Introduction
The Singapore Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has issued the new salary benchmarking table to be effective for Employment Permit applications from 1st January 2025 and for Employment Permit renewals from 1st July 2025.
Impact:
Medium
What has changed?
The existing salary benchmarking table for the Complementary Assessments Framework (COMPASS), the points-based evaluation system used for all Employment Permit (EP) applications, is being updated. For the Singaporean points-based Employment Permit (EP) process, a minimum of 40 points are required for eligibility to obtain or renew EP. Minimum salary requirements are set out by industry sector and the age of the applicant.
In order to earn points under the COMPASS salary criteria category “C1”, foreign employees must meet the minimum salary requirements as set out in the COMPASS benchmarking table. Between 10 and 20 points are awarded under COMPASS depending on the salary level. However, no points will be awarded if the applicant’s salary does not meet the minimum levels and they will need to earn additional points under other COMPASS criteria in order to reach the minimum 40 points and be eligible for an EP or EP extension.
The current salary benchmark levels will be valid for initial submissions until 31st December 2024, and for the renewal of EPs expiring between September 1st 2024 and June 30th 2025. The new C1 Salary by sector benchmarking table released in August 2024 will be effective for Employment Permit applications from 1st January 2025 and for Employment Permit renewals from 1st July 2025.
Who is affected?
All applicants for an EP or EP renewal will be impacted by the new salary benchmark levels.
What to expect /impact?
Employers must ensure their applicants meet the minimum salary levels set out by the COMPASS benchmarking table in order to be rewarded points for EP and EP renewal applications. If points are not earned through the salary benchmarking category “C1”, they will need to be earned through other COMPASS criteria in order to obtain the minimum 40 points required to qualify.
What you need to do
For further information on Singapore immigration requirements, please contact the Sterling Lexicon immigration team at immigration@sterlinglexicon.com
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