If you are looking to apply or renew your Employment Pass (EP), 2026 is a year of note. Key changes have been made to the Complementarity Assessment (COMPASS) framework, which may affect your application. COMPASS is a points-based system used to assess EP applications, in which applicants are required to obtain at least 40 points across 6 criteria. Notable changes include higher salary benchmarks, an updated educational qualification list and revised Shortage Occupation List.
1) Higher, sector-specific salary benchmarks (C1)
The C1 salary criterion now awards points to candidates based on how their monthly salary compares to local PMET (Professionals, Managers, Executives, and Technicians) salaries in the sector.
- Candidates earning from the 65th to 90th percentile earn 10 points.
- Candidates earning above the 90th percentile earn 20 points.
Additionally, the minimum qualifying salary for an EP is expected to raise from $5600 to $6000 for most sectors and $6200 to $6600 for financial sectors in 2027.
2) Updated education qualification list (C2)
MOM has updated the list of institutions and qualifications eligible under the C2 criterion. Under the updated list:
- Candidates with a degree-equivalent professional qualification earn 10 points.
- Candidates with a bachelor’s degree or higher from MOM-classified “top-tier institutions” earn 20 points, subject to whether they are from Group A or Group B institutions.
- Group A graduates earn 20 points for all faculties while candidates from Group B earn 20 points only for specified faculties.
Even without a degree, specified professional qualifications such as chartered accountancy and chartered architects are recognised as degree-equivalent and may qualify for 10 points.
3) Revised Shortage Occupation List (SOL) (Bonus criteria C5)
After review, MOM may make amendments to the occupation list once a year based on current market conditions and labour shortages.
In 2026, key changes include:
- Removal of roles from the SOL including Product Manager (Digital), Cyber Risk Specialist and Cybersecurity Operations Specialist.
- Addition of healthcare-related roles, notably clinical psychologists and diagnostic radiographers.
Furthermore, experienced tech professionals may qualify for a longer 5 year EP instead of the standard 2 or 3 year EP.
What do these changes mean for expats? If you are planning to apply for an EP, it is important to check whether your salary meets the revised benchmarks and whether your institution falls in the updated educational qualification list. Applicants renewing their EP must also ensure that they achieve 40 points under the new system. If not, you may need to seek a salary increase or a change in role to one on the SOL list. To improve the likelihood of success in your EP application, your employer can use MOM’s Self-Assessment Tool to evaluate your points under the COMPASS system before application.
