Employment Pass (EP)

Firms will be grouped into relevant sectors and subsectors based on their principal business activity, as declared to ACRA. This applies to firms whose operations cut across different sectors. Sectors refer to broad industry groupings based on the Singapore Standard Industry Classification, such as the financial services sector. Some sectors that are more varied are split into more granular subsectors for the purpose of benchmarking of local PMET share. You should review and update what your firm declares to ACRA as its primary business activity, to ensure it is current and accurate. More information on your firm’s sector and subsector classification will be available before September 2023 when COMPASS takes effect.

Salary benchmarks by sector Salary benchmarks of the 65th to 90th percentile for each sector will be published by December 2022. These are only indicative, ahead of COMPASS being implemented. The exact values will be updated annually, based on latest survey findings. Local PMET benchmarks by subsector The Workforce profile menu on myMOM Portal provides employers with an overview of their workforce profile. The Workforce profile menu will be enhanced so that you can see how your firm’s local PMET share compares to your industry peers. This new feature will be available by December 2022, before COMPASS takes effect. Assessment tool When COMPASS takes effect, we will offer an assessment tool for employers to get an indicative COMPASS score for their prospective EP candidate before submitting an EP application. You will be able to get an estimate of how your application is scored on each COMPASS criterion. The tool will be available by September 2023.

The COMPASS Shortage Occupation List (SOL) will be developed through a robust evaluation process involving the tripartite partners. The review will take into account both quantitative and qualitative evidence of labour shortages. Occupations will be considered for inclusion on the SOL based on: Their relevance to Singapore’s economic priorities The degree and nature of labour shortage The sector’s progress in developing the local pipeline in the medium term to address these shortages MOM and sector agencies will commence the SOL evaluation process in the second half of 2022, taking into account tripartite input. Sector agencies may consult the relevant industry associations, businesses and stakeholders. Companies who wish to provide feedback on the SOL may contact your sector agency. We will announce the first SOL in March 2023. Thereafter, MOM will regularly review the SOL to ensure responsiveness to industry needs, and existing shortages are not entrenched over the long term. For experienced tech professionals Experienced tech professionals applying for specific tech occupations on the SOL may be eligible for a longer 5-year duration EP, if they meet eligibility criteria. The specific occupations eligible will be provided when the SOL is announced.

For candidates applying under the COMPASS Shortage Occupation List (SOL) track, and that would not have passed COMPASS without the SOL bonus points: MOM will conduct additional verification checks that they have the specialised skills required to perform the shortage occupation. For example, we may request for relevant qualifications, certificates and accreditations. They will be issued an occupation-restricted EP tied to their employment in the specific shortage occupation. You will be required to notify MOM if they need to be redeployed to a different job role. The candidate will be subject to reassessment of their eligibility for an EP. If your candidate would have passed COMPASS even without the SOL bonus points, they will not be subject to the additional verification checks or occupational restrictions, unless they are applying for a longer 5-year duration EP (see below). For experienced tech professionals Those with skills in shortage who apply for a longer 5-year duration EP will be subject to the same verification checks and occupational restrictions. These checks and restrictions will apply even if the applicants pass COMPASS without the SOL bonus points.

The programmes and qualifying criteria for the COMPASS Strategic Economic Priorities bonus will be carefully curated by the participating economic agencies to ensure that qualifying firms are aligned with its objectives of supporting innovation or internationalisation activities, while developing the local workforce or ecosystem. Examples of programmes that could be included are: ESG’s Scale-up SG, which aims to help high-growth local companies scale effectively and become future global champions EDB’s Research and Innovation Scheme for Companies (RIS(C)), which supports and anchors companies’ technology development and innovation activities in Singapore More details, including the finalised list of government programmes, eligibility criteria and application process, will be announced by March 2023.