Last updated: 2026-08-12
What are the basic eligibility requirements for an Employment Pass (EP)?
EP applicants need a job offer from a Singapore-registered company and a qualifying monthly salary — currently S$5,600 for most sectors and S$6,200 for financial services, rising with age to S$10,700 / S$11,800 at 45 and above — plus at least 40 points under MOM's COMPASS framework, which scores salary, qualifications, diversity and local workforce support.
The two-stage test
EP eligibility is assessed in two stages. Stage 1: the candidate must earn at least the EP qualifying salary for their age band — S$5,600 for most sectors and S$6,200 for financial services (rising progressively to S$10,700 / S$11,800 at age 45 and above). Stage 2: the application must score at least 40 points on COMPASS, which benchmarks salary, qualifications, nationality diversity and the employer's support for local employment.
Upcoming threshold changes
MOM has announced the qualifying salary will rise to S$6,000 (most sectors) and S$6,600 (financial services) for new applications from 1 January 2027, with renewals following for passes expiring from 1 January 2028. If you are planning an application, it is worth checking which threshold applies to your timeline.
Related questions
- What are the eligibility requirements for an S Pass?
- What's the difference between an S Pass and an Employment Pass?
- Can I bring my spouse and children on a Dependant's Pass, and what does it cost?
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