Singapore Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS) FAQ 2026
To qualify for an Employment Pass (EP) in Singapore, applicants must pass a two-stage eligibility framework, including the point-based Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS), evaluating both their individual attributes and firm-related attributes.
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Are you hoping to get an Employment Pass in Singapore? Perhaps you already have one and would like to renew your pass. Keep reading for a greater understanding of Singapore’s COMPASS.
In this Pacific Prime article, we’ll explain what the Complementarity Assessment Framework is and how applications for employment passes in Singapore 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)?
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 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 (earn up to 20 points)
- Candidate’s qualifications (earn up to 20 points)
- Is the position on the shortage occupation list? (up to 20 bonus points)
- Firm-related Attributes on the COMPASS
- Diversity of the candidate relative to the rest of the employees (earn up to 20 points)
- How well the firm supports local employment (earn up to 20 points)
- Strategic Economic Priorities Bonus (up to 10 bonus points)
Continue reading to learn more about how to score in each category.
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 (earn up to 20 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 percentile 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 (earn up to 20 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
C5. Skills Bonus for Job on the Shortage Occupation List (20 bonus points)
- 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 using qualitative and quantitative evaluations to develop the list. Changes to the SOL are announced every year in March. Occupations on the list are identified based on:
- How important is the occupation to Singapore’s economic priorities
- How severe the shortage is and the surrounding factors
- Local commitment of the sector to alleviate the shortage through training or education pipelines in the medium term
2026 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 November 2025 and applies to new and renewal EP applications from 1 January 2026.
Specific Occupations on the List:
Agritech
- Alternative protein food application scientist
- Novel food biotechnologist
Financial Services
- Financial/Investment advisor 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
- Medical social worker
- Occupational therapist
- Physiotherapist
- Podiatrist
- Registered nurse
*Infocomm Technology
- AI scientist/engineer
- Applications/systems programmer
- Cloud specialist
- Cybersecurity architect
- Data scientist
- Digital forensics specialist
- Penetration testing specialist
- Software and applications manager
- Software developer
- Web and mobile applications developer
Maritime
- Marine superintendent
- Marine technical superintendent
Semi-conductor
- Semiconductor engineer
- Instrumentation engineer
- Process engineer
*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 who hope to obtain permanent residency in Singapore. Most employment passes must be renewed every year.
Firm-Related Attributes For COMPASS Employment Pass Applicant
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 the C4 Support for Local Employment Criteria.
C3. Firm-related Diversity (earn up to 20 points)
- 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 of the same nationality as the job applicant
C4. Support for Local Employment (earn up to 20 points)
- 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% 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 number of local PMET positions (at least 50% of local firms have fewer PMET positions)
Bonus for Strategic Economic Priorities (10 bonus points)
- 0 points if not partnering with the government initiatives
- 10 points for partnering with the government programs on investment, innovation, internationalization, or transforming the workforce or company
Exemptions from COMPASS
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 (USD $17,800)
- Applicants who are an overseas intra-corporate transferee
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 individual- and firm-related attributes.
What is the difference between an S Pass and an EP in Singapore?
An S Pass is a work visa or permit issued to immigrants in mid-level employment fields, while an EP, or employment pass, is a work visa for high-skilled professionals, managers, executives, and technicians earning monthly salaries of at least SGD $5,600 (USD $4,430).
Do EP holders pay tax in Singapore?
While tax residency in Singapore does not depend on the type of pass you hold, employment pass holders must pay tax if they stay at least 183 days in a year or have worked in Singapore for a period straddling two years and have stayed for a total of 183 days during the period.
What is the required salary for an Employment Pass (EP) in Singapore?
Employment Pass applicants must earn at least SGD $5,600 (USD $4,430) a month in their professional, manager, executive, or technician job in Singapore. The required salary also increases progressively by age, and starting 1 January 2027, it will increase to a minimum of SGD $6,000 (USD $4,746).
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
The Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS) evaluates employment pass applicants based on both their individual attributes and firm-related attributes, with a score of 40 points as the minimum requirement.
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.
With her background as an avid traveler and as an exchange student in Spain, Palida values the benefits of insurance and understands the frustrations that may come with making the best decisions for your health and safety in an unknown environment. Here at Pacific Prime, she aspires to create content that will help expats and travelers understand international health insurance with ease.
In her spare time, Palida enjoys reading short stories as much as binging on sitcoms. She is also a self-proclaimed "foodie" with the goal of trying as many cuisines from all over the world as possible. Combining her passion for writing with her love for food, she is an aspiring Google Local Guide reviewer.
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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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