Employment Pass Renewal (2026): How to Successfully Renew in Singapore

Running a business already demands constant attention. Managing Employment Pass renewals on top of daily operations can easily become another administrative pressure point.

If an Employment Pass expires before renewal is submitted, the employee immediately loses the legal right to work in Singapore. That disruption can affect payroll continuity, travel plans and project delivery.

The good news is that Employment Pass renewals are usually straightforward when employers prepare early and ensure the employee still meets the latest Ministry of Manpower (MOM) requirements.

This guide explains when renewals can be submitted, what MOM reviews during renewal, how the COMPASS framework applies and what to do if issues arise.

Employers can submit a renewal application up to six months before the pass expiry date.

While MOM typically sends reminder notifications when a pass approaches expiry, companies should maintain their own internal tracking system rather than relying on automated alerts.

The renewal timeline is simple.

If the employee plans to travel close to the expiry date, renewing the pass before departure usually avoids complications when re-entering Singapore.

A practical approach is to schedule a renewal review six months before expiry. This allows enough time to confirm salary eligibility, review COMPASS scoring and update company records.

An Employment Pass renewal is not automatically granted. MOM reassesses eligibility each time the pass is renewed, although the documentation requirements are typically lighter than for the initial application.

Several factors influence whether a renewal proceeds smoothly. Salary eligibility, job role consistency, COMPASS scoring and employer compliance history are the areas most frequently reviewed.

The EP holder must continue to meet the minimum qualifying salary set by MOM.

As of 1 January 2025, the baseline thresholds are as follows.

Salary expectations increase with age. For candidates in their mid-40s, the qualifying salary may exceed:

• SGD 10,700 for most sectors

• SGD 11,800 for financial services

These benchmarks reflect prevailing wages for local PMET professionals performing similar roles.

If the employee was previously approved under older salary criteria, employers should confirm that the compensation package still meets the current benchmark before submitting the renewal.

In Budget 2026, the Singapore government announced that Employment Pass qualifying salaries will increase again from January 2027.

The new thresholds will apply to new EP applications from 2027 and to EP renewals from 2028.

For candidates aged 45 and above, the qualifying salary benchmark will increase to up to:

• SGD 11,500 for most sectors

• SGD 12,700 for financial services

Employers planning long-term workforce arrangements should factor these changes into future renewal planning.

An Employment Pass is tied to a specific employer and role.

For a renewal to proceed, the employee must continue working for the same company and remain in a role that qualifies as a PMET position.

The job scope should remain broadly consistent with the role described in the original EP application. If the employee changes employers, the new company must submit a fresh Employment Pass application instead of a renewal.

Individuals also cannot hold multiple active EP applications or In-Principle Approvals simultaneously.

Since 1 September 2024, the Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS) applies to most Employment Pass renewals.COMPASS evaluates whether a foreign professional complements the local workforce across four core criteria. 

Applicants must score at least 40 points across these criteria to pass the assessment.

Additional points may be available under two bonus categories:

• Skills Bonus – for roles listed on the Shortage Occupation List

• Strategic Economic Priorities Bonus – for companies contributing to priority economic sectors

EP holders earning SGD 22,500 or more per month are exempt from COMPASS.

Employers can estimate their COMPASS score using MOM’s Self Assessment Tool before submitting the renewal application.

Education certificates typically only need to be verified once during the original Employment Pass application.

However, MOM may request verification during a renewal if the qualification was not previously verified or if the certificate affects the COMPASS score.

Verification must be completed through an approved background screening provider. Notary-certified documents or letters from educational institutions are not accepted as substitutes. But as a rule of thumb, employers should allow approximately 2-4 weeks for verification if required.

MOM also reviews the employer’s compliance record when assessing renewal applications.

Companies with consistent compliance histories usually experience smoother processing. Issues that may attract scrutiny include delayed salary payments, inaccurate workforce declarations or unresolved employment disputes.

If concerns arise, MOM may request additional information before approving the renewal.

Medical examinations are not automatically required for Employment Pass renewals.

A medical check-up is only necessary if it is specifically stated in the In-Principle Approval letter issued for the renewal. When required, the examination may include HIV screening, chest X-ray testing for tuberculosis and a general physical assessment.

Unlike S Pass and Work Permit holders, EP holders are not subject to mandatory medical insurance requirements under MOM regulations.

The renewal process generally requires only a small set of documents.

Employers sometimes assume attaching additional documents will strengthen an application. In practice, submitting unnecessary files may slow processing.

Employment Pass renewals are completed through the myMOM Portal using CorpPass credentials.

The process is fully digital and typically takes only a few minutes once the necessary information is prepared.

First, log in to the portal and locate the employee using the FIN or passport number. The system will display pre-filled information from the current pass record.

Next, review the details and update any changes such as salary adjustments, passport renewals or job title updates. The system automatically checks whether the salary meets the qualifying benchmark.

Once the details are confirmed, the COMPASS assessment runs in the background. Documents only need to be uploaded if requested.

After reviewing the information, submit the renewal application.

EP Renewal Processing Time

Most Employment Pass renewals are processed within ten business days.

Straightforward cases may be approved sooner. If MOM requires additional clarification or supporting documents, processing may take longer.

Employers will receive notification through the portal if further information is required.

Although most renewals are approved when eligibility criteria are met, rejections do occasionally occur.

Common reasons include the salary falling below the current qualifying benchmark, COMPASS scores below the required threshold, incomplete documentation or concerns about the employer’s compliance record.

Can Employers Appeal a Rejection?

Employers can submit an appeal within three months through the EP eService.

Successful appeals typically provide new information that was not included in the original application. This may include an updated salary package, revised job responsibilities or verified academic qualifications.

Appeals submitted without additional supporting evidence rarely change the outcome.

EP Renewal Risk Factors