to Employment Pass eligibility

MOM will be progressively implementing changes to the Employment Pass (EP) eligibility framework over the next few years. These changes will strengthen the quality of EP holders and their complementarity to the local workforce. Find out how these changes affect your EP applications and renewals.

Overview of changes to Employment Pass eligibility

MOM will be raising the qualifying salary and introducing a points-based Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS) for Employment Pass (EP) applications. These changes will apply progressively from 1 September 2022.

At a glance

Candidates must pass a two-stage eligibility framework:

Stage 1

Earn at least the EP qualifying salary, which will be benchmarked to the top 1/3 of local PMET salaries by age.

Stage 2

Pass COMPASS, a new points-based Complementarity Assessment Framework.

Click here to learn more about COMPASS

Note: Employers must continue to meet the Fair Consideration Framework (FCF) job advertising requirement before submitting a new EP or S Pass application.

Click here to learn about new criteria to Employment Pass (EP)

	Comparison of all Professional Passes (EntrePass, EP. PEP, Tech.Pass & ONE Pass

Key Facts on Employment Pass (EP) in Singapore

Get a quick overview of the Employment Pass to decide if it is the right pass for you.

Who it is for	Foreign professionals with a job offer in Singapore who meet the eligibility criteria.
Who can apply	An employer or appointed employment agent needs to apply on behalf of the candidate. For an overseas company without a Singapore-registered office, you need to apply through a local sponsor.
Minimum salary	Fixed monthly salary comparable to the top one-third of local PMET salaries, starting from $5,000 and increases progressively with age, up to $10,500 for those in the mid-40s. Candidates in the financial services sector need higher salaries to qualify.
What is the duration	The duration of the pass is as follows: First-time candidates: up to 2 years Renewals: up to 3 years W.E.F. 01-Sep-2023, MOM will offer the option of a 5-year EP to those with specific tech occupations on the Compass Shortage Occupation List.
Is it renewable	Yes.
Passes for family	Available for eligible pass holders.
Foreign worker levy or quota	No foreign worker levy or quota required.
Medical insurance	Employers can choose whether to provide medical insurance for EP holders.
Relevant legislation	Conditions of Work Pass Employment of Foreign Manpower Act

Eligibility for Employment Pass

From 1 September 2023, new Employment Pass (EP) candidates need to pass the points-based COMPASS in addition to meeting the EP qualifying salary.

Who is eligible

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.

Note:

Employers and employment agents can use the enhanced Self-Assessment Tool (SAT) to check a candidate’s eligibility before they apply.
Employers must continue to meet the Fair Consideration Framework (FCF) job advertising requirement before submitting new EP applications.
Successful candidates will also need to meet vaccination requirements to get their pass issued.

EP qualifying salary (Stage 1)

From 1 September 2023, the following EP qualifying salary requirements apply to new applications and renewals:

At least $5,000 for all sectors except financial services (increases progressively with age from age 23, up to $10,500 at age 45 and above)
At least $5,500 for the financial services sector (increases progressively with age from age 23, up to $11,500 at age 45 and above)

Example:

If you are renewing your employee’s EP expiring on 1 December 2023, they need to earn at least $5,000 if they do not work in the financial services sector.
They do not need to pass COMPASS because that would only apply to renewals of EPs expiring from 1 September 2024.

EP qualifying salary by age for sector wise:

What is the qualifying salary for all sectors (except financial services):

All sectors (except financial services)
Age	EP Qualifying Salary	Age	EP Qualifying Salary	Age	EP Qualifying Salary
23 or below	$5,000	31	$7,000	39	$9,000
24	$5,250	32	$7,250	40	$9,250
25	$5,500	33	$7,500	41	$9,500
26	$5,750	34	$7,750	42	$9,750
27	$6,000	35	$8,000	43	$10,000
28	$6,250	36	$8,250	44	$10,250
29	$6,500	37	$8,500	45 or above	$10,500
30	$6,750	38	$8,750

What is the qualifying salary for Financial Services:

Financial Services
Age	EP Qualifying Salary	Age	EP Qualifying Salary	Age	EP Qualifying Salary
23 or below	$5,500	31	$7,682	39	$9,864
24	$5,773	32	$7,955	40	$10,136
25	$6,045	33	$8,227	41	$10,409
26	$6,318	34	$8,500	42	$10,682
27	$6,591	35	$8,773	43	$10,955
28	$6,864	36	$9,045	44	$11,227
29	$7,136	37	$9,318	45 or above	$11,500
30	$7,409	38	$9,591

Tip:

Fast-growing tech companies that are newly expanding to Singapore and the region may be eligible for the Tech@SG Programme
Link: https://www.mom.gov.sg/faq/entrepass/what-is-the-techsg-programme

COMPASS (Stage 2) (New criteria for EP)

COMPASS is a transparent points-based system that gives businesses greater clarity and certainty for manpower planning. It enables employers to select high-quality foreign professionals, while improving workforce diversity and building a strong local core.

Click here to learn more about COMPASS (Stage 2) (New criteria for EP)

Exemptions from COMPASS

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

5-year duration Employment Pass for experienced tech professionals with skills in shortage

Experienced tech professionals with skills in shortage may apply for an Employment Pass valid for up to 5 years.

From September 2023, experienced tech professionals with skills in shortage may apply for a longer 5-year duration EP.

This will give greater certainty to experienced tech professionals as well as businesses hiring them, and allow Singapore to anchor tech capabilities in areas where the local pipeline is still being developed.

Eligible candidates must meet the following criteria:

Fill specific tech occupations on the COMPASS Shortage Occupation List (SOL)
Earn a fixed monthly salary of at least $10,500 (for candidates aged 36 and above, the salary required increases with age, up to a maximum of $13,500 at age 45 and beyond)
Pass COMPASS and score at least 10 points on Criterion 3 (Diversity)

To apply, candidates may indicate a pass duration of up to 5 years and select the relevant tech occupation when submitting their EP application. They will need to meet the eligibility criteria above and further verification checks.

Self-Assessment Tool (SAT)

Ministry Of Manpower (MOM) strongly encourages you to use the Self-Assessment Tool (SAT) to get an indication of whether a candidate meets the Employment Pass requirements. Only the employer or duly authorised employment agency can use the tool to assess their eligibility.

If the SAT shows that the candidate is not eligible, you shouldn’t apply for the Employment Pass because it will be rejected.
If the SAT shows that the candidate is eligible, there is around a 90% chance that the candidate will get a pass.

If you are an overseas employer that does not have a registered office in Singapore:

You need to get a Singapore-registered company to act as a local sponsor and apply on your behalf.
The local sponsor must apply manually.

The candidate will still need to meet the Employment Pass criteria.

Passes for family of Employment Pass holders

As an Employment Pass holder, you can get certain family members to join you in Singapore if you meet the eligibility requirements.

Who is eligible

To be eligible, you need to:

Earn at least $6,000 a month.
Hold an Employment Pass.

From 1 January 2018, work pass holders will need to meet a minimum salary criteria of $6,000 to enjoy dependant privileges.

These are the family members you can bring in and the type of pass they need:

Family member	Pass type
Legally married spouse	Dependant’s Pass
Unmarried children under 21, including those legally adopted	Dependant’s Pass
Common-law spouse	Long Term Visit Pass
Unmarried handicapped children above 21	Long Term Visit Pass
Unmarried step-children under 21	Long Term Visit Pass
Parents (Only for EP holders earning at least $12,000)	Long Term Visit Pass

How to apply

To apply, your employer will need to submit a separate application for each family member. The application can be submitted together with the Employment Pass application or separately.

Apply for a Long Term Visit Pass (LTVP)

You can apply for a Long Term Visit Pass (LTVP) for family members of your eligible Employment Pass or S Pass employees.

At a glance

Who can apply	Employer or appointed employment agent (EA).
How to apply	Online: for dependants of Employment Pass and S Pass holders Manual: for dependants of EntrePass, Personalised Employment Pass and Employment Pass (sponsorship) holders
How long it takes	If you apply online: within 3 weeks for most cases. If you apply manually: within 8 weeks for most cases.

These are the steps for applying:

Step	Who does this	Result
Submit an application	Employer or EA	In-principle approval letter or rejection letter
Get the pass issued	Employer or EA	Notification letter
Register fingerprints and photo (if required)	The foreigner	Acknowledgement of card delivery
Receive the card	Authorised recipients or the foreigner	Long Term Visit Pass card

Note:

You can submit the application along with the main pass holder’s work pass application or at a later date. Submit a separate application for each family member.
If the foreigner is in Singapore with a visit pass that will expire before the Long Term Visit Pass (LTVP) is issued, MOM won’t be able to extend the visit pass.
You should only bring in the foreigner when the pass is approved. They don’t need to be in Singapore when you apply and MOM won’t be able to extend their visit pass.

Documents required for Employment Pass

You need to submit documents such as copies of passport details, verification documents and educational certificates along with the Employment Pass application.

Click here to learn more about the requirement of documents for EP

You will need to submit additional documents for the following:

For regional representatives of overseas companies

You will need:

A copy of the approval letter from Enterprise Singapore for setting up the representative office in Singapore.

A letter from the representative’s office headquarters stating:

- The purpose of the application.
- The duration of the candidate’s assignment.
- A guarantee for the maintenance and repatriation of the candidate.

Pass Stages:

Before Applying:

Know the eligibility and requirements
Check the documents required

Before candidate arrives in Singapore:

Apply for pass

After candidate arrives in Singapore:

Get the pass issued
Register for fingerprints and photo
Receive the pass card

As and when required:

Notify with any changes
Renewal of pass
Replace a lost or damaged pass card
Cancel a pass

How are PMETs counted under the Diversity (C3) and Support for Local Employment (C4) criteria for COMPASS?
How does COMPASS calculate my candidate’s nationality/citizenship share among my organisation’s PMETs?
How does COMPASS calculate my organisation’s local PMET share relative to my organisation’s sector?
How do I check and update my organisation’s sector classification?
How often will my organisation’s COMPASS workforce profile be updated?
If the candidate’s educational institution isn’t on the Employment Pass (EP) application form, what should I do?

Click here for COMPASS FAQ on EP

ACHI BIZ is one of the licensed Employment Agencies in Singapore. We will assist your work pass related applications and appeals at our level best with the regulatory authority Ministry Of Manpower (MOM) for successful outcome.

Employment Pass (EP)