Singapore COMPASS: Complete Guide for Indian Students and Graduates

What is Singapore COMPASS?

COMPASS is Singapore's points-based system for evaluating Employment Pass (EP) applications. It was designed by MOM to ensure that foreign professionals hired in Singapore genuinely complement the local workforce rather than simply replace it.

Before COMPASS, EP approvals were largely discretionary. COMPASS made the process transparent and rule-based. Every applicant is now scored on a defined set of criteria, and the outcome is more predictable for both employers and candidates.

COMPASS evaluates both the individual candidate (salary, qualifications) and the hiring company (workforce diversity, local employment support). This dual assessment is what makes it unique compared to work visa systems in other countries.

For Indian students graduating from universities in Singapore or applying from India, understanding COMPASS is not optional. It directly determines whether your employer can successfully sponsor your EP.

Learn more about Singapore Work Visa types and eligibility to understand where the EP fits in the broader work pass landscape.

The 2-Stage EP Eligibility Framework Explained

To qualify for an Employment Pass, every candidate must clear two stages. Failing Stage 1 means you cannot proceed to Stage 2, regardless of how many COMPASS points you would have scored.

Here is what each stage requires:

The table below shows the current minimum qualifying salary by sector. Note that salary increases progressively with age from 23 onwards.

Important note: From January 1, 2027, the minimum qualifying salary for new applications will increase to SGD 6,000/month (around ₹4,49,700) for all sectors except financial services. If you are planning to apply after that date, factor this into your salary negotiations.

Many students assume that getting a job offer is enough. It is not. Your employer must also confirm that your salary meets the age-appropriate threshold before even running the COMPASS assessment.

All 6 COMPASS Criteria: How Points Are Scored

COMPASS has 4 foundational criteria and 2 bonus criteria. You need 40 points in total. The maximum from foundational criteria alone is 80 points. Bonus criteria can add up to 30 more points.

The table below shows every criterion, the scoring bands, and the points awarded. Study this carefully before evaluating your own profile.

Note: PMET stands for Professionals, Managers, Executives, and Technicians. For companies with fewer than 25 PMETs, C3 and C4 both default to 10 points each. This is a significant advantage for candidates applying to smaller firms and startups.

• C1 and C2 are individual-level criteria. You control these through your salary negotiation and your university choice.
• C3 and C4 are firm-level criteria. You cannot control these directly. They depend entirely on your employer's workforce composition.
• C5 and C6 are bonus criteria. C5 is the most actionable bonus for Indian students in tech roles.

How COMPASS Specifically Affects Indian Students

The C3 Diversity criterion is the most consequential COMPASS factor for Indian applicants. India consistently sends one of the largest groups of foreign professionals to Singapore. At many tech companies, IT firms, and financial services firms, Indians already make up a significant share of the PMET workforce.

If Indians constitute 25% or more of a company's PMET employees, any new Indian applicant scores 0 points on C3. This means you need to compensate with higher scores on other criteria to still reach 40 points.

Here is a practical example of how this plays out:

In Scenario B, the same candidate with the same qualifications and salary is at the minimum threshold. Any additional weakness (say, salary below the 65th percentile) would cause a fail.

For context on post-study work options in Singapore, read our guide on Jobs in Singapore for International Students.

Shortage Occupation List (SOL): Your Bonus Points Advantage

The Shortage Occupation List (SOL) is a list of roles where Singapore faces a genuine skills shortage. If your job is on this list, you can earn up to 20 bonus points under C5. This is the most powerful lever available to Indian students in tech, healthcare, and green economy roles.

The SOL is updated once a year. The current list applies to all new and renewal EP applications from January 1, 2026 (released November 2025).

The table below shows the key SOL sectors and roles most relevant to Indian graduates:

Important: To claim the C5 bonus, your actual job duties must match the SOL description. MOM checks qualifications, work experience, and job duties. If you need the SOL bonus to pass COMPASS, MOM will conduct additional verification. Do not select an SOL job title unless your role genuinely matches the listed duties.

• Tech roles on the SOL also qualify for a 5-year duration EP for experienced professionals. This is a significant benefit over the standard 2-year EP.
• The SOL is reviewed comprehensively every 3 years and updated annually. Check the MOM website each year before applying.

Who is Exempt from COMPASS?

Not every EP applicant needs to go through COMPASS. MOM has defined three specific exemption conditions. If any one of these applies, the candidate skips Stage 2 entirely.

For most Indian students and early-career professionals, the SGD 22,500 salary exemption is not realistic at the start of a career. The intra-corporate transferee route is relevant only if you are already employed at a multinational with a Singapore office.

Note: Even if you are exempt from COMPASS, you must still meet the Stage 1 qualifying salary requirement. Exemption only removes the Stage 2 COMPASS scoring requirement.

How to Use the MOM Self-Assessment Tool (SAT)

Before your employer submits an EP application, they should use MOM's Self-Assessment Tool (SAT) to check your likely COMPASS score. The SAT gives an indicative outcome. If the SAT shows you are not eligible, the actual application will almost certainly be rejected.

• The SAT is available at mom.gov.sg and requires an EP eService account login (for employers and employment agents).
• It is free to use and available 24 hours a day.
• The SAT includes your COMPASS C3 and C4 scores based on the employer's actual workforce data.
• If the SAT shows you are eligible, there is approximately a 90% chance the actual application will be approved.
• The SAT result is not stored by MOM. Your employer should download and save the PDF result.

A practical tip from the Indian professional community in Singapore: "Ask your HR team to run the SAT before you resign from your current job or make any relocation plans. The SAT result tells you where you stand before any money or commitment is involved."

One important caveat: the actual COMPASS score in the formal application may differ slightly from the SAT result. This is because the SAT does not account for all checks, such as the candidate's personal history. Use the SAT as a strong indicator, not a guarantee.

COMPASS Updates Effective January 2026

MOM updated the COMPASS framework in November 2025, with changes taking effect from January 1, 2026. These updates affect both new applications and renewals. If you are planning to apply or renew in 2026, these changes apply to you.

• C2 Qualifications list updated: The list of institutions that qualify for 20 points (top-tier) and 10 points has been revised. Check the updated list on the MOM website before assuming your institution's point value.
• SOL updated: The Shortage Occupation List has been revised. Some roles may have been added or removed. The updated SAT reflecting these changes was available from December 1, 2025.
• Salary benchmarks updated: The C1 salary benchmarks are reviewed regularly. The percentile thresholds are recalibrated based on current local PMET salary data.
• Upcoming salary increase (2027): From January 1, 2027, the minimum EP qualifying salary for new applications rises to SGD 6,000/month (around ₹4,49,700). Renewals expiring from January 1, 2028, will also need to meet this higher threshold.

Note: COMPASS criteria are reviewed regularly by MOM. Always verify the current criteria on the official MOM website before making any career or relocation decisions. Do not rely on information that is more than a few months old.

• For a broader view of Singapore as a study and career destination, read our guide on Why Study in Singapore.
• If you are still in the process of applying for your student visa, check our detailed guide on the Singapore Student Visa application process.