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Understanding the new MOM Complementarity Assessment Framework ( COMPASS ) for Employment Passes , and changes to minimum qualifying salaries
During the Committee of Supply announcements on 4 March 2022 , Singapore ' s Ministry of Manpower announced a significant update to immigration policy . Foreign workforce policy changes have been made to
strengthen the complementarity and diversity of the
foreign workforce ; support industry transformation and development of a strong Singaporean core , and to provide greater clarity and certainty to businesses on foreign workforce policies . due to the source restrictions for Work Permit holders . With the moves to increase the benchmark for S Pass quality , MOM will introduce an NTS Occupation List from 1 September 2023 to allow firms in the Services and Manufacturing sectors to hire such S Pass holders on Work Permits . This will be restricted to a list of selected occupations .
How will COMPASS work in practice ?
The aim is to ensure that EP and S Pass holders are comparable in quality to the top one-third of the local PMET ( Professionals , Managers , Executives and Technicians ) and APT ( Associate Professionals and Technicians ) workforce and that foreign workers are hired to fill skill gaps , not to save on costs .
What are the key changes to costs ?
1 . 40 points are required to pass .
2 . All applications are scored on four foundational criteria , based on benchmarks expected of a complementary EP holder . It is possible to have sufficient points for an application / renewal based on these foundational criteria , as up to 20 are available in each one and only 40 are required to pass .
1 . The EP qualifying salary will be benchmarked to the top one-third of local PMET wages , increasing from $ 4,500 to $ 5,000 for new applications from 1 September 2022 , and to renewals from 1 September 2023 ( existing EP Pass holders whose passes are expiring from 1 September 2023 will be subject to the new qualifying salary ). The qualifying salary will continue to increase progressively with age , up to $ 10,500 for a candidate in their mid-40s . The EP minimum qualifying salary for the Financial Services sector will be raised from $ 5,000 to $ 5,500 . The qualifying salary will increase progressively to $ 11,500 for a candidate in their mid-40s . The same timeline applies to implementation .
2 . The cost of hiring an S Pass holder , which includes both the qualifying salary and levy , will be benchmarked to the top one-third of local APT wages from 1 September 2022 , and to renewals from 1 September 2023 ( existing S Pass holders whose passes are expiring from 1 September 2023 will be subject to the new qualifying salary ).
3 . Reflecting the Financial Services sector ’ s higher wage norms , a higher S Pass qualifying salary for this sector will be introduced .
4 . Some firms hire rank-and-file workers on S Passes
3 . Additional points can be earned on bonus criteria , which recognise applications that bring in skills in shortage and support strategic economic priorities .
4 . Lower points on one criterion can be made up for by higher points on another .
Will there be any exemptions to COMPASS ?
1 . Candidates are exempted from COMPASS if they
fufill any of these conditions :
2 . Earning at least $ 20,000 fixed monthly salary
3 . Applying as an overseas intra-corporate transferee
under the World Trade Organisation ’ s General
Agreement on Trade in Services or an applicable Free Trade Agreement that Singapore is party to .
4 . Filling a role on a short-term basis , i . e . 1 month or less .