Lawyer, Family Office
Concept
When you incorporate a company in Singapore, the company director (or another key executive) can be issued an Employment Pass (EP) — Singapore's top-tier work-and-residence permit administered by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). The EP is significantly faster than the Global Investor Programme PR route: it grants residence in 3–4 months from start of document collection, with no capital investment requirement beyond running an operational Singapore company.
The EP is the standard pathway for founder-CEOs, fund managers, family-office principals and senior executives who relocate to Asia. It pairs with Dependent Passes for the spouse and children under 21, and after a few years opens the route to Permanent Resident (PR) status.
At a glance
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Validity (first issuance) | Up to 2 years |
| Renewals | Up to 3 years per renewal |
| Minimum monthly salary (most sectors, from 1 Jan 2025) | S$5,600 |
| Minimum monthly salary (financial services, from 1 Jan 2025) | S$6,200 |
| Minimum salary scales with age | Yes — older candidates require higher salaries |
| Processing time after submission | 3 weeks (standard); ~10 working days (most cases) |
| Family eligibility | Dependent Pass for spouse + children under 21 (EP holders earning ≥S$6,000/month) |
| Path to PR | Available after typically 2+ years of EP, case-by-case |
| Capital investment required | None beyond ordinary company operations |
Minimum requirements
- Operational Singapore company — incorporated and active, with the EP candidate appointed as director or senior executive. See our Singapore company guide for incorporation mechanics.
- Qualifying monthly salary paid from the company's Singapore bank account to the candidate's personal account:
- S$5,600/month minimum (most sectors, from 1 January 2025);
- S$6,200/month minimum (financial services);
- higher minima for candidates aged 45+ on a sliding scale.
- EP COMPASS score of at least 40 points out of 80.
- Arrive in Singapore within 6 months of issuance to complete biometrics and collect the EP card.
EP COMPASS scoring (since 1 September 2023)
Each of the four core attributes scores 0, 10 or 20 points:
| Attribute | What it measures |
|---|---|
| C1 — Salary | Fixed monthly salary vs the local PMET (professional, managerial, executive, technical) salary distribution in the same sector |
| C2 — Qualifications | Top-tier universities (MOM's recognised list) score highest; lower-tier or unranked institutions score lower |
| C3 — Diversity | Whether the candidate's nationality improves the diversity of the firm's PMET workforce |
| C4 — Support for local employment | The firm's share of local PMETs vs sector average |
Bonus criteria add up to 20 further points:
- C5 — Skills bonus: if the role appears on MOM's Shortage Occupation List.
- C6 — Strategic economic priorities bonus: if the firm participates in EDB-recognised innovation, internationalisation or sustainability programmes.
Founder-director EPs in well-structured Singapore entities typically score 40–60 points without difficulty; thinly-staffed shell companies struggle on C3 and C4.
Required documents
All documents must be in English or with sworn translation. Apostille is not required for EP applications.
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Passport | All pages, ≥6 months validity |
| Foreign residence permits, if any | Confirms current legal status outside home country |
| Proof of address | Recent utility bill or bank statement in English (≤3 months old) |
| Education diplomas | Higher-tier institutions score better on COMPASS C2; verification by an EDB-recognised provider may be required if not on MOM's list |
| CV | Marital status, year-by-year employment history with positions and monthly salary at the last 2 roles, education with dates, memberships, awards |
All submitted as scans.
Application stages
Stage 1 — Document collection (3–4 weeks)
- Provision of scans
- Education credential verification (if required) — 10–15 business days
Stage 2 — Submission to MOM
Filed online via the EP eService portal. Application fee S$105.
Stage 3 — Review (~3 weeks)
MOM processes the application; COMPASS scoring is computed automatically. Outcome: Approval-in-Principle (AIP), additional information request, or rejection.
Stage 4 — Travel to Singapore (~3 weeks)
- Schedule MOM ministry appointment — only bookable after arrival in Singapore
- Attend the appointment in person
- Collect the EP card
Receiving your EP card in Singapore
Before arrival
3 days before flying, complete the SG Arrival Card electronically (no paper version). Carry on the day of travel:
- Passport (the one the EP was tied to);
- Printed In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter;
- Printed or screenshot SG Arrival Card receipt.
On arrival
To book the MOM appointment online you will need:
- A Singapore mobile number (purchase a SIM in Singapore — Singtel, M1, StarHub or MyRepublic; annual prepaid recommended);
- A Singapore residential or hotel address (for card delivery);
- The DE number from the SG Arrival Card receipt.
Booking the appointment
Slots typically available within 3–5 business days of providing the above information. On confirmation you receive:
- A notification letter;
- An appointment letter.
MOM appointment
At the appointment you will:
- Provide fingerprints;
- Take a passport-style photograph;
- Complete Singpass registration (Singapore's digital ID — needed for most online government services and many banks).
Card delivery
The physical EP card is produced within 5–7 business days after biometrics and delivered to your Singapore address. If you plan to leave Singapore before the card arrives, overseas delivery can be arranged.
Personal banking
Once Singpass is registered, you can open a personal account with DBS Bank through their simplified remote workflow — the most common choice for new EP holders. Other options include OCBC, UOB, Citibank Singapore, HSBC Singapore and Standard Chartered Singapore.
Tax considerations
Holding an EP makes you a Singapore tax resident for any year in which you are physically present 183+ days, with worldwide income taxed under Singapore's territorial rules. Foreign-source income received outside Singapore is generally not taxed.
Pitfalls
- Underpaying salary against age-band minimum. Paying the absolute minimum salary is fine for a 28-year-old but fails for a 50-year-old whose age-adjusted minimum is materially higher.
- Thin Singapore company. A company with no local employees, no local lease and no operational substance scores poorly on COMPASS C3 and C4 and can be rejected even if the candidate's individual profile is strong.
- Treating EP as PR. EP is a renewable work pass tied to your Singapore role; PR is a separate application after typically 2+ years. Lose the EP role, lose the EP (with a grace period to wind down).
- Not registering Singpass at the MOM visit. Singpass is the gateway to most subsequent Singapore administration — banking, healthcare, tax filing. Skip it and you'll need to return for a separate appointment.
FAQs
What is the minimum salary for an Employment Pass in 2026?
S$5,600/month for most sectors and S$6,200/month for financial services, with higher minima for candidates aged 45+ on a sliding scale. The salary must be paid from the Singapore company's bank account to the candidate's personal account.
What is EP COMPASS?
A points-based scoring framework introduced by MOM on 1 September 2023. Candidates are scored on 4 core attributes (salary, qualifications, firm diversity, support for local employment) and 2 bonus criteria (shortage occupations, strategic economic priorities). Minimum 40 of 80 points required.
How long is an Employment Pass valid?
Up to 2 years on first issuance. Renewable for up to 3 years per renewal. Validity tied to the candidate remaining in the qualifying role at the qualifying salary.
Can family members come with me on EP?
Yes. EP holders earning ≥S$6,000/month can apply for Dependent Passes for a legally married spouse and unmarried children under 21. EP holders earning ≥S$12,000/month can additionally apply for Long-Term Visit Passes for common-law spouses, step-children, handicapped adult children and parents.
Does EP lead to Singapore PR?
EP is a separate status from PR. PR applications can be made after typically 2+ years of EP holding; success depends on contribution to Singapore, family ties, length of stay and economic profile. Most EP holders apply for PR through ICA's standard PTS (Professional, Technical Personnel and Skilled Workers) channel rather than GIP.
Do I need to be physically in Singapore to apply?
No for the application itself — submitted online by the sponsoring Singapore company. Yes for completing the process — biometric appointment at MOM requires physical presence in Singapore, with the appointment only bookable after you arrive.
What if my university is not on MOM's recognised list?
Plan for independent credential verification (DataFlow, WES or equivalent, ~S$200–500 and 10 business days) and rely more heavily on salary and experience to compensate for a lower COMPASS C2 score. Adding local PMET hires in the Singapore company before submission can raise C3/C4 and offset a weaker C2.
How fast is the EP process end-to-end?
Document collection 3–4 weeks; MOM review 3 weeks; Singapore arrival, biometrics and card delivery 3 weeks. Total typically 3–4 months from start to physical card in hand.
Does EP make me Singapore tax resident?
Tax residence is determined separately — generally by 183+ days physical presence in Singapore in a calendar year, plus centre of vital interests. Holding an EP does not automatically make you Singapore tax resident; conversely, you can be Singapore tax resident even on a short-term work pass if you cross the 183-day threshold.
Can I open a Singapore bank account remotely?
For corporate accounts and the EP-holder's personal account: usually only after arrival and Singpass registration. DBS offers a simplified workflow for personal accounts post-Singpass. Pre-arrival, a private banking relationship (DBS Private, UOB Privilege Reserve, OCBC Premier Banking) may sometimes be established remotely subject to wealth thresholds.
Last reviewed: 21 May 2026