Reminder: Singapore’s updated COMPASS rules effective in 2026 for EP applications and renewals
Summary
From 1 January 2026, Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower (MOM) will apply updated COMPASS rules to new Employment Pass (EP) applications. Renewals will be assessed under the new rules for passes expiring on or after 1 July 2026. The changes include tighter sector-specific salary benchmarks (C1), refreshed recognised qualification lists (C2), and a revised Shortage Occupation List (SOL) with updated guidance on bonus points and five-year EP eligibility for some tech roles (C5).
The updates mean employers must check salary offers against sector and age-specific benchmarks, confirm whether candidate qualifications or professional credentials are on the recognised lists, and ensure job titles and duties align with revised SOL roles and requirements.
Key Points
- C1 salary benchmarks: To score points under C1, fixed monthly salaries must meet at least the 65th percentile of local PMET wages for the relevant sector; benchmarks vary by sector and age and are effective for new applications from 1 Jan 2026 and renewals from 1 Jul 2026.
- C2 qualifications: Updated lists identify Group A and Group B institutions and recognise certain professional qualifications as degree-equivalent (20 points for eligible bachelor degrees; 10 points for recognised professional quals), requiring accurate institution/faculty selection and verification documents.
- C5 Shortage Occupation List: The SOL has been revised — two healthcare occupations added, several tech roles removed — and eligible roles can receive up to 20 bonus points; employers must match duties, qualifications, experience and registration requirements exactly.
- Renewal timing: New rules apply immediately for new EP applications and later for renewals (passes expiring on/after 1 July 2026), so timing of submissions matters for assessment criteria.
- Practical impact: Employers may need to review compensation structures, tighten credential verification processes and update recruitment/renewal workflows to remain compliant and competitive.
Context and relevance
These COMPASS updates form part of MOM’s ongoing adjustments to align foreign hiring with local labour market conditions. For HR, mobility and hiring teams operating in Singapore, the changes affect eligibility scoring and could influence offer packages, hiring decisions and renewal strategies. They also mirror wider regional trends where governments refine talent admission rules to balance local workforce protection and targeted skills intake.
Why should I read this?
Quick and simple — if you hire or renew Employment Passes in Singapore, this directly affects offers, scoring and renewals. Read it so you don’t get caught out by new salary thresholds, missing qualification verifications, or mismatched job descriptions. Save time now: check your offers and paperwork against the new lists and dates.
