Many applicants for the Singapore Self-Employed Employment Pass (EP) hold a common misconception: setting a higher salary will boost their approval odds.

In reality, an unreasonably high salary may raise red flags and increase review risks.


MOM’s Core Review Criteria

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) does not assess EP applications based on salary alone. It conducts a holistic evaluation covering these factors:

- Whether the offered salary aligns with prevailing market rates for the role in Singapore. Salaries set too high or too low may trigger closer scrutiny.

- Consistency between the applicant’s age, working experience and the proposed salary.

- Relevance between the job position and the applicant’s professional background.

- Whether the company’s business nature, scale and operation can reasonably sustain the role and corresponding salary.

For newly established companies with limited resources, sufficient documentation on business plans and justification for the hiring arrangement will be required.


Common Cases That Trigger Strict Vetting

1. Applicants with limited work experience but a salary far above market benchmarks.

2. Positions with little relevance to the applicant’s past career experience.

Even with a high salary figure, inconsistent application logic leads to greater rejection risks and longer processing times.


Practical Application Advice

It is recommended to conduct a preliminary assessment of your application package before submission to minimise risks and delays. If you are unsure whether your proposed salary meets MOM requirements, we offer a basic salary assessment to guide your application strategy.


About Skyline Business Consultancy

Skyline Business Consultancy was founded in 2013. Registered officially with MOM, we hold valid qualifications for pass applications and possess extensive experience with Singapore immigration passes. Our professional team assists with applications for Entrepreneur Pass, EP, SP, WP, Self-Employed EP, DP and LTVP. For enquiries about pass application services, please contact Skyline Business Consultancy via WeChat.