Employment Pass (EP)

The Employment Pass allows foreign professionals, managers and executives to work in Singapore.

Candidates need to earn at least $5,000 a month. Employers must also demonstrate that they have fairly considered all jobseekers.

Employment Pass and S Pass – advertising requirements under the Fair Consideration Framework

Consider all candidates fairly before you apply for an Employment Pass

To promote fair employment practices and improve labour market transparency, employers submitting Employment Pass (EP) applications must first advertise the job on MyCareersFuture and consider all candidates fairly.

Fair Consideration Framework (FCF)

The Fair Consideration Framework (FCF) sets out the requirements for all employers in Singapore to consider candidates fairly for job opportunities. Employers should not discriminate candidates based on non-job related characteristics such as age, sex, nationality or race.

All employers in Singapore are expected to adhere to the Tripartite Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices.

New Criteria (Upcoming changes) to Employment Pass eligibility

MOM will be progressively implementing changes to the Employment Pass (EP) eligibility framework over the next few years. These changes will strengthen the quality of EP holders and their complementarity to the local workforce. Find out how these changes affect your EP applications and renewals.

Overview of changes to Employment Pass eligibility

MOM will be raising the qualifying salary and introducing a points-based Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS) for Employment Pass (EP) applications. These changes will apply progressively from 1 September 2022.

At a glance

Candidates must pass a two-stage eligibility framework:

Click here to learn about new criteria to Employment Pass (EP)

Key Facts on Employment Pass (EP) in Singapore

Get a quick overview of the Employment Pass to decide if it is the right pass for you.

Who it is for

• Foreign professionals with a job offer in Singapore who meet the eligibility criteria.

Who can apply

• An employer or appointed employment agent needs to apply on behalf of the candidate.
• For an overseas company without a Singapore-registered office, you need to apply through a local sponsor.

Minimum salary

• Fixed monthly salary comparable to the top one-third of local PMET salaries, starting from $5,000 and increases progressively with age, up to $10,500 for those in the mid-40s.
• Candidates in the financial services sector need higher salaries to qualify.

What is the duration

• The duration of the pass is as follows:
• First-time candidates: up to 2 years
• Renewals: up to 3 years
• W.E.F. 01-Sep-2023, MOM will offer the option of a 5-year EP to those with specific tech occupations on the Compass Shortage Occupation List.

Is it renewable

Passes for family

Foreign worker levy or quota

• No foreign worker levy or quota required.

Medical insurance

• Employers can choose whether to provide medical insurance for EP holders.

Relevant legislation

Eligibility for Employment Pass

From 1 September 2023, new Employment Pass (EP) candidates need to pass the points-based COMPASS in addition to meeting the EP qualifying salary.

Who is eligible

To qualify for EP applications, candidates will need to pass a 2-stage eligibility framework:

Note:

• Candidates who do not meet stage 1 will not be eligible for an EP, regardless of the points they would have scored under COMPASS.
• The 2-stage eligibility framework applies to new EP applications from 1 September 2023, and renewals of EPs expiring from 1 September 2024.

• Employers and employment agents can use the enhanced Self-Assessment Tool (SAT) to check a candidate’s eligibility before they apply.
• Employers must continue to meet the Fair Consideration Framework (FCF) job advertising requirement before submitting new EP applications.
• Successful candidates will also need to meet vaccination requirements to get their pass issued.

EP qualifying salary (Stage 1)

From 1 September 2023, the following EP qualifying salary requirements apply to new applications and renewals:

• At least $5,000 for all sectors except financial services (increases progressively with age from age 23, up to $10,500 at age 45 and above)
• At least $5,500 for the financial services sector (increases progressively with age from age 23, up to $11,500 at age 45 and above)

Example:

• If you are renewing your employee’s EP expiring on 1 December 2023, they need to earn at least $5,000 if they do not work in the financial services sector.
• They do not need to pass COMPASS because that would only apply to renewals of EPs expiring from 1 September 2024.

EP qualifying salary by age for sector wise:

What is the qualifying salary for all sectors (except financial services):

What is the qualifying salary for Financial Services:

• Fast-growing tech companies that are newly expanding to Singapore and the region may be eligible for the Tech@SG Programme
• Link: https://www.mom.gov.sg/faq/entrepass/what-is-the-techsg-programme

COMPASS is a transparent points-based system that gives businesses greater clarity and certainty for manpower planning. It enables employers to select high-quality foreign professionals, while improving workforce diversity and building a strong local core.

Exemptions from COMPASS

Candidates are exempted from COMPASS if they meet any of these conditions:

• Have a fixed monthly salary of at least $22,500 (similar to the prevailing Fair Consideration Framework (FCF) job advertising exemption from 1 September 2023)
• Are applying as an overseas intra-corporate transferee
• Are filling the role for 1 month or less

5-year duration Employment Pass for experienced tech professionals with skills in shortage

Experienced tech professionals with skills in shortage may apply for an Employment Pass valid for up to 5 years.

From September 2023, experienced tech professionals with skills in shortage may apply for a longer 5-year duration EP.

This will give greater certainty to experienced tech professionals as well as businesses hiring them, and allow Singapore to anchor tech capabilities in areas where the local pipeline is still being developed.

Eligible candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Fill specific tech occupations on the COMPASS Shortage Occupation List (SOL)
• Earn a fixed monthly salary of at least $10,500 (for candidates aged 36 and above, the salary required increases with age, up to a maximum of $13,500 at age 45 and beyond)
• Pass COMPASS and score at least 10 points on Criterion 3 (Diversity)

To apply, candidates may indicate a pass duration of up to 5 years and select the relevant tech occupation when submitting their EP application. They will need to meet the eligibility criteria above and further verification checks.

Self­-Assessment Tool (SAT)

Ministry Of Manpower (MOM) strongly encourages you to use the Self-Assessment Tool (SAT) to get an indication of whether a candidate meets the Employment Pass requirements. Only the employer or duly authorised employment agency can use the tool to assess their eligibility.

• If the SAT shows that the candidate is not eligible, you shouldn’t apply for the Employment Pass because it will be rejected.
• If the SAT shows that the candidate is eligible, there is around a 90% chance that the candidate will get a pass.

If you are an overseas employer that does not have a registered office in Singapore:

• You need to get a Singapore-registered company to act as a local sponsor and apply on your behalf.
• The local sponsor must apply manually.

The candidate will still need to meet the Employment Pass criteria.

Passes for family of Employment Pass holders

As an Employment Pass holder, you can get certain family members to join you in Singapore if you meet the eligibility requirements.

Who is eligible

To be eligible, you need to:

• Earn at least $6,000 a month.
• Hold an Employment Pass.

From 1 January 2018, work pass holders will need to meet a minimum salary criteria of $6,000 to enjoy dependant privileges.

These are the family members you can bring in and the type of pass they need:

How to apply

To apply, your employer will need to submit a separate application for each family member. The application can be submitted together with the Employment Pass application or separately.

Apply for a Long Term Visit Pass (LTVP)

You can apply for a Long Term Visit Pass (LTVP) for family members of your eligible Employment Pass or S Pass employees.

At a glance

These are the steps for applying:

Note:

• You can submit the application along with the main pass holder’s work pass application or at a later date. Submit a separate application for each family member.
• If the foreigner is in Singapore with a visit pass that will expire before the Long Term Visit Pass (LTVP) is issued, MOM won’t be able to extend the visit pass.
• You should only bring in the foreigner when the pass is approved. They don’t need to be in Singapore when you apply and MOM won’t be able to extend their visit pass.

Documents required for Employment Pass

You need to submit documents such as copies of passport details, verification documents and educational certificates along with the Employment Pass application.

You will need to submit additional documents for the following:

For regional representatives of overseas companies

• A copy of the approval letter from Enterprise Singapore for setting up the representative office in Singapore.

A letter from the representative’s office headquarters stating:

• • The purpose of the application.
  • The duration of the candidate’s assignment.
  • A guarantee for the maintenance and repatriation of the candidate.

  Pass Stages:

  Before Applying:

  • Know the eligibility and requirements
  • Check the documents required

  Before candidate arrives in Singapore:

  • Apply for pass

  After candidate arrives in Singapore:

  • Get the pass issued
  • Register for fingerprints and photo
  • Receive the pass card

  As and when required:

  • Notify with any changes
  • Renewal of pass
  • Replace a lost or damaged pass card
  • Cancel a pass

  Click the below links to learn more about:

  Taking up secondary directorship

  Eligible companies can appoint Employment Pass holders from another related company to their Board of Directors.

  Learn more about taking up secondary directorship

  Renewal of Employment Pass (EP) In Singapore

  You can apply to renew an Employment Pass if you want the pass holder to continue working for you. This is provided you still meet the criteria or requirements set by MOM.

  Learn more about renewal of Employment Pass (EP)

  Notify MOM Of Changes Of Particulars For Employment Pass (EP) Holders

  If you are an Employment Pass (EP) holder or employer, find out when and how to notify MOM of changes, including updates to company name and address, occupation, salary and residential address.

  Learn more about notification MOM of any changes of particulars of EP holders

  Cancellation of Employment Pass (EP) In Singapore

  You must cancel an Employment Pass (EP) if the pass holder no longer works for you or when the pass expires. You must also discard the cancelled pass card.

  Learn more about cancellation of Employment Pass (EP)

  FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) on Employment Pass (EP)

  Find answers to commonly asked questions pertaining to Employment Pass (EP) in Singapore.

  Learn detailed FAQ on Employment Pass (EP)

  New Criteria (COMPASS) to Employment Pass eligibility

  MOM will be progressively implementing changes to the Employment Pass (EP) eligibility framework over the next few years. These changes will strengthen the quality of EP holders and their complementarity to the local workforce. Find out how these changes affect your EP applications and renewals.

  Learn new criteria (COMPASS) to Employment Pass (EP)

  Documents required for Employment Pass

  You need to upload documents (e.g. candidate’s passport page showing personal particulars) when submitting an Employment Pass application.

  Click here to learn about the requirement of documents for EP

  Burning FAQ on Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS)

  • How are PMETs counted under the Diversity (C3) and Support for Local Employment (C4) criteria for COMPASS?
  • How does COMPASS calculate my candidate’s nationality/citizenship share among my organisation’s PMETs?
  • How does COMPASS calculate my organisation’s local PMET share relative to my organisation’s sector?
  • How do I check and update my organisation’s sector classification?
  • How often will my organisation’s COMPASS workforce profile be updated?
  • If the candidate’s educational institution isn’t on the Employment Pass (EP) application form, what should I do?