Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS)
From 1 September 2023, EP candidates must pass a two-stage eligibility framework. In addition to meeting the qualifying salary (Stage 1), EP candidates must pass a points-based Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS) (Stage 2).
COMPASS enables employers to select high-quality foreign professionals, while improving workforce diversity and building a strong Singaporean core. It is a transparent system that gives businesses greater clarity and certainty for manpower planning.
COMPASS will apply to:
- New applications from 1 September 2023
- Renewals from 1 September 2024
More details on the COMPASS criteria and assessment tools will be released ahead of September 2023 to help business prepare for the rollout. Find out when the details will be released.
How Compass works?
| Individual attributes | Firm-related attributes | |
| Foundational criteria | C1. Salary: Relative to local PMET salary norms for sector C2. Qualifications: Based on candidate’s qualifications | C3. Diversity: Whether candidate improves nationality diversity in firm C4. Support for local employment: Based on local PMET share compared to industry peers |
| Bonus criteria | C5. Skills bonus (Shortage occupation list): For candidates in jobs where skills shortages exist | C6. Strategic Economic Priorities Bonus: For partnership with Government on ambitious innovation or internalisation activities |
How is Compass scored?
| Points for each foundational criterion | Assessment |
| 20 | Exceeds expectations |
| 10 | Meets expectations |
| 0 | Does not meet expectations |
Your application can also earn additional points on bonus criteria if it meets the relevant qualifying conditions.These criteria recognise applications that bring in skills in shortage and support strategic economic priorities, thus creating good jobs for Singaporeans.
40 points are reuired to pass Compass.
Applications that meet expectations (earn 10 points) on all 4 foundational criteria will pass.
Otherwise, applications can make up the required points by exceeding expectations on another criterion or by scoring bonus points.
COMPASS scoring
Passing score: 40 points
C1. Salary
| Candidate’s fixed monthly salary compared to salary benchmarks by sector | Points |
|---|---|
| 90th percentile and above | 20 |
| 65th to less than 90th percentile | 10 |
| Below 65th percentile | 0 |
C2. Qualification
| Candidate’s qualifications | Points |
|---|---|
| Degree-equivalent qualifications from the following institutions:Top 100 universities based on QS World University Rankings, and other highly-reputed universities in Asia, Singapore’s Autonomous Universities, Institutions that are highly-recognised in a particular field and endorsed by a relevant agency | 20 |
| Other degree-equivalent qualifications:Foreign qualifications that are assessed to be comparable to a bachelor’s degree in the UK system. MOM determines this with reference to international recognition bodies, such as the UK National Information Centre for recognition and evaluation of international qualifications and skills (UK ENIC).Professional qualifications that are well-recognised by the industry and endorsed by a relevant sector agency. | 10 |
| No degree-equivalent qualifications:These qualifications will not earn any points under COMPASS. Do not submit them. Candidates without degree-equivalent qualifications can still pass COMPASS by earning a total score of at least 40 points from other criteria. | 0 |
C3. Diversity
| Share of candidate’s nationality among organisation’s PMETs | Points |
|---|---|
| Less than 5% | 20 |
| 5% to less than 25% | 10 |
| 25% or more | 0 |
C4. Support for local employment
| Organisation’s local PMET share relative to its sector | Points |
|---|---|
| 50th percentile and above | 20 |
| 20th to less than 50th percentile | 10 |
| Below 20th percentile | 0 |
C5. Skills bonus (Shortage occupation list)
| Skills bonus | Points |
|---|---|
| Job on the Shortage Occupation List (SOL). Share of candidate’s nationality among your organisation’s PMETs is less than 1/3 | 20 |
| Job on the SOL. Share of candidate’s nationality among your organisation’s PMETs is 1/3 or more | 10 |
C6. Strategic economic priorities bonus
| Strategic Economic Priorities (SEP) bonus | Points |
|---|---|
| Participate or meet the criteria for at least one of the eligible programmes | 10 |
Exemption for Compass
Your candidate is exempt from Compass is they fulfill any of these conditions:
- Have a fixed monthly salary of at least $22,500 (similar to the prevailing Fair Consideration Framework (FCF) job advertising exemption from 1 September 2023)
- Are applying as an overseas intra-corporate transferee
- Are filling the role for 1 month or less