The latest figures show that Singapore’s labor market hasgrown for16consecutivequarters, with25,100new jobs created in the third quarter, including an increase of19,500foreigners, with the financial, construction and manufacturing sectors being the growth highlights.
Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower (MOM)released its latest Labour Market Report on11December2025, which shows that Singapore’s labor market has outperformed expectations, benefiting from continued economic growth. As ofQ32025, total employment hasgrown for16consecutivequarters.
Total employment in Singaporeincreased by25,100 inthe third quarter of2025,more than doublingfrom10,400 inthe previous quarter.Of this, employment of Singapore citizens and permanent residents increased by5,600, while foreign employment increased by19,500
However,behindthis generally favorable“report card“, a profound structural adjustment is taking place:
The sources of growth momentum, the industry’s warm and cold divisions, and the shift in policy orientation are all defininga whole new landscape forEPapplicationsin Singaporetoday.
In this article, we will deeply interpret the trends behind the charts, clarify which careers are standing on the wind, and systematically sort outthe practical path tosuccessfully apply for and renewEPsunder theCOMPASSframework.
I. Deep analysis of data:
The new logic ofEPapplicationsrevealed by the growth curve
The charts published by MOM Singapore reveal two core trends that directly influence expatriate professionals’ judgment of opportunities:
1. 25,000 new jobs created in the third quarter, withnon-residents as the main engine
Of the25,100 new jobs created inQ3, a whopping19,500(about78%) were non-residents. This percentage clearly shows that the continued expansion of Singapore’s labor market relies heavily on the addition of foreign talent.
But growth is not universal, and it is highly concentrated in specific areas: construction and manufacturing are the main sectors absorbing non-resident labor.
This reflects Singapore’s continued investment in infrastructure development and high-end manufacturing, generating a high demand for specialized skills and experienced foreign workers.
Photo/Source: MOM Singapore, Lianhe Zaobao
2. Optimization in a cooler climate:insights from layoffsin “growth industries“
The chart also shows that the number of layoffsincreased slightlyfrom3,540to3,670in the third quarter.Of particular note is the fact that these layoffswere “concentrated in growth industries such as financial services, professional services, and information and communications“.
Thisphenomenon of“optimizing while growing“isthe key tounderstanding the currentEPapplicationsin Singapore forhigh-end service industries:
Rather than shrinking in size, companies are reorganizing their businesses to eliminate redundant or outdated skill positions, while bringing in core talent that brings cutting-edge technology, innovative thinking or international networks with greater precision and rigor.
This is in line withMOM‘s policy intent toimplementthe COMPASSframework and establish a“Shortage Occupation List“(SOL), shiftingfrom“quantitative importation“to“qualitative screening“. The shift from “quantitative importation” to “qualitative screening”.
Schematic diagram, source: United Daily News
II. Career navigation:
What areas arepopular tracks for EP applications?
Based on the logic of the above data, currentEPapplicants can focus on the following 3 types of opportunities:
1. Infrastructure and high-end manufacturing (stable demand)
This is the“basic plate“of job growth for non-residents. With the advancement of large-scale transportation, housing and sustainable energy projects, professionals and technicians in the fields of architecture, engineering, project management and high-end manufacturing (e.g., semiconductors, precision engineering) will continue to be in demand.
Applications for these positions place a higher value on solid professional qualifications and project experience.
2. Finance and technology (selective)
This is the“high ground“of both opportunities and challenges.Despite layoffs, the report clearly statesthat “vacancies forprofessionals, managers, and executives (PMEs) have remained stable“.
This means thatopportunities are instead clearerforapplicantsworking inscarce occupations on theSOLlistsuch asfintech, green finance, cybersecurity, AI, data analytics, etc.with top-notch education and experience. Companies are willing topay high salaries and sponsorEPsfor truly scarce talent.
3. Medical and social services field (potential growth)
This field is the mainstay of employment growth for local residents, but this does not mean that there are no opportunities for expatriate talent.
In highly specialized niche areas, such as biomedical research and development, high-end medical devices, healthcare information technology, and innovative solutions to cope with an aging society, expatriate experts with international experience are still highly competitive and can make successful applications by bringing cutting-edge knowledge to local institutions.
Figure / Shortage of professional talents, source: MOM, United Daily News
III.Pathway guide:
EPApplication and Renewalunder theCOMPASSFramework
With a clear career direction, success depends onbeing well versed in the rules of EP applications and renewals.
SingaporeEPapplication: crossing the double threshold:
Applicants must meetboththeSalary ThresholdandCOMPASSPointsrequirements.
1. Hard salary threshold (updated for2025)
This is the“ticket“to apply. The monthly salary must be at or above the following (increasing with age):
Non-financial sector:from S$5,600;
Financial sector:from S$6,200;
If the monthly salary reachesS$22,500, you can be exempted from theCOMPASSassessment and go straight to the fast track.
Figure/EP Reference Wage, Source: MOM Singapore
2. COMPASSpoints assessment (40-point passing line)
This is the“core battlefield“of the application. Points come from four basic categories and two bonus categories:
Salary (C1):Comparisonwith thelevel oflocalPMEof the same age in the same industry.
Academic qualifications (C2):20pointsfora degree from a top university (e.g.QSTop 100, ChinaC9, etc.)and10pointsfor a qualified undergraduate degree.
Employee Nationality Diversity (C3)andPercentage of Local Employees (C4): Determined by the employee composition of the applicant company.
Skills Plus (C5):10or20key pointsfor working in ashortage occupation on theSOL.This is a strategic priority for most applicants.
Strategic Economic Priority Plus (C6):10pointsare awarded for a company’s participation in ZF’s key economic projects.
Table1:Quick check of the core items of theCOMPASSscorecard (usingC2for qualificationsandC5for skills bonus)
*Click on the large image for details
3. Self-employedEPin Singapore: a viable path for entrepreneurs
For entrepreneurs who wish to start and run their own company in Singapore, theSingapore Self-EmploymentEPis an important route. It centers on the fact that the applicant must first set up a real operating company and personally take on a management role.
Key Takeaways:
① Real operation: the company must have a physical office, business plan, local employees (paying provident fund), continuous operating expenses and real business flow. Shell companies cannot pass the audit.
② Personal qualifications: Applicants themselves must still meet theEP‘s salary scale (which can be achieved by paying themselves a reasonable director’s salary) andCOMPASSscoring requirements.
(iii) Business Contribution: The business plan needs to demonstrate the company’s potential contribution to Singapore’s economy, employment or innovation sector.
Figure/COMPASS, source: MOM
4.EPrenewal: a key test for long-term development
The initial EP approval is usually valid for1to2years.EPrenewalis not an automatic renewal but a reassessment, the highlights of the review include:
Salary compliance: The salary must be up to date at the time of renewal and should normally be subject to a reasonable increase.
Company status: Employer companies are stable and financially healthy. For self-employedEPs, the company needs to demonstrate sustainable revenue and growth.
Individual Contribution: The applicant has played an integral role in the company over the past period and has been recognized for his/her performance.
Ongoing Compliance: still meetsCOMPASSpoint requirements (unless salary has met exemption criteria).
It is recommended tostart preparing the renewal documents3-6monthsbefore theEPexpiresto ensure a seamless transition.
Schematic diagram, source: United Daily News
[Conclusion]
Summarizing and Looking Ahead: Anchoring Personal Values in Structural Adjustment
The charts in the Lianhe Zaobao clearly reveal that Singapore’s job market is undergoing a profound“silent upgrade“in the midst of macro-growth. For expatriate professionals, this means:
Competition for generalist positions will increase, and itwill become increasingly difficult toobtainEPsbased on generalization skills alone.
The value of scarce skills has been magnified unprecedentedly, and accurate matching of theSOLlist is the“golden key“to successful application.
Long-termism becomes a must, whether employed or self-employed, and continuous enhancement of professional value and visible contribution to the Singapore economy is fundamental to obtaining long-term residency.
Therefore,the right strategy forplanning yourEPapplicationin Singaporeis:
First, studytheSOLlists and industry reports indepthto position your major at the intersection of growth and scarcity; second, prepare your application materials carefully, especiallyfor every advantageinCOMPASSpoints;
In the end, whether you choose the employed or self-employed path, creating differentiated professional value is at the core of your business,laying a solid foundationfor futureEPrenewals and long-term growth.
In Singapore’s sophisticated“talent machine“, only the true core components can secure a place in the long-term stable operation.
*Reference information source: SingaporeMOM, the United Morning Post, the synthesis of news reports collated, stand to indicate the source, invasion and deletion of contact.
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