Guide · Updated May 2026
Singapore Work Pass Guide
EP, S Pass and Work Permit — eligibility, age-based salary thresholds, COMPASS scoring, and 2027 changes.
EP · S Pass · Work PermitAge-based salary bandsCOMPASS explained2027 threshold preview
Which pass do I qualify for?
Enter your details — age matters because thresholds increase progressively.
Monthly salary (S$)
Gross fixed monthly
Your age
Affects threshold
Highest qualification
Job sector
Enter your salary, age and qualification above to see your result.
Pass comparison
2026 thresholdsEP
Employment Pass
S Pass
S Pass
WP
Work Permit
Min. salary (age 23)
S$5,600
Finance: S$6,200
S$3,300
Finance: S$3,800
No minimum
Min. salary (age 45+)
S$10,700
Finance: S$11,800
S$4,800
Finance: S$5,650
No minimum
Qualifications
Degree preferred
Via COMPASS scoring
Diploma or Degree
Or technical cert
No requirement
COMPASS
40 pts required
Exempt if ≥S$22,500
Not applicable
SAT check instead
Not applicable
Who applies
Your employer
Via EP Online
Your employer
Via EP Online
Your employer
Via WP Online
Quota
No quota
10% / 15%
Services / Other sectors
Sector quota
Bring family
S$6,000+/mth
Dependent Pass
S$6,000+/mth
Dependent Pass
Not allowed
Levy
None
S$650/month
Paid by employer
Varies by sector
Paid by employer
Validity
1–2 years
Renewable
1–2 years
Renewable
Up to 2 years
Salary thresholds by age
The threshold that actually applies to you — not just the headline number.
Age
General sectors
Financial services
23 or below
S$5,600
S$6,200
25
S$6,064
S$6,709
27
S$6,527
S$7,218
29
S$6,991
S$7,727
31
S$7,455
S$8,236
33
S$7,918
S$8,745
35
S$8,382
S$9,255
38
S$9,077
S$10,018
40
S$9,541
S$10,527
43
S$10,236
S$11,309
45+ ⚠
S$10,700
S$11,800
⚠ Many mid-career applicants assume the base threshold applies to them — it doesn't. A 40-year-old on S$5,600 will be rejected for EP. Always verify your exact threshold using MOM's Self-Assessment Tool (SAT) before negotiating your salary offer.
COMPASS — the EP points system
EP only · 40 pts to passSince September 2023, all EP applications must pass COMPASS. You need at least 40 points. Critically, C3 and C4 depend on your employer's profile — not just yours.
C1Salarymax 20 pts
How your salary compares to local PMET peers in the same sector and age band.
· 0 pts — below 65th percentile
· 10 pts — 65th to 90th percentile
· 20 pts — at or above 90th percentile
C2Qualificationsmax 20 pts
Based on your highest academic or professional qualification.
· 0 pts — no degree-equivalent
· 10 pts — degree from recognised institution
· 20 pts — degree from top-tier institution (MOM list)
C3Diversitymax 20 pts
Whether your nationality is already well-represented among the employer's PMET workforce.
· 0 pts — ≥25% same nationality as candidate
· 10 pts — 5% to 25% same nationality
· 20 pts — <5% same nationality
C4Local employmentmax 20 pts
Whether the employer hires and promotes local PMETs compared to industry peers.
· 0 pts — below industry benchmark
· 10 pts — meets benchmark
· 20 pts — exceeds benchmark
C5Skills bonusmax 20 pts
Bonus points if the role is on MOM's Shortage Occupation List (SOL).
· 0 pts — role not on SOL
· 10 pts — on SOL but nationality overrepresented
· 20 pts — on SOL and nationality not overrepresented
C6Strategic prioritymax 10 pts
Bonus if employer participates in key government economic programmes (EDB, ESG, NTUC).
· 0 pts — not participating
· 10 pts — active participation in approved schemes
Exempt from COMPASS if:
· Monthly salary ≥ S$22,500
· Intra-corporate transferee under WTO/FTA
· Short-term EP (≤1 month)
· Monthly salary ≥ S$22,500
· Intra-corporate transferee under WTO/FTA
· Short-term EP (≤1 month)
Common COMPASS failure:
· Strong candidate, but employer's C3 scores 0 (too many of same nationality)
· Salary at floor but below 65th percentile for occupation
· C4 dragged down by employer's weak local hiring record
· Strong candidate, but employer's C3 scores 0 (too many of same nationality)
· Salary at floor but below 65th percentile for occupation
· C4 dragged down by employer's weak local hiring record
2027 salary threshold changes
Announced in Budget 2026 · Takes effect 1 Jan 2027
EP
Now (2026)
S$5,600 (general) · S$6,200 (finance)
From Jan 2027
S$6,000 (general) · S$6,600 (finance)
S Pass
Now (2026)
S$3,300 (general) · S$3,800 (finance)
From Jan 2027
S$3,600 (general) · S$4,000 (finance)
If your salary is currently at or near the minimum, plan ahead — your EP renewal in 2028 will need to meet the new floor.
S Pass levy — what your employer pays
Employers pay this monthly on top of your salary. Not deducted from your pay.
S$650
per S Pass holder per month
Flat rate since Sep 2025 · All sectors
Annual cost to employerS$7,800 per S Pass holder
Who paysEmployer only — not deducted from your salary
Daily rate (partial month)S$21.37/day
For EP holdersNo levy — zero cost to employer
💡 This is why many employers prefer to hire at EP level — no levy, no quota headcount impact.
Application timeline (EP / S Pass)
1
Job offer
Sign contract with employer
Week 0
2
Employer submits
SAT check + EP Online application
Week 1–2
3
IPA letter
In-Principle Approval received
Week 3–8
4
Biometrics
Fingerprint at MOM Services Centre
Before start
5
Collect pass
Physical card issued
Start date
Common questions
Official MOM resources
MOM Self-Assessment Tool (SAT)
Check EP/S Pass eligibility before applying
EP Online application portal
Your employer applies here
COMPASS scoring details
Official points framework explained
Shortage Occupation List (SOL)
C5 bonus — check if your role qualifies
Check pass application status
Track your application progress