Understanding 'COMPASS'

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What is COMPASS?

COMPASS is a transparent system that helps employers select high-quality foreign professionals, improve workforce diversity, and build a strong local core at the same time.

Employment Pass (EP) candidates must pass a two-stage eligibility framework. In addition to meeting the qualifying salary, EP candidates must pass a newly introduced points-based Complementary Assessment Framework (COMPASS).

COMPASS will apply to:

-?????? New EP applications from 1 September 2023|

-?????? Renewals for EP expiring from 1 September 2024

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How does COMPASS work?

EP candidates need to score at least 40 points in total on 4 Foundational Criteria and 2 Bonus Criteria to meet the COMPASS requirements.

As obtaining points from 2 Bonus Criteria is a limited scenario, it is expected that in many cases, EP candidates need to achieve a total of 40 points across the 4 Foundational Criteria.

4 Foundational Criteria

C1. Salary (up to 20 points)

In stage 1, all EP candidates must meet the EP qualifying salary, which increases with age.

In stage 2, COMPASS considers sectoral salary norms. EP applicants earn points by meeting sector-specific salary benchmarks, which are also age-adjusted.

To earn points under the Salary Criteria, an EP candidate's fixed monthly salary needs to either meet or exceed the 65th percentile of local PMET* salaries in the sector they belong to.

*PMETS: Professionals, Managers, Executives, and Technicians who are earning at least SGD3,000 per month. The definition of PMET's salary will be revised on 1 September 2024.

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C2. Qualifications (up to 20 points)

EP candidates with qualifications from top-tier institutions will earn 20 points on the Qualifications Criteria, while EP candidates holding degree-equivalent qualifications will earn 10 points.

With the implementation of COMPASS, post-secondary diploma and higher qualifications declared to MOM must have verification proof. This applies to new EP applications from September 1, 2023, and renewals from September 1, 2024.??

C3. Diversity (up to 20 points)

COMPASS awards more points to applications where the candidate's nationality forms a small share of the firm's PMET employees. If firms employ fewer than 25 PMET employees, 10 points will be awarded by default in the Diversity Criteria.

C4. Support for Local Employment (up to 20 points)

Companies with a relatively higher share of local PMET employees compared to their peers in the same sector will earn more COMPASS points. If firms employ fewer than 25 PMET employees, 10 points will be awarded by default in the Support for Local Employment Criteria.

2 Bonus Criteria

C5. Skills Bonus (up to 20 points)

Points will be awarded to candidates who are applying for occupations that are in shortage in Singapore.

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?C6. Strategic Economic Priorities Bonus (10 points)

?This bonus recognizes firms participating in a list of eligible programs in line with Singapore's strategic economic priorities.

How to check if firms meet COMPASS requirements?

Firms’ Corppass holders who have access right to EP eService Account will be able to use the enhanced Self-Assessment Tool (SAT) to get an indicative outcome, including COMPASS scores and EP qualifying salary.

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Who Are Exempted From COMPASS Assessment?

If EP candidates fulfill any of these conditions:

·????? Earning at least SGD22,500 for fixed monthly salary

·????? Applying as an overseas intra-corporate transferee

·????? Filling a role on a short-term basis, i.e. 1 month or less

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