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Singapore Employment Pass COMPASS Calculator 2026

Q: What is the minimum passing COMPASS score for a Singapore Employment Pass in 2026?

Candidates require a minimum score of 40 points across 4 foundational criteria (Salary, Qualifications, Diversity, Local Employment Share) and 2 bonus criteria (Shortage Occupation List, Strategic Economic Priorities). You can also qualify if your fixed monthly salary is S$22,500 or higher, which grants an automatic COMPASS exemption.

Q: How does MOM calculate the C1 Salary points under COMPASS?

MOM compares the candidate's fixed monthly salary against local PMET salary benchmarks by sector and age. Salaries in the top 90th percentile earn 20 points, salaries in the 65th to 90th percentile earn 10 points, and salaries below the 65th percentile earn 0 points.

Q: Do EP renewals in 2026 need to pass COMPASS evaluation?

Yes. Effective July 1, 2026, all Employment Pass renewal applications must be evaluated and pass the 40-point COMPASS framework, using updated sector salary benchmarks.

Q: Who is completely exempt from the Singapore COMPASS points test?

Candidates earning a fixed monthly salary of at least S$22,500, overseas Intra-Corporate Transferees (ICTs) under WTO or FTA agreements, or candidates filling short-term roles of 1 month or less are fully exempt from COMPASS.

Q: Can a candidate make up for 0 points in Diversity (C3) by scoring higher in Salary (C1) or Qualifications (C2)?

Yes. COMPASS evaluates total points across all criteria. For example, if a firm scores 0 points in Diversity (C3) due to a high share of a single nationality, the candidate can still pass if they earn 20 points in Salary (C1) and 20 points in Qualifications (C2), achieving the 40-point minimum.

Q: Are background verification reports mandatory for COMPASS educational points?

Yes. Employers MUST submit a verification report from a background check company accredited by MOM (such as DataFlow or QualificationCheck) to verify any degree qualifications declared for COMPASS C2 points.

Calculate your Singapore Employment Pass (EP) COMPASS score. Evaluate 40-point criteria: Salary benchmark, Qualifications, Diversity, & Support for Local Employment.

Overview & Statutory Background

The Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS) is Singapore Ministry of Manpower's (MOM) two-stage evaluation system for Employment Pass (EP) applications. Candidates must first meet Stage 1 minimum fixed monthly salaries (S$5,600/month for general sectors; S$6,200/month for Financial Services, scaling by age up to S$10,700/S$11,800 for age 45+). In Stage 2, candidates must score at least 40 points across 4 foundational criteria (Salary, Qualifications, Diversity, Support for Local Employment) and 2 bonus criteria (Shortage Occupation List, Strategic Economic Priorities). Effective July 1, 2026, all EP renewals must also pass COMPASS.

Key Pass Highlights & Statutory Criteria

Min. Passing Score

40 Points

Verified

Min. EP Fixed Salary

S$5,600/mo

Verified

Min. Financial Salary

S$6,200/mo

Verified

COMPASS Exemption

S$22,500/mo

Verified

Interactive COMPASS Score Calculator 2026

Evaluate your 40-point threshold for Ministry of Manpower (MOM) Employment Pass approval

COMPASS Score

40 / 40 Pts

C1: Fixed Monthly Salary vs PMET Sector Benchmark

C2: Qualification & University Tier

C3: Diversity (Nationality Share in PMET Staff)

C4: Employer Support for Local PMET Workforce

Bonus 1: Shortage Occupation List (SOL)

Bonus 2: Strategic Economic Priorities (SEP)

🎉 PASS RESULT: Total score of 40 points satisfies the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) 40-point threshold for Employment Pass issuance.

Evaluation Criteria & Points Breakdown

C1: Fixed Salary vs PMET Benchmark

0, 10, or 20 Points

Assessed relative to local PMET (Professional, Managerial, Executive, Technical) salary benchmarks by sector and age. 90th percentile earns 20 pts; 65th-90th percentile earns 10 pts.

C2: Qualifications & Institution Tier

0, 10, or 20 Points

Top-tier institutions (Top 100 global universities or specialized institutions) earn 20 pts; degree-equivalent qualifications earn 10 pts.

C3: Diversity (Nationality Share)

0, 10, or 20 Points

Rewards firms with diverse PMET workforces. Candidate's nationality share < 5% earns 20 pts; 5%-25% earns 10 pts.

C4: Support for Local Employment

0, 10, or 20 Points

Rewards firms with high share of local PMET workforce relative to industry sector peers. Top 50th percentile earns 20 pts; 25th-50th earns 10 pts.

Bonus 1: Shortage Occupation List (SOL)

Up to +20 Points

Applies to critical roles on MOM's Shortage Occupation List in tech, AI, healthcare, green economy, and agritech sectors.

Bonus 2: Strategic Economic Priorities (SEP)

Up to +10 Points

Applies to candidates employed by firms participating in EDB, ESG, or IMDA strategic innovation and transformation programs.

Mandatory Eligibility Requirements

STAGE 1 MANDATORY SALARY: Fixed monthly salary of at least S$5,600 (general sectors) or S$6,200 (Financial Services), scaling progressively with age up to S$10,700 / S$11,800 for age 45+.

STAGE 2 COMPASS THRESHOLD: Achieve a total score of at least 40 points across C1-C6 criteria.

COMPASS EXEMPTION CRITERIA: Candidates earning S$22,500/month or higher, overseas intra-corporate transferees (ICTs) under WTO/FTAs, or short-term roles (1 month or less) are exempt from COMPASS points.

FAIR CONSIDERATION FRAMEWORK (FCF): Employer must advertise the job on MyCareersFuture.sg for 14 consecutive days before submitting the EP application.

Step-by-Step Application & Issuance Process

FCF Job Advertising on MyCareersFuture

Employer advertises job vacancy on MyCareersFuture.sg for 14 consecutive days unless exempt.

Educational Verification

Employer obtains third-party qualification verification report from MOM-approved background check companies.

MOM EP eService COMPASS Assessment

Employer submits EP application via MOM EP eService with S$105 processing fee.

In-Principle Approval (IPA)

Upon MOM approval (1 to 3 weeks processing time), MOM issues an IPA letter valid for 6 months.

Arrival, Biometrics & Pass Issuance

Candidate enters Singapore, undergoes medical checkup if required, completes biometrics at MOM Services Centre, and receives physical EP card (S$225 fee).

Required Document Checklist

•Passport Personal Particulars Page (minimum 6 months validity)

•Educational Degree Certificates & Transcripts

•MOM Mandatory Background Check Verification Report (DataFlow, QualificationCheck, Sterling RIS, etc.)

•Detailed Job Offer Letter & Employment Contract stating fixed monthly salary and job scope

•ACRA BizFile Search Report of the Singapore Employer

•Shortage Occupation List (SOL) verification declaration (if claiming SOL bonus points)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Candidates require a minimum score of 40 points across 4 foundational criteria (Salary, Qualifications, Diversity, Local Employment Share) and 2 bonus criteria (Shortage Occupation List, Strategic Economic Priorities). You can also qualify if your fixed monthly salary is S$22,500 or higher, which grants an automatic COMPASS exemption.

MOM compares the candidate's fixed monthly salary against local PMET salary benchmarks by sector and age. Salaries in the top 90th percentile earn 20 points, salaries in the 65th to 90th percentile earn 10 points, and salaries below the 65th percentile earn 0 points.

Yes. Effective July 1, 2026, all Employment Pass renewal applications must be evaluated and pass the 40-point COMPASS framework, using updated sector salary benchmarks.

Candidates earning a fixed monthly salary of at least S$22,500, overseas Intra-Corporate Transferees (ICTs) under WTO or FTA agreements, or candidates filling short-term roles of 1 month or less are fully exempt from COMPASS.

Yes. COMPASS evaluates total points across all criteria. For example, if a firm scores 0 points in Diversity (C3) due to a high share of a single nationality, the candidate can still pass if they earn 20 points in Salary (C1) and 20 points in Qualifications (C2), achieving the 40-point minimum.

Yes. Employers MUST submit a verification report from a background check company accredited by MOM (such as DataFlow or QualificationCheck) to verify any degree qualifications declared for COMPASS C2 points.