For professionals planning to work in Singapore, understanding the employment pass requirements is an important part of the relocation and employment process. The Employment Pass, commonly known as the EP, is designed for foreign professionals, managers and executives who have a qualifying job offer from a Singapore employer. Applicants must satisfy salary requirements as well as other eligibility criteria before an application can be approved.
The minimum qualifying salary is not the same for every applicant. For applications in 2026, the minimum fixed monthly salary starts at S$5,600 for most sectors and increases progressively with age, reaching S$10,700 for candidates aged 45 and above. The financial services sector has higher thresholds, starting at S$6,200 and increasing to S$11,800 for candidates aged 45 and above.
What Is an Employment Pass?
An Employment Pass is a Singapore work pass for eligible foreign professionals, managers and executives. The employer or an appointed employment agent normally submits the application on behalf of the candidate. A first-time EP can generally be issued for up to two years, while renewals can be granted for up to three years, subject to the applicable requirements.
What Salary Is Required for an Employment Pass?
The required salary depends on the candidate's age and industry. Singapore's Ministry of Manpower benchmarks the EP qualifying salary against the top one-third of local Professional, Manager, Executive and Technician wages.
For applications submitted from 1 January 2027, the minimum qualifying salary will increase to S$6,000 for most sectors and S$6,600 for financial services. The age-adjusted maximum thresholds will also increase.
Why does age affect the salary requirement?
The salary benchmark increases progressively with age because it is intended to reflect prevailing salaries among experienced local professionals. Therefore, an applicant who meets the minimum threshold at a younger age may need a higher salary when applying at an older age.
Is Meeting the Salary Requirement Enough?
No. Meeting the qualifying salary is only the first stage of the EP eligibility framework. Unless an exemption applies, candidates must also pass the Complementarity Assessment Framework, commonly called COMPASS. An EP application generally needs to obtain at least 40 points under COMPASS.
COMPASS considers areas including salary, qualifications, workforce diversity and support for local employment. Certain candidates may also receive additional points through the skills bonus when their occupation qualifies under the relevant framework.
Do Employers Have Advertising Requirements?
Yes. Employers generally need to advertise the position on MyCareersFuture and consider candidates fairly before submitting a new EP application. The job advertisement must accurately describe the role and clearly state the salary offered. The advertisement normally needs to remain open for at least 14 consecutive days.
What Should Applicants and Employers Check?
Before submitting an application, both parties should review the candidate's age, fixed monthly salary, industry, qualifications, job role and the employer's COMPASS position. The Ministry of Manpower's Self-Assessment Tool can also be used to check eligibility before an application is submitted.
The Employment Pass process can involve several requirements beyond simply receiving a job offer. Understanding the salary thresholds, COMPASS framework and employer obligations can help applicants and businesses prepare the necessary information more effectively. Since salary benchmarks and immigration rules can change, employers and candidates should always check the latest official requirements before making an application.
