The Ministry of Manpower has released its new salary benchmarks table for the Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS), the points-based system for all Employment Pass (EP) applications.
The benchmarks are updated once a year to reflect latest market conditions. The new benchmarks will apply to initial EP applications submitted form January 1, 2026 and to renewal EP applications for passes expiring from July 1, 2026.
To earn points under the C1. Salary criteria, a candidate’s fixed monthly salary needs to meet or exceed the 65th percentile of local PMET salaries in their sector.
- The required fixed monthly salary for candidates increases progressively with age (from age 23 to age 45).
- Candidates who do not meet the EP qualifying salary will not be eligible for an EP, regardless of the points they would have scored under the C1. Salary benchmark.
- EP candidates earning at least $22,500 in fixed monthly salary are exempted from COMPASS.
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