Outline
Introduction: What Do the 2025 EP Changes Mean for Expats Moving to Singapore?
With the Employment Pass salary rising to S$5,600 and the full COMPASS scoring framework taking effect from September 2025, many foreigners are asking the same urgent question: “Will I still be able to get an EP and work in Singapore?”
This guide breaks down the updated rules in simple, expat-friendly terms so you can assess your chances, strengthen your profile, and prepare confidently before relocating. While the requirements are stricter, skilled professionals can absolutely still qualify — especially when they understand how salaries, qualifications, and employer factors interact under COMPASS.
Paul Hype Page & Co. supports thousands of expats each year through Employment Pass applications, renewals, and appeals. Here’s what every foreign professional must know to secure their EP in 2025.
What Are the New 2025 EP Salary Requirements for Foreigners Moving to Singapore?
Why Did Singapore Increase the EP Salary to S$5,600?
The Ministry of Manpower raised the minimum qualifying salary from S$5,000 to S$5,600 for new applications to ensure EP holders continue to meet the top one-third benchmark of local professionals in similar roles. This reflects:
- Higher market wages in PMET sectors
- Stronger protection of local employment
- National efforts to attract top-tier talent
How Does Age Affect the Required Salary in 2025?
This often surprises expats: Older applicants require a significantly higher salary to qualify. Approximate salary expectations:
- Mid-20s: S$5,600
- Early-30s: S$7,000–S$8,000
- Mid-40s: S$10,000–S$12,000+
- Financial services roles: +~20% higher benchmarks
This means two people with identical job titles may require different minimum pay based solely on age.
Does Every Job Require Only S$5,600?
No — S$5,600 is the base.
Your actual required salary depends on:
- Your age
- Your industry
- Your seniority
- Market benchmarks for your role
The more specialised your role, the more flexible the salary expectations. Highly skilled candidates can still qualify even with unconventional salary profiles, as long as COMPASS points are strong.
How Does the COMPASS Framework Affect Expats Applying for an EP in 2025?
What Exactly Is COMPASS?
COMPASS is Singapore’s points-based EP approval system. You need 40 points to pass. There are 6 criteria, but only the first four are mandatory:
COMPASS Criteria
- Salary
- Qualifications
- Diversity
- Local Employment Support
- Skill Bonus (Shortage Occupations)
- Strategic Economic Priorities Bonus
How Do Expats Score Points on COMPASS?
1. Salary (up to 20 points)
Higher salaries = higher points. If your salary is well above your sector’s local median, you instantly boost your score.
2. Qualifications (up to 20 points)
- Degree from recognised institution: 20 points
- Non-degree but strong experience: 10 points
- No formal qualification: 0 points
Good news: Experience still counts — you can pass COMPASS without a degree.
3. Diversity (up to 20 points)
If your nationality is under-represented in the company, you gain points.
4. Local Employment Support (up to 20 points)
If the employer hires locals proportionally to industry norms, you gain points here.
5. Skill Bonus (up to 20 points)
If your occupation is on the Shortage Occupation List, you earn bonus points.
6. Strategic Economic Bonus (up to 20 points)
Given to companies in priority sectors (e.g., AI, advanced manufacturing, green tech).
Can You Still Get an EP in 2025? Here Are the Profiles That Will Pass (and Fail)
Who Will Likely Pass Easily?
- Professionals in tech, finance, engineering, healthcare, R&D
- Candidates with degrees from reputable institutions
- Those with salaries meeting sector benchmarks
- Applicants with in-demand skills (AI, cybersecurity, robotics, quant roles)
- Individuals with strong experience and niche expertise
Who Will Find It More Challenging?
- ⚠ Expats in saturated sectors (marketing, HR, general admin)
- ⚠ Applicants whose salaries fall below sector norms
- ⚠ Candidates without recognised qualifications
- ⚠ Applicants from companies lacking local hiring strength
But challenging doesn’t mean impossible — this is where strategic application planning matters.
What Can Expats Do to Improve Their EP Approval Chances in 2025?
1. Negotiate a Salary That Matches Your Age + Sector
If you’re:
- 30+
- In finance
- In a senior PMET role
Your salary must reflect the market rate to score points.
2. Strengthen Your Qualifications Section
If you don’t have a degree:
- Include professional certifications
- Emphasise experience and skills
- Highlight portfolio and achievements
3. Apply Through a Company With Strong Local Hiring Ratios
This is a COMPASS score booster. If the company’s ratios are below average, the application weakens.
4. Position Yourself for a Shortage Occupation Role
Roles on the SOL receive bonus points.
5. Ensure Your Job Description Is Clear, Skilled & EP-Appropriate
Wrong job title = immediate rejection. We see this mistake constantly.
6. Avoid Applying With a Salary That Looks “Under-Market”
Underpaying applicants is a red flag for MOM and often leads to rejection.
7. Work With a Professional EP Specialist Who Knows MOM’s Unspoken Rules
MOM doesn’t publish all criteria publicly. Experienced consultants understand:
- What triggers audits
- Which documents MOM scrutinizes
- How to present career history properly
- When an appeal will succeed
- How to justify a borderline salary
A strategically drafted application makes a dramatic difference.
Do the 2025 EP Rules Make It Harder or Easier for Expats?
Who benefits from the new rules?
- Skilled expats
- Specialists in high-demand fields
- Professionals with strong qualifications
- Mid- to senior-level talent
Who faces tougher checks?
- ⚠ Lower-skilled roles
- ⚠ Broad, non-technical functions
- ⚠ Fresh graduates with low starting salaries
But overall: Singapore still actively wants foreign professionals — as long as you add value to the economy.
How Can Paul Hype Page & Co. Help Expats Secure Their Employment Pass in 2025?
Why Work With PHP?
We help expats by:
- Assessing your true COMPASS score
- Matching your profile with the correct salary band
- Advising on qualification recognition
- Crafting compliant job descriptions
- Preparing supporting documents MOM expects
- Identifying risk areas before you apply
- Managing the entire process to reduce errors
- Handling rejections and appeals professionally
Thousands of foreigners rely on PHP each year to make their Singapore relocation smooth and successful.
Ready to Work in Singapore? Let’s Secure Your EP.
Whether you’re relocating for a job, joining a new employer, or planning your Singapore career move:
- ✅ Check your EP eligibility with Paul Hype Page & Co.
- ✅ Let us assess your COMPASS score and salary fit.
- ✅ Apply for your EP with expert guidance for the highest approval chance.
Start your Singapore journey with confidence — and let PHP handle the rest.
FAQs
Most EP applications take 3–8 weeks, though some may take longer due to deeper MOM checks. If you are rejected, you can file an appeal within three months, but only if you address the specific issues MOM raised. Strong appeals typically include clearer job descriptions, better salary justification, and additional proof of your skills or experience. Many expats succeed on appeal with proper guidance, especially when weak points are corrected before resubmission.
You can strengthen your chances by securing a market-competitive salary, improving your CV with measurable achievements, and obtaining recognised certifications. Targeting roles on the Shortage Occupation List also earns bonus points. It is important that your job title and responsibilities are clearly skilled and relevant. Applying through an employer with solid local hiring practices will also improve your COMPASS score. Even small adjustments to your application can meaningfully boost approval rates.
You do not need a degree to qualify, although recognised qualifications help you score more COMPASS points. MOM also considers professional experience, industry certifications, and niche skills. If your degree is not from a well-known institution, you may score fewer points, but you can make up for it with a competitive salary or strong skills-based achievements. Many expats still qualify without traditional academic backgrounds if the rest of their profile is strong.
Your salary must match both your age group and industry benchmark, not just MOM’s published minimum. Younger applicants may qualify with S$5,600–S$6,000, while those in their 30s often need S$7,000–S$8,000, and senior professionals may require S$10,000 or more. Industries like finance or tech typically require even higher pay. Under COMPASS, you score more points if your salary exceeds the sector median, so a detailed salary benchmarking check is important before applying.
Yes, it is more challenging to secure an EP in 2025, but skilled professionals can still qualify with the right profile. The minimum salary has increased to S$5,600, and older applicants now require significantly higher pay. Singapore is also fully applying the COMPASS points framework, which evaluates salary competitiveness, qualifications, company diversity, and local hiring support. These rules raise the bar, but they are designed to prioritise strong, experienced foreign talent rather than restrict all expats.
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