Singapore Immigration–Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS)
New employment passes for expats in Singapore will go through a second stage of evaluation called the Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS) beginning September 1, 2023. Employment pass renewals will need to pass the same criteria beginning September 1, 2024.
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Are you hoping to get an employment pass in Singapore? Perhaps you already have one and would like to know how the upcoming changes will affect your renewal. Keep reading for a greater understanding of Singapore’s new COMPASS.
In this article, we’ll explain what the Complementarity Assessment Framework is and how applications for employment passes will be evaluated. We’ll also answer some of the most frequently asked questions at the end.
What Is Singapore’s Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS EP)?
Singapore’s Complementarity Assessment Framework, or COMPASS for short, is an evaluation tool that the Ministry of Manpower will use to determine whether or not to accept an employment pass application from an expat. COMPASS considers both employee and employer attributes.
Compass is the second stage in the employment pass application process, and the attribute points awarded to the application must meet or exceed 40 points given the desired criteria.
Employment passes are a type of work permit issued to Americans and other foreign nationals who want to work in Singapore as a professional, manager, executive, or technician (PMET). For more information about employment passes, including Personalised Employment Passes in Singapore, read this guide.
If you’re hoping to start your own business in Singapore, you will want to check out our article on EntrePass, or Entrepreneur Pass to work in Singapore.
Singapore COMPASS EP Criteria
In Singapore’s Complementarity Assessment Framework, COMPASS EP, the Ministry of Manpower will evaluate the individual attributes of the prospective employee and the attributes of the firm trying to hire the applicant. Employment Passes will only be issued if the score is at least 40 points.
Here are the Criteria outlined by the Ministry of Manpower in Singapore:
- Individual Attributes for the COMPASS EP Applicant:
- Salary compared to the local area (20 possible points)
- Candidate’s qualifications (20 possible points)
- Is the position on the shortage occupation list? (20 possible points)
- Firm-related Attributes on the COMPASS
- Diversity of the candidate relative to the rest of the employees (20 possible points)
- How well the firm supports local employment (20 possible points)
- Strategic Economic Priorities Bonus (10 possible points)
Keep reading to learn more about each category being scored.
Individual Attributes For COMPASS Employment Pass Applicant
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) in Singapore will evaluate the candidate based on their proposed salary compared to local salaries. The MOM will also use the degree(s) earned by the candidate to evaluate qualifications.
C1. Salary of Candidate (20 Possible Points)
- 0 points if the salary is below the 65th percentile for similar positions in the local area
- 10 points if the salary is between the 65th and 90th percentiles for similar positions in the local area
- 20 points if the salary is at or above the 90th percentile for similar positions in the local area
C2. Qualifications of the Candidate (20 Possible Points)
- 0 points if the candidate has no degree-equivalent qualifications
- 10 points if the candidate has degree-equivalent qualifications
- 20 points if the degree equivalent is from a top-tier institution
Skills Bonus for Job on the Shortage Occupation List (20 bonus points possible)
- 0 points if the job is not on the Shortage Occupation List
- 10 points if the job is on the list, but the candidate’s nationality is represented by one-third or more of the firm’s professionals, managers, executives, or technicians (PMETs)
- 20 points if the job is on the Shortage Occupation list and fewer than one-third of PMETs at the firm have the same nationality as the candidate
What Is Singapore’s Shortage Occupation List (SOL)?
Singapore’s Shortage Occupation List is a collection of occupations that cannot be filled with local applicants and is updated annually. The government also avoids listing the same occupation for more than three years to avoid a dependency on immigration to fill a particular need.
The Ministry of Trade and Industry works with the Ministry of Manpower to develop the occupation list using data. Qualitative and quantitative evaluations are used to create the list.
Changes to the SOL are announced every year in March. Occupations on the list meet the following guidelines:
- How important the occupation is to Singapore’s economic priorities
- How severe the shortage is and surrounding factors
- Local commitment of the sector to alleviate the shortage through training or education pipelines in the medium term
2023 Shortage Occupation List In Singapore For Expats
The following sectors are listed on the Shortage Occupation List: Agritech, Financial Services, Green Economy, Healthcare, Infocomm Technology, and Maritime. This list was released in March of 2023 and will be updated in March of 2024.
Specific Occupations on the List:
Agritech
- Alternative Food protein application scientist
- Novel food biotechnologist
Financial Services
- Financial/Investment Adviser for ultra-high wealth, family offices, and philanthropy
Green Economy
- Carbon project/program manager
- Carbon standards and methodology analyst
- Carbon trader
- Carbon verification and audit specialist
Healthcare
- Clinical psychologist
- Diagnostic radiographer
- Occupational therapist
- Physiotherapist
- Registered nurse
*Infocomm Technology
- AI scientist/engineer
- applications/systems programmer
- Cloud specialist
- Cyber risk specialist
- Cybersecurity architect
- Cybersecurity operations specialist
- Data specialist
- Digital forensics specialist
- Penetration testing specialist
- Digital project manager
- Software and applications manager
- Software developer
- Web and mobile applications developer
Maritime
- Marine superintendent
- Marine technical superintendent
*Certain Infocomm positions may be eligible for a work pass of up to five years! This is great news for American citizens in this field that hope to obtain permanent residency in Singapore. Most employment passes must be renewed every year.
Firm-Related Attributes On The COMPASS Employment Pass Application
The Ministry of Manpower in Singapore will evaluate the application using the attributes of the firm. These attributes include the firm’s diversity relative to the job candidate and the firm’s contribution to local employment.
Please note that firms with 25 or fewer PMETs automatically score 10 points for both the C3 Diversity Criteria and C4 Support for Local Employment Criteria.
C3. Firm-related Diversity (20 points possible)
- 0 points if 25% or more of the firm’s professionals, managers, executives, or technicians (PMETs) have the same nationality as the job candidate
- 10 points if 5% to 25% of the firm’s PMETs have the same nationality as the job candidate
- 20 points if less than 5% of the firm’s PMETs are the same nationality as the job applicant
C4. Support for Local Employment (20 points possible)
- 0 points if the firm’s share of local PMET positions is less than the 20th percentile
(80% or more firms in the area have more PMET positions)
- 10 points if the firm’s share of local PMET positions is between the 20th and 50th percentile
(50 percent of local firms have more PMET positions, but at least 20% of local firms have fewer PMET positions)
- 20 points if the firm is at or above the 50th percentile for the amount of local PMET positions
(At least 50% of local firms have fewer PMET positions)
Bonus for Strategic Economic Priorities (10 points possible)
- 0 points if not partnering with the government initiatives
- 10 points for partnering with the government on investment, innovation, internationalization, or transforming the workforce or company
Exemptions From COMPASS EP
Temporary jobs, exceptionally high-paying jobs, or certain employees transferring from one position to another within the same company are exempted from Singapore’s Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS) requirements for an employment pass.
If you meet one or more of the following criteria, then your application will be exempted from the COMPASS requirements:
- A temporary or short-term job that is for one month or less
- Earning a fixed monthly salary of at least SGD $22,500
- Applicants that are an overseas intra-corporate transferee of a company that is a part of a trade agreement with Singapore whether that’s the World Trade Organization’s General Agreement or another Fair Trade Agreement
Frequently Asked Questions
What score is required for a work visa in Singapore?
Applications for a new employment pass in Singapore must score at least 40 points on the COMPASS EP framework beginning September 1, 2023. The points come from both employee and firm-related attributes.
What is the difference between an S Pass and EP in Singapore?
An S Pass is a work visa or permit issued to immigrants in mid-level employment fields. An EP, or employment pass, is a work visa for professionals, managers, executives, and technicians earning salaries in the top one-third of their field.
When will the new COMPASS EP in Singapore go into effect?
Singapore’s Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS) goes into effect for new Employment Pass applications on September 1, 2023. For renewals, COMPASS goes into effect on September 1, 2024.
What is the required salary for an Employment Pass (EP) in Singapore?
Employment Pass applicants must earn at least SGD $5,000 a month in their professional, manager, executive, or technician job in Singapore. Their salary must be in the top one-third of similar positions’ salaries in the local area.
What does Singapore’s Shortage Occupation List mean?
The Shortage Occupation List is a list of occupations that cannot be filled by current Singapore citizens or permanent residents. This list allows firms with these positions to hire foreign nationals (expats) more easily.
Why was my application for an Employment Pass in Singapore rejected?
Your Employment Pass application in Singapore may be denied for many reasons. If the hiring business did not follow job posting rules to hire local candidates, for one. Other reasons may include the salary not meeting the requirements or a perceived lack of qualifications on your part.
Conclusion
Most American expats who qualify for an Employment Pass in Singapore have nothing to fear from the new COMPASS scoring tool. Since this only applies to employment passes in professional, manager, executive, or technician positions, you’re sure to have qualifications.
In fact, as long as your potential employer has done their part by following Singapore’s guidelines, 90% of Employment Pass(EP) applicants are granted an EP.
To explore more topics related to work passes and visas for American citizens in Singapore, enjoy our comprehensive Singapore Visa Guide for US Citizens.
For expats who are considering moving to Singapore, make sure that you have international health insurance to help cover medical expenses while you’re working and living abroad. Contact an insurance expert at Pacific Prime today.
Jantra curates and reports on the results of Pacific Prime’s monthly newsletters, as well as manages Pacific Prime’s Deputy Global CEO’s LinkedIn posts. Complemented by her background in business writing, Jantra’s passion for health, insurance, and employee benefits helps her create engaging content - no matter how complex the subject is.
Growing up as a third-culture kid has given her a multicultural perspective that helps her relate to expats and their families while 8 years of working remotely have given her unique insight into hybrid work arrangements and enthusiasm for employee benefits.
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Comments
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Are there any industry-specific mentorship programs in Singapore that can help expats navigate the employment pass process and align with COMPASS criteria?
While the blog primarily addresses Singapore’s COMPASS framework, there are industry-specific mentorship programs in Singapore, such as those offered by government agencies like Enterprise Singapore or private organizations, which help expats navigate employment pass processes and align with COMPASS criteria. These programs often connect expats with industry experts who can offer guidance on professional development, networking, and compliance with local regulations. For additional assistance with ensuring that your international health insurance needs are met while working abroad, contact Pacific Prime through our Contact Us page.
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