Table of Contents

• What is the COMPASS Evaluation?
• 1. C1 Salary: Benchmarking Against Local PMETs
• 2. C2 Qualifications: Points for Top-Tier Universities
• 3. C3 Diversity: The Nationality Mix Factor
• 4. C4 Support for Local Employment
• 5. C5 Skills Bonus: Shortage Occupation List (SOL)
• 6. C6 Strategic Economic Priorities (SEP) Bonus
• How Tourlife Consultants Can Help
• Frequently Asked Questions

What is the COMPASS Evaluation?

The Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS) is a points-based system that all Employment Pass (EP) applicants must pass in addition to meeting the minimum qualifying salary (S$5,600). To be eligible, an applicant must score at least 40 points across six criteria.

C1 Salary: Benchmarking Against Local PMETs

Points are awarded by comparing the candidate’s salary to local Professionals, Managers, Executives, and Technicians (PMET) salaries in the same sector.

• 20 Points: Salary is in the 90th percentile or above for the sector and age.
• 10 Points: Salary is between the 65th and 90th percentile.
• 0 Points: Salary is below the 65th percentile.

C2 Qualifications: Points for Top-Tier Universities

MOM maintains a list of “Top-tier institutions” that automatically grant points.

• 20 Points: Degree from a top-tier institution (e.g., University of Tokyo, Kyoto University, Keio University).
• 10 Points: Degree-equivalent qualification from an accredited institution.
• Verification: Note that all degrees must be verified by a MOM-approved screening agency before application.

C3 Diversity: The Nationality Mix Factor

This criterion encourages firms to have a diverse mix of nationalities.

• 20 Points: The candidate’s nationality forms less than 5% of your firm’s PMET employees.
• 10 Points: The nationality forms between 5% and 25%.
• Small Firm Rule: If your company has fewer than 25 PMETs, you automatically receive 10 points by default.

C4 Support for Local Employment

MOM rewards companies that actively hire and develop local Singaporean/PR talent.

• 20 Points: Your firm’s local PMET share is at or above the 50th percentile relative to your sector.
• 10 Points: Your firm is between the 20th and 50th percentile.
• 70% Rule: If your local PMET share is at least 70%, you get 10 points regardless of your sector’s percentile.

C5 Skills Bonus: Shortage Occupation List (SOL)

If your candidate’s role is on the Shortage Occupation List (e.g., specific roles in Tech, Healthcare, or Sustainability), you can earn bonus points.

• +20 Points: If the role is on the SOL.
• Note: The bonus is reduced to +10 points if the candidate’s nationality already forms more than one-third of your firm’s PMETs.

C6 Strategic Economic Priorities (SEP) Bonus

This is a firm-level bonus for companies partnering with the government on innovation or internationalization.

• +10 Points: If your company participates in eligible programs like the Enterprise Development Grant (EDG) or is an IMDA-accredited tech firm.

How Tourlife Consultants Can Help

Calculating COMPASS points can be complex. We provide:

• Pre-Assessment Tools: We check if your candidate hits the 40-point mark before you submit to MOM.
• Qualification Verification: We coordinate with approved screening agencies to verify Japanese degrees.
• Diversity Strategy: We advise Japanese startups on how to balance their workforce to maximize C3 and C4 scores.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Are any Japanese applicants exempt from COMPASS?
Yes. Candidates earning at least S$22,500 per month, or those applying as an intra-corporate transferee (ICT), are generally exempt.

Q2. What if my candidate has no degree?
They can still pass if they score points in other areas (like a very high salary or working in a shortage occupation). However, they will score 0 points for Criterion 2.

Q3. How often is the Shortage Occupation List updated?
MOM reviews the SOL every three years, but retains the flexibility to make annual adjustments based on market needs.

Unsure if your candidate will pass the COMPASS evaluation?
Contact Tourlife Consultants today for a professional pre-assessment at enquiry@tourlife.sg or WhatsApp us at +65 9380 7956.