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MOM COMPASS Calculator 2026

Singapore Employment Pass COMPASS Calculator 2026: Score, Salary Benchmarks, Bonuses & Exemptions

Calculate a Singapore Employment Pass COMPASS score using C1-C6 rules. Check the 40-point pass mark, 2026 EP salary threshold, firm diversity and local-employment points, SOL and SEP bonuses, exemptions and renewal rules.

Key Framework Criteria & Principles

C1: Salary

0 / 10 / 20

MOM compares fixed monthly salary against local PMET salary benchmarks for the employer's sector and the candidate's age. The 65th percentile is the threshold for 10 points and the 90th percentile is the threshold for 20 points.

C2: Qualifications

0 / 10 / 20

20 points are available for eligible qualifications from MOM-designated top-tier institutions. 10 points are available for recognised degree-equivalent qualifications. The exact institution and qualification lists are maintained by MOM.

C3: Diversity

0 / 10 / 20

Points depend on the candidate's nationality share among the organisation's PMET workforce: below 5% earns 20, 5% to below 25% earns 10, and 25% or more earns 0. Small firms with fewer than 25 PMETs receive 10 default points.

C4: Support for Local Employment

0 / 10 / 20

Points depend on the firm's local PMET share relative to its subsector: at least the 50th percentile earns 20, 20th to below 50th earns 10, and below 20th earns 0. Small firms with fewer than 25 PMETs receive 10 default points.

C5: Skills Bonus

Up to +20

An eligible occupation on the Shortage Occupation List can earn up to 20 bonus points. The bonus is reduced to 10 when the candidate's nationality makes up at least one-third of the firm's PMETs.

C6: Strategic Economic Priorities Bonus

+10

The C6 bonus is awarded where the employer participates in an eligible programme supported by a government agency or the Labour Movement and meets the programme's assessment criteria.

Mandatory Eligibility Requirements

Stage 1: The candidate must meet the applicable EP qualifying salary. In 2026, the threshold starts at S$5,600 per month outside Financial Services and S$6,200 per month in Financial Services, then rises with age.

Stage 2: If the application is subject to COMPASS, it normally needs at least 40 total points across C1, C2, C3, C4, C5 and C6.

COMPASS does not require 10 points on every foundational criterion. A score of 0 on one criterion can be offset by higher scores elsewhere, provided the total reaches at least 40 and all other EP conditions are satisfied.

Candidates with fixed monthly salary of at least S$22,500, qualifying overseas ICTs and candidates filling a role for not more than 1 month are exempt from COMPASS.

Employers must comply with the Fair Consideration Framework job-advertising requirement unless an applicable advertising exemption applies.

Step-by-Step Procedure

Check Stage 1 EP salary eligibility

Confirm that fixed monthly salary meets the applicable age- and sector-based EP qualifying salary before relying on any COMPASS score.

Check COMPASS exemption status

Test the S$22,500 salary exemption, qualifying overseas ICT exemption and the not-more-than-1-month role exemption.

Calculate C1-C6

Use the current MOM C1 benchmark, qualification status, firm nationality profile, local PMET share, SOL eligibility and SEP participation to calculate the applicable points.

Check FCF advertising separately

Determine whether the employer must advertise the role on MyCareersFuture for at least 14 consecutive days or qualifies for an FCF advertising exemption.

Prepare supporting evidence

Gather passport information, declared qualification evidence and any verification proof or regulatory support documents required by MOM for the particular application.

Submit the EP application

The employer or appointed employment agent submits the application through MOM's EP eService and pays the S$105 application fee.

Complete issuance after approval

If approved, the candidate uses the IPA to enter Singapore within the stated validity period, completes any required medical or registration steps and the employer pays the S$225 issuance fee.

Important Statutory Rules & Updates (2026)

EP qualifying salary: CurrentFor 2026, the EP minimum qualifying salary remains S$5,600 outside Financial Services and S$6,200 in Financial Services, with age progression.
2027 EP qualifying salary: Future scheduled changeMOM announced that the EP minimum qualifying salary will increase to S$6,000 for general sectors and S$6,600 for Financial Services for new applications from 1 January 2027, with higher age-banded thresholds.
2026 C1 benchmarks: CurrentNew applications during 2026 use the benchmark set released in August 2025.
Next C1 benchmark release: Future scheduled application periodMOM released the next C1 salary benchmark set in August 2026 for use from 1 January 2027 and for renewals of EPs expiring from 1 July 2027.
C3/C4 PMET counting threshold: Current with scheduled changeDuring August 2026, MOM's PMET counting threshold remains S$3,150. MOM states that this threshold will increase to at least S$3,300 from 1 September 2026 in line with the revised S Pass minimum qualifying salary for renewals.

Calculator

Purpose

Estimate whether a non-exempt EP application reaches the 40-point COMPASS threshold by combining C1-C6 inputs. The tool separates the Stage 1 EP qualifying-salary test from the Stage 2 COMPASS score and does not predict approval probability.

Result Logic

Stage1

The candidate must first meet the applicable EP qualifying salary for the sector and age.

Stage2

If not exempt from COMPASS, total C1 + C2 + C3 + C4 + C5 + C6 must be at least 40 points.

Compass Pass

totalPoints >= 40

Compass Exempt

fixedMonthlySalary >= 22500 OR qualifyingICT = true OR roleDurationMonths <= 1

Overall E P Planning Result

Stage 1 salary pass AND (COMPASS exempt OR totalPoints >= 40)

Inputs

select

Id: sector

Label: Employer sector

Required: true

Options: [{"value":"general","label":"All sectors except Financial Services"},{"value":"financial_services","label":"Financial Services"}]

number

Id: age

Label: Candidate age

Unit: years

Required: true

Minimum: 18

Maximum: 100

number

Id: fixedMonthlySalary

Label: Fixed monthly salary

Unit: SGD

Required: true

Minimum: 0

select

Id: c1PointBand

Label: C1 Salary point band

Required: true

Options: [{"value":20,"label":"20 points — at least 90th percentile"},{"value":10,"label":"10 points — 65th to below 90th percentile"},{"value":0,"label":"0 points — below 65th percentile"}]

select

Id: c2PointBand

Label: C2 Qualifications point band

Required: true

Options: [{"value":20,"label":"20 points — eligible top-tier institution qualification"},{"value":10,"label":"10 points — eligible degree-equivalent qualification"},{"value":0,"label":"0 points — no degree-equivalent qualification or no qualifying declaration"}]

select

Id: c3PointBand

Label: C3 Diversity point band

Required: true

Options: [{"value":20,"label":"20 points — candidate nationality share below 5%"},{"value":10,"label":"10 points — candidate nationality share from 5% to below 25%"},{"value":0,"label":"0 points — candidate nationality share at least 25%"}]

select

Id: c4PointBand

Label: C4 Support for Local Employment point band

Required: true

Options: [{"value":20,"label":"20 points — local PMET share at least 50th percentile"},{"value":10,"label":"10 points — local PMET share from 20th to below 50th percentile"},{"value":0,"label":"0 points — local PMET share below 20th percentile"}]

boolean

Id: smallFirmDefault

Label: Firm has fewer than 25 PMET employees

Required: true

boolean

Id: c5EligibleSOL

Label: Role qualifies for C5 Skills Bonus

Required: true

number

Id: candidateNationalitySharePercent

Label: Candidate nationality share among firm PMETs

Unit: %

Required: false

Minimum: 0

Maximum: 100

Applies To: C5 bonus calculation

boolean

Id: c6EligibleSEP

Label: Employer qualifies for C6 SEP bonus

Required: true

boolean

Id: qualifyingICT

Label: Qualifying overseas Intra-Corporate Transferee

Required: true

number

Id: roleDurationMonths

Label: Planned role duration

Unit: months

Required: false

Minimum: 0

Maximum: 120

Calculation Rules

20 if fixed monthly salary is at least the relevant sector-and-age 90th percentile; 10 if it is at least the 65th percentile but below the 90th percentile; 0 if below the 65th percentile.

Criterion: C1

20 for an eligible qualification from a MOM-designated top-tier institution; 10 for an eligible degree-equivalent qualification; 0 without an eligible degree-equivalent qualification.

Criterion: C2

20 if candidate nationality share is below 5%; 10 if 5% to below 25%; 0 if at least 25%.

Criterion: C3

20 if local PMET share is at least the 50th percentile for the firm's subsector; 10 if 20th to below 50th percentile; 0 below the 20th percentile.

Criterion: C4

Small firms with fewer than 25 PMET employees receive 10 points by default for both C3 and C4.

Criterion: C3AndC4SmallFirmRule

Up to +20 for an eligible Shortage Occupation List role. The bonus is reduced to +10 if candidate nationality share among the firm's PMETs is one-third or higher.

Criterion: C5

+10 where the employer meets the requirements for an eligible Strategic Economic Priorities programme.

Criterion: C6

Stage1 Salary Reference

General Sector Starting Salary

S$5,600 per month

Financial Services Starting Salary

S$6,200 per month

General Sector Upper Age Band Reference

The threshold rises progressively with age and reaches S$10,700 for candidates in the mid-40s.

Financial Services Upper Age Band Reference

The Financial Services threshold rises progressively with age and reaches S$11,800 for candidates in the mid-40s.

Benchmark Source Timing

The 2025 salary benchmark set applies to new applications in calendar year 2026 and to renewals of EPs expiring from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027. MOM released the next benchmark set in August 2026 for applications from 1 January 2027 and renewals of EPs expiring from 1 July 2027.

Verification Notes

A qualification does not have to be declared if the candidate does not need C2 points to pass COMPASS, unless the qualification is needed for an eligible SOL occupation that requires it.
Where MOM requires verification proof, employers can use approved background-screening channels, government or awarding-institution verification portals, professional-body verification where accepted, or OpenCerts in applicable cases.
If a qualification has already been verified, MOM states that it normally does not need to be verified again at renewal or a change of employer unless the application prompts for verification.

Output Labels

Stage 1 salary: pass / fail
COMPASS exemption: yes / no
C1 to C6 points
Total COMPASS points
40-point COMPASS result
Overall planning result

Limitations

C1 requires the correct MOM sector-and-age benchmark; the calculator should not invent a universal salary percentile amount.
C3 and C4 depend on firm workforce data maintained by MOM and can change as the employer's workforce profile changes.
C5 and C6 depend on the occupation, employer and current MOM programme lists.
The calculator cannot predict MOM approval, quota outcomes, FCF additional scrutiny, sector-specific review or document requests.

Compass Exemptions

High salary

Condition: Fixed monthly salary of at least S$22,500

Effect: COMPASS points assessment is not required.

Overseas Intra-Corporate Transferee

Condition: Candidate meets the applicable WTO GATS or FTA definition of an overseas ICT.

Effect: COMPASS is exempt, subject to the specific international-agreement and immigration conditions.

Short-term role

Condition: Role is not more than 1 month

Effect: COMPASS is exempt.

Important Note: A short-term deployment exempt from the advertising requirement can also have restrictions on subsequent work-pass applications.

Fair Consideration Framework

Standard Advertising Period

The employer normally must advertise the role on MyCareersFuture for at least 14 consecutive days before submitting the EP application.

Advertising Exemptions

Company has fewer than 10 employees.
Fixed monthly salary for the vacancy is S$22,500 or above.
Role is short-term, not more than 1 month.
Role is filled by a local transferee.
A qualifying overseas ICT exemption applies under the FCF rules.

Important Distinction

The FCF advertising exemption and the COMPASS exemption are related but not identical legal tests. A page should not assume that every FCF advertising exemption automatically means that COMPASS is exempt.

Qualification Verification

Core Rule

MOM requires verification proof for declared educational qualifications where verification is required by the EP application process. It is not correct to say that every EP applicant must always obtain a third-party background-screening report before filing.

When Verification Is Needed

The candidate needs C2 qualification points to pass COMPASS.
The candidate is applying for an eligible SOL occupation where qualification declaration is required.
MOM's application form specifically prompts for verification proof.

Accepted Routes

Background screening companies listed by MOM.
Government or awarding-institution verification portals where accepted.
Professional-body verification for selected regulated or professional occupations where MOM accepts it.
OpenCerts verification in applicable cases.

Renewal Rule

Once a qualification has been verified, MOM states there is generally no need to verify it again at renewal or when changing employer unless the application requires it.

Not Accepted As Standalone Verification

Educational certificates certified only by a notary public.
School letters that do not constitute an accepted verification method.

Renewal Rules

Current Applicability

COMPASS has applied to EP renewals for passes expiring from 1 September 2024 onward.

2026 Benchmark Period

The salary benchmark set applying to renewals of EPs expiring from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027 is the benchmark set released in August 2025.

Renewal Criteria

Meet the applicable EP qualifying salary.
Continue working for the same employer in a managerial, executive or specialised role.
Pass COMPASS unless exempt.

Important Correction

July 2026 is not the start date for COMPASS renewals. The renewal requirement already applied from September 2024 for EPs expiring from that month onward.

Renewal Timing

Employers can generally apply to renew an EP up to 6 months before expiry and must apply before the expiry date.

Salary Benchmarks2026

Current New Application Period

1 January 2026 to 31 December 2026

Current Renewal Period

EPs expiring from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027

Benchmark Release Used

August 2025 benchmark set

Next Benchmark Set

Released in August 2026 and applies from 1 January 2027 for new EP applications and to renewals of EPs expiring from 1 July 2027.

How To Use

The calculator should obtain the relevant C1 benchmark from MOM's current sector-and-age benchmark data rather than hard-code one national salary table.

Score Examples

Scenario: Balanced application

Scores: {"C1":10,"C2":10,"C3":10,"C4":10,"C5":0,"C6":0}

Calculation: 10 + 10 + 10 + 10 + 0 + 0 = 40

Result: Passes the 40-point COMPASS threshold, assuming the application is not otherwise exempt and Stage 1 EP eligibility is met.

Scenario: Zero diversity offset by strong salary and qualifications

Scores: {"C1":20,"C2":20,"C3":0,"C4":0,"C5":0,"C6":0}

Calculation: 20 + 20 + 0 + 0 + 0 + 0 = 40

Result: Reaches the 40-point COMPASS threshold. This illustrates that an application does not have to score 10 points on every foundational criterion.

Scenario: SOL bonus rescues a lower foundational total

Scores: {"C1":10,"C2":10,"C3":10,"C4":0,"C5":10,"C6":0}

Calculation: 10 + 10 + 10 + 0 + 10 + 0 = 40

Result: Reaches 40 points. The example assumes the C5 bonus is reduced to +10 because the candidate's nationality share is at least one-third of firm PMETs.

Scenario: C6 employer bonus

Scores: {"C1":0,"C2":10,"C3":10,"C4":10,"C5":0,"C6":10}

Calculation: 0 + 10 + 10 + 10 + 0 + 10 = 40

Result: Reaches 40 points. C6 is a firm-level bonus and depends on participation in an eligible programme.

Scenario: High-salary COMPASS exemption

Scores: {"C1":null,"C2":null,"C3":null,"C4":null,"C5":null,"C6":null}

Calculation: Fixed monthly salary of S$22,500 or more = COMPASS exempt.

Result: No COMPASS point total is required, but the candidate must still satisfy the applicable Stage 1 EP and other immigration requirements.

Important Exceptions

⚖️ Small firm

⚖️ C5 nationality concentration

⚖️ Qualification declaration

⚖️ Previously verified qualification

⚖️ High salary exemption

⚖️ Overseas ICT

⚖️ Short-term role

⚖️ FCF exemption differs from COMPASS exemption

⚖️ 2026 versus 2027 benchmarks

Common Mistakes & Legal Misconceptions

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

A non-exempt EP application generally needs at least 40 total COMPASS points. The score is the sum of C1 Salary, C2 Qualifications, C3 Diversity, C4 Support for Local Employment, C5 Skills Bonus and C6 Strategic Economic Priorities Bonus. Lower points on one criterion can be made up by higher points elsewhere; there is no universal rule requiring 10 points on every foundational criterion.

The Stage 1 EP qualifying salary starts at S$5,600 per month outside Financial Services and S$6,200 per month in Financial Services, with the threshold increasing progressively with age. This Stage 1 qualifying salary is separate from the C1 COMPASS salary benchmark, which compares the candidate's salary with local PMET salaries in the employer's sector and the candidate's age band.

C1 awards 20 points when the fixed monthly salary reaches at least the 90th percentile of local PMET salaries for the employer's sector and the candidate's age, 10 points from the 65th to below the 90th percentile, and 0 below the 65th percentile. The applicable benchmark is sector- and age-specific, so a single national salary number should not be used.

MOM identifies three main COMPASS exemption categories: fixed monthly salary of at least S$22,500, qualifying overseas Intra-Corporate Transferees under WTO GATS or applicable FTAs, and roles lasting not more than 1 month. These exemptions are separate from the Fair Consideration Framework's job-advertising exemptions.

Yes, but not from July 2026 as the original page stated. MOM says COMPASS applies to EP renewals for passes expiring from 1 September 2024 onward, unless the candidate is exempt. For renewals of EPs expiring from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027, the applicable C1 benchmark set is the one released in August 2025.

No. MOM requires verification proof when the application needs it, such as when the candidate relies on C2 qualification points or when qualification declaration is required for an eligible SOL occupation. MOM accepts several verification routes, including listed background-screening companies and certain government, awarding-institution, professional-body or OpenCerts verification methods. A qualification that has already been verified generally does not need to be verified again at renewal unless the application prompts for it.