In our Spotlight on APAC series, we round up the latest developments across the region.
On August 20, 2025, Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower (MOM) released its latest salary benchmarking table for the Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS), the backbone of Employment Pass (EP) evaluations. This update is crucial for anyone navigating EP applications or renewals.
Key Timelines & Applicability of Changes
| Application Type | Effective From |
| New EP applications | January 1, 2026 |
| EP renewals (passes expiring) | July 1, 2026 |
For context, the current benchmarking table will still apply to new EP applications filed in 2025 (from 1 January to 31 December), as well as to renewals for passes expiring between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026.
Under COMPASS Category C1 (Salary), applicants may score 10 or 20 points if their salaries meet the 65th or 90th percentile thresholds for their respective sector. Those falling below the threshold will not receive any points in this category, and will therefore need to strengthen their application by relying on other COMPASS criteria such as qualifications, diversity, or strategic contributions.
It is also important to note that the Stage 1 EP qualifying salary remains a separate requirement and must be met regardless of COMPASS scoring.
While most sectors reflect moderate salary increases in the range of two to six percent, certain industries such as fund management and information and communications technology are seeing sharper adjustments. Employers are therefore encouraged to review their compensation strategies early to ensure alignment with the updated benchmarks, particularly for roles that will be up for renewal in mid-2026 onwards.
We recommend all employers assess the potential impact on your workforce planning now and would be pleased to provide sector-specific guidance or support with upcoming EP applications.
For more information or assistance on the above or on other global immigration matters, please do not hesitate to contact Rachel.Ang@magrath.sg or Antonia.Grant@magrath.co.uk.
Author