Quick answer: The Shortage Occupation List (SOL) is the basis of COMPASS criterion C5, the skills bonus. A candidate whose role is on the list can earn up to 20 bonus points, halved to 10 where their nationality makes up a third or more of the firm’s PMETs. Since an Employment Pass application needs 40 points to pass, the bonus can carry an application that falls short on salary or qualifications. MOM released the current list in November 2025, applying to new and renewal applications from 1 January 2026, and reviews it annually.
If an application is sitting at 20 or 30 points, this is usually the first thing worth checking.
How C5 works
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Maximum bonus | 20 points |
| Reduced bonus | 10 points if the candidate’s nationality is a third or more of the firm’s PMETs |
| Pass mark | 40 points overall, so bonus points can offset weak foundational scores |
| Current list | Published November 2025, effective for applications from 1 January 2026 |
| Review cycle | Annually |
| Sectors covered | Organised by sector, including agritech, carbon, healthcare, infocomm and maritime, among others |
What MOM checks before awarding it
The bonus is not automatic because a job title looks similar.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Job duties | The candidate must actually perform the duties listed for that occupation |
| Job title | The application must use one of the eligible job titles on the list |
| Experience and qualifications | MOM checks past work experience and relevant qualifications or accreditation |
| Extra scrutiny | Additional checks apply where the candidate needs the bonus to reach 40 points, or where a 5-year Employment Pass is sought |
| Restriction after approval | A candidate approved on the strength of the bonus is restricted to that shortage occupation |
That last point deserves attention. If the bonus is what got the pass approved, the person is tied to that occupation, which narrows their role flexibility inside the company.
Where C5 sits in COMPASS
| Criterion | What it measures | Points |
|---|---|---|
| C1 Salary | Fixed monthly salary against local PMET salaries by sector and age | 0, 10 or 20 |
| C2 Qualifications | Highest qualification | 0, 10 or 20 |
| C3 Diversity | Share of the candidate’s nationality among the firm’s PMETs | 0, 10 or 20 |
| C4 Support for local employment | Firm’s local PMET share against its subsector | 0, 10 or 20 |
| C5 Skills bonus | Role on the Shortage Occupation List | 0, 10 or 20 |
| C6 Strategic economic priorities | Firm in a qualifying government partnership programme | 0 or 10 |
Our full guide to COMPASS explains each criterion, and EP eligibility covers the salary floor that sits underneath it.
When the bonus actually rescues an application
| Scenario | Score without C5 | With a 20-point bonus |
|---|---|---|
| Salary at the 65th to 90th percentile, degree-equivalent qualification, firm scores 0 on C3 and 10 on C4 | 30 | 50, passes |
| Salary below the 65th percentile, no declared qualification, small firm with 10 default points on C3 and C4 | 20 | 40, passes |
| Salary above the 90th percentile, top-tier qualification, firm scoring 10 and 10 | 60 | Already passing, bonus not needed |
The pattern is clear: C5 matters most to firms with a concentrated nationality mix or a weak local PMET share, where C3 and C4 are hard to shift in the short term.
What to do with this
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Run MOM’s Self-Assessment Tool with the real salary and role |
| 2 | If the score is short, check the current SOL for the sector |
| 3 | Compare the duties, not just the title |
| 4 | Make sure the application uses the eligible job title exactly |
| 5 | Prepare evidence of experience and qualifications, since MOM checks |
| 6 | Remember the restriction: approval on the bonus ties the person to that occupation |
If an application has already been rejected, our guide to Employment Pass rejection covers whether to appeal or reapply, and the renewal guide explains how scores change at renewal.
A caution
The list is reviewed annually. A role that earns 20 points this year may not next year, which matters at renewal, not just at first application. Do not build a hiring plan on the assumption that the bonus is permanent.
How First Immigration can help
- Scoring the application before submission, including whether C5 applies.
- Matching duties to the list, rather than matching titles.
- Evidence preparation for the additional checks MOM applies when the bonus is decisive.
- Applications and renewals through our Employment Pass service.
Book a free assessment through our contact page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Shortage Occupation List in Singapore?
The list of occupations in short supply that qualifies an Employment Pass candidate for bonus points under COMPASS criterion C5.
How many points does the Shortage Occupation List give?
Up to 20 bonus points, reduced to 10 where the candidate’s nationality makes up a third or more of the firm’s PMETs.
Can the bonus alone get an application approved?
It can take an application from below 40 points to a pass, since bonus points offset weak foundational scores. The application must still meet the qualifying salary.
How does MOM decide if my role qualifies?
The candidate must perform the listed duties, the application must use an eligible job title, and MOM checks experience and qualifications.
Is there extra scrutiny?
Yes, where the candidate needs the bonus to reach 40 points, or where a 5-year Employment Pass is sought.
What happens after approval on the bonus?
The candidate is restricted to that shortage occupation.
How often does the list change?
It is reviewed annually. The current list was published in November 2025 and applies to applications from 1 January 2026.
Which sectors are on the list?
It is organised by sector, including agritech, carbon, healthcare, infocomm and maritime, among others.
Does the bonus apply to renewals?
Yes, COMPASS applies to renewals, so the list matters at renewal too. A role that qualified before may not after a review.
Where do I check the current list?
MOM’s COMPASS C5 page and its Shortage Occupation List employer guide.
Official sources: MOM, COMPASS C5. Skills bonus, Shortage Occupation List (SOL) and the SOL Employer Guide; MOM press release on COMPASS bonus criteria; MOM, Employment Pass eligibility.
Disclaimer: The list and the criteria are set by MOM and reviewed annually. Checked October 2026. Confirm the current list before relying on it.
Hiring, or applying for a work pass?
We review salary, COMPASS and documents before the application goes to MOM. See our Employment Pass service and S Pass service, or ask us about your case.
