- Your employer or agent applies in MOM’s EP eService after a MyCareersFuture advert
- The current minimums are S$5,600 (general) and S$6,200 (financial services), scaling to S$10,700–S$11,800 by your mid-40s.
- You need 40 COMPASS points unless exempt, and the application fee is S$105 and issuance fee S$225.
- MOM processes online applications within 10 business days
To get an Employment Pass in Singapore, a locally registered employer or licensed agent must submit an application on your behalf through MOM’s EP eService. The candidate must earn a minimum fixed monthly salary of S$5,600 in non-financial sectors (S$6,200 in financial services), rising to S$6,000 and S$6,600 on 1 January 2027 for new hires, and score at least 40 points on MOM’s Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS) unless exempt. Standard MOM fees total S$330 (S$105 application fee + S$225 issuance fee), with most online applications processed within 10 business days.
Here is how to get a Singapore Employment Pass (EP) approved by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) without losing weeks to avoidable mistakes. Because an individual cannot apply for an EP directly, a Singapore-registered employer or an appointed employment agent must submit the application via myMOM Portal, and the candidate must pass two strict hurdles: Stage 1 (qualifying minimum salary) and Stage 2 (scoring at least 40 points on COMPASS).
If you are a foreign founder relocating to run your own business, you first need a registered Singapore company to act as your sponsoring employer, which is where Sleek’s Employment Pass and work visa service steps in to handle incorporation, COMPASS pre-assessment, and MOM filing under one roof.
Here is the step-by-step breakdown of how to qualify, calculate your COMPASS points, and get your Employment Pass approved.
In this guide, you will learn:
Who qualifies for a Singapore Employment Pass (and the 2027/2028 salary updates)
How to score 40+ points under MOM’s 6-criteria COMPASS framework
Required documents and background verification rules
Step-by-step application timeline from job advertisement to pass issuance
Rules for bringing family members on a Dependant’s Pass (DP) or Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP)
How do you get a Singapore Employment Pass?
To get a Singapore Employment Pass, your employer or an agent applies through MOM’s EP eService after advertising the job on MyCareersFuture, unless an exemption applies. The candidate must meet the qualifying salary, which runs from S$5,600 at age 23 or below to S$10,700 at age 45 or above in most sectors, and score at least 40 COMPASS points unless exempt. The application fee is S$105 and online applications are processed or updated within 10 business days.
From 1 January 2027, the employment pass minimum salary for most sectors rises to S$6,000 at age 23 or below and S$11,500 at age 45 or above for new applications, so the date you file matters. Financial services firms have their own, higher scale, which the salary table below shows.
Read the rest of this guide as a three-step test of the employment pass requirements Singapore applicants face: does the candidate clear the salary line, do they reach the COMPASS pass mark, and can the employer file correctly? MOM makes the final call on every application, so the aim is to catch problems before MOM does.
Who can apply for an Employment Pass: the employer, an agent or a founder?
A Singapore-registered employer, or an employment agent acting for it, submits the application in EP eService. The candidate gives written consent and completes their own form, but does not apply alone.
If you are a foreign founder, the sponsoring company must exist before anyone can file, so the route is incorporation first and the Employment Pass second. That is the standard sequence in any employment pass for foreign founder application. Read getting an EP through your own company for the founder-specific steps, or see incorporating a Singapore company as a foreigner for the company side.
If the employer is an overseas company without a Singapore-registered office, it needs a local sponsor to submit the application. MOM quotes an employment pass processing time of up to 6 weeks for most of those cases.
You can skip the MyCareersFuture advert in four situations, according to MOM:
- Your company has fewer than 10 employees.
- The fixed monthly salary for the role is S$22,500 or more.
- The role lasts one month or less.
- A local transferee or an overseas intra-corporate transferee fills the role.
Exempt employers still have to hire fairly. For an early-stage company, the fewer-than-10-employees exemption is usually the first one to check. Learn more about EP here:
Do you qualify? What are the salary requirements by age and sector?
MOM tests salary first. A candidate who falls below the qualifying salary is ineligible whatever their COMPASS score, so this is the first employment pass eligibility check to run.
The table shows the employment pass minimum salary for selected ages, today and from 1 January 2027, for most sectors and for financial services. MOM’s official table lists every age in between.
| Age | Most sectors (now) | Most sectors (from 1 Jan 2027) | Financial services (now) | Financial services (from 1 Jan 2027) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 or below | S$5,600 | S$6,000 | S$6,200 | S$6,600 |
| 30 | S$7,223 | S$7,750 | S$7,982 | S$8,541 |
| 35 | S$8,382 | S$9,000 | S$9,255 | S$9,927 |
| 40 | S$9,541 | S$10,250 | S$10,527 | S$11,314 |
| 45 or above | S$10,700 | S$11,500 | S$11,800 | S$12,700 |
Source: MOM, Employment Pass eligibility page, fetched 6 November 2026. All figures are monthly minimums.
The higher figures apply to new applications from 1 January 2027 and to renewals of passes expiring from 1 January 2028.
Take a 35-year-old founder planning a S$8,500 monthly salary. That clears today’s S$8,382 threshold for most sectors but falls short of the S$9,000 that applies from 1 January 2027, so filing before or after that date changes the answer.
Salary alone does not decide the outcome, however. It only gets the candidate through to Stage 2, the COMPASS points test covered next.
2026–2027 MOM Regulatory Rollout Timeline for Employers:
Stage 1 Qualifying Salary Hike: Rises to S$6,000 (up to S$11,500 at age 45+) for non-finance sectors and S$6,600 (up to S$12,700 at age 45+) for financial services. Applies to new applications from 1 January 2027 and renewals expiring from 1 January 2028.
Stage 2 COMPASS C1 Salary Benchmarks: MOM’s updated sector salary benchmark tables apply to new EP filings from 1 January 2027 and renewals expiring from 1 July 2027.
COMPASS C2 Institution Lists: Updated top-tier university (20 points) and professional qualification (10 points) lists apply to both new and renewal applications from 1 January 2027.
Startup Default Points (Under 25 PMETs): Newly incorporated Singapore companies and SMEs with fewer than 25 total PMETs automatically receive 20 points total across C3 (Diversity: 10 pts) and C4 (Local PMET Share: 10 pts), meaning founders only need 20 additional points from Salary (C1) or Qualifications (C2) to pass.
How does COMPASS work, and how many points do you need?
COMPASS is MOM’s points test for candidates who clear the salary line. You need at least 40 points, scored across four foundational criteria and two bonus criteria, and MOM’s Self-Assessment Tool shows a likely result before you apply.
The COMPASS points employment pass candidates earn come from the six criteria below.
| Criterion | Type | Maximum points | What earns the points |
|---|---|---|---|
| C1. Salary | Foundational | 20 | 20 at the 90th percentile or above; 10 from the 65th to below the 90th |
| C2. Qualifications | Foundational | 20 | 20 for top-tier institutions; 10 for other degree-equivalent qualifications; 0 for none |
| C3. Diversity | Foundational | 20 | 20 if the candidate’s nationality is under 5% of your PMETs; 10 for 5% to below 25% |
| C4. Support for local employment | Foundational | 20 | 20 at the 50th percentile or above; 10 from the 20th to below the 50th |
| C5. Skills bonus (Shortage Occupation List) | Bonus | 20 | 20 if the job is on the list and the nationality share is under one third; 10 if the share is one third or more |
| C6. SEP bonus | Bonus | 10 | 10 for taking part in an eligible programme |
Source: MOM, Employment Pass eligibility page (COMPASS), fetched 6 November 2026. PMETs are professionals, managers, executives and technicians.
Three details shape the score for a small company:
- C3 and C4 default to 10 points each for organisations with fewer than 25 PMETs.
- C4 guarantees at least 10 points if the organisation’s local PMET share is at least 70%.
- A candidate is exempt from COMPASS with a fixed monthly salary of at least S$22,500, as an overseas intra-corporate transferee, or in a role lasting one month or less.
Exempt candidates still have to meet the qualifying salary. For a young company, those C3 and C4 defaults matter because they start you at 20 points before salary and qualifications are scored. That is our reading of MOM’s rules, not a guarantee, so run the numbers in the Self-Assessment Tool and expect MOM to apply its own scoring.
How do you apply for an Employment Pass, step by step?
The employment pass application process runs in five steps:
- Check the candidate qualifies. Use MOM’s Self-Assessment Tool for salary and COMPASS before you spend money on an application.
- Advertise on MyCareersFuture. The ad must stay open for at least 14 consecutive days, unless you are exempt.
- Get the candidate’s written consent. Have them complete their own form.
- Submit in EP eService. Update your organisation’s turnover for the past 3 years, upload the required documents and pay the S$105 fee by GIRO, Visa, Mastercard or Amex.
- Wait for MOM’s decision. If MOM approves, it issues an in-principle approval, and you then issue the pass.
Documents to prepare before you submit
- Candidate: the personal particulars page of the passport.
- If names differ across documents: an explanation letter with supporting proof (e.g. a deed poll).
- Proof of verification for the candidate’s qualifications, if applicable.
- Company: the latest ACRA business profile.
- Documents not in English: the original plus an English translation, uploaded as one file.
Source: MOM’s required documents page.
Regulated roles (e.g. healthcare, law, food establishments) need extra documents. MOM may also ask for other proof, such as that the declared salary will be paid.
Step 2 is where timing goes wrong. If you change key details in the ad, you need a new ad open for another 14 consecutive days, and an ad that expired more than 3 months ago cannot support an application. MOM also says to avoid making a job offer during the 14-day period.
The S$105 fee is the only cost we cover here. For a fuller picture, read what an Employment Pass costs.
How long does an Employment Pass take?
MOM says online applications are processed or given an update within 10 business days. The employment pass application process itself is quick, and the stages around it take longer.
The clock starts at submission, not on day one. Before it, you may need the company incorporated and a MyCareersFuture advert open, so a founder starting from scratch should plan around these stages:
- Incorporation (if you have no company yet): ACRA registration is typically completed within a few business days once identity verification and signed documents are done.
- MyCareersFuture advert: at least 14 consecutive days, unless you are exempt.
- MOM processing: within 10 business days for online applications, and up to 6 weeks for most overseas-company sponsorship cases.
- After approval: the pass is issued within 6 months of the in-principle approval, and the card is delivered within 5 working days after registration or document verification.
Add the employment pass processing time to the other stages and a founder starting from scratch is looking at weeks, not days. MOM publishes no single end-to-end figure, and neither do we, because the advert period and any follow-up questions from MOM vary case by case.
Why are Employment Pass applications rejected, and what can go wrong?
MOM does not publish a full list of rejection reasons, but its guidance on employment pass requirements Singapore employers must meet points to these problems:
- The candidate falls below the qualifying salary, which makes them ineligible regardless of COMPASS.
- The candidate scores under the 40 COMPASS points employment pass applicants need and is not exempt.
- The MyCareersFuture ad was discriminatory or did not describe the job accurately, which MOM says leads it to reject linked applications.
- The ad had expired for more than 3 months, so it cannot support the application.
- Documents are missing or inconsistent, for example a passport name that differs from other records without an explanation letter.
If MOM rejects an application, only the employer or the authorised third party that submitted it can appeal, through EP eService, and only within 3 months. MOM says an appeal will not change the outcome unless it brings new information, so appeal only if you can address the issues in the rejection advisory. If you miss the window, you file a new application.
Changing employers is a different route, covered in transferring an EP to a new company.
Approval is never guaranteed. MOM decides every application, and no provider, Sleek included, can promise an outcome.
Additional MOM Documents for Newly Incorporated Companies & Self-Sponsored Founders
If your sponsoring Singapore company is newly registered or has minimal local headcount, MOM frequently issues an RFI (Request for Information) to verify proof of ongoing business activity and financial ability to pay annual staff costs. Prepare these supporting documents in advance to avoid delays:
Corporate bank statements showing sufficient paid-up capital and working capital (typically covering at least 6 to 12 months of the candidate’s salary and operating expenses).
Signed client contracts, purchase orders, or issued invoices demonstrating real commercial activity.
Latest financial statements or a projected 12-month business plan and cash flow forecast (for newly incorporated startups).
Commercial tenancy agreement (if leasing physical office or retail premises).
Bringing Family Members to Singapore (Dependant’s Pass vs. LTVP)
Employment Pass holders who meet MOM’s minimum fixed monthly salary thresholds can sponsor eligible family members to live with them in Singapore. Your employer or appointed employment agent can submit family pass applications alongside your EP or after your pass is approved.
| Pass Type | Minimum EP Fixed Monthly Salary | Eligible Family Members | Work Eligibility in Singapore |
| Dependant’s Pass (DP) | S$6,000 | Legally married spouse; unmarried children under 21 (including legally adopted children) | Must obtain their own work pass (EP, S Pass, or Work Permit), or a Letter of Consent (LOC) if they are a qualifying business owner |
| Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) | S$6,000 | Common-law spouse; unmarried stepchildren under 21; unmarried children aged 21 and above with disabilities | Must apply for a separate work pass or Letter of Consent (LOC) |
| Long-Term Visit Pass (Parents) | S$12,000 | Parents of the Employment Pass holder | Not permitted to work in Singapore |
(Note: Foreign-born children aged 12 and below applying for a new DP or LTVP must first submit vaccination records for verification to the Health Promotion Board / Communicable Diseases Agency before filing with MOM.)
Maintaining and Renewing Your Employment Pass
Getting your EP approved is the first milestone; maintaining valid immigration and compliance status ensures uninterrupted residency and smooth renewals:
Renewal timeline (up to 6 months early): First-time Employment Passes are typically valid for up to 2 years, and renewals are valid for up to 3 years (up to 5 years for experienced tech professionals on the C5 Shortage Occupation List). Your employer or agent can submit an EP renewal application via myMOM Portal starting 6 months before the expiration date—and should file at least 2 months prior to expiry.
Stricter 2027/2028 renewal benchmarks: An approved EP does not guarantee automatic renewal. Renewals expiring from 1 July 2027 are assessed against MOM’s updated COMPASS C1 sector salary tables, and renewals expiring from 1 January 2028 must meet the increased Stage 1 qualifying salary floor (S$6,000 for general sectors; S$6,600 for financial services).
Short-Term Visit Pass (STVP) validity during issuance: An In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter allows you to enter Singapore, but it is not a work pass. While waiting in Singapore for your EP to be formally issued, monitor your Short-Term Visit Pass expiration date closely—MOM does not automatically extend tourist/visit passes while an EP is pending, and overstaying carries strict immigration penalties.
Changing employers requires a fresh EP: If you change jobs or transition from corporate employment into your own startup, your new entity must lodge a brand-new EP application. See our guide on how to transfer an Employment Pass to a new company in Singapore for the exact sequence.
EP, EntrePass or S Pass: which pass fits you?
The Employment Pass suits foreign professionals, managers, executives and technicians who meet the salary line. Other passes fit other profiles, and each has its own guide, so this table is a pointer rather than a comparison.
| Pass | Who it suits | Where to read more |
|---|---|---|
| Employment Pass | Foreign professionals, managers, executives and technicians who meet the qualifying salary and COMPASS | This guide |
| S Pass | Mid-skilled technicians on salaries below the EP line | Employment Pass vs S Pass |
| EntrePass | Foreign founders starting a business who meet MOM’s entrepreneur criteria | Employment Pass vs EntrePass |
| Personalised Employment Pass (PEP) | Higher earners who want a pass that is not tied to one employer | visas and hiring employees |
How Sleek helps with your Employment Pass and incorporation
Sleek incorporates the company that sponsors the pass in every employment pass for foreign founder case, so the sequence of incorporate first and apply second runs through one team. Start with incorporating a Singapore company as a foreigner, and if you need a resident director while your pass is processed, see nominee director services. Sleek holds MOM EA Licence No. 17S8937.
What we cannot do is decide the outcome, because MOM does that. What we can do is assist with the application and keep your incorporation and filing in step. For the wider picture on hiring foreign staff, start from visas and hiring employees, or talk to the team about Employment Pass and work visa support from Sleek.
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FAQs on how to get employment pass singapore
What if we want to transfer the EP to a new entity?
An Employment Pass is issued for a specific employer, so a move to a new company means the new employer submits a fresh application. The candidate has to qualify again on salary and COMPASS under the new employer’s profile. Plan the timing so the candidate is not left without a valid pass.
Does an overseas bank account count as proof for MOM?
When MOM requests additional financial proof during an RFI (Request for Information), such as verifying a newly incorporated company’s ability to pay staff costs, they generally look for corporate bank accounts established in Singapore showing sufficient paid-up or working capital. If you are operating using an overseas holding entity’s accounts, MOM typically requires certified English translations, consolidated group financials, or evidence of capital repatriation into a Singapore corporate account.
What documents does MOM ask for in an application?
For the candidate, MOM asks for the personal particulars page of the passport, an explanation letter if names differ across documents, and verification proof for qualifications where applicable. For the company, it asks for the latest ACRA business profile. Documents not in English must be uploaded with an English translation combined into one file.
Does the candidate need to be in Singapore to apply?
No. MOM says candidates do not need to be in Singapore when the employer applies. They do need to be in Singapore to complete issuance after the in-principle approval, which gives them 6 months to enter and get the pass issued.
Does the corporate services package include the EP application?
It depends on the package. Sleek lists the Employment Pass application as its own service and also offers a Foreign Full Compliance and Visa package that bundles it with company compliance. Confirm the current scope on the package page or with an expert before you buy.
