Singapore Skill Visa Rules: Complete Guide to EP, COMPASS

Singapore maintains its standing as one of the premier business and talent hubs in the Asia-Pacific region. However, navigating work authorization requires a clear understanding of the regulatory framework managed by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).

To align foreign talent acquisition with local workforce growth, Singapore enforces strict salary benchmarks, point-based evaluations, and quota restrictions across its skilled visa tiers. This guide breaks down the essential Singapore skill visa rules, eligibility criteria, and application pathways for foreign professionals and employers.

Overview of Skilled Work Visas in Singapore

Singapore categorizes skilled foreign labor into distinct visa tiers based on monthly income, professional qualifications, and specialized expertise.

Visa Category	Target Profile	Minimum Fixed Monthly Salary	Special Conditions
Employment Pass (EP)	Managers, Executives, Specialists	S$5,600 (General) / S$6,200 (Finance)	Must pass COMPASS evaluation (40+ points)
S Pass	Mid-Level Skilled Technicians / Associates	S$3,300 (General) / S$3,800 (Finance)	Subject to Company Quotas & Monthly Levy
ONE Pass	Top-Tier Global Leaders & Executives	S$30,000 (or equivalent achievement)	5-year validity; multi-employer flexibility
Personalised EP (PEP)	High-Earning Senior Professionals	S$22,500	Not tied to a single employer; valid for 3 years

1. Employment Pass (EP) Rules and Salary Thresholds

The Employment Pass (EP) is the primary work visa for foreign professionals, managers, executives, and technical specialists.

Minimum Salary Requirements

Applicants must meet progressive salary benchmarks that increase with age and professional experience:

Non-Financial Sectors: Minimum qualifying salary starts at S$5,600 per month for young candidates (age 23) and scales progressively up to S$10,700 per month for applicants aged 45 and above.
Financial Services Sector: Minimum qualifying salary starts at S$6,200 per month, scaling up to S$11,800 per month for candidates aged 45 and above.

2. The COMPASS Framework for Employment Pass Applicants

All new Employment Pass candidates must pass a two-stage evaluation process. Stage 1 verifies the minimum salary threshold, while Stage 2 evaluates the applicant and employer through the Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS).

An EP application requires a minimum score of 40 points across foundational and bonus criteria to be approved.

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|                                    COMPASS SCORING SYSTEM                                       |
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| FOUNDATIONAL CRITERIA                                                                            |
|   • C1. Salary (Individual): Relative to local PMET benchmark by age (0, 10, or 20 points)      |
|   • C2. Qualifications (Individual): Top-tier university or recognized degree (0, 10, 20 pts)  |
|   • C3. Diversity (Firm-Level): Nationality percentage within employer's PMETs (0, 10, 20 pts) |
|   • C4. Support for Local Employment: Proportion of local PMETs in the firm (0, 10, 20 pts)    |
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| BONUS CRITERIA                                                                                   |
|   • C5. Shortage Occupation List (Individual): Role on MOM's shortage list (+20 points)         |
|   • C6. Strategic Economic Priorities (Firm-Level): Company in innovation programs (+10 points) |
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COMPASS Exemptions

Applicants are exempt from the COMPASS scoring requirement if they meet any of the following conditions:

Earn a fixed monthly salary of at least S$22,500.
Apply as an Overseas Intra-Corporate Transferee under WTO or applicable Free Trade Agreements.
Fill a short-term role lasting one month or less.

3. S Pass Rules: Mid-Skilled Foreign Personnel

The S Pass is designed for foreign technical staff, associate professionals, and skilled technicians who meet mid-level operational standards.

Qualifying Criteria for S Pass

Salary Threshold: Minimum fixed monthly income of S$3,300 in general sectors and S$3,800 in the financial sector (scaling progressively higher for older candidates up to S$4,800 and S$5,650).
Education Credentials: Requires a degree, diploma, or technical certificate requiring at least one year of full-time study from an accredited institution.
Company Dependency Ratio Ceiling (DRC): S Pass hires are capped at 10% of a company's total workforce in the services sector, and 15% in construction, manufacturing, process, and marine shipyard sectors.
Foreign Worker Levy: Employers pay a fixed monthly levy of S$650 per S Pass employee.

4. Specialized High-Tier Visas: ONE Pass and PEP

For senior corporate leaders, founders, and specialized global talent, Singapore offers high-flexibility immigration passes:

Overseas Networks and Expertise Pass (ONE Pass)

Target Audience: Leaders in business, tech, arts, sports, academia, and research.
Requirements: Fixed monthly salary of at least S$30,000 (or equivalent overseas earnings), or demonstration of outstanding achievement in specialized fields.
Benefits: Valid for 5 years, permits concurrent employment with multiple companies, and grants open work permission (Letter of Consent) to legally married spouses.

Personalised Employment Pass (PEP)

Target Audience: Existing high-earning EP holders or foreign professionals relocating to Singapore.
Requirements: Minimum fixed monthly salary of S$22,500.
Benefits: Valid for 3 years (non-renewable). The pass is independent of any single employer, allowing pass holders up to 6 months of transition time between jobs without losing legal status.

5. Dependant's Pass (DP) and Family Sponsorship Rules

Key foreign work pass holders are permitted to bring family members to reside in Singapore:

Family Member	Eligibility Threshold	Approved Pass Type
Legally Married Spouse & Children under 21	EP/S Pass holder earning at least S$6,000/month	Dependant's Pass (DP)
Common-Law Spouse & Unmarried Stepchildren	EP holder earning at least S$6,000/month	Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP)
Parents of Work Pass Holder	EP holder earning at least S$12,000/month	Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP)

Note: Spouses holding a Dependant's Pass (DP) who wish to work in Singapore must secure an independent work pass (such as an EP, S Pass, or Work Permit) sponsored by an employer.

Step-by-Step Application Process

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| STEP 1: JOB OFFER & FAIR ADVERTISING                                                             |
| Employer advertises job on MyCareersFuture for at least 14 consecutive days.                     |
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| STEP 2: ELIGIBILITY & DOCUMENT PREPARATION                                                       |
| Candidate submits verified educational transcripts, passport details, and CV to employer.      |
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| STEP 3: MOM ONLINE SUBMISSION                                                                    |
| Employer applies via the myMOM Portal, paying the application fee (S$105).                       |
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| STEP 4: IN-PRINCIPLE APPROVAL (IPA)                                                              |
| MOM reviews and approves within 3 to 8 weeks. IPA letter issued for travel/entry.               |
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| STEP 5: PASS ISSUANCE & CARD REGISTRATION                                                        |
| Candidate arrives in Singapore, completes medical checks, registers biometrics, and receives card.|
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Key Compliance Considerations for Employers

Fair Consideration Framework (FCF): Employers must advertise vacancies on the government portal MyCareersFuture for at least 14 days before submitting an EP or S Pass application.
Third-Party Credential Verification: Educational certificates submitted for EP applications must be verified through MOM-approved background screening companies.
Internal Quota Audits: Businesses hiring S Pass workers must ensure adequate local employee counts to maintain foreign worker quota ratios.