Employment Pass Application in Singapore

The Employment Pass (EP) is Singapore’s primary work visa for foreign professionals employed in managerial, executive, and specialist roles. At Ledgen Group, we provide comprehensive Employment Pass application services, guiding employers and candidates through every stage of the process, from eligibility assessment and COMPASS evaluation to Ministry of Manpower (MOM) submission and post-approval support.

As part of our broader work pass application services in Singapore, we also assist with S Pass, Dependant’s Pass, and Letter of Consent applications, helping businesses manage their workforce requirements efficiently and compliantly.

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Employment Pass Application in Singapore

The Employment Pass (EP) is Singapore’s primary work pass for foreign professionals in managerial, executive, and specialist roles. Ledgen Group manages the full EP application process on behalf of employers and candidates, covering eligibility assessment, education credential verification, MOM submission, and post-approval support. As part of our broader work pass Singapore application services, we also assist with S Pass applications, Dependent Pass applications, and Letter of Consent submissions.

EP application fees are inclusive of all MOM charges.

What Is the Employment Pass?

The Employment Pass is a work visa issued by Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower (MOM) for foreign professionals in managerial, executive, or specialist roles. It is the primary route for companies in Singapore to hire qualified talent from overseas.

Unlike the S Pass or Work Permit, the EP has no foreign worker quota and no levy requirement. First-time EP holders receive a pass valid for up to two years, with renewals of up to three years.

Singapore Work Pass Application: Which Pass Is Right for Your Hire?

Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower administers several work pass types. Selecting the correct one before filing avoids unnecessary rejections and delays. The table below compares the three most common work pass Singapore application categories.

If you are unsure which work pass applies to your hire, contact Ledgen before submitting. Filing the wrong pass type is a common source of delays. Our team confirms eligibility for all MOM work pass categories before any application is lodged.

Employment Pass Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for an EP in Singapore, the applicant and the sponsoring employer must meet the following criteria set by MOM.

Salary Requirement

From 2026, the minimum fixed monthly salary for EP applicants is S$5,600 for most sectors. Financial services roles carry a higher threshold of S$6,200 per month. These thresholds increase with age and experience.

From January 2027, the minimums rise to S$6,000 (general sectors) and S$6,600 (financial services). Employers should factor these into hiring budgets now.

Job Role

The position must be a managerial, executive, or specialist role. Routine or operative roles do not qualify.

Qualifications

Applicants typically need a recognised university degree or an equivalent professional qualification. Educational credentials must be verified by an MOM-approved agency.

COMPASS Score

All EP applications must achieve a minimum of 40 points under MOM’s COMPASS framework, unless the applicant earns a fixed monthly salary of S$22,500 or above, is an intra-corporate transferee, or is applying for a role lasting one month or less.

The COMPASS Framework

COMPASS (Complementarity Assessment Framework) is MOM’s points-based system for evaluating EP applications. It assesses candidates across four core criteria and two bonus criteria, with a minimum passing score of 40 points.

Core Criteria

C1 — Salary: Scored against local PMET benchmarks in the same sector and age group. Earning at or above the 90th percentile earns 20 points; the 65th to 89th percentile earns 10 points, below 65th percentile will be 0 point.

C2 — Qualifications: Degrees from top-tier globally ranked institutions or Singapore autonomous universities earn 20 points. Degree-equivalent qualifications earn 10 points. All claimed qualifications must be verified by a MOM-approved third-party agency.

C3 — Workforce Diversity: Based on the proportion of the same nationality within the company’s PMET workforce. Firms with fewer than 25 PMETs receive 10 points automatically.

C4 — Support for Local Employment: Based on the share of local PMETs in the company. Firms with fewer than 25 PMETs receive 10 points automatically.

Bonus Criteria

C5 — Shortage Occupation List: Roles on MOM’s Shortage Occupation List may earn up to 20 bonus points, subject to nationality distribution within the company.

C6 — Strategic Economic Priorities: Companies participating in government-recognised initiatives for innovation, internationalisation, or economic development may earn 10 bonus points.

COMPASS Exemptions

Applicants earning a fixed monthly salary of S$22,500 or above, intra-corporate transferees, and applicants for roles lasting one month or less are exempt from the COMPASS assessment.

Qualification Verification

Under MOM requirements, all academic qualifications used to claim COMPASS C2 points must be verified by a MOM-approved third-party screening agency before submission.

Documents not accepted as proof include notarised copies of certificates, unverified letters from institutions, and self-declared records. Accepted proof includes verification reports from approved background screening agencies and OpenCerts digital certificates where applicable.

Verification typically takes two to four weeks. Ledgen advises starting this process at least four weeks before your intended submission date. Delays in verification can result in extended processing times or rejection.

What Our Employment Pass Service Includes

Our fee is inclusive of MOM application and issuance costs. Ledgen’s employment pass service covers:

• Eligibility and COMPASS assessment before submission
• Education credential verification coordination
• Document preparation and compliance review
• EP Online filing of the application
• Tracking of application status throughout processing
• Liaison with the MOM officer in charge, where required
• Responses to any MOM requests for additional information
• Arrangement for pass issuance upon In-Principle Approval (IPA)
• Filing of appeal in the event of rejection

Documents Required for an EP Application

The following documents are typically required. Ledgen will guide you through the full checklist based on the specific role and applicant profile.

• Applicant’s passport (biodata page)
• Latest resume or curriculum vitae
• Educational certificates and transcripts
• Employment contract or letter of offer
• Company business profile registered with ACRA

All non-English documents must be accompanied by certified English translations.

The EP Application Process

Step 1: Eligibility and COMPASS Assessment

We review the applicant’s qualifications, salary, and role against MOM’s current criteria, including COMPASS scoring. Where gaps exist, we advise on how to strengthen the application before submission.

Step 2: Fair Consideration Framework (FCF) Compliance

Most employers must advertise the role on MyCareersFuture for at least 14 consecutive days and demonstrate fair consideration of local candidates before an EP application can be filed. Exemptions apply to roles paying S$22,500 or above, companies with fewer than 10 employees, intra-corporate transferees, and short-duration roles.

Step 3: Document Preparation

We collect and review all required documents, ensuring accuracy and consistency to reduce the risk of rejection.

Step 4: MOM Submission

The application is submitted via MOM’s EP Online portal by Ledgen on behalf of the employer. The non-refundable MOM application fee is S$105.

Step 5: In-Principle Approval (IPA)

Most applications are processed within 10 working days. Approved applications receive an IPA letter, which is valid for 6 months and allows the applicant to enter Singapore to complete issuance formalities.

Step 6: Pass Issuance

After the applicant arrives in Singapore, the EP is issued. The MOM issuance fee is S$225. A Multiple Journey Visa (S$30) may apply depending on the applicant’s nationality.

Step 7: Biometrics and Card Delivery

First-time applicants or those with expired biometric records will need to attend an appointment at the MOM Services Centre to register fingerprints and take a photograph. MOM will deliver the card to the given address within 5 working days after the candidate registers and gets documents verified at EPSC. If the candidate does not need to register, we will deliver the card within 5 working days after checking the documents.

What Happens if an EP Application Is Rejected?

If MOM rejects an application, a rejection advisory outlining the reasons is issued. Employers typically have up to three months to submit an appeal.

A successful appeal requires new and relevant supporting information, not a resubmission of the same documents. This may include updated documents, clearer justification for the role, or improvements to COMPASS-related areas.

Ledgen handles appeal preparation and submission as part of our EP service.

Why Choose Ledgen Group for Your Work Pass Application in Singapore?

Ledgen Group has supported businesses in Singapore since 2003. Our corporate services team handles work pass Singapore applications across EP, S Pass, and Dependent Pass categories, alongside payroll, incorporation, accounting, and corporate secretarial services. This makes us a practical choice for employers who want consistent support across their Singapore operations from a single firm. We stay current with MOM regulatory updates, including changes to COMPASS criteria, salary thresholds, and FCF requirements, to ensure every application is filed correctly the first time.

Get in touch with us here or book an appointment to discuss your employment pass or work pass requirements.