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Key takeaway: MOM figures for the Employment Pass qualifying salary and the COMPASS 40-point test, how MOE and SSG describe teacher qualifications and school registration, plus application fees, ICA permanent residence information and IRAS tax residency rules.

An employer-led pass with a salary stage and a points stage

MOM describes the Employment Pass (EP) as for foreign professionals, managers and executives with a job offer in Singapore who meet the eligibility criteria. The employer or an appointed employment agent applies on the candidate's behalf, and the candidate does not need to be in Singapore when the application is made. Candidates must earn at least the EP qualifying salary and, unless exempted, pass the points-based COMPASS. Employers must also meet the Fair Consideration Framework job advertising requirement before submitting a new application. MOM says no foreign worker levy or quota is required.

MOM: Key facts on Employment Pass MOM: Eligibility for Employment Pass MOM: Apply for an Employment Pass

The qualifying salary and the Education sector benchmark

MOM says a candidate who does not meet the EP qualifying salary cannot obtain an EP regardless of the points scored under COMPASS. For all sectors except financial services the current minimum is S$5,600 a month, rising with age from age 23 to S$10,700 at 45 and above; at age 30 the table shows S$7,223, and S$7,750 for new applications from 1 Jan 2027. Separately, the COMPASS salary criterion uses sector benchmarks: for the Education sector, MOM's table for new applications from 1 Jan 2026 to 31 Dec 2026 shows S$6,812 for 10 points and S$9,117 for 20 points at age 30. MOM groups the employer into a COMPASS sector based on the primary business activity it declared to ACRA or another UEN issuance agency, regardless of whether it operates across multiple sectors. For new applications from 1 Jan 2027, MOM's updated Education table (released Aug 2026) shows S$7,015 and S$9,382 at age 30.

MOM: Eligibility for Employment Pass MOM: Key facts on Employment Pass MOM: COMPASS C1. Salary benchmarks MOM: C1 Salary benchmarks by Sector (released Aug 2025), Education MOM FAQ: How do I check and update my organisation's sector classification? MOM: C1 Salary benchmarks by Sector (released Aug 2026), Education

How qualifications and the employer's profile count in COMPASS

COMPASS needs 40 points. The qualifications criterion (C2) gives 20 points for degree-equivalent qualifications from listed institutions and 10 for other degree-equivalent qualifications, including foreign qualifications assessed as comparable to a UK bachelor's degree. MOM says verification proof must be submitted if points are needed from C2, and that candidates without degree-equivalent qualifications can still pass by earning 40 points from other criteria. Diversity (C3) depends on the share of the candidate's nationality among the employer's PMETs, and support for local employment (C4) on the employer's local PMET share relative to its sector; an employer with fewer than 25 PMETs scores 10 points by default on each.

MOM: Eligibility for Employment Pass

Application steps, fees and timing

MOM says an employer or appointed employment agent can apply online through EP eService and pay a S$105 fee. For online applications MOM states they are processed or given an update within 10 business days, and processing may take longer if additional information or documents are required. If approved, the in-principle approval letter gives the candidate 6 months to enter Singapore and get the pass issued, and MOM lists S$225 for each pass when it is issued. MOM states that first-time passes last up to 2 years and renewals up to 3 years.

MOM: Apply for an Employment Pass MOM: Key facts on Employment Pass

MOE schools and international-curriculum schools: different bodies

MOE's careers page for its own schools says a Trained Teacher should have a professional teaching qualification, such as the Postgraduate Diploma in Education or Diploma in Education from NIE, or another professional teaching qualification. MOE and SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) say that private schools offering full-time primary or secondary education that follows a foreign or international curriculum must register with SSG, under its Enhanced Registration Framework. SSG says registration does not represent accreditation of the institution or the quality of its courses. SSG's registration requirements state that teachers deployed by a registered private education institution must be fit and proper and have the minimum qualifications and experience to teach at the level of the course, and that their qualifications must come from institutions recognised by the relevant authority in the country where they are established. Careers@Gov, the Singapore Public Service's recruitment site, says non-Singaporeans can apply and be considered for Public Service jobs, and that non-citizen officers generally serve in roles requiring skills in shortage among the local workforce; this is a general statement, and the MOE teacher pages reviewed do not set out conditions for non-Singaporean applicants.

MOE: Trained Teacher: Overview MOE: Register a private school: Overview SkillsFuture Singapore (TPGateway): Private Education Institutions FAQ SkillsFuture Singapore (TPGateway): Enhanced Registration Framework — Registration Requirements Careers@Gov (ask.gov.sg): Does the Singapore Public Service employ non-Singaporeans? SkillsFuture Singapore (TPGateway): Enhanced Registration Framework — Who needs to register?

Permanent residence is a separate ICA application

ICA lists holders of an Employment Pass or S Pass among the foreigners who may apply for permanent residence, and the holder submits the application through ICA's e-Service using Singpass. ICA says it takes into account factors such as family ties to Singaporeans, economic contributions, qualifications, age, family profile and length of residency. The application fee is S$100 and non-refundable. ICA says applications are processed within 6 months if all required documents are in order, and some may take longer. ICA also states that male permanent residents, unless exempted, are required to serve National Service.

ICA: Becoming a Permanent Resident

Income tax depends on tax residency

IRAS says a foreigner is treated as a tax resident if they stayed or worked in Singapore for at least 183 days in the previous calendar year, or continuously for 3 consecutive years, with a further rule for employment straddling 2 calendar years; otherwise they are treated as a non-resident. Resident rates are progressive and the current highest personal income tax rate is 24%. Employment income of a non-resident is taxed at a flat 15% or the progressive resident rates, whichever gives the higher tax. MOM notes that pass holders may be required to pay income tax.

IRAS: Individual Income Tax Rates MOM: Key facts on Employment Pass

Questions before acting

What salary does a teacher need for an Employment Pass?

MOM sets a minimum qualifying salary for EP candidates: for all sectors except financial services it is currently S$5,600 a month, rising with age up to S$10,700 at 45 and above, and from S$6,000 (up to S$11,500 at 45 and above) for new applications from 1 Jan 2027. MOM says a candidate who does not meet it cannot obtain an EP. The COMPASS salary criterion separately uses benchmarks for the employer's sector; for an employer in the Education sector the 2026 table shows S$6,812 at age 30 for 10 points.

Are international schools registered with MOE or SSG?

MOE says a private school offering full-time primary or secondary education that follows a foreign or international curriculum needs to register with SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG), and SSG says such institutions register under its Enhanced Registration Framework. SSG adds that registration does not represent accreditation of the institution or the quality of its courses, and its registration requirements say teachers deployed must be fit and proper and have the minimum qualifications and experience for the level they teach.

Can a teacher on an Employment Pass apply for permanent residence?

ICA lists holders of an Employment Pass or S Pass among the foreigners who may apply. ICA assesses factors such as family ties to Singaporeans, economic contributions, qualifications, age, family profile and length of residency. The application fee is S$100 and ICA says applications are processed within 6 months if the documents are in order. The outcome depends on ICA's assessment.

Corrections in this revision

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About the author

António Mira is the founder of whereTOemigrate. For over a decade he has worked at the intersection of Portuguese real estate and overseas business, helping international clients navigate the cross-border decisions that come with relocating. He sits on the board of CCIAP (Portuguese-Arab Chamber of Commerce), the Portuguese-Saudi Business Council, and the Portugal-Hong Kong Business Association — always with one focus: enabling overseas business and human mobility into and out of Portugal.

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