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Employment Pass vs PR Requirements in Singapore
Reviewed by Elena Kwa, MOM-Licensed Immigration Consultant (EA Personnel No. R23118902), TIP EA Licence No. 23C1941
Employment Pass requirements and Singapore PR requirements are assessed by different agencies for different purposes. Meeting MOM’s EP conditions does not mean you have met a PR approval threshold.
Employment Pass: permission for an approved job
EP candidates must meet MOM’s qualifying salary and, unless exempt, pass COMPASS. Salary requirements vary by age, sector and application or renewal date. The employer or appointed employment agent handles the application.
The previous S$4,500 and S$5,000 salary figures on this page are obsolete. Refer to MOM’s EP eligibility requirements and our EP salary and COMPASS guide for the current age bands and announced increases. Higher salary requirements apply to new applications from 1 January 2027 and renewals of passes expiring from 1 January 2028.
For documents, fees and the employer’s submission steps, use the separate EP application guide. Work-pass eligibility, family passes and appeals each have their own requirements; they should not be treated as part of a PR checklist.
Permanent residence: a separate ICA application
ICA lists EP and S Pass holders among those who may apply for PR. Other categories also exist, so holding an EP is not a universal requirement for every PR applicant. Check ICA’s PR eligibility and application guidance for the route matching your circumstances.
ICA considers factors including family ties to Singaporeans, economic contributions, qualifications, age, family profile and length of residency. It does not publish a PR salary cutoff or a COMPASS-based PR score. No universal six-month EP qualifying period is stated on its eligibility page.
How the two sets of requirements differ
| Question | EP | PR |
|---|---|---|
| Who assesses it? | MOM | ICA; foreign-investor route information is provided through EDB. |
| What is being assessed? | Eligibility for the approved employment. | An application for permanent residence under the relevant category. |
| Is there a published salary framework? | Yes, with age and sector distinctions. | No published salary threshold that guarantees approval. |
| Does the outcome follow automatically? | An application and decision are required. | An EP holder must make a separate application; approval is not automatic. |
Choose the guide for your next step
- Applying for an EP: read the employer application guide.
- Preparing a PR application as an EP holder: read the EP-to-PR process guide.
- Deciding whether PR fits your plans: compare benefits and obligations.
- Running your own business: read founder work-pass and PR considerations.
Discuss PR application preparation with TIP
See TIP’s Singapore PR application support or arrange a complimentary consultation to discuss your circumstances and the available service scope. Paid assistance is optional. ICA makes the decision; a consultancy cannot guarantee approval.
Official guidance checked on 5 October 2026. Follow the current agency instructions and any conditions issued for your application.
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