1. Latest 2026 Update: What Applicants Need to Know

As of 13 October 2026, Singapore’s Employment Pass framework uses a two-stage eligibility assessment. Applicants must first meet the applicable qualifying salary and then pass COMPASS unless they qualify for an exemption.

For C2, MOM distinguishes between degree-equivalent qualifications that fall into the 20-point category, other accepted degree-equivalent qualifications that earn 10 points, and qualifications that do not earn points.

The institution list is not simply a general ranking of the world’s best universities. MOM’s criteria include the Top 100 universities based on the QS World University Rankings, other highly reputed universities in Asia, Singapore’s autonomous universities, and institutions highly recognised in particular fields and endorsed by a relevant agency.

MOM updates relevant institution lists periodically. An old PDF, university ranking or third-party points calculator should not replace the current official criteria.

Official source: MOM Employment Pass eligibility and COMPASS guidance.

Current rules versus future changes

The minimum qualifying salary for new EP applications outside financial services is currently S$5,600 per month, increasing progressively with age. In financial services, the current starting threshold is S$6,200 per month.

For new applications from 1 January 2027, the published minimums rise to S$6,000 outside financial services and S$6,600 in financial services, with higher age-adjusted amounts. The associated renewal changes apply to passes expiring from 1 January 2028.

These future salary changes should not be confused with the requirements applicable to a new application submitted in October 2026. Employers should verify the effective date and relevant application category before submission.

2. What Is Singapore’s COMPASS Framework?

The Complementarity Assessment Framework, known as COMPASS, is a points-based assessment for most Employment Pass candidates. It is designed to help employers recruit skilled foreign professionals while supporting a diverse workforce and strong local employment opportunities.

COMPASS evaluates four foundational criteria and provides for two bonus criteria. Some applications and candidates may be exempt from COMPASS under MOM’s rules, but an exemption does not remove the separate salary requirement.

The standard COMPASS passing requirement is at least 40 points. A candidate does not need to earn points under every criterion if the overall total reaches the required threshold.

For example, an applicant who receives 10 points for qualifications may still pass if the other criteria contribute enough points. A candidate receiving 0 C2 points is not automatically disqualified, although the remaining criteria must still produce a passing score.

Understanding Singapore COMPASS qualifications points 2026 is therefore one part of a broader eligibility review. It should not be treated as a standalone visa approval test.

3. How Singapore COMPASS Qualifications Points 2026 Work

C2 evaluates whether the candidate has a qualification that meets MOM’s applicable degree-equivalence and institution criteria. It is not a general reward for having multiple certificates, long work experience or an impressive academic history.

Professional qualifications should be checked against the specific C2 rules. Not every professional certificate receives 10 points, and not every institution’s qualification is eligible for 20 points.

Does work experience replace qualification points?

Work experience is important when an employer evaluates a candidate’s suitability for a role, but years of experience do not automatically generate C2 qualification points. An experienced manager without a degree-equivalent credential may receive 0 points under C2.

That candidate may still pass COMPASS if the other applicable criteria produce at least 40 points and the candidate meets the separate EP salary requirement.

Can several qualifications be combined?

Do not assume that multiple certificates can be added together to produce a higher C2 score. The framework awards points according to recognised qualification categories, not simply according to the number of credentials submitted.

Applicants should declare accurate details and follow the application form’s instructions. If the eligibility of a particular award is unclear, verify it before making a claim.

4. Top-Tier Institutions: How to Qualify for 20 Points

The top-tier qualification category can provide 20 C2 points. MOM’s criteria cover specified categories of universities and institutions, including the Top 100 universities under the QS World University Rankings, other highly reputed universities in Asia, Singapore’s autonomous universities, and institutions highly recognised in particular fields and endorsed by a relevant agency.

However, applicants should not assume that a university’s international reputation guarantees 20 points for every qualification. The exact institution, degree and relevant C2 category must be checked.

How to check your institution

1. Find the exact legal name of the institution that awarded your degree.
2. Check MOM’s current C2 guidance and applicable institution list.
3. Confirm whether the credential is degree-equivalent.
4. Check any conditions relating to the institution or field of study.
5. Arrange verification evidence if you need C2 points.
6. Ensure the information supplied by the employer matches the supporting documents.

Institution lists and qualification rules may be updated. A result from a previous year should not be relied on without checking whether it remains applicable to the intended application.

What if your university is not on the top-tier list?

The absence of a university from the top-tier category does not automatically mean that the qualification receives 0 points. If the credential meets the requirements for another degree-equivalent category, it may receive 10 points.

The correct approach is to assess the qualification against the full C2 framework rather than stopping at the institution list.

5. Degree-Equivalent Qualifications and the 10-Point Category

Many international professionals hold degrees from universities that are not included in the top-tier category. An eligible foreign qualification assessed as comparable to a UK bachelor’s degree may qualify for 10 points under C2.

MOM refers to international qualification recognition bodies, including UK ENIC, when assessing foreign qualifications. The final treatment depends on the applicable rules and evidence.

What should you verify?

• The institution’s full name and country.
• The official title and level of the award.
• Whether the credential is comparable to a bachelor’s degree.
• Whether the institution actually awarded the qualification.
• Whether acceptable verification evidence is available.
• Whether the award falls within an eligible professional or degree-equivalent category.

A qualification title alone is not enough to establish eligibility. For example, an award called an advanced diploma or postgraduate certificate may not be equivalent to a recognised bachelor’s degree under the applicable C2 criteria.

What if the qualification is missing from the application system?

If an institution or qualification cannot be found in the Self-Assessment Tool or application form, check the spelling, the institution’s current name and the exact awarding body.

If the qualification remains unavailable, consult MOM’s guidance on the correct next step. The employer may need to obtain verification proof through an accepted Background Screening Company, where the rules provide for that process.

Official resource: What to do when a qualification cannot be found in the SAT.

6. Professional Qualifications and Private Education Institutions

Professional qualifications can be valuable in specialist occupations. Some industry-recognised qualifications may qualify for C2 points when they satisfy the relevant degree-equivalence or professional qualification rules.

In certain cases, an award must be well recognised by the industry and endorsed by a relevant sector agency. The name of a professional body or the fact that an award is widely used in an industry does not, by itself, guarantee a particular C2 score.

Examples of credentials that need careful checking

• Professional accounting qualifications.
• Industry-specific technical awards.
• Professional engineering credentials.
• Specialist credentials in regulated sectors.
• Postgraduate diplomas and advanced diplomas.
• Vendor-issued technology certificates.

These examples are not automatic approvals or rejections. The actual award and the applicable MOM criteria determine whether it qualifies.

Qualifications awarded through private institutions

Some private education institutions deliver programmes leading to qualifications awarded by overseas universities. In these situations, the awarding institution may be different from the institution where the candidate attended classes.

Applicants should identify the awarding body correctly and follow MOM’s instructions for declaring the credential. A degree awarded by a recognised overseas university should not automatically be treated as a qualification awarded by the local teaching provider.

Non-degree certificates issued by private institutions do not automatically qualify for 10 points. They must meet the applicable C2 requirements.

Official guidance: How private education institutions qualify for COMPASS C2.

7. Qualification Verification and Required Documents

Qualification verification is an important part of the application when the employer relies on C2 points. If the candidate does not need C2 points, MOM’s guidance indicates that qualification documents and verification proof may not need to be submitted for that criterion. The employer should follow the instructions applicable to the actual application.

When C2 points are needed, the employer must submit the qualification and required verification proof. The accepted evidence can depend on the country, institution and qualification type.

Documents to prepare

• Degree or relevant qualification certificate.
• Verification proof from a source accepted by MOM.
• Professional qualification verification or relevant endorsement, where applicable.
• Accurate institution and awarding-body details.
• Academic transcripts or supporting records, if requested.
• Valid passport particulars.
• Proposed job title, job description and fixed monthly salary details.
• Employer details and other supporting information requested by MOM.

This is a preparation checklist, not a statement that every item is mandatory for every application. Follow the latest official document requirements.

What may not count as verification proof?

A certificate alone may not meet the verification-proof requirement. Applicants should not assume that notarised copies, screenshots or general letters from an institution will automatically be accepted.

Some countries have specific verification arrangements. For example, MOM specifies particular reports from the Center for Student Services and Development for certain qualifications from China. Applicants should check the country-specific instructions that apply to their award.

Official source: MOM Employment Pass document requirements.

8. Employment Pass Eligibility Requirements in 2026

The Employment Pass is designed for foreign professionals, managers and executives who have a suitable job offer in Singapore and meet the applicable eligibility conditions.

The assessment has two main stages: the salary requirement and COMPASS, unless an exemption applies. A qualification that earns 20 C2 points does not remove the salary requirement.

Core eligibility checklist

• Suitable job offer: You need a role with an employer prepared to submit the application.
• Qualifying salary: The offered fixed monthly salary must meet the threshold applicable to your age and sector.
• COMPASS score: You generally need at least 40 points if the application is subject to COMPASS.
• Accurate information: The application details and supporting documents must be consistent and truthful.
• Employer compliance: The employer must follow applicable job-advertising and application requirements.
• Final assessment: MOM determines the outcome.

Does a high qualification score guarantee approval?

No. C2 is one part of the assessment. The salary requirement, employer information, other COMPASS criteria and supporting evidence remain relevant.

Similarly, a candidate who receives 0 qualification points may still pass COMPASS if the other criteria provide sufficient points. However, that candidate must still meet the salary threshold and all other applicable requirements.

Official source: Employment Pass eligibility.

9. Singapore Employment Pass Salary Requirements in 2026

Salary is a separate part of Employment Pass eligibility. The minimum qualifying salary is benchmarked to the top third of local PMET salaries by age, and the applicable amount rises as candidates get older.

For new applications in October 2026, the starting minimum qualifying salary is S$5,600 per month for sectors other than financial services and S$6,200 per month for financial services. Candidates aged 23 and below are at the starting level, while the threshold increases progressively from age 23 and reaches the relevant maximum at age 45 and above.

The table shows selected thresholds rather than every age-specific amount. Applicants must check the official salary table for the exact amount applicable to their age and sector.

Qualifying salary versus C1 salary points

The minimum EP salary is not the same as the salary benchmark used for COMPASS C1. Meeting the minimum threshold makes the candidate eligible to proceed to the next stage, but the C1 score depends on how the fixed monthly salary compares with the relevant local PMET benchmark.

For example, a candidate might meet the minimum salary but receive fewer C1 points than another candidate earning a higher salary relative to the applicable benchmark.

The fixed monthly salary must be declared accurately. Do not assume that bonuses, commissions or benefits can simply be added to the fixed monthly salary for the purpose of meeting the qualifying threshold.

Salary and C2 should be assessed together

A candidate with 20 C2 points may still fail the initial salary requirement. Another candidate with 10 C2 points may meet the salary threshold and reach 40 total points through the other criteria.

For this reason, applicants should review the salary threshold, likely C1 score and C2 qualification category together before an employer submits the application.

Official source: MOM salary thresholds and COMPASS eligibility.

10. Employer Requirements, Job Advertising and Quota

Singapore employers have responsibilities beyond identifying a suitable foreign candidate. They must submit accurate application details, meet the relevant hiring requirements and provide supporting documents when requested.

Fair Consideration Framework

Employers generally need to advertise a job on MyCareersFuture for the required period before submitting a new Employment Pass application, unless an applicable exemption applies.

An exemption from a particular job-advertising requirement does not mean that the employer can disregard all fair hiring obligations. Employers should document the position’s responsibilities, salary and selection rationale, and follow the relevant rules.

The job advertised should correspond appropriately to the role in the EP application. Inaccurate or misleading job information can create avoidable problems.

Is there an Employment Pass quota?

Employment Pass holders are not subject to the same general dependency-ratio quota and foreign-worker levy system that applies to certain other Singapore work-pass categories.

However, the absence of that general quota does not mean that an employer can hire without restrictions. The employer must still meet applicable salary, COMPASS, fair hiring and application requirements.

How the employer’s workforce affects COMPASS

C3 Diversity and C4 Support for Local Employment use employer-level workforce information. A candidate cannot calculate these scores accurately by looking only at their own nationality, qualifications or salary.

Under the applicable rules, smaller employers with fewer than 25 PMET employees receive default points for C3 and C4. Employers should verify their workforce size and the correct sector classification before estimating the score.

Official source: MOM Employment Pass and COMPASS requirements.

11. How Other COMPASS Criteria Affect Your Total Score

Singapore COMPASS qualifications points 2026 should be considered alongside the other applicable criteria. A realistic eligibility review considers the full score rather than assuming the qualification alone determines the result.

C1: Salary

C1 compares the candidate’s fixed monthly salary with local PMET salary benchmarks for the relevant sector and age. The score is separate from the minimum EP salary threshold.

C3: Diversity

C3 considers the proportion of the employer’s PMET workforce represented by the candidate’s nationality. The result depends on the employer’s workforce composition, not simply on the candidate’s personal nationality.

C4: Support for Local Employment

C4 considers the employer’s local PMET share relative to its sector. It is an employer-level criterion and can influence whether a candidate reaches the 40-point requirement.

C5: Shortage Occupation List

C5 can provide bonus points for eligible occupations under the Shortage Occupation List, subject to the relevant occupation and application conditions. Not every role in a related industry qualifies.

Applicants should compare the actual job duties with the occupation requirements and not rely on a job title alone.

Official source: COMPASS C5 Skills Bonus and Shortage Occupation List.

C6: Strategic Economic Priorities

C6 can provide bonus points when an employer meets the requirements for qualifying strategic economic priority programmes or initiatives. A candidate should not assume the employer qualifies simply because it operates in technology, finance or another high-value industry.

Why the combined score matters

Consider a candidate who earns 10 points under C2. If salary, diversity and local employment support each contribute 10 points, the candidate reaches 40 points before considering any applicable bonus.

Another candidate with 20 C2 points may receive fewer points elsewhere and still need to assess the overall total. Qualification points are valuable, but the final outcome depends on the complete framework.

12. Application Process, Fees and Processing Time

The employer or its appointed employment agent normally submits an Employment Pass application. Applicants should coordinate with the employer early, especially if qualification verification or additional documentation is needed.

Step-by-step application process

1. Check basic eligibility. Review the job offer, salary and applicable EP rules.
2. Estimate the COMPASS score. Use MOM’s enhanced Self-Assessment Tool and assess the C2 category.
3. Confirm qualification evidence. Obtain the accepted verification proof if the employer relies on qualification points.
4. Complete employer checks. Confirm the relevant workforce information and job-advertising obligations.
5. Prepare the application. The candidate and employer should confirm that personal, employment and qualification details are accurate.
6. Submit the application. The employer or appointed agent applies through MOM’s designated online service.
7. Pay the application fee. The published online application fee is S$105.
8. Track the result. Respond promptly if MOM requests further information.
9. Issue the pass if approved. The employer or agent completes the required issuance steps and pays the applicable fee.

Processing time is not a guarantee of approval. If MOM requests additional information, the application may take longer. The employer should check the current instructions and fee schedule before submission.

What happens after approval?

If the application is approved, an in-principle approval letter is issued. The employer should follow the instructions in the letter and arrange the pass issuance within the specified period.

Additional steps may include providing arrival details, completing any required medical examination, paying the issuance fee and arranging fingerprint or photo registration if required.

The candidate should not assume that submitting an application gives permission to start working. Follow the official instructions concerning approval, issuance and commencement of employment.

Official source: Apply for an Employment Pass.

13. Practical Examples: How C2 Points Can Affect Eligibility

The following examples are illustrative only. They show how qualification categories can affect an assessment, but they do not predict the outcome of a specific application.

14. Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Mistake 1: Assuming every degree earns 20 points

Solution: Check the current C2 institution categories and the qualification requirements. A degree from an institution outside the top-tier category may qualify for 10 points instead.

Mistake 2: Treating all diplomas as bachelor’s degrees

Solution: Confirm the actual level and recognition of the award. A postgraduate diploma or advanced diploma does not automatically qualify as degree-equivalent.

Mistake 3: Declaring the teaching institution instead of the awarding institution

Solution: Identify the body that formally awarded the credential and follow MOM’s instructions for qualifications delivered through private institutions or overseas partners.

Mistake 4: Submitting a certificate without verification evidence

Solution: Check the accepted verification method for the country and qualification. Do not assume that a notarised copy or screenshot is sufficient.

Mistake 5: Confusing salary eligibility with C1 points

Solution: Assess the minimum EP qualifying salary separately from the COMPASS salary benchmark. Passing one test does not automatically mean the other is satisfied.

Mistake 6: Believing C2 points guarantee approval

Solution: Assess all applicable COMPASS criteria, the employer’s details, the salary threshold and the documents.

Mistake 7: Relying on old institution lists

Solution: Review current MOM resources and confirm that the institution and qualification fit the rules applicable to the intended application.

Mistake 8: Ignoring employer-level criteria

Solution: Ask the employer to use the enhanced SAT and check the correct workforce information. C3 and C4 cannot be calculated reliably from the candidate’s details alone.

Mistake 9: Treating a future salary threshold as current

Solution: Check the effective date. The published 2027 salary increases should not be substituted for the current October 2026 thresholds when assessing a new application under the 2026 rules.

15. Assess Your Singapore Visa Eligibility With MIVisa

Planning to work in Singapore as a skilled professional, manager, executive or experienced employee? A structured eligibility review can help you identify the main questions to resolve before an employer submits your Employment Pass application.

MIVisa / Mediterranean International Visa can help you organise your immigration questions and understand which areas may need further checking. Any assessment should be based on your actual qualifications, proposed salary, employment details and supporting documents.

An assessment cannot guarantee a specific COMPASS score or Employment Pass approval. The Singapore Ministry of Manpower makes the final decision under its applicable rules.

16. Frequently Asked Questions

17. Conclusion: Prepare Your COMPASS Qualification Evidence

Singapore COMPASS qualifications points 2026 can influence an Employment Pass application’s overall score, but the outcome depends on the category of qualification and the supporting evidence.

A qualifying degree-equivalent qualification in the top-tier category may earn 20 points, while another accepted degree-equivalent qualification may earn 10 points. Credentials that do not satisfy the applicable C2 rules may receive no qualification points.

Before proceeding, applicants should check the latest MOM criteria, confirm the correct qualification category, arrange verification evidence where required and review the salary threshold for their age and sector. Employers should assess the full COMPASS score and follow their application and fair-hiring obligations.

Do not rely solely on a university’s reputation, a job title or an old points calculator. Confirm the rules that apply to your actual application and circumstances.

Official Singapore Government Resources

• Employment Pass eligibility and COMPASS criteria — MOM
• Employment Pass application process, fees and processing — MOM
• Employment Pass required documents — MOM
• Qualification not found in the SAT — MOM guidance
• Private education institutions and C2 — MOM guidance
• Shortage Occupation List and C5 — MOM guidance

Disclaimer: This article provides general immigration information and is not legal advice or a guarantee of approval. Salary thresholds, qualification lists, fees and application requirements may change. Confirm the current rules with Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower before applying.