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Singapore Employment Pass for Business Owners & COMPASS Guide 2026

2026 guide to Singapore Employment Pass applications for founders and shareholder-directors, covering qualifying salary, COMPASS, documents, fees, family passes and renewal.

Statutory Overview & Legal Framework

A foreign founder or shareholder-director may be employed by a Singapore company and apply for an Employment Pass (EP) when the person has a genuine managerial, executive or specialised role and satisfies MOM's two-stage EP framework. Stage 1 requires the fixed monthly salary to meet the applicable EP qualifying salary, which in 2026 starts at S$5,600 for sectors other than financial services and S$6,200 for financial services, with the benchmark increasing progressively by age. Stage 2 generally requires the application to pass the Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS) with at least 40 points, unless the candidate is exempt. MOM confirms that an EP holder can own shares in a Singapore-registered company. However, company ownership alone does not create EP eligibility; the employer, job role, salary, company information and the candidate's qualifications and other COMPASS factors are assessed. There is no fixed statutory paid-up-capital amount guaranteeing an EP.

2026 Employment Pass Salary Requirements

general Sector: The 2026 minimum qualifying salary starts at S$5,600 per month for applicants outside the financial-services sector and rises progressively with age.

financial Services: The 2026 minimum qualifying salary starts at S$6,200 per month for applicants in the financial-services sector and rises progressively with age.

age Effect: MOM progressively increases the qualifying salary with age, with the benchmark reaching about S$10,700 for candidates in their mid-40s in the general-sector framework.

future Change: MOM announced that the minimum EP qualifying salary for new applications will increase from S$5,600 to S$6,000 from 1 January 2027, with a corresponding increase for financial services. This page is focused on applications made in 2026.

important: Meeting the minimum qualifying salary is only Stage 1. It does not guarantee an EP because the candidate may still need to pass COMPASS.

COMPASS: How the 40-Point Test Works

pass Mark: 40 points

criterion	description	points
C1 Salary	Compares the candidate's fixed monthly salary with local PMET salary benchmarks for the sector.	0, 10 or 20
C2 Qualifications	Awards points for eligible degree-equivalent or other recognised qualifications.	0, 10 or 20
C3 Diversity	Assesses the candidate's nationality share among the employer's PMET workforce.	0, 10 or 20
C4 Support for Local Employment	Assesses the employer's local PMET share relative to the sector.	0 or 10
C5 Skills Bonus	Additional points can apply for roles on the Shortage Occupation List, subject to the applicable rules.	Bonus
C6 Strategic Economic Priorities Bonus	Additional points can apply where the employer meets the relevant strategic economic-priority requirements.	Bonus

small Employer Rule: If the organisation has fewer than 25 PMETs, the C4 Support for Local Employment criterion receives 10 points by default.

salary Important: C1 is a COMPASS scoring criterion and is separate from the Stage 1 EP qualifying salary. A candidate who fails the qualifying-salary threshold is not eligible even if the candidate would otherwise have scored highly on COMPASS.

Who Is Exempt From COMPASS?

conditions:

Candidate earns a fixed monthly salary of at least S$22,500.

Candidate is applying as an overseas intra-corporate transferee.

Candidate is filling the role for 1 month or less.

important: A COMPASS exemption does not remove the other EP requirements. The candidate must still satisfy the applicable EP qualifying salary and other requirements.

EP for Founders and Shareholder-Directors

shareholding: MOM confirms that an EP holder is allowed to own shares in a Singapore-registered company.

role: The person's declared role should reflect genuine managerial, executive or specialised employment. A nominal directorship with no real employment function should not be treated as automatically qualifying.

company Age: There is no general MOM rule stating that a newly incorporated company must first operate for a fixed number of months before an EP application. MOM can assess the employer's information and may request additional evidence.

paid Up Capital: There is no published universal minimum paid-up capital threshold that guarantees EP approval. Paid-up capital is a company fact that may be reviewed alongside the overall application, but businesses should not market a particular capital amount as an official EP requirement.

commercial Substance: A company should be prepared to substantiate its actual operations, role, business activity and employment arrangement if MOM requests further information.

How to Apply for an Employment Pass

Set Up the Employment Structure

Ensure the Singapore company is properly registered and the founder has a genuine professional, managerial, executive or specialised role with an appropriate fixed monthly salary.

Check Salary and COMPASS

Use MOM's Self-Assessment Tool and check the relevant salary benchmark, COMPASS profile and any available exemption.

Prepare the Required Documents

Prepare the candidate passport, ACRA company information and qualification verification documents where applicable.

Complete the Fair-Consideration Requirement

Where required, the employer must advertise the role on MyCareersFuture and consider applicants fairly before applying.

Submit the EP Application

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

Wait for MOM's Decision

For standard online applications, MOM states that it will process the application or provide an update within 10 business days. Some cases take longer when additional information is required.

Enter Singapore and Get the Pass Issued

After IPA approval, the candidate enters Singapore if required, the employer issues the pass, pays the S$225 issuance fee and completes any required identity registration.

ipa: The IPA is a pre-approved single-entry visa and gives the candidate 6 months to enter Singapore and get the pass issued.

issuance: Pass issuance is processed immediately through the EP eService once the required information and fees are submitted. Fingerprint and photo registration may be required.

MOM Employment Pass Fees

application: S$105 per application

issuance: S$225 per pass issued

multiple Journey Visa: S$30 for each Multiple Journey Visa, if applicable

Employment Pass Validity

first Time: Up to 2 years

renewal: Up to 3 years

experienced Tech: Some experienced tech professionals in shortage occupations may qualify for a longer 5-year EP subject to MOM's separate criteria.

Bringing Family Members

minimum Salary: An eligible EP holder earning at least S$6,000 in fixed monthly salary can sponsor qualifying family members.

dependant Pass:

Legally married spouse

Unmarried children under 21, including legally adopted children

long Term Visit Pass:

Common-law spouse

Unmarried handicapped children aged 21 and above

Unmarried step-children under 21

parents: Parents can qualify for an LTVP only where the EP holder earns at least S$12,000 in fixed monthly salary.

important: Family-pass eligibility is separate from the main EP approval and requires separate applications.

Employment Pass Renewal

timing: An employer can apply to renew an EP up to 6 months before expiry and must apply before the existing pass expires.

conditions:

Candidate continues to earn at least the applicable EP qualifying salary.

Candidate continues working for the same employer in a qualifying role.

Candidate passes COMPASS unless exempt.

duration: Renewed EPs can be issued for up to 3 years, subject to MOM approval.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Yes. MOM allows an EP holder to own shares in a Singapore-registered company, but share ownership alone is not enough. The founder must have a qualifying job with the Singapore employer, meet the applicable salary requirement and satisfy COMPASS or an applicable exemption.

For new 2026 applications, the qualifying salary starts at S$5,600 per month for sectors outside financial services and S$6,200 for financial services, with the required salary increasing progressively with age.

A candidate who is subject to COMPASS needs at least 40 points. The framework considers salary, qualifications, workforce diversity and support for local employment, with additional bonus criteria available in qualifying cases.

Candidates are exempt if they earn at least S$22,500 in fixed monthly salary, are applying as overseas intra-corporate transferees, or are filling a role for 1 month or less. The candidate must still meet the other EP requirements.

An EP holder needs at least S$6,000 in fixed monthly salary to qualify for Dependant's Pass or relevant family-pass privileges for eligible family members. Parents require a fixed monthly salary of at least S$12,000.

For standard online applications submitted by an employer or employment agent, MOM states that the application is processed or an update is given within 10 business days. Cases requiring additional documents can take longer, and overseas-company sponsorship applications have a separate longer timeline.

Legal Disclaimer: This page is general informational content, not immigration, legal, employment or tax advice. EP approval depends on the candidate, employer, job role, salary, workforce profile, qualifications and other MOM requirements. Check the current MOM rules and Self-Assessment Tool immediately before applying.

Verification Standard: Official MOM sources checked in August 2026. No government endorsement, approval, accreditation or official verification of this website is claimed.

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ACRA Compliance at a Glance

EP authorityMOM

2026 general salary floorFrom S$5,600/month

2026 financial-services floorFrom S$6,200/month

COMPASS pass mark40 points

COMPASS high-salary exemptionS$22,500 fixed monthly salary

First EP validityUp to 2 years

Documents Checklist

Candidate's passport personal-particulars page
Latest ACRA Business Profile or equivalent registered-company information
Qualification verification proof where required for COMPASS
Employment and job-role information
Information about the employing company's turnover and workforce
Additional company or candidate documents requested by MOM
Supporting professional documents for regulated occupations where applicable

Key Pitfalls to Avoid

✕ Assuming S$5,600 is enough for every 2026 EP applicant.

✓ S$5,600 is the starting general-sector qualifying salary. The threshold increases with age, and financial-services candidates have a higher starting threshold of S$6,200.

✕ Thinking 40 COMPASS points can compensate for a salary below the qualifying salary.

✓ The qualifying salary is a separate Stage 1 requirement. A candidate who fails it is not eligible regardless of COMPASS points.

✕ Assuming being a shareholder automatically qualifies someone for an EP.

✓ MOM permits EP holders to own shares, but the person still needs a genuine qualifying job, qualifying salary and the applicable EP criteria.

✕ Claiming there is an official minimum paid-up capital required for an EP.

✓ There is no published universal paid-up-capital threshold that guarantees an EP.

✕ Using a 6-week processing period as the normal standard for every EP application.

✓ Standard online EP applications are generally processed or updated within 10 business days; overseas-company sponsorship cases have a different longer timeline, and cases requiring additional information can take longer.

✕ Saying every EP holder earning S$6,000 can automatically bring all family members.

✓ S$6,000 is the threshold for eligible family privileges, but the type of family pass and qualifying relationship still matter. Parents require S$12,000.