Employment Pass

The Employment Pass is Singapore's main work pass for foreign professionals, managers and executives. It is the pass that mid- to senior-level white-collar talent uses to work in Singapore, and it is administered by the Ministry of Manpower.

Eligibility rests on two pillars. The first is a qualifying monthly salary: an applicant must earn at or above a minimum threshold, and crucially that threshold rises with age, so an experienced candidate in their forties must be offered a substantially higher salary than someone in their twenties to qualify. The financial-services sector applies its own higher thresholds.

The second pillar is the COMPASS framework - a points-based assessment that scores candidates and the hiring firm across foundational and bonus criteria, including salary relative to the sector, qualifications, the diversity of the firm's workforce, and support for local employment. An application must clear COMPASS unless it qualifies for an exemption.

The Employment Pass is typically issued for a defined duration and renewable. In 2026 it remains the central instrument through which Singapore attracts skilled professionals while ensuring foreign hiring complements its local workforce.

You must have a job offer from a Singapore-registered employer for a professional, managerial or executive role, and you must earn a fixed monthly salary that meets the qualifying minimum. That minimum increases with the candidate's age, reflecting the experience expected at higher salary points, and the financial-services sector applies higher thresholds than other sectors.

Applicants are generally expected to hold good qualifications - typically a degree from a reputable institution, or strong professional credentials and a track record. Most applications must also pass the COMPASS points framework, which scores the individual and the employer on factors such as salary, qualifications and workforce diversity. Some applications, for example those above a high salary ceiling, are exempt from COMPASS. Always confirm the current salary thresholds, as the Ministry of Manpower reviews them regularly.

The Employment Pass application is made by the employer, not the individual, through the Ministry of Manpower's online system. Before applying, the employer normally advertises the role in line with fair-consideration requirements, ensuring local candidates are genuinely considered.

The employer submits the application with your details, qualifications, the offered salary and job particulars. The Ministry of Manpower assesses it against the salary threshold for your age and the COMPASS points framework, scoring foundational criteria such as salary and qualifications alongside firm-level criteria like workforce diversity and local support.

If the application is approved, the Ministry issues an In-Principle Approval. You then travel to Singapore, and after arrival the pass is issued and you complete registration, including providing biometrics and collecting the physical card.

Throughout, accuracy matters: qualifications may be subject to verification, and misrepresentation can lead to refusal or revocation. A clear, well-documented application that comfortably clears both the salary threshold and COMPASS is processed most smoothly.

The Ministry of Manpower charges an application fee for the Employment Pass and a further fee on issuance of the pass, both comparatively modest and generally borne by the employer. There is no monthly foreign-worker levy on Employment Pass holders, unlike some lower-tier passes. Other costs include qualification verification through an approved provider where required, and the medical examination that may be needed before the pass is issued. If the employer engages an immigration or relocation agent, professional fees apply. Pass holders should also budget for private health insurance and ordinary relocation expenses.

The Ministry of Manpower processes most Employment Pass applications within its published service standard, which is typically a small number of weeks for straightforward cases submitted online. Applications that require qualification verification, or that sit close to the salary threshold or COMPASS pass mark, can take longer. Once approved, the In-Principle Approval allows you to travel, and the pass is then issued and registered after arrival within a short period. A complete application with verified qualifications and a salary that comfortably exceeds the threshold for the candidate's age is processed fastest.

After arriving in Singapore you complete the formalities to have the pass issued - registering, providing biometrics and collecting the physical Employment Pass card, which serves as your work and identity document.

The Employment Pass is tied to your sponsoring employer; if you change jobs, your new employer must apply for a fresh pass. As an Employment Pass holder you may, subject to meeting a higher salary threshold, be eligible to sponsor certain family members for a Dependant's Pass.

The Employment Pass is a work pass rather than a residence status, but holders with a strong salary and employment record can in time consider applying for Permanent Residence, which is assessed separately by the immigration authority. Keep the pass valid, renew before expiry through your employer, and notify the Ministry of Manpower of material changes such as a change of role or salary.