Last updated: 2026-09-26
What are the COMPASS bonus criteria, and how many points can they add?
COMPASS has four foundational criteria worth up to 20 points each, and an application needs 40 points to pass. Two bonus criteria sit on top. The Skills bonus adds 20 points for a role on the Shortage Occupation List (SOL), or 10 points if the candidate's nationality already makes up one-third or more of the firm's PMETs. The Strategic Economic Priorities bonus adds 10 points for firms taking part in qualifying government programmes.
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Neither bonus is applied automatically
For the SOL bonus, the employer must select an eligible shortage occupation job title in the EP application, and the candidate must meet MOM's checks on duties, past experience and qualifications or accreditation. The candidate is then tied to that occupation, and moving them to a different role triggers a fresh assessment. MOM reviews the list periodically, so confirm the current version before you file.
When a bonus makes the difference
A bonus can offset a specific shortfall. MOM's own case studies show an application scoring zero on both Diversity and Support for Local Employment can still pass when the salary is at the 90th percentile or above and the role qualifies for the SOL bonus. It cannot rescue an application that is weak on every foundational criterion.
Related questions
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