S$5,600 (general)/S$6,200 (finance) have applied to new EP applications since 1 Jan 2025; from 1 Jan 2026 they apply to renewals. The Budget 2026 step to S$6,000/S$6,600 from 1 Jan 2027 (new apps) is real, with renewals following 1 Jan 2028. Retitle to reflect the renewal date, not 'raises from Jan 2026'.
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Singapore raises Employment Pass minimum salary to S$5,600 from Jan 2026
Why this matters for founders
Founders hiring foreign talent in Singapore must budget higher fixed salaries and factor the rising thresholds into offers, since older EP holders can fail renewal if pay lags the new floor. Plan hires and renewals around the January 2026 and July 2026 dates, and run candidates through the COMPASS points calculator early rather than assuming salary alone qualifies them.
Source: Ministry of Manpower (MOM)
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