[Visa] COMPASS Guide ④ 3 Exemption Conditions

Mastering the COMPASS Series Part 1: 6 Evaluation Criteria | Part 2: C1 Salary Benchmarks | Part 3: C2 Education Guide | Part 4: Exemption Conditions (This Post)

At a Glance

• High-Earner Exemption: Skip the points system if your fixed monthly salary is SGD 22,500 or more.
• Intra-Corporate Transferees (ICT): Exemptions available for those transferred from a Korean HQ to a Singapore branch.
• Top-Tier Passes: PEP and ONE Pass are 'Super Visas' that bypass COMPASS entirely.

When preparing for an Employment Pass (EP) in Singapore, the first hurdle you'll face is the COMPASS points system. Between calculating education points and checking your company's local-to-foreigner ratio, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the complexity of the process.

But did you know that some applicants don't need to use the points calculator at all? Today, we’ll explore the three main exemption conditions that allow you to bypass COMPASS, and compare high-income options like the PEP and ONE Pass. As the final installment of our series, this post is packed with practical insights for high-earning professionals.

1. Three Cases Where COMPASS is Exempted

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) exempts certain applicants from the COMPASS assessment. This means as long as you meet the basic EP eligibility (such as the minimum salary threshold), your visa can be approved without totaling points.

① Fixed Monthly Salary of SGD 22,500 or More

This is the most common exemption. If your fixed monthly salary is SGD 22,500 or higher, you are completely exempt from COMPASS. Even as salary benchmarks are set to rise in 2026, this exemption threshold is expected to remain stable. While MOM statistics suggest fewer than 10% of EP applicants fall into this bracket, it significantly simplifies the process for high earners.

② Intra-Corporate Transferees (ICT)

This applies to professionals transferred from a headquarters abroad (e.g., Korea) to a Singapore-registered office.

• Conditions: The transfer must be within the same corporate group, and the candidate must hold a role as a Manager, Executive, or Specialist.
• Note: Thanks to the FTA and RCEP agreements between Korea and Singapore, Korean corporate transferees often find this route accessible. However, keep in mind that an ICT visa may come with restrictions if you decide to change employers later.

③ Short-term Appointments (1 Month or Less)

COMPASS is also waived for short-term EPs valid for one month or less. However, since this rarely applies to long-term residents, it is mostly for reference.

2. 'Super Visas' for High Earners: PEP vs. ONE Pass

If your salary comfortably exceeds the SGD 22,500 threshold, you might want to consider the Personalised Employment Pass (PEP) or the Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass (ONE Pass). These passes are not subject to COMPASS at all.

The PEP's biggest advantage is that it isn't tied to a specific employer. If you leave your job, you can stay in Singapore for up to six months to find a new one. The ONE Pass, on the other hand, is considered the 'ultimate' visa. It allows spouses to work without a separate Letter of Consent (LOC) and permits the holder to work for multiple companies simultaneously.

3. Practical Tips for Exempt Applicants

Even if you qualify for an exemption, there are a few practicalities to keep in mind for your life in Singapore:

• Dependant’s Pass (DP) Thresholds: Even if you are exempt from COMPASS, you must earn at least SGD 6,000 monthly to sponsor a DP for a spouse or child. To bring parents (LTVP), the threshold is SGD 12,000.
• The PR Trap: The PEP is only valid for three years and cannot be renewed. If your goal is Permanent Residency (PR), you must either switch back to a standard EP or apply for PR during those three years. A PEP is not necessarily viewed more favorably than a standard EP in PR applications.
• Salary Fluctuations: If your salary drops below SGD 22,500 during a job change or negotiation, you will have to meet the COMPASS point requirements during your next renewal.

4. Closing: COMPASS is All About Strategy

Over this four-part series, we’ve broken down Singapore’s new COMPASS visa framework.

We started with the overall criteria, moved into salary and education benchmarks, and concluded with the exemptions. While most Korean professionals in Singapore will fall under the points system rather than the exemption, there is no need to worry. By securing 20 points in C1 (Salary) and C2 (Education) and supplementing them with C5 (Shortage Occupation) or your company's C4 (Localness), you can successfully navigate the process.

We hope this series serves as a reliable guide for your career and life in Singapore. If you have more questions about visas, feel free to leave a comment! We are rooting for your dreams in the Lion City.

Sources

• MOM Official Guide: COMPASS Framework
• PEP Eligibility: MOM - PEP Eligibility
• ONE Pass Details: MOM - ONE Pass
• Exchange Rate: 1 SGD ≈ 1,133 KRW (as of January 30, 2026)