Singapore: New Assessment Framework for Employment Pass Applications Forthcoming
March 7, 2022
Country / Territory
Share
At a Glance
- The Ministry of Manpower will use a new points-based evaluation framework called the Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS) for new Employment Pass (EP) applications starting September 2023 and EP renewals starting September 2024.
- Under COMPASS, applicants will need to score at least 40 points which will consider several employee and employer-related criteria such as the salary level and qualifications of the applicant, as well as levels of nationality diversity and support for local employment by the employer.
- The government will apply the COMPASS evaluation in addition to the standard requirement under which applicants must meet the minimum qualifying salary for EP applications.
The situation
Effective September 2023, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) will start using a new evaluation framework called Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS) for new Employment Pass (EP) applications and will also apply the new evaluation framework to EP renewals starting September 2024.
A closer look
In addition to the minimum qualifying salary requirement for EP eligibility, applicants will need to score at least 40 points under the new COMPASS framework, which evaluates applications using a points-based system for each of the following foundational and bonus criteria based on both employee and employer-related attributes to ensure complementarity with Singaporean workers:
| Employee-Related Attributes | Employer-Related Attributes | |
| Foundation Criteria |
|
|
| Bonus Criteria |
|
|
Applications earn points based on whether they meet (10 points), exceed (20 points), or do not meet expectations (0 points) per criteria, relative to other employees and employers.
Background
- New evaluation framework. This is the first time the MOM is introducing a points-based system in evaluating Work Passes for foreign nationals. The system is aimed at helping companies select highly qualified foreign professionals as well as improving workforce diversity. Recently, the MOM also introduced stricter job advertising requirements to promote fair employment practices with employers. The new system is part of the government’s continuing effort to protect the local labor market given the weakness in the job market and its uncertain growth outlook.
- Regular increases to EP application requirements. Requirements for EP applications such as the qualifying salary requirements have been regularly adjusted by the government to ensure that these support employment opportunities for locals. The last increase to the minimum salary levels came last September 2020 and the latest one will be in effect in September of this year. It is likely that the minimum salary amounts will continue to increase.
Looking ahead
- COMPASS Pre-Assessment Tool forthcoming. MOM is working on the COMPASS Pre-Assessment Tool (PAT) and expects it to become available to employers by September 2023; this tool will help give employers an indicative COMPASS score for the EP applicant before submitting the application online.
- Expansion of COMPASS in the future. The new COMPASS framework may likely be applied to other Work Pass categories such as the S Pass as the government deems necessary.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
