If you’re planning to work in Singapore or are an employer looking to hire international talent, it’s essential to stay updated on the evolving requirements for Employment Pass (EP) and S Pass applications. As of 2024 and beyond, several key changes have been introduced that will impact both new applications and renewals. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you understand these changes and how to prepare for them.

Employment Pass (EP) Changes

The Employment Pass (EP) allows highly skilled professionals to work in Singapore. However, recent changes in the qualifying salary and new criteria have been introduced to ensure a fairer hiring process and to uplift the overall quality of the workforce.

1. Revised EP Qualifying Salary

From 1 January 2025: The minimum qualifying salary for new EP applications will be raised to at least $5,600, and to at least $6,200 for the financial services sector.

For EP renewals expiring from 1 September 2024: EP holders must also pass the COMPASS framework to qualify for their renewal.

2. COMPASS (Complementarity Assessment Framework)

Starting from September 2024, candidates applying for or renewing their Employment Pass will need to pass the COMPASS framework, a points-based system that assesses factors such as individual and company attributes.

Exemptions from COMPASS: Candidates are exempt from the COMPASS assessment if they meet one of the following conditions:

• Fixed monthly salary of at least $22,500
• Applying as an overseas intra-corporate transferee
• Filling a role for 1 month or less

If you or your company need help navigating these criteria, we can provide personalized guidance on how to meet the requirements.

S Pass Changes

The S Pass is designed for mid-skilled foreign workers, and similar to the EP, changes have been announced that will affect new applications and renewals over the next few years.

1. Revised S Pass Qualifying Salaries

From 1 September 2024: For renewals, the minimum qualifying salary will increase to $3,150 (for non-financial sectors) and $3,650 (for the financial services sector).

From 1 September 2025: For new applications, the minimum salary will rise to $3,300 for non-financial sectors and $3,800 for financial services.

These salary requirements will also apply to renewals from 1 September 2026.

2. Increased S Pass Levy Rates

From 1 September 2025, the monthly levy rate for S Pass holders will increase from $550 to $650.

New Onboard Booking System

A crucial operational update is the introduction of the Onboard Booking System (OBS). Starting from 1 July 2024, employers and employment agencies will need to book onboarding slots and make upfront payments using this system. You’ll also need to assign OBS to your Corppass account to access it.