Home/Singapore/Post Study Work Pass Ep Compass Graduate Guide

Post-Study Work

Singapore Post-Study Work Pass & EP COMPASS Rules for Graduates 2026

Complete guide to post-study work options for international graduates in Singapore. Explains Short-Term Visit Pass (STVP), MOM COMPASS 20 pts, EP, & S Pass rules.

Statutory Overview & Academic Framework

International graduates from Singapore's Autonomous Universities (NUS, NTU, SMU, SUTD, SIT, SUSS) enjoy favorable pathways to transition into employment. Upon graduation, international students can apply for a 1-year non-renewable Short-Term Visit Pass (STVP / Long-Term Visit Pass) via ICA to remain in Singapore and search for employment. Under MOM's COMPASS points framework for Employment Passes (EP), degrees from top 100 global universities (NUS and NTU) automatically earn the maximum 20 points under Criterion 2 (Qualifications). Furthermore, graduates fulfilling the MOE 3-year Tuition Grant service bond receive streamlined work pass processing from MOM.

Key Academic Regulations & Legal Mandates

ICA 1-Year Job Search Visit Pass (STVP)1-Year Job Search

Graduates from Singapore public Autonomous Universities can apply for 1-year visit pass to seek employment.

MOM COMPASS Criterion 2 Top-100 Points Award20 COMPASS Pts

Holding a degree from NUS (#8) or NTU (#15) awards full 20 points required under COMPASS Criterion 2.

Employment Pass (EP) & S Pass Salary ThresholdsWork Pass Salary

EP requires S$5,600+ monthly salary (S$6,200+ in Financial Services); S Pass requires S$3,150+.

MOE Service Bond Employer Reporting (TGOnline)Bond Reporting

Graduates log employment details on MOE TGOnline portal to commence 3-year service bond countdown.

Admission & Eligibility Criteria

Must have successfully completed a full-time degree at NUS, NTU, SMU, SUTD, SIT, or SUSS.

Must apply for the 1-year ICA Job Search Visit Pass before existing Student's Pass expires.

Employer must submit EP or S Pass application to MOM once job offer is secured.

Holders of the 1-year job search pass cannot work until official MOM EP, S Pass, or Training Pass is issued.

Statutory Application & Academic Checklist

MOM Employment Pass COMPASS Guidelines (Criterion 2 Qualifications)

University Official Degree Scroll & Academic Transcript

ICA Student's Pass Cancellation Certificate & STVP Extension Slip

MOM EP / S Pass Application eForm (Submitted by Employer)

MOE TGOnline Employment Registration Form

Step-by-Step University & Visa Application Process

Cancel Student's Pass Upon Degree Completion

University submits Student's Pass cancellation to ICA upon final exam results release.

Apply for ICA 1-Year Job Search Visit Pass (STVP)

Log into MyICA portal to apply for 1-year post-study job search visit pass.

Attend Interviews & Secure Employment Offer

Apply to Singapore-registered entities; employer offers job meeting EP/S Pass salary rules.

Employer Submits MOM EP Application with COMPASS Score

Employer files EP application on EPOL portal using university degree (20 COMPASS pts).

Receive EP Approval & Log Service Bond on MOE TGOnline

MOM issues EP In-Principle Approval; submit employment contract to MOE to fulfill 3-year bond.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Yes. Graduates from Singapore Autonomous Universities can apply for a 1-year non-renewable Short-Term Visit Pass (STVP) via ICA specifically to seek employment in Singapore.

Degrees from NUS and NTU earn the maximum 20 points under Criterion 2 (Qualifications) of MOM's COMPASS framework, as both rank in the top 100 global universities.

For fresh graduates, the minimum qualifying salary for an Employment Pass (EP) is S$5,600 per month for general sectors and S$6,200 per month for Financial Services.

No. The 1-year job search visit pass allows you to reside in Singapore and attend interviews, but you cannot legally commence work until an official MOM work pass (EP or S Pass) is issued.

Graduates log into the MOE TGOnline portal, upload their employment contract and employer details, and track their 36-month service bond completion.

If you cannot find a job within the 1-year job search pass, you can apply to MOE for permission to seek employment overseas or pay Liquidated Damages (LD) if defaulting on the bond.

Statutory Benchmark Metrics

Job Search STVP Length

Up to 1 Year Job Search Pass

COMPASS Top-100 Pts

20 Points for NUS / NTU Degree

EP Min Salary Threshold

S$5,600 / Month (Non-Finance)

Bond Fulfillment

3-Year MOE Employment Bond

⭐ Low-Fee Money Transfer Real Exchange Rate

Wise Overseas Student Tuition Transfer

Send money across 50+ currencies with real mid-market exchange rates and zero hidden bank markup fees.

Transfer Money with Wise

🛡️ Guaranteed Mid-Market Rate

⭐ MOE & ICA VERIFIED🔒 Official Portal

Singapore MOE & ICA Verification

Verify official MOE tuition grants, ICA SOLAR Student's Pass applications, university admissions, and CPE EduTrust certifications on official Singapore portals.

Access MOE Official Portal

✔ Official Government Academic Service