Renewing your Employment Pass (EP) in Singapore has always been important, but from 1 July 2026, the stakes rose significantly. For the first time, EP renewals are subject to the COMPASS points framework — the same system that has governed new EP applications since September 2023. If your candidate scores below 40 points under COMPASS, MOM will reject the renewal, regardless of how long they have held an EP or how long they have worked for you.
This guide walks Singapore employers and HR teams through every step of the EP renewal process in 2026: the COMPASS scoring criteria, updated salary thresholds, required documents, common rejection pitfalls, and what to do if a renewal is refused.
Why 2026 Is a Turning Point for EP Renewals
Prior to 1 July 2026, EP renewals were largely administrative. MOM focused primarily on whether the candidate still met the qualifying salary floor and had no adverse compliance record. COMPASS — with its six scored criteria — applied only to new EP applications.
That changed when MOM extended COMPASS to renewals. Today, an employer renewing an EP must be confident that their candidate’s profile — salary relative to local peers, qualifications, contribution to workforce diversity and local hiring — earns at least 40 points. A score of 40–59 points is a pass; a score of 60 or more points earns a “Good” classification that can expedite processing.
The practical implication: HR teams should run a COMPASS self-assessment at least six months before any EP expires, not two weeks before. Use the COMPASS Points Calculator to forecast your candidate’s score early.
2026 Salary Thresholds for EP Renewal
The first COMPASS criterion (C1) is salary. Your candidate’s monthly fixed salary must meet both a qualifying floor (the minimum required to hold an EP at all) and a benchmark (the salary relative to local PMET peers in the same occupation and age band).
Qualifying Salary Floor (2026)
| Sector | Minimum Monthly Salary |
|---|---|
| Most sectors | S$5,600 |
| Financial services sector | S$6,200 |
These floors apply regardless of nationality or occupation. Note that the floor rises in steps with age — a 45-year-old candidate must earn more than a 30-year-old to qualify, even in the same role.
COMPASS Salary Points (C1)
Earning the qualifying floor gets you into the room; it does not automatically earn full C1 points. MOM scores C1 based on where your candidate’s salary sits relative to the local-resident PMET median for that specific occupation group and age band:
- 20 points: Salary at or above the 90th percentile of local peers
- 10 points: Salary between the 50th and 90th percentile
- 0 points: Salary below the 50th percentile (COMPASS fail risk)
If your candidate’s salary has not kept pace with market rates, they may score zero on C1 and struggle to achieve the 40-point pass mark from the remaining criteria alone. Annual salary reviews are therefore a compliance obligation, not just good HR practice.
The Full COMPASS Scorecard for EP Renewals
COMPASS has four foundational criteria (C1–C4) and two bonus criteria (C5–C6). Each foundational criterion is worth up to 20 points; each bonus criterion adds 10 points if triggered.
| Criterion | What It Measures | Max Points |
|---|---|---|
| C1 – Salary | Candidate’s salary vs. local-resident PMET peers | 20 |
| C2 – Qualifications | Highest education level and institution ranking | 20 |
| C3 – Nationality Diversity | Share of candidate’s nationality in your firm’s EP workforce | 20 |
| C4 – Support for Local Employment | Firm’s local-to-total PMET ratio vs. industry peers | 20 |
| C5 – Shortage Occupation List | Role is on MOM’s Shortage Occupation List (SOL) | +10 bonus |
| C6 – Strategic Economic Priorities | Firm participates in EDB/EnterpriseSG strategic programmes | +10 bonus |
C2 – Qualifications: 2026 Updates
MOM updated the list of degree-equivalent professional qualifications and top-tier institutions in November 2025. These updates took effect for all EP applications and renewals from 1 January 2026. Candidates with degrees from newly added institutions may see their C2 score improve; candidates whose qualifications are no longer on the approved list may see a reduction. Review the updated lists on MOM’s eligibility page before submitting a renewal.
C5 – Shortage Occupation List: Key 2026 Changes
The SOL was revised in early 2026. Several technology roles previously on the list — including Cyber Risk Specialist, Cybersecurity Operations Specialist, and Product Manager (Digital) — were removed. New healthcare roles were added. Employers who were relying on a C5 bonus for candidates in technology roles should recheck whether the role still qualifies before renewal.
When to Start the Renewal Process
MOM allows employers to submit an EP renewal application up to six months (180 days) before the pass expires. This is not just a convenience — it is an important risk buffer. Processing times can vary, and if MOM requests additional information, a last-minute submission can leave your employee without a valid pass.
As a rule of thumb:
- 6 months before expiry: Run a COMPASS self-assessment and salary review
- 4–5 months before expiry: Submit the renewal application via EP Online (MOM)
- At least 2 weeks before expiry: Application must be submitted at minimum to avoid the employee needing to leave Singapore
If the pass expires while a renewal application is pending, the employee may continue working under a bridging status — but only if the renewal was submitted before expiry.
Documents Required for EP Renewal
For most straightforward renewals, MOM’s EP Online system will auto-populate existing information. However, you should prepare the following supporting documents in case they are requested:
- Candidate’s current Employment Pass (for verification)
- Latest payslip(s) confirming current salary
- Updated educational certificates (if qualifications have changed or were not previously verified)
- Company’s latest ACRA BizFile+ profile
- CPF contribution records confirming local PMET headcount (relevant for C4)
- Evidence of any skills or certifications on MOM’s approved lists
- For candidates in regulated professions: licence or registration from the relevant professional board
Note that employers sponsoring EP holders must maintain adequate insurance coverage and ensure the candidate’s personal particulars in the system are current.
Common Reasons EP Renewals Are Rejected in 2026
Understanding what causes rejection is the best way to avoid it:
1. Salary Falling Behind Market Benchmarks
This is the single most common cause. If your employee received only incremental pay rises over the years while market rates moved faster, their C1 score drops to zero. A candidate with zero C1 points needs to score perfectly on all other foundational criteria — which is rare. Solution: conduct annual salary benchmarking and adjust accordingly before renewal.
2. High Nationality Concentration (C3)
If your EP workforce is heavily concentrated in one nationality — for example, 60% of all EP holders are from the same country — new applicants and renewals of that nationality will score poorly on C3. Diversifying hiring across nationalities improves C3 scores for the whole cohort.
3. Low Local PMET Ratio (C4)
Companies that hire relatively few Singapore Citizens and PRs at the PMET level score low on C4. If your firm has been scaling its foreign workforce without a proportionate increase in local senior hires, all EP renewals become more vulnerable. Hiring and retaining local PMETs is both a compliance imperative and genuine workforce investment.
4. Outdated Qualifications Records
If the candidate’s educational credentials were not verified under the current framework — particularly if their institution was added or removed from MOM’s lists — the C2 score may be lower than expected. Always re-verify qualifications for renewals submitted after 1 January 2026.
5. Adverse Employment or Compliance Records
Any Fair Consideration Framework (FCF) violations, Employment Act breaches, or CPF underpayment issues on the employer’s record can affect EP renewals. MOM will check the Fair Consideration Framework compliance status of the hiring firm.
What to Do If an EP Renewal Is Rejected
If MOM rejects a renewal application, the employer will receive a rejection notice with reasons. You have several options:
- Appeal within three months: Submit a formal appeal with additional supporting information through EP Online. Clearly address the stated reason for rejection.
- Address the underlying issue: If C1 is the problem, raise the salary before reapplying. If C3 is the issue, consider whether the firm’s overall hiring profile can be adjusted before the next submission.
- Consider alternative passes: Depending on the candidate’s profile, they may qualify for a Personalised Employment Pass (PEP), a ONE Pass, or a Tech.Pass — none of which are tied to an employer sponsor.
- Seek professional advice: A rejected EP renewal can have significant operational consequences. Engaging an experienced corporate services provider early gives you the best chance of a successful outcome.
EP Renewal and Your Broader Workforce Compliance
EP renewal is not just an HR task — it sits at the intersection of payroll, corporate governance, and MOM compliance. Employers who integrate EP renewal planning into their broader compliance calendar (alongside CPF contributions, payroll filings, and FCF job advertising requirements) are far less likely to be caught off-guard.
For a full picture of your Singapore employer obligations, refer to our Singapore Company Compliance Calendar and our Singapore Payroll & CPF Guide 2026.
If you are hiring new foreign professionals rather than renewing, see our comparison of Employment Pass vs ONE Pass vs PEP to choose the right pass type from the outset.
How Raffles Corporate Services Can Help
Navigating EP renewals — especially with COMPASS now in play — requires careful preparation. Raffles Corporate Services and our associated immigration team can help you assess COMPASS scores, prepare the required documentation, liaise with MOM on your behalf, and manage the end-to-end renewal process so that your employees experience zero disruption.
Contact Raffles Corporate Services today to schedule an EP compliance review before your next renewal window opens.
— The Editorial Team, Raffles Corporate Services