Quick answer: Your employer (or its appointed employment agent) renews your Employment Pass on the myMOM Portal, up to 6 months before it expires. To be approved you must still work for the same employer, earn at least the EP qualifying salary for your age, and score 40 points under COMPASS (unless your fixed monthly salary is S$22,500 or more). The fee is S$225, most renewals get an outcome within 10 working days, and the renewed pass lasts up to 3 years. Renewals for passes expiring from 1 January 2028 must meet the higher salary floor of S$6,000 (S$6,600 in financial services).
Many EP holders assume renewal is a formality. It isn’t. MOM assesses a renewal against the criteria in force at the time, not the ones you met when you first arrived. COMPASS has applied to renewals since 1 September 2024, and the salary benchmark rises with your age. So a pass that was approved easily at 30 can fail at 33 if your pay has not kept up, or if your company has since hired many people of your nationality.
This guide explains the renewal criteria, the 2027 and 2028 salary changes, a practical timeline, the usual reasons renewals fail and what to do if yours is rejected. If you would rather have someone check your case first, our Employment Pass application service includes a COMPASS pre-check before submission.
EP renewal at a glance
| Item | Detail |
| Who submits | Your employer or its appointed employment agent |
| Where | EP eService on the myMOM Portal (employer logs in with Corppass) |
| Earliest submission | 6 months before expiry (3 months for EP Sponsorship cases) |
| Latest submission | Before the pass expires, but leave enough time for processing |
| Criteria | Same employer + qualifying salary + COMPASS |
| Fee | S$225 for issuance, plus S$30 per Multiple Journey Visa if needed |
| Processing time | Within 10 working days for most applications; about 6 weeks for EP Sponsorship |
| Renewed validity | Up to 3 years |
| Dependants | Dependant’s Pass and LTVP renewals are separate applications |
The three conditions for renewal
MOM lists three things a renewal must satisfy.
- You continue working for the same employer in a managerial, executive or specialised role. If you are changing jobs, a renewal is not possible. Your new employer must file a fresh EP application, which is covered in our Singapore Employment Pass guide.
- You earn at least the EP qualifying salary for your age and sector.
- You pass COMPASS, the points-based Complementarity Assessment Framework, unless you are exempt.
Salary thresholds for EP renewal: 2026, 2027 and 2028
The qualifying salary goes up in steps with age, from the base rate at age 23 to the top rate at 45 and above. New applications and renewals change on different dates, and this catches people out.
| Your situation | General sectors | Financial services |
| New applications before 1 Jan 2027, and renewals for passes expiring before 1 Jan 2028 | S$5,600 (age 23) up to S$10,700 (age 45+) | S$6,200 (age 23) up to S$11,800 (age 45+) |
| New applications from 1 Jan 2027, and renewals for passes expiring from 1 Jan 2028 | S$6,000 (age 23) up to S$11,500 (age 45+) | S$6,600 (age 23) up to S$12,700 (age 45+) |
Source: MOM, Employment Pass eligibility page (checked September 2026).
What this means in practice:
- If your pass expires in 2026 or 2027, the current table applies.
- If your pass expires anytime in 2028 or later, the higher table applies, even if you submit the renewal in late 2027.
- Your exact threshold depends on your age. MOM’s Self-Assessment Tool (SAT) gives the figure for your profile.
- If you are close to the floor, raise it with your employer at your next salary review. A few hundred dollars can decide the outcome.
For the full breakdown of how the salary floor is set, see our EP eligibility guide.
How COMPASS works for renewals
You need 40 points. The four foundation criteria are worth up to 20 points each, and two bonus criteria can add more.
| Criterion | What MOM looks at | Points |
| C1 Salary | Your fixed monthly salary against local PMET salaries in your sector, adjusted for age | 20 if at or above the 90th percentile; 10 if 65th to 90th; 0 below the 65th |
| C2 Qualifications | Your highest qualification | 20 for a top-tier institution; 10 for a degree-equivalent; 0 otherwise |
| C3 Diversity | Share of your nationality among the firm’s PMETs | 20 if under 5%; 10 if 5% to under 25%; 0 if 25% or more |
| C4 Support for local employment | Firm’s share of local PMETs compared with others in its subsector | 20 if at or above the 50th percentile; 10 if 20th to 50th; 0 below the 20th |
| C5 Skills bonus | Role is on the Shortage Occupation List | 20 (10 if your nationality makes up a third or more of the firm’s PMETs) |
| C6 Strategic economic priorities | Firm is in a qualifying government partnership programme | 10 |
Firms with fewer than 25 PMETs automatically get 10 points on C3 and on C4.
You are exempt from COMPASS if your fixed monthly salary is at least S$22,500, you are an intra-corporate transferee, or the role lasts one month or less.
Why renewals fail COMPASS when the original application passed
- C1 moves with age. The salary benchmark for a 36-year-old is higher than for a 32-year-old in the same sector. If your pay has been flat, your C1 score can drop from 10 to 0.
- C3 and C4 reflect the company today. If your firm hired many people of your nationality since your first approval, or its local PMET share fell, you lose points you had before.
- Bonus points depend on current lists. The Shortage Occupation List is reviewed periodically, so a role that earned C5 points before may not now.
An illustration
A 34-year-old software engineer with a local degree works at a company with 60 PMETs.
| Criterion | Situation | Points |
| C1 | Salary around the 70th percentile for age and sector | 10 |
| C2 | Degree from a non-top-tier university | 10 |
| C3 | Their nationality is 30% of the firm’s PMETs | 0 |
| C4 | Firm’s local PMET share is at the 40th percentile of its subsector | 10 |
| Total | 30, fails |
Options to reach 40: a salary increase that lifts C1 to 20 points, or confirming that the role is on the Shortage Occupation List for C5 points. This is a simplified example. Run your own numbers through MOM’s SAT, or read our full guide to the COMPASS framework.
EP renewal timeline
| When | What to do |
| 6 months before expiry | Run MOM’s Self-Assessment Tool. Check your age-adjusted salary threshold and COMPASS score. Check your passport validity and renew it early if it expires soon. |
| 5 to 4 months before | Fix any weak points: salary review, confirm Shortage Occupation List status, update qualification records. |
| 4 to 3 months before | Employer submits the renewal on EP eService. Upload anything MOM requests promptly. |
| Within about 10 working days | MOM gives an outcome for most cases. You can track progress, see our guide on how to check your work pass status. |
| After approval | Employer issues the renewed pass online and pays S$225. MOM will say if fingerprint and photo registration is needed. |
| Same period | Employer submits renewals for any Dependant’s Passes or LTVPs. |
| Before expiry | Make sure the renewed pass is issued. Do not let the current pass lapse while you wait. |
Submitting 3 to 4 months ahead leaves time for an appeal if the first attempt fails, while your current pass is still valid.
Documents MOM may ask for
Renewals usually need fewer documents than a first application, because MOM already holds your records. Be ready to provide:
- a copy of your current passport (the personal particulars page)
- updated educational certificates if your qualifications changed, with verification for certain institutions
- recent payslips or an employment letter showing your current fixed salary
- the company’s latest ACRA business profile
- responses to any specific questions MOM raises about your role or salary
Common reasons EP renewals are rejected
| Reason | What usually happened | How to avoid it |
| Salary below the age-adjusted threshold | You moved into a higher age band but pay stayed the same | Check your threshold 6 months ahead and plan a salary review |
| COMPASS score under 40 | C3 nationality concentration or low C4 score at the company | Check whether bonus criteria apply; employers can review hiring mix |
| Declared salary does not match actual pay | Allowances counted as fixed salary, or pay reduced after approval | Declare fixed monthly salary only, and keep it consistent with payroll |
| Role no longer fits EP | Duties changed to a non-managerial or non-specialist job | Make sure the job title and description reflect the actual role |
| Employer compliance issues | Past breaches of work pass or Fair Consideration Framework rules | Employer should resolve outstanding MOM issues before renewal season |
| Submitted too late | Renewal still pending when the pass expired | Submit at least 3 months before expiry |
What to do if your EP renewal is rejected
1. Decide whether to appeal. Your employer can appeal on EP eService within 3 months of the rejection. MOM takes at least 8 weeks to review an appeal and advises appealing only if you can address the reason for rejection, for example with a revised salary or new information about the role. After 3 months you have to reapply instead. Our article on Employment Pass rejection covers how to build a stronger appeal.
2. Watch your current pass expiry. If your pass expires before the matter is resolved, your employer must cancel it. The employer can request a Short-Term Visit Pass so you can stay legally while you arrange your next step (MOM states it can be valid for up to 90 days). You cannot work on that pass.
3. Look at other passes.
- A new employer’s EP: a different company files a new application, assessed under its own COMPASS profile.
- Personalised Employment Pass: not tied to one employer, if you meet the salary criteria. See our PEP guide.
- S Pass: if the role and salary fit mid-skilled criteria, see our S Pass application service.
- Dependant’s Pass or LTVP: if your spouse holds a qualifying pass. Our comparison of Dependant Pass vs LTVP explains the difference.
4. Protect a pending PR application. If you applied for PR while on EP, a gap in your pass can affect the application. Talk to a consultant before your pass lapses.
Renewing your family’s passes
Dependant’s Pass and LTVP renewals do not happen automatically when your EP is renewed.
- Your employer submits them separately, up to 6 months before they expire (3 months for dependants of EP Sponsorship and EntrePass holders).
- The fee is S$225 per pass, plus S$30 per Multiple Journey Visa if needed.
- The renewed dependant’s pass cannot last longer than your own pass.
- MOM processes most within 3 weeks; dependants of EP Sponsorship and EntrePass holders can take up to 8 weeks.
- If your EP is not renewed, your family’s passes, which depend on yours, will also end.
EP renewal vs applying for PR
Each renewal is a new test against rising benchmarks. With the salary floor going up again for passes expiring from 2028, many EP holders apply for Singapore PR so they no longer depend on a work pass and one employer.
| Keep renewing your EP | Become a PR | |
| Tied to one employer | Yes | No |
| COMPASS and salary check | At every renewal | Not after approval |
| Family status | Depends on your pass | Family can be included in the PR application |
| Job change | New EP application | Just change jobs |
| Re-entry | Needs valid pass | Needs a valid Re-Entry Permit |
You can apply for PR while holding a valid EP, and a stable renewal history supports a PR case. Read how EP holders move to PR and our comparison of PR vs EP.
How First Immigration can help
- COMPASS pre-check before renewal: we score your profile against the current salary and COMPASS rules and flag risks 6 months ahead.
- Salary planning for 2028: if your pass expires from 1 January 2028, we show you exactly where the new threshold puts you.
- Appeals: we help employers prepare an appeal that answers MOM’s reason for rejection.
- Changing employers: we handle the new EP application if renewal is no longer possible.
- PR planning: we assess whether now is the time to apply for PR, so you stop depending on renewals.
First Immigration is MOM-licensed and has worked with EP holders since 2008. Learn more about our Employment Pass service or book a free assessment through our contact page.
Frequently asked questions
How early can I renew my Employment Pass?
Your employer can submit a renewal up to 6 months before the pass expires. For EP Sponsorship cases the window is 3 months. It must be submitted before the pass expires.
Does COMPASS apply to EP renewals?
Yes. Since 1 September 2024, renewals must score at least 40 COMPASS points. You are exempt if your fixed monthly salary is S$22,500 or more, or if you are an intra-corporate transferee.
What salary do I need to renew my EP?
For passes expiring before 1 January 2028, from S$5,600 (S$6,200 in financial services), rising with age to S$10,700 (S$11,800) at 45 and above. For passes expiring from 1 January 2028, from S$6,000 (S$6,600), rising to S$11,500 (S$12,700).
How long does EP renewal take?
MOM says most renewals submitted on the myMOM Portal get an outcome within 10 working days. EP Sponsorship renewals usually take about 6 weeks.
How much does it cost to renew an Employment Pass?
S$225 to issue the renewed pass, plus S$30 per Multiple Journey Visa if one is needed. Dependant’s Pass renewals cost another S$225 each.
How long is a renewed EP valid?
Up to 3 years.
Can I renew my EP if I am changing jobs?
No. A renewal only works if you stay with the same employer. Your new employer needs to submit a new EP application.
What happens if my EP expires before the renewal is approved?
Your employer must cancel the pass and can request a Short-Term Visit Pass so you can stay legally for a limited time. You cannot work on it. Staying without a valid pass leads to overstaying penalties.
How do I check my EP renewal status?
Your employer can see it on EP eService in the myMOM Portal. Our work pass status guide shows the steps.
Will my Dependant’s Pass be renewed automatically?
No. Your employer must submit a separate renewal for each Dependant’s Pass or LTVP, and the renewed pass cannot outlast your EP.
Official sources: Ministry of Manpower pages on Renew an Employment Pass, Employment Pass eligibility, COMPASS, Appeal against a rejected Employment Pass application, Cancel an Employment Pass and Renew a Dependant’s Pass.
Disclaimer: Salary thresholds, COMPASS rules, fees and processing times are based on MOM information as of September 2026 and may change. Always confirm current requirements with MOM or a licensed consultant before submitting a renewal.
