SINGAPORE: COMPASS – New Points Based Assessment Framework

March 10, 2022


The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has announced the introduction of a points-based assessment called Complementary Assessment Framework (COMPASS) from 1 September 2023 for new EP applications and from 1 September 2024 for EP renewals.

Background

MOM has been regularly reviewing their assessment process for EP applications and ensuring that they help employers create opportunities for their local workforce. One of the relevant criteria in assessing EP applications in the past is the monthly fixed salary of the employee and there have been gradual increases in the minimum salary requirements for EP applications in the previous years. Another increase is set to take effect in September this year.

In addition to the increase in the minimum salary, MOM will implement for the first time a points-based assessment called COMPASS. This will further assist the companies to employ highly skilled professionals that would aim to foster diversity and at the same time complement their local workforce.

Singapore Complementary Assessment (COMPASS) Framework

This framework aims to evaluate an EP application based on both employee and employer-related attributes and a minimum of 40 points will be required to pass. With COMPASS, the EP applications will be assessed based on four foundation criteria in addition to meeting the minimum salary requirements for an EP application.

A maximum of 20 points can be awarded if the application exceeds expectations per criterion. 10 points per criterion is granted for meeting expectations and no points will be awarded for not meeting expectations in a particular criterion.

Additional points can be awarded to the application if it meets conditions in the bonus criteria.

COMPASS Employee Attributes Employer Attributes
Foundation Criteria Salary Diversity
Differences in salary norms for each industry/sector will be considered. Points will be earned in this criterion if the applicant meets sector-specific benchmarks.

EP applicants will still be required to meet the minimum qualifying salary, which will have to commensurate with age and experience.

 COMPASS places significance on diversity in companies to ensure inclusiveness and resiliency in the workforce. The lower the share of employee’s nationality in the company the more points they would earn in this criterion.

*PMET employees who are earning at least SGD 3,000 monthly will be considered in assessing this criterion.

Employers with less than 25 PMET employees will automatically be granted 10 points.
Qualifications Support for Local Employment
Degrees from Top 100 universities based on international rankings will earn a maximum 20 points. Degree equivalent qualifications will earn 10 points.

Degree qualifications play an important part in the assessment of this criteria but is not a mandatory requirement in COMPASS. Employees can still earn points on other criteria.

 While COMPASS recognizes that diversity in the employee population is essential, more points are to be awarded to employers who are dedicated to creating opportunities for the local workforce.

*PMET employees who are earning at least SGD 3,000 monthly will be considered in assessing this criterion.

Employers with less than 25 PMET employees will automatically be granted 10 points. At least 10 points will be awarded to employers with at least 70% of local PMET share.
Bonus Criteria Skills Bonus Strategic Economic Priorities Bonus
**A Shortage Occupation List (SOL) will be introduced in March 2023 and the list will be reviewed regularly. Applicants whose jobs fall under the SOL will earn the maximum of 20 bonus points. However, the points will be reduced to 10 if the employee’s nationality is about one-third or higher of the employer’s PMETs. A maximum of 10 bonus points will be awarded to employers who are able to meet specific assessment criteria on innovation and internationalization activities.

*Professionals, managers, executives and technicians (PMET)

**Occupational restrictions may apply if the applicant only passed COMPASS due to this bonus criteria. Further information will be released prior to September 2023.

Who are exempted from COMPASS?

An application may be exempted from COMPASS if the employee is earning at least SGD 20,000 fixed monthly salary or applying as an ICT (intra-corporate transferee) or will be working in the country for a short period of time (i.e. 1 month or less).

Newland Chase Insights

This additional requirement in the EP application process forms part of Singapore’s plan to protect its local workforce while balancing diversity by way of attracting the most highly skilled professionals. The additional scrutiny in the applications will affect the number of EP applications that may be approved by MOM in the future and it is important that companies carefully assess an applicant’s eligibility prior to proceeding with the application filing.

Given the complexity of the new points-based system, similar to the previous EP Self-Assessment tool (SAT), MOM would be releasing a COMPASS Pre-Assessment Tool (PAT) to assist employers in reviewing whether or not an applicant may qualify for an EP. The assessment tool will become available in September 2023.

As always, don’t hesitate to reach out to your Newland Chase dedicated contact or submit an inquiry here should you have any specific questions regarding this announcement.

This immigration update is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal or scenario-specific advice. Furthermore, it is important to note that immigration announcements are subject to sudden and unexpected changes. Readers are encouraged to reach out to Newland Chase for any case- or company-specific assessments.