What is the Singapore Employment Pass?
The Employment Pass (EP) is Singapore's primary work pass for foreign professionals earning above the qualifying salary. It is issued by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and lets you work for the sponsoring employer in a managerial, executive or specialist role.
Since September 2023, every EP application must pass two stages: Stage 1 verifies your salary meets the age-progressive minimum, and Stage 2 scores the application against the COMPASS framework — salary, qualifications, workforce diversity and support for local employment. You need at least 40 points, unless you earn SGD $22,500/month or more, which exempts you from COMPASS.
Before applying, the employer must advertise the role to Singaporeans on MyCareersFuture for 28 days under the Fair Consideration Framework. The pass is valid for up to 2 years initially, renewable for up to 3 years.
Note: This information is for guidance only and does not constitute immigration advice. Requirements change — verify current figures at the official government source before applying.
Do you qualify?
You must meet three requirements. The employer applies on your behalf through the myMOM Portal.
Your fixed monthly salary must meet the threshold for your age and sector — from SGD $5,600/month (SGD $6,200 in financial services), rising with age to about SGD $10,700 at 45. Only fixed monthly pay counts; bonuses, allowances and stock options do not.
Your application is scored across salary, qualifications, workforce diversity and support for local employment, with bonus points for shortage occupations and strategic priorities. You are exempt if you earn SGD $22,500/month or more. See the FAQs for how COMPASS is scored.
Typically a bachelor's degree or higher from a recognised institution; top-tier institutions score higher on COMPASS. Professional qualifications equivalent to a degree may also be accepted.
The 2026 salary requirements
The EP salary threshold is age-progressive — it rises with age, so foreign professionals are paid competitively with local peers. Financial services carries a higher threshold. The figures below are entry-level minimums for 2026; only fixed monthly salary counts (variable bonuses, allowances and stock options do not).
From 1 January 2027, the entry thresholds rise to SGD $6,000 (non-financial) and SGD $6,600 (financial services) for new applications. Tax note: Singapore has no tax on employment income below SGD $20,000, then progressive rates of 2%–24%; there is no capital gains tax, and EP holders are not subject to CPF contributions.
What you need to apply
The employer applies through the myMOM Portal. Before applying, they must advertise the role on MyCareersFuture for at least 28 days under the Fair Consideration Framework.
If you do not have any of the documents below, read the FAQs section for further guidance.
Application timeline
From the employer deciding to hire to the EP being issued typically takes 6–10 weeks, including the mandatory 28-day MyCareersFuture advertising period.
Most common delay: a COMPASS score close to the 40-point threshold. If your salary or qualifications sit at borderline levels, MOM may request additional documentation. Applications well above the thresholds are processed fastest.
The employer posts the role on MyCareersFuture for at least 28 days and genuinely considers Singaporean applicants, under the Fair Consideration Framework. Employers with fewer than 10 staff are exempt.
Handled by: your employer
The employer applies through the myMOM Portal with your documents, salary and COMPASS inputs, and pays the SGD $105 application fee.
Handled by: your employer
Standard online processing is about 3 weeks. If MOM issues an Additional Document Request, add 3–5 weeks from when the documents are submitted.
Handled by: MOM
MOM issues an In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter valid for 6 months. You travel on the IPA and complete card issuance (photo, fingerprints) at MOM's Employment Pass Services Centre.
Handled by: you
Frequently asked questions
The EP is tied to the sponsoring employer. To change employers, the new employer must submit a new EP application, and you should not start with them until it is approved. If your current EP is cancelled before the new one is issued, you have a short window to remain in Singapore — confirm the exact timeline with MOM.
If your salary is SGD $6,000/month or above, you can sponsor your spouse and children for Dependant's Passes. At SGD $12,000/month or above, you can also sponsor parents on a Long-Term Visit Pass. Dependant's Pass holders cannot work without a separate Letter of Consent from MOM.
EP holders can apply for Singapore PR after holding the pass for at least 6 months. However, PR is entirely discretionary — there is no points threshold, fixed timeline or automatic conversion. MOM weighs salary, qualifications, time in Singapore, sector contribution and family ties, and approval rates are not published.
COMPASS (the Complementarity Assessment Framework) scores EP applications across four foundational criteria, each worth 0–20 points: C1 Salary (vs local benchmarks by sector), C2 Qualifications (institution ranking), C3 Diversity (nationality mix at the employer) and C4 Support for Local Employment (the employer's share of local PMETs). Two bonus criteria — Shortage Occupation List and Strategic Economic Priorities — can add points. You need at least 40, and earning SGD $22,500/month or more exempts you entirely.
The employer pays the application fee (SGD $105) and the issuance fee (SGD $225). Your own costs are minimal — mainly travel and document preparation. Singapore's EP fees are among the lowest of any premium work visa globally.
The Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass (ONE Pass) is for high earners (SGD $30,000/month fixed salary) or those with outstanding achievements. It allows work across multiple companies at once, is not tied to one employer, and is valid for 5 years. The EP is for professionals at lower salary levels and is tied to one employer. Above SGD $30,000/month, the ONE Pass offers significantly more flexibility.
You cannot apply for the Employment Pass without a job offer from a Singapore-registered employer.
Every job listed on Workbeyond is from employers who sponsor international talent to work in Singapore. Use the filters to narrow by profession, city and seniority level to find roles that match your criteria.
Find sponsored jobs in Singapore
Every job listed on Workbeyond is from employers who sponsor international talent to work in Singapore. Use the filters to narrow by profession, city and seniority level to find roles that match your criteria.
New to the country? See the Singapore destination guide.
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