What C1 measures
A candidate’s fixed monthly salary must reach at least the 65th percentile of local PMET salaries in the employer’s sector to earn C1 points. MOM derives the benchmarks from the annual Comprehensive Labour Force Survey conducted by its Manpower Research and Statistics Department and updates them annually for market conditions.
Which release applies
The application date determines the benchmark for a new EP. For a renewal, use the expiry date of the EP being renewed. The 2026 and 2027 releases therefore have different renewal transition dates.
| Release | New applications | Renewals of EPs expiring |
|---|---|---|
| August 2025 | 1 January–31 December 2026 | 1 July 2026–30 June 2027 |
| August 2026 | From 1 January 2027 | From 1 July 2027 |
Age and the separate EP qualifying salary
The required salary rises with age from 23 to 45. Check the employer’s online sector classification before selecting a benchmark. C1 points cannot make a person eligible if the separate Stage 1 EP qualifying salary is not met. Candidates with fixed monthly salary of at least S$22,500 are exempt from COMPASS. The two official benchmark PDFs contain the detailed sector figures and remain the numerical references for the relevant period.
Official source
Written independently from official MOM source material.