COMPASS is the second stage of the Employment Pass assessment. A candidate who misses the qualifying-salary requirement does not become eligible by collecting more COMPASS points.
Who needs to deal with this
Immigration files are read as a sequence. The Singapore evidence should agree with the application form, passport history, employer or school records and any answer already given to an authority.
A note saying “done” tells the next case owner very little. The file should at least identify who was in scope, which version was used, when the action was taken and what the authority returned.
A working checklist
These four points can sit directly in the working paper, each tied to a filename or confirmation number.
- Check the candidate's age-adjusted qualifying salary for the sector.
- Calculate COMPASS points only after the salary gate is met.
- Use the employer's current workforce data for firm-related criteria.
- Confirm whether an exemption or bonus has additional conditions.
Do not lose this distinction
A high headline salary can still fail the first stage if allowances are counted incorrectly or the fixed monthly salary is lower than the figure used in planning.
What should survive a handover
Keep the salary breakdown, candidate age and sector check, COMPASS worksheet, employer-data snapshot and supporting evidence for every claimed bonus.
The handover note can be short, but it should name open items, deadlines and owners. The next case owner should not have to infer progress from email.
Publication date: 2026-09-02; editorial review date: 2026-09-14. The publication date completes the website category timeline; sources were checked on the editorial review date. This article is based on public information from Ministry of Manpower and provides general information, not legal, tax, immigration, education or financial advice. Recheck the official page and account notices before acting on a particular case. Source: Ministry of Manpower.