At a glance
- The minimum qualifying salary for S Pass applications was increased from SGD3,500 to SGD3,650 from 1 September 2023 for new applications, and is expected to be increased further from SGD3,650 to SGD3,800 from 1 September 2025 onwards.
- A new points-based immigration system called Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS) was introduced for new Employment Pass (EP) applications from 1 September 2023.
- On 1 September 2023, the salary threshold for being exempt from COMPASS/the job advertising requirement was increased.
The minimum qualifying salary for S Pass applications was increased from SGD3,500 to SGD3,650 from 1 September 2023 for new applications, and is expected to be increased further from SGD3,650 to SGD3,800 from 1 September 2025 onwards (subject to further finalisation).
The S Pass Basic/Tier 1 levy has increased from SGD450 to SGD550, effective from 1 September 2023, and will rise from SGD550 to SGD650 from 1 September 2025.
A new points-based immigration system called COMPASS was introduced for new EP applications from 1 September 2023. Under the COMPASS framework, EP applications will be scored depending on whether the application exceeds or meets, or does not meet, expectations across four foundational criteria (with eligibility to score extra points under bonus criteria).
A minimum score of 40 points is required to pass COMPASS and employers are required to provide mandatory verification poof for all post-secondary diploma and above qualifications declared in an EP application.
On 1 September 2023, the salary threshold for being exempt from COMPASS/the job advertising requirement, as well as the minimum qualifying salary for the Personalised Employment Pass, was increased to SGD22,500.
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