# Employment Pass eligibility: qualifying salary and COMPASS points

> The EP qualifying salary by age and sector, the 2027 increase, and how the 40-point COMPASS test scores salary, qualifications, diversity, local employment and bonuses.

- Tool: [EP COMPASS Calculator](https://toolsg.com/en/ep-compass-calculator)
- Language: en (available: en, zh)
- Last verified against official sources: 2026-10-29
- Source site: ToolSG — a planning guide, not official or financial advice. Cite the agencies listed under Sources.

## Key figures at a glance

| Fact | Value | Source |
| --- | --- | --- |
| COMPASS pass mark | 40 points — Unless the candidate is exempt. | [MOM](https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/employment-pass/eligibility) |
| COMPASS exemption salary | $22,500 a month — Fixed monthly salary at or above this is exempt. | [MOM](https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/employment-pass/eligibility) |
| Small firm default | 10 points each for C3 and C4 — Organisations with fewer than 25 PMETs. | [MOM](https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/employment-pass/eligibility) |
| Local PMET share floor | 70% — At 70% or more the organisation scores at least 10 on C4. | [MOM](https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/employment-pass/eligibility) |
| Qualifying salary, age 23 or below | $5,600 (all sectors except financial services) — Rises to $10,700 at age 45 and above. | [MOM](https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/employment-pass/eligibility) |
| Qualifying salary from 2027 | $6,000 rising to $11,500 (financial services $6,600 to $12,700) — New applications from 1 Jan 2027, renewals of passes expiring from 1 Jan 2028. | [MOM](https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/employment-pass/eligibility) |

## Two stages

1. **Stage 1: the EP qualifying salary.** It depends on age and sector and is benchmarked to the top third of local PMET salaries by age. A candidate below it is **not eligible whatever the COMPASS points**.
2. **Stage 2: COMPASS.** Unless exempt, the application needs **40 points**.

## Stage 1: qualifying salary by age

| Age | All sectors except financial services | Financial services |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 23 or below | $5,600 | $6,200 |
| 28 | $6,759 | $7,473 |
| 32 | $7,686 | $8,491 |
| 38 | $9,077 | $10,018 |
| 45 or above | $10,700 | $11,800 |

From **1 January 2027** for new applications, and for renewals of passes **expiring from 1 January 2028**, the figures rise to **$6,000** at 23 or below and **$11,500** at 45 or above, and for financial services **$6,600** and **$12,700**. A 32-year-old in an ordinary sector needs $7,686 now and $8,250 from 2027.

## Stage 2: COMPASS points

| Criterion | Points |
| --- | --- |
| C1 Salary: 90th percentile or above / 65th to below 90th / below 65th | 20 / 10 / 0 |
| C2 Qualifications: top-tier institution / other degree-equivalent / none | 20 / 10 / 0 |
| C3 Diversity: nationality under 5% / 5% to under 25% / 25% or more of PMETs | 20 / 10 / 0 |
| C4 Local employment: 50th percentile or above / 20th to below 50th / below 20th | 20 / 10 / 0 |
| C5 Shortage Occupation List: nationality under 1/3 / 1/3 or more of PMETs | 20 / 10 |
| C6 Strategic Economic Priorities bonus | 10 |

An organisation with **fewer than 25 PMETs** scores **10** on C3 and C4 by default. A local PMET share of **70% or more** scores at least 10 on C4.

## Exemptions

Candidates are exempt from COMPASS if they earn a fixed monthly salary of **$22,500 or more**, are **overseas intra-corporate transferees**, or fill the role for **one month or less**. The qualifying salary still applies.

## Worked examples (from MOM)

- Business manager, foreign degree, 70th percentile salary, nationality 15% of PMETs, local share at the 40th percentile: 10 + 10 + 10 + 10 = **40**, pass.
- Bank management associate, salary under the 65th percentile, nationality 3% of PMETs: 0 + 10 + 20 + 10 = **40**, pass.
- Software firm, 95th percentile salary, master's degree, nationality 35% of PMETs, Shortage Occupation List job, local share below the 20th percentile: 20 + 10 + 0 + 0 + 10 = **40**, pass.

## What you look up yourself

MOM publishes the C1 benchmarks by sector and age as a download, and the C3 and C4 figures come from the employer's Workforce Insights tool on myMOM Portal, so the calculator asks for those answers.

## Related tools

- [Work pass levy calculator](https://toolsg.com/en/work-pass-levy-calculator) — levy for foreign workers.
- [Work pass quota calculator](https://toolsg.com/en/work-pass-quota-calculator) — how many you can hire.
- [Progressive wage checker](https://toolsg.com/en/progressive-wage-checker) — wage floors for local employees.

## Frequently asked questions

**How many COMPASS points do I need?**

40 points, unless the candidate is exempt.

**Who is exempt from COMPASS?**

Candidates with a fixed monthly salary of $22,500 or more, overseas intra-corporate transferees, and roles of 1 month or less.

**What is the EP qualifying salary?**

$5,600 at age 23 or below, rising to $10,700 at 45 and above for most sectors; $6,200 to $11,800 for financial services. From 1 January 2027 it becomes $6,000 to $11,500, and $6,600 to $12,700.

**Do I fail if my salary is below the qualifying salary but I have 40 points?**

Yes. Stage 1 must be met whatever the COMPASS score.

**What if my firm has fewer than 25 PMETs?**

It scores 10 points by default for both diversity and support for local employment.


## Sources

- [MOM — Employment Pass eligibility](https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/employment-pass/eligibility) — Qualifying salary by age, COMPASS criteria, exemptions and case studies (updated 28 Apr 2026).
- [MOM — COMPASS C1 salary benchmarks](https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/employment-pass/eligibility/compass-c1-salary-benchmarks) — Benchmarks are the 65th percentile of local PMET salaries in the sector, updated each year.
- [MOM — COMPASS C5 skills bonus (Shortage Occupation List)](https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/employment-pass/eligibility/compass-c5-skills-bonus-shortage-occupation-list-sol) — Shortage Occupation List and extra checks.