# Singapore — residence permit for top management > Incorporate in Singapore and the director or key executive can hold an Employment Pass — the top-tier work-and-residence route. Thresholds and structuring. Author: Мария Плотникова — юрист, Family Office (https://wiki.private.law/authors/plotnikova) Last modified: 2026-06-04T13:56:00.000Z Canonical: https://wiki.private.law/en/singapore-residence-permit Topics: migration Jurisdictions: singapore Functional tags: residence-permit Semantic tags: residence-permit --- 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 — the main alternative for this profile is a [Hong Kong work or investment visa](https://wiki.private.law/en/hong-kong-residency). It pairs with Dependant's Passes for the spouse and children under 21, and after a couple of years opens the route to Permanent Resident (PR) status. The EP is one piece of a wider setup mapped out in our [Singapore hub](https://wiki.private.law/en/singapore-hub). > 💡 EP COMPASS scoring framework (effective 1 September 2023) governs all new EP applications. Candidates are assessed on 4 core attributes (salary, qualifications, firm diversity, firm support for local employment) and 2 bonus criteria (shortage occupations, strategic economic priorities). Minimum **40 points out of 80** required. ## 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 | > ⚙️ Salary mechanics: the qualifying salary is an age-banded floor that climbs every year of the candidate's age. It begins at S$5,600 (most sectors) or S$6,200 (financial services) at age 23 and reaches S$10,700 and S$11,800 respectively at age 45 and above. From 1 January 2027 the floors step up to S$6,000 and S$6,600 (rising to S$11,500 and S$12,700 at 45+), applying to renewals from 1 January 2028. Budget for the age band, not the headline figure. ## Minimum requirements 1. Operational Singapore company — incorporated and active, with the EP candidate appointed as director or senior executive. See our [Singapore company guide](https://wiki.private.law/en/company-singapore) for incorporation mechanics. 2. **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. 3. **EP COMPASS score** of at least 40 points out of 80. 4. **Arrive in Singapore** within 6 months of issuance to complete biometrics and collect the EP card. > 💡 **Salary considerations.** The "qualifying salary" is a floor, not an automatic pass — MOM looks at the salary relative to the candidate's age and the local market norm for the role. A 35-year-old paying themselves S$5,600 is borderline; a 50-year-old paying themselves the same is below the age-adjusted minimum and will likely score poorly on COMPASS. ## 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 | Two bonus criteria can add up to 30 further points on top of the 80 foundational: - C5 — Skills bonus (+10 or +20): if the role sits on MOM's Shortage Occupation List (SOL). Selected infocomm-technology roles on the SOL can also carry a five-year EP instead of the usual two. - C6 — Strategic Economic Priorities bonus (+10): if the firm runs EDB- or NTUC-recognised investment, innovation, internationalisation or workforce-transformation 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. > 💡 One exemption matters for this audience: a candidate with a fixed monthly salary of at least S$22,500 is exempt from COMPASS entirely, alongside intra-corporate transferees and anyone filling a role for a month or less. A founder or senior fund manager paid at that level clears Stage 2 on salary alone and never touches the points table. ## 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**. > 💡 **If your university is not on MOM's recognised list,** plan for additional steps — independent academic credential verification (DataFlow, WES or equivalent — adds roughly S$200–500 and 10 business days) and a stronger emphasis on salary and experience to compensate for a lower C2 score. Pre-assessing the COMPASS scoring before submission helps identify risk and add structural fixes (e.g. expanding the company's local PMET headcount before EP filing). ## 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 spend 183 days or more in the country. Singapore taxes individuals on a territorial basis: residents pay tax on Singapore-source employment and business income on a progressive scale (top rate 24% from YA 2024), while most foreign-source income received from outside Singapore is not taxed and there is no capital-gains tax. For how that fits a broader plan, see our [Singapore wealth-planning note](https://wiki.private.law/en/wealth-planning-singapore). ## Other routes to consider The EP is employer-tied and the natural default for someone running their own Singapore company, but three alternatives matter for this audience. The Overseas Networks and Expertise Pass (ONE Pass) suits very high earners — a fixed salary of around S$30,000 a month, or a standout track record — and, unlike the EP, is not tied to a single employer and lets the holder sit on several boards at once. EntrePass targets founders of venture-backed or genuinely innovative start-ups. The Global Investor Programme (GIP) leads straight to permanent residence in exchange for a substantial qualifying investment, but it is slower and capital-intensive. For most founders the EP stays the fastest and cheapest way in, with PR pursued a few years later. ## 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. > 🔗 Related: [Singapore hub](https://wiki.private.law/en/singapore-hub) · [Singapore company](https://wiki.private.law/en/company-singapore) · [Wealth planning in Singapore](https://wiki.private.law/en/wealth-planning-singapore) · [VCC fund vehicle](https://wiki.private.law/en/vcc-singapore) · [Bank of Singapore](https://wiki.private.law/en/bank-of-singapore) · [Hong Kong residency](https://wiki.private.law/en/hong-kong-residency) · [MOM EP eligibility](https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/employment-pass/eligibility) --- **Last reviewed:** 21 May 2026 --- ## FAQ ### 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. --- ## Factual claims - Lawyer, Family Office - Each of the four core attributes scores 0, 10 or 20 points: - Two bonus criteria can add up to 30 further points on top of the 80 foundational: - Founder-director EPs in well-structured Singapore entities typically score 40–60 points without difficulty; thinly-staffed shell companies struggle on C3 and C4. - 3 days before flying, complete the SG Arrival Card electronically (no paper version). - Slots typically available within 3–5 business days of providing the above information. - The physical EP card is produced within 5–7 business days after biometrics and delivered to your Singapore address. - Holding an EP makes you a Singapore tax resident for any year in which you spend 183 days or more in the country.