Who can apply?
An employer or appointed licensed employment agent applies for a candidate in an eligible professional, managerial or executive role. A founder’s company can sponsor an application, but the role, salary, candidate background and employer information must support it. Check the correct pass rather than assuming company ownership permits work.
Meet the qualifying salary.
| Age | 2026: general sectors | 2026: financial services |
|---|---|---|
| 23 or below | $5,600 | $6,200 |
| 30 | $7,223 | $7,982 |
| 40 | $9,541 | $10,527 |
| 45 or above | $10,700 | $11,800 |
These are fixed monthly salary floors for new applications from 1 January 2025 and renewals of passes expiring from 1 January 2026. The floor rises for each year of age; use MOM’s Self-Assessment Tool for the exact age and application. From 1 January 2027, new applications use entry floors of $6,000 and $6,600. The corresponding renewal change applies to passes expiring from 1 January 2028.
Understand COMPASS and exemptions.
Most candidates must first meet the age- and sector-dependent Employment Pass salary floor, then score at least 40 points under COMPASS, the Complementarity Assessment Framework. The score includes the candidate’s salary and qualifications, and the employer’s workforce.
- C1 salary: 0, 10 or 20 points against local professional salaries in the candidate’s sector and age group. This is separate from the qualifying salary floor.
- C2 qualifications: 0, 10 or 20 points depending on the qualification; a degree is not universally compulsory.
- C3 workforce diversity and C4 support for local employment: each can score 0, 10 or 20. Firms with fewer than 25 professional employees receive 10 points for each.
- C5 shortage occupation and C6 strategic economic priorities can add points where the specific conditions are met.
A fixed monthly salary of at least $22,500 exempts a candidate from COMPASS and the mandatory job-advertisement requirement under the Fair Consideration Framework. It does not guarantee an Employment Pass. Fair hiring and the remaining application requirements still apply.
The proposed salary should fit the role, the candidate’s experience and the business’s ability to pay. MOM may request further evidence, including proof that the declared salary will be paid. Depending on MOM’s request, supporting documents may include signed contracts and their values, bank statements and available funds, ongoing business records, company information or a website, and the candidate’s background and expertise. MOM does not require all of these documents for every application.
Prepare the application documents.
- Candidate passport details and required personal information.
- Company profile and an accurate role and employment offer.
- Qualification and verification proof where relying on C2.
- Additional business and salary-payment evidence if requested by MOM.
Keep identity and financial documents out of an ordinary public enquiry form. Provide them through the secure process agreed for the application.
What is the process?
Review eligibility, fulfil fair hiring requirements where applicable, prepare the records and submit. If approved, follow the in-principle approval conditions, entry and pass-issuance instructions. Approval is not the same as having completed issuance.
Online Employment Pass applications are processed or given an update within 10 business days. Extra document requests can extend the process. An approval, request for information or rejection is MOM’s decision. If rejected, an appeal must be submitted within three months and should address the rejection issues; there is no published universal entitlement to two appeals.
Keep records for renewal.
Renewal is a new assessment against current requirements. Preserve contracts, invoices, accounts and salary-payment records. MOM may request more evidence. There is no universal rule that a company automatically renews after trading or hiring, or that the number of previous renewals dictates a fixed evidence list.
Can your family come?
Eligible EP holders earning at least $6,000 fixed monthly salary may sponsor a legally married spouse and unmarried children under 21 for Dependant’s Passes. Other family categories use different rules, including an LTVP for eligible parents at a $12,000 salary threshold. Family passes require separate applications and do not give every dependant permission to work.
Prepare the role, employer and candidate together
Before filing, confirm who the employer is, what work the candidate will perform and how the salary will be funded. Assess the age- and sector-adjusted qualifying salary, COMPASS or a relevant exemption, and applicable fair-hiring obligations. A qualification review alone is not a complete EP assessment.
- Use a job description that matches the actual responsibilities and business.
- Check passport, employment and qualification details for consistency.
- Obtain qualification verification where required for the application.
- Prepare employer information and evidence requested for the case.
- Coordinate approval, issuance and the date work can lawfully start.
An approval-in-principle and an issued pass are different stages. Follow the instructions and validity dates in the actual approval documents. If the business is new, the employer evidence guide explains how to show its current activity without inventing trading history.
Frequently asked questions
Can a founder work immediately after incorporating?
Incorporation alone does not authorise work. Confirm the appropriate pass and issuance arrangements.
Can my own company sponsor me?
It can apply for a genuine eligible employment role, but company ownership does not waive the candidate or employer requirements.
How long does online processing take?
MOM states processing or an update within 10 business days. Additional document requests can extend the process.
Official sources
Related guides
Enquire about an Employment Pass
Tell us whether you are applying, renewing or appealing, along with the candidate’s age, role and proposed salary.