Who the EP is for
The Employment Pass (EP) enables foreign professionals, managers, executives and technicians to work in Singapore. An employer or appointed employment agent applies for a candidate with a Singapore job offer; an overseas company without a Singapore-registered office uses a local sponsor. The EP does not involve a foreign-worker levy or quota. Employers may choose whether to provide medical insurance, and holders may have Singapore income-tax obligations.
Salary assessment: current and announced thresholds
Eligibility has two stages. First meet the age-adjusted EP qualifying salary, benchmarked to the top third of local PMET salaries. The minimum increases with age and is higher in financial services. Passing COMPASS cannot compensate for failing this salary stage. The following figures show the youngest-age minimum and the threshold at age 45 or above; intermediate ages have their own published thresholds. The announced increases apply to new applications from 1 January 2027 and renewals of passes expiring from 1 January 2028.
| Sector | Current: age 23 or below / 45 or above | New applications from 2027 / renewals expiring from 2028 |
|---|---|---|
| Non-financial services | S$5,600 / S$10,700 | S$6,000 / S$11,500 |
| Financial services | S$6,200 / S$11,800 | S$6,600 / S$12,700 |
COMPASS: the separate points stage
Unless exempt, an application needs 40 points under COMPASS. Its four foundational criteria cover sector-relative salary, qualifications, nationality diversity and support for local employment. Skills-shortage and strategic-economic-priority bonuses can add points. Organisations with fewer than 25 PMETs receive 10 points each for diversity and local employment; a qualification is not universally mandatory if other criteria provide enough points. Where qualification points are needed, verification evidence must be submitted. COMPASS exemptions include fixed monthly salary of at least S$22,500, qualifying overseas intra-corporate transfers, or a role lasting one month or less. Employers and agents should use the Self-Assessment Tool before applying.
Fair consideration before applying
Normally advertise the role on MyCareersFuture for at least 14 consecutive days and consider applicants fairly. The occupation, employer and offered salary must match the EP application; the advertised maximum cannot exceed twice the minimum. The job offer should not be made during the mandatory advertising period. Changes to key advertisement details require a fresh 14-day advertisement, and advertisements closed or expired for more than three months cannot be reused. Exemptions include fewer than 10 employees, a salary of at least S$22,500, a role of one month or less, and qualifying local or overseas intra-corporate transfers. Advertising exemptions do not remove fair hiring duties, and are separate from COMPASS exemptions.
Application fees and processing
Obtain the candidate’s written consent and prepare the required documents before submitting online. Update the organisation’s turnover information for the past three years. The application fee is S$105. Normal online applications are processed or receive an update within 10 business days; sponsored applications for overseas companies without a Singapore office take about six weeks for most cases. Additional evidence can extend processing. Apply for family passes after the main pass is approved to avoid losing their application fees if the EP is rejected.
Approval, entry and issuance
An in-principle approval (IPA) normally allows six months to enter Singapore and issue the pass, and specifies any medical examination. The candidate must be in Singapore for issuance. Issuance costs S$225, plus S$30 for a Multiple Journey Visa where applicable. The one-month notification letter allows work and travel while awaiting the card and states whether fingerprints and a photo must be registered. If required, register at EPSC within two weeks of issuance. Set up Singpass and SGWorkPass; the physical card is normally delivered within five working days after registration or document verification.
Validity and the five-year technology route
A first EP can last up to two years and a renewal up to three. Selected experienced technology professionals may qualify for five years if they fill an eligible tech occupation on the Shortage Occupation List, pass COMPASS and score at least 10 in diversity. The specialised salary threshold is currently S$10,700 at age 36 or below, rising to S$14,270 at 45 or above. It becomes S$11,500 to S$15,499 for new applications from 2027 and renewals expiring from 2028. Indicate the longer duration and eligible occupation and meet additional verification; five years is not the default for every tech role.
Family eligibility
An EP holder earning at least S$6,000 monthly can generally sponsor a legally married spouse and unmarried children under 21, including adopted children, for Dependant’s Passes. Common-law spouses, unmarried disabled children aged 21 or above and unmarried stepchildren under 21 use Long-Term Visit Passes. Parents require at least S$12,000 monthly. The employer submits a separate application for each family member.
Renewal and ongoing administration
Employers or agents can normally renew up to six months before expiry; EP sponsorship renewals open three months before expiry. Renewal is assessed against the relevant salary and COMPASS requirements and is not guaranteed. It costs S$225 for issuance plus any applicable S$30 visa fee; standard renewals receive processing or an update within 10 business days, sponsored cases usually within six weeks. Issue the renewed pass before the earlier of IPA or current-pass expiry. Follow the notification letter on retaining or replacing the card. Maintain accurate personal and company details, replace a lost or damaged card, and cancel the pass when employment ends. Appeals and secondary directorship have their own procedures.
Official source
Written independently from official MOM source material.