The Singapore Employment Pass (EP) allows foreign professionals, managers and company directors to work and live in Singapore.
It is the most common type of work visa for company founders and skilled employees. This guide explains the current eligibility rules, salary criteria and application process, to help you plan your move or hire foreign staff. The requirements and the application process have become increasingly complex in recent years, requiring careful preparation of documents and close management of the filing.
What’s in this guide
- Key takeaways
- What is an Employment Pass
- Eligibility and salary requirements
- Documents required
- Educational qualifications
- How to apply
- Appealing a rejection
- Renewing an Employment Pass
- Cancelling an Employment Pass
- Employer compliance obligations
- Passes for family members
- Switching employers
- Other work passes
- Founders: EP or EntrePass
- FAQ
Key takeaways
- Salary floor: the minimum qualifying salary is S$5,600 per month for young graduates in most sectors, and S$6,200 in financial services. Both rise with age and experience.
- Scoring: applications are assessed under COMPASS, a points-based framework that scores both the candidate and the employer. Candidates need at least 40 points.
- Timing: online applications are typically processed within three weeks.
- Duration: the pass is valid for up to two years for first-time applicants and can be renewed for up to three years at a time.
- Family: EP holders earning at least S$6,000 per month can bring eligible family members on a Dependant Pass or Long-Term Visit Pass.
S$5,600
Minimum monthly salary, most sectors
40 points
COMPASS score needed to pass
3 weeks
Typical online processing time
2 years
Validity for a first-time pass
What is an Employment Pass?
The Employment Pass is a work visa issued by Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower (MOM) that allows foreign professionals, managers, executives and company directors to live and work in Singapore.
It is typically granted to individuals with well recognised qualifications, specialised skills, and a confirmed job offer from a Singapore-registered employer. Unlike lower-tier work passes, the EP is designed for skilled roles that contribute to Singapore’s economy and workforce.
An EP is tied to the sponsoring employer. It is usually valid for up to two years for first-time applicants and can be renewed, subject to meeting MOM’s eligibility criteria.
Eligibility and salary requirements
To qualify for an Employment Pass, applicants must meet MOM’s criteria on salary, role and qualifications. The requirements have become more stringent in recent years, and all applications are assessed under the Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS).
Basic eligibility
- All nationalities may apply.
- The applicant must have a confirmed job offer from a Singapore-registered company.
- The position must be a managerial, executive or specialist role.
- The candidate must have acceptable qualifications, such as a recognised university degree, professional qualifications, or specialised skills.
Salary thresholds
The qualifying salary is not a single figure. It varies by sector and rises with age, because MOM benchmarks EP salaries against what local professionals of the same age earn in the same sector.
| Candidate profile | Most sectors | Financial services |
|---|---|---|
| Young graduate, entry level | S$5,600 per month | S$6,200 per month |
| Aged 45 and above | At least S$10,700 per month | At least S$11,800 per month |
| From 1 January 2027, entry level | S$6,000 per month | S$6,600 per month |
Between those two age points the requirement rises progressively rather than in steps. In practice, applicants in senior or specialised positions are expected to command higher salaries than the published floor, and meeting the minimum does not by itself secure approval.
The mistake to avoid
Offering a candidate the published minimum regardless of their age is the most common reason a technically eligible application fails. A 40-year-old offered S$5,600 meets the floor but will usually be rejected, because the benchmark for that age is far higher. Check the age-adjusted figure before agreeing a salary, not after.
The COMPASS framework
Candidates who clear the salary threshold must then score at least 40 points under COMPASS. Points are awarded across two categories:
- Individual attributes: salary level relative to local benchmarks, qualifications, and skills.
- Company attributes: workforce nationality diversity and support for local employment. Bonus points may be awarded for roles in strategic sectors or on the Shortage Occupation List.
Note that COMPASS now applies to renewals as well as new applications, so a pass granted before the framework took effect will be scored when it comes up for renewal.
Exemptions from COMPASS
Applicants are exempt from COMPASS scoring if they earn a fixed monthly salary of S$22,500 or more, are applying as an overseas intra-corporate transferee, or are filling a role in Singapore for one month or less.
There are no automatic approvals
All applications are scrutinised and subject to MOM’s approval. MOM assesses both the candidate and the hiring company.
What MOM looks at in the candidate
MOM evaluates the special skill set the candidate will bring to the Singapore economy. It typically prefers candidates with specialised skills, but those without specialised qualifications can still be approved, and candidates with specialised qualifications are not automatically eligible.
What MOM looks at in the company
MOM also evaluates the applying company’s contribution to the Singapore economy and workforce, considering what portion of its staff is Singaporean compared with the industry average, whether it has shown commitment to hiring and developing Singaporean talent, and the extent of its contribution to the Singapore economy and society.
Documents required
MOM requires copies of each of the following. All documents must be in English or translated into English.
- The personal particulars page of the candidate’s passport.
- The company’s latest business profile or instant information registered with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA).
- The candidate’s educational certificates, such as a degree certificate.
- Written consent from the candidate allowing the company or employment agent to apply on their behalf.
- Any additional documents MOM requests.
Educational qualifications
Employers must verify that a candidate’s qualifications are genuine and issued by accredited institutions. What that verification involves depends on whether the institution appears on MOM’s list.
| Situation | What must be verified |
|---|---|
| Institution is on MOM’s list | Authenticity of the qualification only, via approved screening agencies, official portals, or the OpenCerts platform. |
| Institution is not on MOM’s list | Both the authenticity of the qualification and the institution’s accreditation, using MOM-approved screening agencies. |
In general, candidates should hold acceptable qualifications such as a recognised university degree, professional qualifications, or specialised skills relevant to the position. A degree is not strictly mandatory, but applicants without formal tertiary education must demonstrate strong professional experience and expertise.
How to apply for an Employment Pass
The candidate does not apply. A company or a registered employment agent must file on their behalf, completing the following six steps.
Submit the application
In almost all cases the company can apply online. Foreign companies without a registered office in Singapore must have a local sponsor apply manually by post. Either way, a S$105 application fee is payable.
Online applications go through the myMOM Portal and take three weeks or longer. Manual applications are submitted over the counter at a SingPost location, take eight weeks or longer, and must include a completed Employment Pass Application Form with all supporting documents.
Receive the In-Principle Approval letter
If the application is approved, the In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter arrives through myMOM. From that point the candidate has six months to enter Singapore and ask MOM to issue the pass.
Request MOM to issue the pass
The candidate must be physically in Singapore for this step. The company or agent submits the following through the myMOM Portal, with a S$225 issuance fee:
- The candidate’s passport details
- Details of the candidate’s current Short-Term Visit Pass or immigration pass
- The candidate’s residential address in Singapore
- A local address for delivery of the pass card
- Contact details of at least one authorised recipient for delivery alerts
The pass is issued once these are submitted, though the card is not released until any required fingerprints and photographs have been taken.
Receive the notification letter
The notification letter is valid for one month and allows the candidate to work and to travel in and out of Singapore. It also states whether fingerprint registration and a photograph are required.
Register fingerprints and photograph, if required
New candidates, and candidates who last registered more than five years ago, must attend the Employment Pass Services Centre within two weeks of the pass being issued. An appointment is required, and the candidate must bring their original passport, the appointment letter, the notification letter, and the documents listed in the IPA and notification letters.
Receive the pass card
The Employment Pass card arrives within four working days.
Two government fees apply: S$105 on application and S$225 on issuance, so S$330 in total for a successful application. The application fee is not refunded if the application is rejected.
Appealing a rejection
If an application is rejected, the sponsoring company or its authorised employment agent may appeal to MOM.
Deadline
Appeals must be submitted within three months of the date of rejection.
When to appeal
Only where you can provide new or additional information addressing the reasons for rejection stated in MOM’s advisory. An appeal that simply restates the original application is unlikely to succeed.
Common rejection grounds
Insufficient justification for hiring a foreigner, salary below the qualifying threshold for the candidate’s age and sector, or incomplete supporting documentation.
Procedure and timing
Appeals are submitted online through the myMOM Portal by the employer or agent. MOM generally takes at least three weeks to review, and longer for complex cases. If the appeal succeeds, MOM issues an IPA letter and the process continues from step 2 above.
Renewing an Employment Pass
An Employment Pass is issued for up to two years for first-time applicants and can be renewed for up to three years at a time, subject to MOM’s approval. Renewal is not automatic: MOM reassesses each case.
When to apply
- A renewal application can be submitted up to six months before the pass expires.
- MOM must receive the request at least two weeks before expiry.
- If the pass is not renewed before it expires, the holder must leave Singapore and apply for a new EP.
Renewal criteria
The holder must continue to earn a qualifying fixed monthly salary for their age and sector, remain in a managerial, executive or specialist role, and maintain valid and verifiable educational qualifications. Renewals are also assessed under COMPASS, so a pass first granted under the earlier rules will be scored at renewal.
Applications are filed through the myMOM Portal by the sponsoring company or its agent. MOM may request updated supporting documents such as recent salary slips or business financials, and processing generally takes three weeks.
Cancelling an Employment Pass
If a pass holder leaves the company, or when the pass expires, the employer or authorised agent must cancel the pass within one week of the employee’s last day of work.
Before cancelling
- The employer must obtain tax clearance from the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) confirming all outstanding taxes have been paid.
- The employer must purchase return airfare for the employee to leave Singapore, where applicable.
- All related passes, including Dependant Passes, Long-Term Visit Passes and Letters of Consent, are cancelled automatically when the EP is cancelled.
After cancelling
Cancellation is completed online through the myMOM Portal. MOM then issues a cancellation acknowledgement letter, and if the holder remains in Singapore a Short-Term Visit Pass is issued to allow a short stay before departure. The EP card must be returned to MOM within one week of cancellation, and the Short-Term Visit Pass surrendered to immigration officers at the checkpoint on departure.
Employer compliance obligations
Advertising the position
Before applying, most Singapore employers must advertise the vacancy on MyCareersFuture, the national jobs portal managed by Workforce Singapore. This forms part of the Fair Consideration Framework, which promotes fair hiring and ensures Singaporeans have a fair chance to apply.
- The advertisement must run for at least 28 consecutive days before the EP application is submitted.
- The posting must specify the job title, duties, skills, experience and salary range.
- Employers must fairly consider all applicants, including citizens and permanent residents.
Advertising is not required where the company has 10 or fewer employees, the role pays a fixed monthly salary of S$20,000 or more, the candidate is an intra-corporate transferee holding a senior role or specialised expertise, or the position lasts one month or less.
Non-compliance may lead to rejection of the application, or to restrictions on the employer’s ability to hire foreign workers in future.
Notifying MOM of changes
Employers must promptly notify MOM through the myMOM Portal of any significant change to a pass holder’s details or employment conditions, including:
- A decrease in the pass holder’s salary
- A change of residential address
- Any update to personal particulars
- Transfer to a related parent or subsidiary company
- A change in the company name or registered address
- The pass holder taking on a new position within the company
- The pass holder being missing or uncontactable
Reporting promptly avoids non-compliance findings and delays to future renewals or applications.
Passes for family members
Employment Pass holders earning a minimum fixed monthly salary of S$6,000 can bring eligible family members to live with them in Singapore. Which pass applies depends on the relationship. The Dependant Pass covers immediate family; the Long-Term Visit Pass covers everyone else.
| Pass | Who can be sponsored | EP holder’s minimum salary |
|---|---|---|
| Dependant Pass | Legally married spouse; unmarried children under 21, including legally adopted children | S$6,000 per month |
| Long-Term Visit Pass | Common-law spouse; unmarried handicapped children over 21; unmarried stepchildren under 21 | S$6,000 per month |
| Long-Term Visit Pass, parents | Parents of the EP holder | S$12,000 per month |
Family members holding a Dependant Pass or Long-Term Visit Pass who wish to work in Singapore must obtain their own work pass, such as an Employment Pass, S Pass or Work Permit.
One exception worth knowing: foreign EP holders posted to Singapore as intra-corporate transferees may not be eligible to bring family members under a Dependant Pass or Long-Term Visit Pass at all.
Switching employers
An Employment Pass is not transferable between employers, even where both companies are related entities such as a parent and subsidiary. If a pass holder changes jobs, the new employer must apply for a new pass.
- The new employer submits a fresh EP application to MOM.
- The holder does not need to cancel the existing pass before the new application is filed.
- MOM assesses the new application on the candidate’s current qualifications, salary and role, and on the new employer’s business profile and track record.
- Once the new pass is approved and issued, the previous employer must cancel the old pass and complete tax clearance with IRAS.
Other work passes in Singapore
Singapore has several work passes for different categories of foreign professionals, entrepreneurs and skilled employees. The Employment Pass is the most common, but it is not always the right one.
| Pass | Who it is for | Salary requirement | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employment Pass | Foreign professionals, managers, executives and directors with a confirmed job offer. Tied to the sponsoring employer | From S$5,600 per month, higher with age and in financial services | Up to 2 years initially, renewable |
| EntrePass | Foreign entrepreneurs starting innovative businesses. Requires venture funding, intellectual property, or a proven track record | No fixed minimum, but strict qualifying criteria | Renewable subject to business milestones |
| ONE Pass | Top global talent in business, technology, research and the arts. Not tied to an employer, so holders can change jobs or start a business freely | High earnings threshold | 5 years |
| Personalised Employment Pass | High-earning professionals. Allows switching employers without reapplying | Fixed monthly salary of S$22,500 | 3 years, non-renewable |
| S Pass | Mid-skilled technical staff. Subject to quotas and employer levies | Lower threshold than the EP | Up to 2 years, renewable |
Founders: Employment Pass or EntrePass?
The EP and the EntrePass are the two common routes for founders relocating to Singapore. In practice the EP is generally easier to qualify for and obtain.
If you are a founder applying for an Employment Pass, your shareholding is the factor that most often complicates the application. Where you are listed as a shareholder of a newly incorporated Singapore company, MOM may view you as an entrepreneur rather than an employee, and may suggest the EntrePass instead.
It remains possible to obtain an EP as a shareholder if you meet MOM’s requirements, particularly where the company has already commenced operations and can demonstrate genuine business activity. MOM assesses whether the company is financially viable, capable of paying your declared salary, and has plans to hire local employees.
The more established and operational the company, the stronger the case. For most founders who have incorporated and plan to relocate soon after, the Employment Pass route is faster and more straightforward than the EntrePass.