{"id":1623,"date":"2025-09-17T01:38:15","date_gmt":"2025-09-17T07:08:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/savisacentral.com\/blog\/?p=1623"},"modified":"2025-09-17T01:38:15","modified_gmt":"2025-09-17T07:08:15","slug":"working-in-singapore-heres-what-you-must-know-about-the-employment-pass","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/savisacentral.com\/blog\/working-in-singapore-heres-what-you-must-know-about-the-employment-pass\/","title":{"rendered":"Working in Singapore? Here\u2019s What You Must Know About the Employment Pass"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 ez-toc-wrap-right counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-white ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/savisacentral.com\/blog\/working-in-singapore-heres-what-you-must-know-about-the-employment-pass\/#introduction\" >Introduction<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/savisacentral.com\/blog\/working-in-singapore-heres-what-you-must-know-about-the-employment-pass\/#what-is-the-employment-pass\" >What is the Employment Pass?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/savisacentral.com\/blog\/working-in-singapore-heres-what-you-must-know-about-the-employment-pass\/#what-changed-in-2025\" >What Changed in 2025<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/savisacentral.com\/blog\/working-in-singapore-heres-what-you-must-know-about-the-employment-pass\/#the-two-stage-filter-salary-and-compass\" >The Two-Stage Filter: Salary and COMPASS<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/savisacentral.com\/blog\/working-in-singapore-heres-what-you-must-know-about-the-employment-pass\/#stage-1-salary-check\" >Stage 1: Salary Check<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/savisacentral.com\/blog\/working-in-singapore-heres-what-you-must-know-about-the-employment-pass\/#stage-2-compass-complementarity-assessment-framework\" >Stage 2: COMPASS (Complementarity Assessment Framework)<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/savisacentral.com\/blog\/working-in-singapore-heres-what-you-must-know-about-the-employment-pass\/#application-process-and-documentation\" >Application Process and Documentation<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/savisacentral.com\/blog\/working-in-singapore-heres-what-you-must-know-about-the-employment-pass\/#family-benefits\" >Family Benefits<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/savisacentral.com\/blog\/working-in-singapore-heres-what-you-must-know-about-the-employment-pass\/#dependant-pass-scheme\" >Dependant Pass scheme:<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/savisacentral.com\/blog\/working-in-singapore-heres-what-you-must-know-about-the-employment-pass\/#long-term-visit-pass\" >Long Term Visit Pass:<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/savisacentral.com\/blog\/working-in-singapore-heres-what-you-must-know-about-the-employment-pass\/#renewal-of-your-employment-pass\" >Renewal of your Employment Pass<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/savisacentral.com\/blog\/working-in-singapore-heres-what-you-must-know-about-the-employment-pass\/#conclusion\" >Conclusion<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"introduction\"><\/span><b>Introduction<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Singapore is one of the most attractive destinations for international professionals. Some come for the career jump, others for the global exposure that Singapore provides.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For this, the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mom.gov.sg\/passes-and-permits\/employment-pass\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Employment Pass<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> serves as the primary gateway for highly skilled foreign professionals, managers, and executives to work and reside in the Lion City legally. If you\u2019re thinking of working in Singapore, this pass is the one document you absolutely need to understand before packing your bags.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Singapore continues to develop its immigration policies to bring in high-level talent from other countries. Their other concern is to prioritise local workforce development. Due to this, it is crucial to have knowledge of the changing Employment Pass system for future candidates and employers.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So if you&#8217;re considering establishing a career in Singapore, this blog will inform you of everything you need to know regarding the Employment Pass.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"what-is-the-employment-pass\"><\/span><b>What is the Employment Pass?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>Employment Pass<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is Singapore\u2019s work visa for foreign professionals in managerial, executive, or highly specialised roles. It allows you to live and work in the country for one to two years at first, with renewals stretching up to three.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It often comes with benefits like sponsoring your family to join you, which makes it even more attractive for foreign workers.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s different from the S Pass or Work Permit, which are targeted at mid-skilled or lower-wage workers. The Employment Pass sits at the higher end of the scale and targets highly skilled workers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"what-changed-in-2025\"><\/span><b>What Changed in 2025<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The rules around the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mom.gov.sg\/passes-and-permits\/employment-pass\/eligibility\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Employment Pass changed in 2025<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and brought in some of the most noticeable shifts in recent years. The minimum salary requirements were raised:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">General sectors now require at least <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.edb.gov.sg\/en\/business-insights\/insights\/salary-threshold-for-new-employment-pass-applicants-to-be-raised-to-5600-from-2025.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">S$5,600<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> a month.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Financial services, often paying more anyway, need at least S$6,200.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For older and more experienced applicants, the qualifying salary rises sharply, reaching about S$10,700 in general sectors and S$11,800 in finance for those in their mid-40s.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Sector<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>New Minimum Salary (from Jan 2025)<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Older Applicants (45+)<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">General<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">S$5,600<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Up to S$10,700<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Financial Services<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">S$6,200<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Up to S$11,800<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><strong>Also Read: <a href=\"https:\/\/savisacentral.com\/blog\/employment-pass-requirements-eligibility-and-application-process\/\">Employment Pass Requirements, Eligibility and Application Process<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"the-two-stage-filter-salary-and-compass\"><\/span><b>The Two-Stage Filter: Salary and COMPASS<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Imagine the Employment Pass application as going through two doors. The first is just a salary check to see if you pass the minimum requirement. The second is the COMPASS framework, which is slightly more complex:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"stage-1-salary-check\"><\/span><b>Stage 1: Salary Check<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your salary fails to reach the minimum level, the application does not proceed. That&#8217;s the threshold. But if you pass it, you proceed to the COMPASS Test.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"stage-2-compass-complementarity-assessment-framework\"><\/span><b>Stage 2: COMPASS (Complementarity Assessment Framework)<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">COMPASS is Singapore\u2019s new points-based framework for the Employment Pass. It looks at both you and your employer to decide if you genuinely add value to the local workforce.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is how the scoring system works:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Foundational criteria (up to 20 points each):<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How does your salary compare with people doing the same job locally<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your academic qualifications<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The diversity you bring to the company&#8217;s workforce<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your employer&#8217;s record of supporting local employment<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Bonus criteria (up to 20 points each):<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Skills Bonus: awarded if you\u2019re in a sector where talent is in short supply<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Strategic Economic Priorities Bonus: given if your employer is aligned with Singapore\u2019s long-term national goals<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"application-process-and-documentation\"><\/span><b>Application Process and Documentation<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Documents you\u2019ll need:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Passport particulars page<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Verified educational certificates (compulsory since 2023)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Employment contract and job description<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Company business profile (BizFile)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Written consent<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Timeline:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Preparation: 3\u20135 working days<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">MOM processing: 3\u20138 weeks (average 2\u20133)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pass issuance: 1\u20132 weeks<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Fees:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Application: S$105<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Issuance: S$225<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Multiple Journey Visa: S$30\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"family-benefits\"><\/span><b>Family Benefits<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"dependant-pass-scheme\"><\/span><b>Dependant Pass scheme:<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you earn at least S$6,000 a month, you can sponsor your legally married spouse and unmarried children under 21 through the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mom.gov.sg\/passes-and-permits\/employment-pass\/passes-for-family\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dependant Pass<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> scheme.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"long-term-visit-pass\"><\/span><b>Long Term Visit Pass:<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Others, like common-law spouses, parents, and older handicapped children, may qualify under the Long Term Visit Pass. For many professionals, this makes the difference between taking a job in Singapore and not.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"renewal-of-your-employment-pass\"><\/span><b>Renewal of your Employment Pass<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To keep your Employment Pass, you must <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mom.gov.sg\/passes-and-permits\/employment-pass\/renew-a-pass\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">renew<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> it as required. For this, you\u2019ll have to:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stay above the salary threshold (new rules apply in 2026)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pass COMPASS (yes, even for renewals now)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stick with the sponsoring employer<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prove ongoing business need<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Timeline:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Apply up to 6 months before expiry<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Takes about 10 working days<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Also Read: <a href=\"https:\/\/savisacentral.com\/blog\/study-abroad-programs-for-2025\/\">Top Study Abroad Programs for 2025: Best Destinations &amp; Courses<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"conclusion\"><\/span><b>Conclusion<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Employment Pass will likely keep evolving. The minimum salary required may rise, and certain industries may rise in importance. But the consistent thing is Singapore\u2019s approach to attract talent that adds value without sidelining locals.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So yes, the process can feel demanding. But for those who prepare smartly, the <\/span><b>Employment Pass<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> becomes a real doorway into one of the most competitive and forward-looking economies in the world.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Introduction Singapore is one of the most attractive destinations for international professionals. Some come for the career jump, others for the global exposure that Singapore provides. For this, the Employment Pass serves as the primary gateway for highly skilled foreign professionals, managers, and executives to work and reside in the Lion City legally. If you\u2019re [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":1629,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/savisacentral.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1623"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/savisacentral.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/savisacentral.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/savisacentral.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/savisacentral.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1623"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/savisacentral.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1623\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1628,"href":"https:\/\/savisacentral.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1623\/revisions\/1628"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/savisacentral.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1629"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/savisacentral.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1623"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/savisacentral.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1623"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/savisacentral.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1623"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}