Where the 40 points come from

CriterionWhat it looks atPoints
C1 SalarySalary compared with local PMET salaries in the sector90th percentile and above: 20; 65th to below 90th: 10; below 65th: 0 [1]
C2 QualificationsMOM's institution and professional qualification lists20 / 10 / 0 [1]
C3 DiversityShare of the candidate's nationality among the firm's PMETs20 / 10 / 0 [1]
C4 Support for local employmentOpportunities the firm creates for local staff20 / 10 / 0 [1]
C5 Skills bonusJob on the Shortage Occupation List (SOL)20 if the nationality share is below 1/3; 10 if 1/3 or more [1]
C6 Strategic Economic Priorities bonusFirm takes part in, or meets the criteria for, an eligible programme10 [1]

Firms with fewer than 25 PMETs score 10 points by default on C3 and on C4 [1].

What updates in 2027, and from when

ItemNew applicationsRenewals
C1 salary benchmarks, 2027 edition (released Aug 2026)From 1 Jan 2027 [2]EPs expiring from 1 Jul 2027 [2]
C2 institution and professional qualification lists, 2027 editionFrom 1 Jan 2027 [1]Renewal applications from 1 Jan 2027 [1]
C5 SOL employer guide, 2027 editionFrom 1 Jan 2027 [3]Renewal applications from 1 Jan 2027 [3]

The current benchmarks (released Aug 2025) apply to new applications from 1 Jan to 31 Dec 2026, and to renewals of EPs expiring from 1 Jul 2026 to 30 Jun 2027 [2].

SOL updates do not affect the validity of existing EPs [3]. MOM's updated EP Self-Assessment Tool (SAT) has been available since 1 November 2026 [3].

The salary score is not the salary bar

The qualifying salary is the minimum to hold an EP and depends on age and sector. The C1 score compares the salary with the 65th percentile of local PMET salaries in the sector [1][2]. A salary can clear the bar and still score 0 on C1.

Benchmarks are updated once a year [2]. For the age tables, see "Singapore EP salary 2027".

The shortage occupation bonus is about the actual job

To earn C5 points, the candidate must perform the job duties listed for that shortage occupation [1]. MOM checks the candidate's job duties, past work experience and qualifications or industry accreditation for the declared occupation [1]. Changing the job title alone will not earn the points.

Who is exempt from COMPASS

  • Candidates with a fixed monthly salary of at least S$22,500 [1].
  • Candidates applying as an overseas intra-corporate transferee [1].
  • Candidates filling the role for 1 month or less [1].

Three things to do before you apply

  • Recalculate with MOM's updated Self-Assessment Tool, available since 1 November 2026 [3].
  • Check which edition your application date (new) or pass expiry date (renewal) falls under.
  • If you are claiming the shortage occupation bonus, check the actual job duties against the guide.

FAQ

40 points [1].

Yes. The salary benchmarks, the qualification lists and the SOL guide all update in 2027, on the dates in the table above [1][2][3]. Run the updated Self-Assessment Tool again before applying [3].

The bar is the minimum to hold an EP, set by age and sector. The score compares the salary with local PMET salaries in the sector and starts at the 65th percentile [1][2].

If the firm has fewer than 25 PMETs, C3 and C4 each score 10 points by default [1].

Go by the lists and guide MOM publishes [1][3]. We have not checked them line by line, so we do not list them here; message us and we will check your school and role with you.

Sources (checked 5 November 2026)

  1. [1] MOM · Eligibility for Employment Pass 页面更新：2026-11-03
  2. [2] MOM · COMPASS C1. Salary benchmarks 页面更新：2026-08-11
  3. [3] MOM · COMPASS C5. Skills bonus: Shortage Occupation List (SOL) 页面更新：2026-11-03

All figures are from the current Singapore government pages above; if they change after publication, the official pages prevail.