Singapore has revised the qualifications criteria for Employment Pass (EP) applications, effective January 1, 2025. The updated COMPASS points system introduces changes to salary benchmarks, educational institution eligibility, and professional qualifications, aiming to attract skilled foreign professionals while ensuring they complement the local workforce.
Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has introduced updated qualification standards for its Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS), a points-based evaluation system critical for all Employment Pass (EP) applications.
Effective January 1, 2025, these changes aim to refine how Singapore assesses foreign professionals applying for work opportunities in the country, particularly managers, executives, and other high-level positions.
What is COMPASS and How It Works
The COMPASS system, introduced in September 2023, evaluates EP candidates across two stages:
Stage 1: Meeting the EP Qualifying Salary: EP applicants must first meet a minimum salary threshold, benchmarked against the top third of local professional salaries by age. For 2025, this qualifying salary has been revised:
• General Sector: Minimum salary raised to SGD 5,600.
• Financial Services Sector: Minimum salary raised to SGD 6,200.
Stage 2: COMPASS Points Evaluation: Unless exempted, candidates must pass COMPASS, which evaluates both individual and firm-related attributes. This assessment ensures that EP candidates bring valuable skills to Singapore’s workforce and contribute to a strong local core.
Updated Educational and Professional Credentials Criteria
COMPASS assesses candidates’ qualifications on a point-based scale. MOM recently updated the 20-point educational institution list and the 10-point professional qualifications list for the COMPASS evaluation, applicable to new and renewal EP applications from January 1, 2025.
1. Educational Credentials
Applicants can earn 20 points under COMPASS Criterion 2 for a bachelor’s degree or higher from recognized institutions. Points vary based on the institution group:
• Group A Institutions: All faculties qualify for 20 points. Example institutions include:
o Boston University (USA)
o Chulalongkorn University (Thailand)
o City University of Hong Kong (Hong Kong)
o Freie Universität Berlin (Germany)
o Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (India)
o Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (India)
o King’s College London (UK)
o Kungliga Tekniska Högskolan (KTH Royal Institute of Technology) (Sweden)
o McGill University (Canada)
• Group B Institutions: Specific faculties qualify for 20 points. MOM will provide a detailed list to clarify eligible programs within these institutions.
2. Professional Qualifications
Candidates with certain professional certifications can earn 10 points under COMPASS Criterion 2. Recognized certifications include:
• Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
• Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ)
• Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI)
• Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA)
Salary Benchmarking Updates for EP Applications
To align with the COMPASS framework, Singapore has updated its salary benchmarking requirements for EP applications:
• For Applications Filed from January 1, 2025: New salary benchmarks will apply to all initial EP applications.
• For EP Renewals Expiring from July 1, 2025: The updated salary benchmarks will be mandatory.
However, until December 31, 2024, the current salary benchmarks (established in May 2023) will remain in effect. For renewals expiring between September 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025, the May 2023 salary benchmarks also continue to apply.
Impact on EP Applicants
These changes will affect both new and renewing EP applicants. It is crucial for foreign professionals to carefully review the updated COMPASS criteria and ensure they meet the new requirements. Employers should also be aware of these changes and plan accordingly.
Conclusion
Singapore’s updated Employment Pass (EP) framework reflects a progressive approach to foreign talent integration, balancing local and global expertise. These changes position Singapore as a highly competitive destination for qualified professionals and aim to establish a well-rounded, robust workforce capable of meeting the demands of a globalized economy.
Source: https://travelobiz.com/singapore-tightens-employment-pass-ep-rules-for-foreign-workers/
