What is COMPASS in Singapore?
When submitting an application of employment pass in Singapore, the Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS) is a points-based evaluation system introduced by Singapore's Ministry of Manpower (MOM) to assess eligibility. Under this framework, to apply employment pass status for a candidate successfully, they must meet the minimum qualifying salary and score at least 40 points across a set of individual and organizational criteria.
For HR teams, managing this points-based system requires strategic planning. A single weak criterion can lead to an immediate rejection, delaying critical hires.
Expert Insight: Moving Beyond Basic Checklists
"COMPASS has transformed Singapore immigration from a simple salary check into a strategic talent assessment. Sponsoring organizations must evaluate not just the candidate's credentials, but the company's own diversity ratios and local headcount trends."
Pro-Tip: VisaOne's Automated Visa Processing in Singapore
Don't submit an application hoping for the best. The VisaOne Platform offers a complete digital visa application service featuring a pre-flight assessment checklist. Before you apply employment pass for employee roles and pay non-refundable MOM fees, our automated visa processing singapore system guides you through cross-referencing candidate qualifications and salaries against MOM's age-specific industry parameters and your company's diversity criteria to assess your passing probability.
1. The Core COMPASS Scoring Matrix
COMPASS awards points across four foundational criteria (C1 to C4) and two bonus criteria (C5 and C6). In each category, applications can score:
- 20 points: Exceeds expectations (Complementary)
- 10 points: Meets expectations
- 0 points: Does not meet expectations
A candidate needs a cumulative total of 40 points to pass.
COMPASS Points Distribution Table
| Criterion | Category | 0 Points | 10 Points | 20 Points | VisaOne Platform Solution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C1. Salary | Individual | < 65th percentile | 65th to 90th percentile | ≥ 90th percentile | Salary Validation Checks aligning with latest MOM qualifying parameters |
| C2. Qualifications | Individual | No degree equivalent | State-recognised university | Top-tier institution | AI-Powered OCR Extraction of candidate transcripts and qualification records |
| C3. Diversity | Organisational | ≥ 25% of workforce are same nationality | 5% to 25% nationality share | < 5% nationality share | Workforce Diversity Tracking based on manual company statistics input |
| C4. Local Support | Organisational | < 20th percentile | 20th to 50th percentile | ≥ 50th percentile | Local PMET Ratio Calculation checklist built into your workspace |
Source: For official guidelines and point details, refer to the MOM COMPASS Portal.
2. Strategic Steps to Maximize Your Score with VisaOne
If your candidate falls short of the 40-point threshold, HR managers can utilize VisaOne's integrated workflows to optimize the application:
Step A: Verify Qualifications (C2)
A degree from a top-tier institution automatically secures 20 points. Sponsoring employers must ensure that all qualifications are validated by a background check agency listed on the official MOM Approved Screening Channels list.
- The VisaOne Solution: VisaOne's verification checks guide you through uploading documents and tracking required screenings. Furthermore, our AI-powered OCR scanner checks transcripts and diplomas to extract key information, establishing a complete compliance profile for the candidate.
Step B: Track Fair Consideration Framework (FCF) Compliance
Before submitting an EP application, you must advertise the position on the official MyCareersFuture Portal for at least 14 days to comply with the Fair Consideration Framework (FCF).
- The VisaOne Solution: Our integrated MCF Compliance Workflow allows you to track and log required job advertisements. Sponsoring employers can verify the mandatory 14-day advertising period and log FCF compliance data directly within the dashboard for application verification.
Step C: Track Bonus Criteria (C5 & C6)
- C5. Skills Shortage (Bonus 20 points): Sponsoring employers can reference the official Shortage Occupation List (SOL) within the platform. When setting up a job order, you can specify if candidate duties match eligible tech, healthcare, or green economy occupations to track these bonus points.
- C6. Strategic Economic Priorities (Bonus 10 points): If your company qualifies for programs like ESG's Enterprise Development Grant (EDG), the dashboard allows you to record and associate strategic economic priority credentials with your company profile to track eligibility across applications.
3. How VisaOne Simplifies COMPASS Compliance
Manual calculation of COMPASS points is prone to error, particularly when assessing organisational criteria like nationality concentration (C3) and local employment ratios (C4). Using an expert employment pass application service reduces these risks.
- Streamlined Document Filing: Once compliance checklists are completed and documents are uploaded, VisaOne's system organizes all candidate data. This structure ensures application details are pre-formatted for rapid submission, minimizing entry errors.
- Live Status Dashboard & Real-Time Email Alerts: Track your application from "FCF Job Posting" to "MOM Submission" and "IPA Issued" via a single 24/7 tracker. Updates and milestones are pinged directly to your HR team via email notifications.
- Automated Invoicing: Every job order and pass fee is tracked automatically, ensuring that government disbursements and agency service charges are invoiced and generated digitally for your records.
Conclusion: Take the Guesswork Out of EPs
The new visa landscape in Singapore rewards digital preparation. Rather than manually tracking complex tables and risking rejections, HR leaders can manage their entire visa pipeline through VisaOne's automated compliance platform.
Ready to calculate your candidate's score? Use our portal to run a complimentary COMPASS pre-assessment.
Run a Free COMPASS Check Now →
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do all EP applicants need to go through COMPASS?
No. Applicants are exempt from COMPASS if they earn at least S$22,500 fixed monthly salary, are applying as an overseas intra-corporate transferee under a WTO/Free Trade Agreement, or are filling a short-term role (less than 1 month).
Q: Can VisaOne track my company's eligibility for local/foreign ratios?
Yes. By entering your corporate headcount data, VisaOne's compliance checklist calculates your nationality concentration (C3) and local support ratio (C4) so you can review company-level points before initiating any new application.
Q: What is a "Top-Tier" institution for C2 points?
MOM maintains a list of top-tier universities, which includes Group A institutions (automatic 20 points) like Ivy League schools, top UK universities, and top-tier Asian universities (NUS, NTU, etc.). VisaOne's verification checklist helps track your candidate's university details against MOM's top-tier guidelines.
Q: Does VisaOne charge extra for COMPASS pre-assessments?
No. Pre-submission compliance checklists, including salary checks and COMPASS points estimation, are fully included in our standard flat rate.