Singapore Employment Pass (EP) Explained
The Employment Pass is designed for skilled foreign professionals working in specialist roles.
Key Eligibility Factors
Singapore’s Employment Pass is assessed holistically — meeting these four factors puts you in the strongest position for approval under the COMPASS framework.
Minimum salary thresholds
Applicants must earn at least SGD $5,000 per month (SGD $5,500 for financial services roles). Higher salaries reflect stronger applications under COMPASS scoring.
Relevant qualifications
A recognised degree or professional qualification relevant to your role is required. Singapore assesses qualifications against the COMPASS merit criteria.
Employer credibility
The sponsoring employer's track record, business reputation and fair hiring practices are evaluated as part of the COMPASS employer-related criteria.
Skills scarcity
Roles in sectors with genuine shortages of local talent receive higher COMPASS scores — particularly in technology, healthcare, finance and engineering.
The COMPASS Framework
Since 2023, Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower evaluates all EP applications through the COMPASS (Complementarity Assessment Framework) points-based system.
Applications need to score at least 40 points across multiple criteria. Understanding how COMPASS works is essential to a successful EP application.
Salary
Compared to peers in same occupation and age group
Qualifications
Degree level and institutional ranking assessed
Diversity
Contribution to workforce nationality diversity
Support for local hiring
Employer's record of developing Singaporean workers
Skills bonus
Shortlisted occupations with genuine local talent gaps
EP Benefits
The Singapore Employment Pass offers more than the right to work — it provides a stable, renewable platform for building a long-term career in Asia’s financial capital.
Legal work status
Full legal authorisation to live and work in Singapore, with access to Singapore's world-class infrastructure, healthcare and public services.
Dependants eligibility
EP holders earning SGD $6,000+ per month can sponsor immediate family members through Dependant's Passes, enabling families to live together in Singapore.
Renewable pathways
The EP is initially granted for up to 2 years and is renewable — with long-term EP holders becoming eligible to apply for Permanent Residency (PR) after meeting residency criteria.
Talent Way Support
We specialise in matching skilled professionals with UK employers who are licensed, visa-ready and actively hiring internationally.
Visa-ready employer matching
Role and salary compliance checks
Explore Singapore EP Roles
The Employment Pass is designed for skilled foreign professionals working in specialist roles. Talent Way matches you with EP-ready Singapore employers across IT, finance, engineering and healthcare.