Singapore Employment Pass 2026: salary, eligibility, COMPASS framework (2026)

Singapore is Asia’s premier business hub and one of the most competitive places to land a work visa. The Employment Pass (EP) is the main route — and the rules tightened significantly with the COMPASS framework in 2023. Here’s the 2026 reality.

Last verified: May 6, 2026.

Employment Pass overview

Visa duration: 1-2 years initially, renewable for 2-3 years. Total max 5+ years before PR consideration
Minimum salary 2026: $5,000 SGD/month (~$3,700 USD). Higher for finance/banking ($5,500 SGD)
Sponsor required: Singaporean employer with valid Quota or Workforce permit
Application timeline: 7-10 working days standard, 1-3 days for priority
Dependents: spouse + children under 21 can apply for Dependant Pass (DP)
Cost: $105 SGD application + $225 issuance for 2-year

COMPASS framework — the new bar

In September 2023, Singapore introduced COMPASS (Complementarity Assessment Framework) — a points-based system that scores Employment Pass applicants on 6 criteria. You need 40+ points to qualify, with at least 20 from individual attributes.

Foundation criteria (each scored separately)

C1 — Salary: 0/10/20 points based on your salary vs market benchmarks
C2 — Qualifications: 0/10/20 based on degree level + university quality
C3 — Diversity: 0/10/20 based on whether your nationality is over/under-represented at your employer
C4 — Local employment: 0/10/20 based on % of Singaporean employees at your firm

Bonus criteria

C5 — Skills bonus: 0/10/20 if your role is on Singapore’s Strategic Economic Priorities list (AI, sustainability, healthcare, etc.)
C6 — Employment Pass renewal record: 0/10 based on your employer’s track record

Total possible: 100 points. Need 40 minimum, 60 strongly recommended. Most applications below 40 are auto-rejected.

Salary thresholds in detail (2026)

General sectors: $5,000 SGD/month minimum
Finance + Banking: $5,500 SGD/month minimum
Older candidates (40+): $10,500 SGD/month
Older candidates in finance (40+): $11,000 SGD/month

Critical: salary must match the GOING RATE for your role, not just the floor. A senior engineer paid only $5,000 SGD = COMPASS C1 score = 0. Same role at $9,000 SGD = score = 20.

Application process step-by-step

Step 1: Get a Singaporean job offer

EP is employer-sponsored. Common sectors hiring foreigners:

Banking + finance: DBS, UOB, OCBC, plus international firms (Goldman, JPMorgan, Citi)
Tech: Grab, ByteDance, Shopee, ride-hailing + super app companies
Consulting: McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Deloitte, EY all have Singapore offices
Pharma + healthcare: growing biotech sector
Maritime + commodities: Singapore is world’s busiest container port

Step 2: Employer files via EP Online

Employer submits via Ministry of Manpower (MOM) website
Documents: employment contract, your CV, qualifications, passport copy, employer’s business profile
Cost: $105 SGD application fee (paid by employer)
Timeline: 7-10 working days standard. Most applications decided within 3 days

Step 3: In-Principle Approval (IPA) issued

If approved, you receive an IPA letter. This is the green light to enter Singapore. Bring this letter when traveling — immigration uses it to admit you.

Step 4: Travel to Singapore + complete formalities

Within 6 months of IPA issuance, enter Singapore
Within 14 days of arrival: get medical exam (HIV test, chest X-ray)
Within 14 days of medical clearance: visit Singapore Immigration Checkpoints Authority (ICA) for biometrics + photo
Receive EP card: 1-3 days after biometrics. Mailed to you or employer

Costs all-in

Application fee: $105 SGD
Issuance fee: $225 SGD (1-2 year), $300 SGD (2 year)
Medical exam: $50-150 SGD depending on clinic
Total: ~$400-600 SGD per applicant
Dependent Pass per family member: $105 application + $225 issuance

Family rules: Dependent Pass

Spouses + children under 21 can apply for Dependent Pass (DP):

Spouse can work with separate Letter of Consent (LOC) — usually granted
Children attend international schools (Singapore American School, Tanglin Trust, UWCSEA, ACS, Stamford American)
School fees: $30,000-50,000 SGD/year for international schools (a major cost factor)
Rule changes: Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) for parents tightened in 2024 — must show $10,000 SGD/month income to bring elderly parents

Cost of living in Singapore

Singapore is consistently ranked one of world’s most expensive cities. Realistic expat costs:

1-bed condo (CBD, Orchard, River Valley): $4,000-7,000 SGD/month
1-bed condo (Bukit Timah, Holland Village): $3,500-5,500 SGD/month
HDB flat 3-room (subsidized public housing for foreign workers via employer): $2,500-4,000 SGD
1-bed shared apartment: $1,800-3,000 SGD
Groceries: $400-700 SGD/month per person
Restaurants: hawker centers $4-7/meal, mid-range restaurants $25-50, fine dining $80-200+
Transport (MRT pass): $128 SGD/month unlimited
Total mid-range single: $5,500-8,000 SGD/month
Total mid-range family of 4: $9,000-14,000 SGD/month + school fees

Tax on Employment Pass

Singapore has very competitive tax rates:

$0-20,000 SGD: 0%
$20,001-30,000: 2%
$30,001-40,000: 3.5%
$40,001-80,000: 7%
$80,001-120,000: 11.5%
$120,001-160,000: 15%
$160,001-200,000: 18%
$200,001-240,000: 19%
$240,001-280,000: 19.5%
$280,001-320,000: 20%
Above $320,000: 22% (top rate)

No capital gains tax. Effective tax rate at $120K SGD = ~10%. At $200K SGD = ~14%. Among lowest in developed world.

Path to PR (Permanent Residency)

After 2-3 years on EP, you can apply for Singapore PR:

Apply via: Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA)
Processing time: 4-6 months
Approval rate for EP holders: ~25-35% historically
Requirements: good salary, established career, Singaporean ties (married to Singaporean = much higher approval), no criminal record
Renewal cycle on PR: Re-Entry Permit (REP) every 5 years
Path to citizenship: 2+ years on PR + Singaporean naturalisation. Singapore generally doesn’t allow dual citizenship

FAQ

Can I bring my parents?

Long-Term Visit Pass for parents is restricted. Need $10,000 SGD/month income + show financial dependency. Most easier alternative: parents visit on social visit pass (90 days at a time, can be extended).

What if I lose my job on EP?

EP is canceled when employment ends. You have a 30-day grace period to: find new job + new EP, or leave Singapore. Cannot stay long-term without sponsor.

Is COMPASS scored automatically?

Yes, MOM scores it from your application data. You don’t choose criteria. You can self-assess via MOM’s online COMPASS calculator before applying.

Can I work multiple jobs on EP?

Generally no — EP is tied to your main employer. Side businesses or consulting requires separate permit (which is rarely granted to EP holders).

Does EP time count toward PR?

Yes, time on EP counts toward Singapore residency requirements for PR. Most successful PR applicants have 2-5+ years on EP first.

What’s the renewal process?

Employer renews via EP Online about 4-6 weeks before expiry. Same documents required. Renewal usually issued 1-2 days. New COMPASS scoring on each renewal.

Why Singapore + drawbacks

Pros: Career-defining role at top global firms, low tax, English-speaking, world-class infrastructure, family-friendly, gateway to Asia. Cons: very expensive (especially housing + schools), small island = limited ‘getaway’ options, work culture intense, COMPASS makes EP harder than 5 years ago.

✓ Last verified: May 6, 2026.