Singapore Employment Pass for Business Owners COMPASS Guide 2026

Complete guide to obtaining an Employment Pass (EP) as a company founder or shareholder-director in Singapore. Explains 2026 MOM salary rules & COMPASS points.

Statutory Overview & Legal Framework

Foreign business owners, shareholder-directors, and executive founders establishing a business in Singapore can apply for a standard Employment Pass (EP) through their Singapore employing company. Under 2026 MOM rules, EP applicants must satisfy qualifying salary thresholds (at least S$5,600/month for general sectors or S$6,200/month for financial services, escalating with age up to mid-40s) and score at least 40 points on the Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS) points system (unless exempt). While ACRA incorporation has no fixed statutory minimum capital, MOM evaluates commercial viability, paid-up capital, and corporate substance when assessing EP applications. Use this guide to understand MOM EP rules for business owners.

Core Statutory Criteria & Regulations

MOM 2026 Qualifying Salary BenchmarkQualifying Salary

Must meet MOM benchmark: min S$5,600/month (general) or S$6,200/month (financial services), increasing progressively for older candidates.

COMPASS Points System (Min 40 Points)COMPASS 40 Pts

Evaluates candidate (Salary, Qualifications) and company (Diversity, Support for Local Employment) across 4 foundational criteria.

Corporate Substance & Paid-Up Capital EvaluationCorporate Substance

MOM may request supporting information about the employing company's business activities, paid-up capital, bank statements, and commercial operations during application processing.

Dependant's Pass S$6,000 Salary ThresholdFamily DP Eligibility

EP holders earning at least S$6,000/month can sponsor spouse and children under 21 on Dependant's Pass.

Qualification & Compliance Requirements

Applies to shareholder-directors, foreign founders, and executive personnel employed by a Singapore company.

Candidate must hold a managerial, executive, or specialized role and receive a fixed monthly salary meeting MOM thresholds.

Must pass COMPASS points evaluation (min 40 points) or qualify for a COMPASS exemption (e.g. fixed monthly salary of S$22,500+).

Company must be incorporated on Bizfile with local director compliance prior to filing the EP application.

Statutory Document & Application Checklist

MOM EP Online Application Form

ACRA Business Profile & Company Constitution

Applicant's Passport, CV, & Verified Educational Certificates (Third-party verification)

Proof of Business Substance (Bank Statements, Contracts, Tenancy Agreement if applicable)

Employment Contract & Fixed Salary Statement

Step-by-Step Filing & Compliance Process

Incorporate Company & Setup Resident Director

Incorporate Pte Ltd on Bizfile with an ordinarily resident director (or via CSP) and open corporate bank account.

Run COMPASS Pre-Assessment & Verification

Check candidate salary against MOM COMPASS benchmark and obtain third-party educational qualification verification.

Submit EP Application on MOM EP Online

Employer submits EP application on MOM portal and pays S$105 filing fee.

Receive In-Principle Approval (IPA)

MOM processes EP applications online (typically within up to 6 weeks for standard applications requiring verification); candidate receives IPA letter allowing travel to Singapore.

Pass Issuance & Biometrics

Pay S$225 pass issuance fee, complete biometric appointment at MOM Services Centre, and receive EP card.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Yes. Foreign shareholder-directors can be employed by their Singapore company and apply for an Employment Pass (EP), provided they meet MOM qualifying salary criteria, COMPASS points, and demonstrate business substance.

The 2026 MOM qualifying salary benchmark is at least S$5,600/month for general sectors and S$6,200/month for financial services, increasing progressively with age up to mid-40s.

COMPASS (Complementarity Assessment Framework) is MOM's points system for EPs that evaluates candidate qualifications, salary, workforce diversity, and local hiring support. Candidates must score 40 points to pass.

Singapore law has no fixed minimum paid-up capital. However, MOM may request supporting information about the employing company's business activities, paid-up capital, bank balances, and commercial operations during application processing.

EP holders must earn a fixed monthly salary of at least S$6,000 to sponsor a spouse or unmarried children under 21 on Dependant's Pass.

Candidates earning a fixed monthly salary of at least S$22,500, intra-corporate transferees under specific WTO rules, or short-term roles (1 month or less) are exempt from COMPASS.