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18 November 2025

Singapore announces updated COMPASS scoring criteria for Employment Pass applicants

Singapore's Ministry of Manpower (MOM) recently announced updates to two scoring criteria under the COMPASS points-based framework for Employment Pass (EP) applicants. The MOM implemented the COMPASS framework to assess new EP applications effective 1 September 2023 and renewal applications expiring on and after 1 September 2024. This framework assesses applicants based on four foundational criteria (salary, qualifications, diversity and support for local employment) and two bonus criteria (shortage occupation list, or SOL, and strategic economic priorities). The MOM generally updates the COMPASS criteria annually to ensure that the framework remains responsive to market conditions.

A Tax Alert prepared by EY's People Advisory Services, and attached below, provides additional details.

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Attachment

Full text of Tax Alert

Document ID: 2025-2313

 

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