From 1 January 2027, Singapore will introduce new Employment Pass (EP) qualifying salary requirements for new applications. Requirements vary by sector and age, rising progressively with age to reflect local skilled professionals’ salaries.
Policy highlights: higher qualifying salaries
From 2027, starting qualifying salaries for new EP applications will increase, with requirements continuing to vary by sector and age. The main changes are:
Salary requirements for new applications from 1 January 2027:
- Non-financial sectors:The starting fixed monthly salary increases from S$5,600 to S$6,000.
- Financial services:The starting fixed monthly salary increases from S$6,200 to S$6,600.
- Renewal requirements also change:The new salary requirements apply to passes expiring from 1 January 2028 for EP renewals.
These starting amounts apply to candidates aged 23 or below; see the tables below for other ages.
EP qualifying salary (Stage 1)
The following EP qualifying salary requirements apply to new applications and renewals:
| Sector | Current minimum qualifying salary | Minimum qualifying salary for new applications from 1 Jan 2027, and for renewal of passes expiring from 1 Jan 2028 |
|---|---|---|
| All (except financial services) | $5,600 (increases progressively with age from age 23, up to $10,700 at age 45 and above) | $6,000 (increases progressively with age from age 23, up to $11,500 at age 45 and above) |
| Financial services | $6,200 (increases progressively with age from age 23, up to $11,800 at age 45 and above) | $6,600 (increases progressively with age from age 23, up to $12,700 at age 45 and above) |
All table amounts are fixed monthly salaries in Singapore dollars. Starting thresholds apply to candidates aged 23 or below; other ages use their applicable requirements.
New applications
From 1 January 2027: upcoming salary requirements apply.
Renewals
Passes expiring from 1 January 2028: upcoming salary requirements apply.
Non-financial sectors: check by age
| Age | EP qualifying salary for new applications before 1 Jan 2027 and renewals expiring before 1 Jan 2028 | EP qualifying salary for new applications from 1 Jan 2027 and renewals expiring from 1 Jan 2028 |
|---|---|---|
| 23 or below | $5,600 | $6,000 |
| 30 | $7,223 | $7,750 |
| 35 | $8,382 | $9,000 |
| 40 | $9,541 | $10,250 |
| 45 or above | $10,700 | $11,500 |
Financial services: check by age
| Age | EP qualifying salary for new applications before 1 Jan 2027 and renewals expiring before 1 Jan 2028 | EP qualifying salary for new applications from 1 Jan 2027 and renewals expiring from 1 Jan 2028 |
|---|---|---|
| 23 or below | $6,200 | $6,600 |
| 30 | $7,982 | $8,541 |
| 35 | $9,255 | $9,927 |
| 40 | $10,527 | $11,314 |
| 45 or above | $11,800 | $12,700 |
Example 1: age 30 · non-financial sector
New applications before 2027: S$7,223.
New applications from 1 January 2027: S$7,750.
Example 2: age 35 · financial services
New applications before 2027: S$9,255.
New applications from 1 January 2027: S$9,927.
These amounts are first-stage salary thresholds, not approval outcomes.
Check COMPASS after meeting the salary threshold
Unless exempt, candidates must also pass COMPASS with 40 points. The first-stage qualifying salary and COMPASS C1 salary scoring are separate assessments: meeting the qualifying salary does not automatically earn C1 points or guarantee approval. Other points do not replace the first-stage salary requirement.
Founder-led EP: include salary in a workable business budget
The term “self-employed EP” commonly describes founders applying for an EP to work in their own Singapore company. It is not a separate pass category with a lower salary threshold. Consider duties, experience, fixed monthly salary and actual business activities together.
A useful planning exercise is to budget at least one year of salary alongside office, accounting, secretary and other operating costs, identifying funding and expected cash flow. This is a business-planning suggestion, not a statutory funding threshold for every EP application. A higher number on a form must be supported by genuine employment and payment arrangements.
Checklist before applying or renewing
Confirm age, employer sector, the new application date or renewal pass expiry date; check fixed salary components and employment documents; assess qualifying salary and COMPASS separately; use MOM’s Self-Assessment Tool (SAT) and prepare role, employer and applicant records for the actual circumstances.
Plan ahead without skipping evidence, treating forecast transactions as completed business or assuming submission guarantees approval. Renewal planning should also consider the threshold for the candidate’s age at that time rather than reusing the original application salary.
Using the Updated EP Salary Tables Before Applying
Confirm the sector, age and applicable column. New EP applications use application timing; renewals use pass expiry. Check fixed salary against the correct threshold, then assess COMPASS where applicable. Starting amounts are not universal, and forecast payroll is not a record of payments already made.
EP Questions and Practical Answers
Why might unchanged salary fall short at EP renewal?
Both policy changes and age-related thresholds can affect renewal. Recheck age, sector and expiry and review real remuneration and budgets early. The table explains salary thresholds, not the full application assessment.
Official Reference
MOM official salary tables and eligibility ↗Related EP Articles
Published by: Hengxin Group Corporate Services · About Hengxin Group ↗