COMPASS FRAMEWORK FOR EP

INTRODUCTION
Under the Employment of Foreign Manpower (Work Passes) Regulations 2012 1all foreigners
who intend to work in Singapore must have a valid pass (work visa). The Law classifies four
types pass which may be granted to a Professional who wants to work in Singapore –
Employment Pass (EP), Entre Pass, Personalized Employment Pass (PEP), Overseas
Networks & Expertise Pass (ONE Pass)2.

SINGAPOREAN LAW ON EMPLOYMENT PASS

Legal Framework:
Section 6 and Section 7 of Employment of Foreign Manpower (Work Passes) Regulations
2012.3

From 1st September 2023, EP applicants will need to pass a two-stage eligibility framework:
(i) meet the qualifying salary; and (ii) pass COMPASS.4

COMPASS Framework:
From 1st September 2023, new Employment Pass (EP) applications not only have to meet
higher salary thresholds, but also score enough points under the Ministry of Manpower's
(MOM) new points-based Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS).
COMPASS evaluates EP applications based on a holistic set of individual and firm-related
attributes. application is scored on four foundational criteria. Applications earn points
(Bonus Criteria) if they meet or exceed expectations. 40 points are required to pass
COMPASS:
 Applications that meet expectations (earn 10 points) on all 4 foundational criteria will
pass.
 Otherwise, applications can make up the required points by exceeding expectations on
another criterion.

1
‘Employment of Foreign Manpower (Work Passes) Regulations 2012 - Singapore Statutes Online’
<https://sso.agc.gov.sg/SL/EFMA1990-S569-2012> accessed 17 January 2023.
2
ibid. section 6, section 7
3
ibid.
4
ibid. section 7(1AB)(1E)
[Details on the COMPASS Scoring]

Exemptions under COMPASS Framework:

EP applicants who fulfil any of the following criteria will be exempt from COMPASS:5 
1. earning at least $22,500 (earlier $20,000) fixed monthly salary (EP or PEP holders)
2. applying as an overseas intra-corporate transferee
3. filling a role on a short-term basis, i.e., 1 month or less

CONCLUSION
The ONE Pass holder with a salary of $30,000 are exempt from any COMPASS
requirement, so are the EP or PEP holders with a salary of $22,000. MOM specifically
exempts ICTs from the COMPASS requirement.6

5
‘Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS)’ (Ministry of Manpower Singapore)
<https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/employment-pass/upcoming-changes-to-employment-pass-
eligibility/complementarity-assessment-framework-compass> accessed 17 January 2023.
6
ibid.