From August 1, 2023, employers and employment agents can use an enhanced Self-Assessment Tool (SAT) to obtain an indicative outcome, including COMPASS scores for Employment Permit (EP) applications. The enhanced SAT should be used to assess EP applications which are to be submitted from September 1, 2023 onwards.
Due to the sensitivity of the firm-level scores required for the COMPASS framework, an EP eService (formerly EP Online) account is needed to use the enhanced SAT.
Features and Benefits
- The SAT assesses if a candidate qualifies for an Employment Pass or S Pass based on the information provided, such as salary, educational qualifications, and work experience.
- Users can preview and check the details before submitting the self-assessment, edit details easily for re-assessment, and print the assessment results.
It does not guarantee the actual outcome of the application. This is because there are other checks such as the quota (for S Pass) and the candidate’s history, that are not considered in this assessment.
Information Security
- The COMPASS framework consists of individual and firm-level criteria, and details of the scores will be included in the enhanced SAT. Due to the sensitivity of the firm-level criteria, only users who are granted EP eService access can view these information.
- As the data that is provided, and outcome, are not stored, users should save or print a copy of the assessment before they exit the SAT.
Background
From September 1, 2023, new EP candidates must pass a two-stage eligibility framework.
- In addition to meeting the qualifying salary (Stage 1), EP candidates must pass a points-based Complementarity Assessment (COMPASS) Framework (Stage 2).
- COMPASS will also apply to renewals for passes expiring from September 1, 2024.
COMPASS evaluates EP applications based on a set of individual and firm-related attributes, with four foundational criteria (individual salary and qualifications, company diversity and support for local employment) and two bonus criteria (for jobs on the shortage occupation list, and for strategic partnership with government).
Candidates are exempted from COMPASS if they fulfill any of these conditions:
- Earning at least SGD 22,500 fixed monthly salary (similar to the prevailing Fair Consideration Framework job advertising exemption from September 1, 2023).
- Applying as an overseas intra-corporate transferee under the World Trade Organisation’s General Agreement on Trade in Services or an applicable Free Trade Agreement that Singapore is party to.
- Filling a role on a short-term basis (i.e., 1 month or less).
Erickson Insights
Erickson Immigration Group will continue monitoring developments and sharing updates as more news is available. Please contact your employer or EIG attorney if you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or case-specific questions.