How EP and PR assessments differ
MOM assesses the Employment Pass and COMPASS where applicable. ICA considers PR applicants’ family ties, economic contribution, qualifications and residence history together. ICA considers PR applications separately from MOM’s EP assessment. An EP approval or high COMPASS score does not guarantee PR.
Factors ICA considers for PR
ICA considers family ties, economic contribution, qualifications, age, family profile, residence length and commitment to Singapore. These are assessed together; the published guidance does not assign a universal points table or promise approval after two or three years.
Keep employment and business records.
- Salary and tax records.
- Accurate employment history and qualifications.
- Company ownership, accounts and actual business activity where relevant.
- Family and residence documents for the applicant category.
Keep payslips, tax assessments and business records as they are issued so they are available when you apply.
Choosing when to submit your PR application
ICA does not require every EP holder to wait six months before applying. Required payslips and other documents should be understood as evidence requirements. Check whether you have the required payslips, tax records and other documents before submitting.
Continue meeting your current pass conditions.
PR planning does not replace an EP renewal or company filings. Keep work permission current, preserve actual salary-payment records and review applicable rules at renewal. Family members have their own pass and application requirements.
Keep a factual record of your time in Singapore
Maintain employment dates, role changes, salary records, tax documents and family information as they arise. A consistent record is easier to prepare than reconstructing several years immediately before filing. Check the relevant ICA category and checklist before deciding what belongs in the application.
Explain professional progression with concrete work and dates. Do not replace evidence with exaggerated claims about contribution or add memberships only to make the application look stronger. Where family circumstances matter, give a consistent account supported by the requested documents.
- Resolve name and date differences across records.
- Use current employment and salary information.
- Keep overseas records and translations required by the checklist.
- Review changes since any previous application.
- Continue meeting work-pass and company obligations while PR is pending.
PR and EP are separate decisions. An EP approval or renewal does not establish PR entitlement. The PR document checklist guide explains how to organise the submission.
Frequently asked questions
Does a higher EP salary guarantee PR?
No. ICA considers the application under its own assessment; salary alone does not guarantee an outcome.
Does COMPASS decide PR?
No. COMPASS is part of many EP assessments; ICA assesses PR separately, considering family ties, work, qualifications and residence history.
Does two or three years guarantee PR?
No. There is no published residence-duration guarantee.
Official sources
Related guides
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