Singapore Employment Pass (EP) 2026: Complete Guide to Salary, COMPASS, Fees & Application

The Employment Pass (EP) is Singapore's primary work visa for foreign professionals, managers, and executives. This 2026 guide covers the current qualifying salary (S$5,600 minimum), the COMPASS points assessment introduced in September 2023, the S$105 + S$225 government fees, and the step-by-step application process.

What Is a Singapore Employment Pass?

The Employment Pass (EP) is the work visa issued by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) that allows foreign professionals to live and work in Singapore as employees of a Singapore-registered company.

Every EP is employer-sponsored — the Singapore-registered employer files the application on behalf of the foreign candidate. Candidates cannot apply for themselves.

The EP is intended for:

Professionals with recognised qualifications and specialist skills
Managers with strategic decision-making responsibilities
Executives leading business functions

It is one of several types of work passes in Singapore — for lower-skilled roles, the S Pass or Work Permit apply instead.

2026 Minimum Qualifying Salary

The EP salary threshold has two tiers, based on sector:

Non-financial sectors: S$5,600 per month (fixed monthly salary)
Financial services sector: S$6,200 per month

Salary requirements also scale with the applicant's age — the older the candidate, the higher the minimum salary MOM expects. This is because MOM benchmarks EP salaries against the top one-third of local PMET (Professional, Manager, Executive, Technician) wages in the same age band.

For example, an applicant in their early 30s typically needs to meet around S$5,600, while an applicant in their mid-40s may need to earn S$10,500 or more to qualify.

Upcoming Changes: 1 January 2027

MOM has announced new minimum salary thresholds effective 1 January 2027:

Non-financial sectors: S$6,000 per month (up from S$5,600)
Financial services: S$6,600 per month (up from S$6,200)

Age-progressive thresholds will also rise proportionally. Renewals of passes expiring from 1 January 2028 must also meet the new thresholds.

The COMPASS Framework

Since 1 September 2023, most EP applications are assessed under the COMPASS (Complementarity Assessment Framework) — a points-based system that scores candidates and employers together.

To qualify, an application must score 40 points or above across six criteria:

Foundational criteria (each: 0, 10, or 20 points)

C1 — Salary — How the candidate's fixed monthly salary compares to the local PMET benchmark in the same sector and age band
C2 — Qualifications — Recognition of the candidate's degree-issuing institution
C3 — Diversity — Nationality diversity of the employer's PMET workforce
C4 — Support for local employment — Proportion of Singapore citizens and PRs among the employer's PMETs

Bonus criteria (each: 0 or 20 points)

C5 — Skills bonus — If the role is on MOM's Shortage Occupation List (e.g. cybersecurity, AI, green tech)
C6 — Strategic economic priorities bonus — If the employer participates in designated government priority programmes

Exemptions from COMPASS

Applications are exempt from COMPASS if any of the following apply:

The candidate's fixed monthly salary is S$22,500 or above
The candidate is an intra-corporate transferee (ICT) under a trade agreement
The role is a short-term posting (1 month or less)

Employers can use MOM's free Self-Assessment Tool (SAT) to check both the salary threshold and estimated COMPASS score before applying.

EP Fees and Total Government Cost

The MOM fees for a Singapore EP are:

Application fee: S$105 (non-refundable, payable at submission — you don't get it back if the application is rejected)
Issuance fee: S$225 (payable when the pass is issued after approval)
Multiple Journey Visa (optional): S$30 (needed only if the candidate holds a passport that requires a visa to enter Singapore, and wants multi-entry capability)

Total government cost per EP: S$330 – S$360

Any additional charges beyond these amounts are agent or corporate service provider fees, not MOM fees. Always ask for a breakdown.

Renewal fees are the same as new applications: S$105 for the renewal application + S$225 for issuance.

Processing Timeline

Standard application (Singapore-registered employer): ~10 business days
Application from overseas company without a Singapore entity: Up to 6 weeks
In-Principle Approval (IPA) validity: 6 months (candidate must enter Singapore within this window)
Pass issuance after candidate enters Singapore: Same day to a few days
Fingerprint & photo registration at EPSC: Within 2 weeks of pass issuance
Physical EP card delivery: Within 5 working days after biometric registration

Pass Validity and Renewal

First-time EP: Valid for up to 2 years
Renewal: Valid for up to 3 years
Renewal window: Employers can apply to renew an EP up to 6 months (180 days) before expiry. Applying early does not shorten the renewed pass — the new validity period starts when the current one ends.
Renewal is not automatic — the candidate must still meet the current salary threshold and pass COMPASS at the time of renewal.

Required Documents

Provided by the candidate:

Personal particulars page of passport (plus any pages with amendments)
Educational certificates (additional requirements may apply for candidates from India and China — verification via a MOM-recognised provider)
Explanation letter if names differ across identification documents
Written consent authorising the employer to file the application

Provided by the employer:

Latest ACRA business profile
Additional profession-specific documents where applicable (see below)
Proof of declared salary payment (may be requested)

Non-English documents must be translated into English by a qualified provider and submitted alongside the original in a single file.

Professions Requiring Supporting Documents from Regulators

Certain regulated professions require registration or endorsement from their professional body before the EP can be issued. These include: dentists (Singapore Dental Council), doctors (Singapore Medical Council), nurses (Singapore Nursing Board), lawyers (Legal Services Regulatory Authority), pharmacists (Singapore Pharmacy Council), traditional Chinese medicine practitioners (TCM Practitioners Board), professional football players and coaches (Sport Singapore), and various allied health professionals (Allied Health Professions Council).

Food establishment employees must attach the SFA food shop licence details.

Application Process: Step by Step

1. Employer Prepares and Submits the Application

Employer logs into MOM's Employment Pass eService via Corppass
Candidate completes the application form
Employer uploads the form and all supporting documents
Employer pays the S$105 application fee (GIRO, Visa, Mastercard, or Amex)

2. MOM Reviews the Application

Standard processing: ~10 business days
MOM may request additional documents via email; upload via the eService portal
Status can be checked at any time via the MOM pass application status portal

3. In-Principle Approval (IPA) Issued

If approved, MOM issues an IPA letter
The IPA acts as a single-entry visa valid for 6 months — the candidate must enter Singapore within this window
Print the pass-holder copy of the IPA and send to the candidate

4. Candidate Enters Singapore and Pass Is Issued

Once the candidate is in Singapore, the employer submits the issuance request via the eService portal, providing:

Passport details
Singapore contact and residential address
Current Short-Term Visit Pass / immigration pass details
Delivery address for the physical card
Details of up to 3 authorised card recipients
Completed medical examination form or medical declaration
Signed declaration form (from HR or managerial-level employee)

Employer pays the S$225 issuance fee (plus S$30 for Multiple Journey Visa if needed).

5. Fingerprint and Photo Registration

Employer schedules an appointment at the Employment Pass Services Centre (EPSC)
Candidate attends within 2 weeks of pass issuance
Bring: original passport, appointment letter, notification letter

6. Card Delivery

Physical card is delivered within 5 working days of biometric registration
Authorised recipients receive notice at least 1 working day before delivery
If delivery fails twice, collection is available at EPSC (no appointment needed after 3 working days)

What Happens If the Application Is Rejected

Employer has 3 months from the rejection date to file an appeal
Only the employer can appeal — candidate-submitted appeals are not accepted
Appeal is filed via the EP eService portal
MOM processes about 85% of appeals within 6 weeks
Appeal must address the specific reasons cited in the rejection advisory (visible in the eService portal)

Alternative if the appeal fails: Some employers reapply after strengthening the weaker COMPASS criteria (e.g., increasing salary, improving local workforce diversity, or waiting until the candidate is on the Shortage Occupation List).

After Approval: Dependant Options

Once your EP is issued, your family members may qualify to join you in Singapore:

Dependant's Pass (DP) — For legally-married spouse and unmarried children under 21, if the EP holder earns S$6,000 or more per month
Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) — For common-law spouses, unmarried step-children, or handicapped children over 21 (subject to case-by-case approval)
LTVP for Parents — If the EP holder earns S$12,000 or more per month

Dependants and family members holding these passes may work in Singapore under a Letter of Consent (LOC), subject to eligibility.

Cancelling an EP

If the EP holder leaves employment or Singapore:

If the pass holder is still in Singapore: Employer schedules an appointment at MOM's EPSC to cancel the pass
If the pass holder has already left Singapore: Employer submits the online cancellation form (one form can cancel up to 4 passes)
Notification of cancellation outcome: Within 1 week by post

Employers must cancel the EP within 1 week of the pass holder's last day of employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between an EP and an S Pass?

The EP is for higher-skilled professionals earning at least S$5,600/month. The S Pass is for mid-skilled workers with lower salary thresholds and additional quota restrictions on the employer. See types of work passes in Singapore for a full comparison.

Can I apply for my own EP?

No. Only a Singapore-registered employer can file the application on your behalf. If you want to start your own business in Singapore, you'll need to incorporate a company first, then have the company sponsor your EP — a common route for foreign founders.

Can I change jobs on my current EP?

No. If you change employers, the new employer must file a fresh EP application. There is no direct transfer mechanism between employers.

How long does the whole process take from start to card in hand?

Approximately 4–6 weeks in total: 10 business days for application processing, followed by IPA issuance, candidate travel to Singapore, biometric registration within 2 weeks, and card delivery within 5 working days after biometrics.

Do I need to renew my EP if I have a permanent job?

Yes. There is no permanent EP — first-time passes are up to 2 years, renewals up to 3 years. Your employer must renew before expiry. Many EP holders eventually apply for Permanent Residence to remove the need for renewals.

What happens to my Singapore tax number when I get an EP?

Your FIN, issued when your EP is approved, becomes your Singapore Tax Identification Number automatically. IRAS will begin including you in tax filings once your employer submits your income under the Auto-Inclusion Scheme.

Related Guides

WealthBridge provides EP application, renewal, and appeal services for Singapore employers. Contact us for a quote.