REVISED QUALIFYING SALARY FOR EMPLOYMENT PASS (EP)
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) aims to continually regulate the qualifying salary to keep pace with local wage increments. The EP minimum qualifying salary will be increased from $4,500 to $5,000 and will continue to be raised progressively with age to ensure fair play. For jobs in the Financial Service (FS) sector, the qualifying salary will be raised from $5,000 to $5,500.
These changes will apply to new EP applications from 1 September 2022, and to renewal applications from 1 September 2023. MOM will continue to review the EP qualifying salary annually against the benchmark, taking prevailing economic conditions into consideration.
COMPLEMENTARITY ASSESSMENT FRAMEWORK (COMPASS) FOR EP APPLICATIONS
Candidates must also pass the points-based Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS) to qualify for an EP.
COMPASS assesses an EP applicant based on a holistic set of individual and firm-related attributes, allowing companies to select high-quality foreign professionals. COMPASS will apply to new EP applications from 1 September 2023 and to renewal applications from 1 September 2024.
- All applications are scored on four foundational criteria, identified based on benchmarks expected for a qualified EP holder.
- Additional points can be earned by applications that bring in skills that are in demand and support strategic economic priorities, thus creating good jobs for Singaporeans.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR S PASS
Qualifying salaries and levies have been increased in tandem to ensure that employers hire foreign workforce primarily on the basis of their skills.
For new applications, these changes will be implemented over a three-year period to minimise impacts to businesses, effective from September 2022.
Changes to S Pass Qualifying Salaries
| Sector |
From 1 Sep 2022 for new applications/From 1 Sep 2023 for renewals |
From 1 Sep 2023 for new applications/From 1 Sep 2024 for renewals |
From 1 Sep 2025 for new applications/From 1 Sep 2026 for renewals |
| All (except financial services) |
$3,000 (Progressively increases with age) |
At least $3,150 |
At least $3,300 |
| Financial services |
$3,500 (Progressively increases with age) |
At least $3,650 |
At least $3,800 |
*Finalised values will be announced closer to implementation date based on prevailing local APT wages at the time.
| From 1 Sep 2022 |
From 1 Sep 2023 |
From 1 Sep 2025 |
| Revised to $450 |
Revised to $550 |
Revised to $650 |
Source: MINISTRY OF MANPOWER (MOM)
Resources:
MOM -
