The short answer
- An Employment Pass applicant must first meet the qualifying salary: today S$5,600 a month at age 23 or below, rising with age to S$10,700 at 45 and above (more in financial services).
- For new applications from 1 January 2027, the minimum rises to S$6,000 (S$6,600 in financial services), and to S$11,500 at age 45 and above. Renewals follow from passes expiring on or after 1 January 2028.
- Applicants must then score at least 40 points under COMPASS. A firm with fewer than 25 professional staff gets 10 points by default on two of the four criteria.
- Applicants earning at least S$22,500 a month are exempt from COMPASS.
- The employer applies. Only the company itself or a MOM-licensed employment agency may file on the company's behalf.
A founder who is not a Singapore citizen or permanent resident cannot simply start working for their new company. They need a work pass, and for professionals, managers and executives that is usually the Employment Pass (EP). The same applies to any foreign staff the company hires. This guide covers how the EP is assessed, what changes in 2027, and what that means for a small company.
Which pass
- Employment Pass: for professionals, managers, executives and specialists with a job offer from a Singapore company. This is the usual route for a founder running a funded or revenue-generating company.
- EntrePass: for entrepreneurs starting a venture-backed or innovative business, assessed on the business rather than a salary.
- ONE Pass: for top earners and people with outstanding achievements, not tied to a single employer.
- S Pass: for mid-level skilled staff, with its own qualifying salary and quota.
Stage 1: the qualifying salary
The candidate's fixed monthly salary must meet the minimum for their age. Candidates who fall short are not eligible, whatever their COMPASS score.
| Sector | Today | New applications from 1 January 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| All sectors except financial services | S$5,600 at age 23 or below, rising to S$10,700 at 45 and above | S$6,000 at age 23 or below, rising to S$11,500 at 45 and above |
| Financial services | S$6,200 at age 23 or below, rising to S$11,800 at 45 and above | S$6,600 at age 23 or below, rising to S$12,700 at 45 and above |
For renewals, the current figures apply to passes expiring before 1 January 2028, and the new figures to passes expiring on or after that date. MOM's self-assessment tool gives the exact figure for a given age.
Stage 2: COMPASS
COMPASS scores the application on four criteria, plus two bonus criteria. It needs 40 points to pass.
| Criterion | 20 points | 10 points | 0 points |
|---|---|---|---|
| C1 Salary, against local professionals in the same sector and age band | 90th percentile or above | 65th to below 90th percentile | Below the 65th percentile |
| C2 Qualifications | Degree-equivalent from a top-tier institution | Other degree-equivalent | No degree-equivalent |
| C3 Diversity: candidate's nationality share of the firm's professionals | Below 5% | 5% to below 25% | 25% or more |
| C4 Support for local employment: local share of the firm's professionals, against sector peers | 50th percentile or above | 20th to below 50th percentile | Below the 20th percentile |
| C5 Skills bonus: job on the Shortage Occupation List | Nationality below one third of the firm's professionals | One third or more | Not on the list |
| C6 Strategic economic priorities bonus | n/a | Firm in an eligible programme | Otherwise |
How a small company passes
A firm with fewer than 25 professionals, managers, executives and technicians (PMETs) gets 10 points by default on C3 and on C4. That gives every small company 20 points before the candidate is assessed. The candidate then needs 20 more from salary, qualifications or the skills bonus.
| Founder profile | C1 | C2 | C3 + C4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Degree from a top-tier university, salary below the 65th percentile | 0 | 20 | 20 | 40: passes |
| Other degree, salary between the 65th and 90th percentile | 10 | 10 | 20 | 40: passes |
| Other degree, salary below the 65th percentile | 0 | 10 | 20 | 30: fails unless the role is on the Shortage Occupation List |
| Salary of S$22,500 a month or more | Exempt from COMPASS | |||
The salary benchmarks for C1 depend on sector and age, and MOM publishes them. In practice the decision for a founder is often between paying a higher salary to earn C1 points and relying on a strong qualification.
What changes in 2027
Two changes land together. The qualifying salaries in Stage 1 rise for new applications from 1 January 2027, as shown above. And the C1 salary benchmarks are revised: current benchmarks apply to new applications submitted on or before 31 December 2026, and the revised ones to new applications from 1 January 2027 and to renewals of passes expiring on or after 1 July 2027. Many candidates will need higher salaries to earn the same points. A founder planning to relocate in early 2027 should model both sets of figures now, and consider applying before year end if the numbers are close.
Before you apply
- Advertise the job, unless exempt. Under the Fair Consideration Framework, most employers must advertise on MyCareersFuture for at least 14 days before applying. Firms with fewer than 10 employees, and jobs paying at least S$22,500 a month, are exempt.
- Company ready: incorporated, with Corppass access to MOM's online services, and ideally a bank account and an office address.
- Documents: passport, education certificates, and verification of certain qualifications through an approved screening provider.
- A real role to describe: job title, duties and salary that match each other and the company's stage.
Who may file
The employer applies through MOM's online services, using the company's own Corppass. Submitting work pass applications on behalf of other companies is licensed activity under the Employment Agencies Act. Northwise gives guidance on structure, salary and timing but does not file; you file yourself or use a licensed agency.
The substance link
A founder who relocates on an EP is also the strongest evidence that the company is managed from Singapore. That matters for a certificate of residence and for India's POEM test: see certificate of residence and POEM and substance.
Questions people ask
What does an Employment Pass applicant need?
A salary at or above the qualifying minimum for their age and sector, and at least 40 points under COMPASS.
What changes in 2027?
Revised COMPASS salary benchmarks apply to new applications from 1 January 2027 and to renewals of passes expiring from 1 July 2027.
What is the Employment Pass minimum salary in 2027?
For new applications from 1 January 2027: S$6,000 a month at age 23 or below, rising to S$11,500 at 45 and above. In financial services, S$6,600 rising to S$12,700.
How does a small company get 40 COMPASS points?
Firms with fewer than 25 PMETs get 10 points each on diversity and local employment by default. The candidate needs 20 more from salary, qualifications or the shortage occupation bonus.
Who is exempt from COMPASS?
Candidates earning a fixed monthly salary of at least S$22,500, overseas intra-corporate transferees, and those filling a role for one month or less.
Talk it through with an adviser
Tell us your structure and deadlines. We reply with what applies to you and a fixed-fee proposal.
Sources
- MOM: Employment Pass eligibility
- Pinsent Masons: Singapore revises EP salary benchmarks for 2027 (secondary source)
- MOM: COMPASS framework
General information only, last reviewed 11 November 2026. It is not advice for your situation. Laws and practice change, and the official sources linked above prevail. Speak to a qualified adviser before you act.
