Do EP renewals still need 40 COMPASS points?

Unless you are in a published exemption band, yes — renewals still need 40 COMPASS points. Confirm exemptions and SAT results with HR before assuming last year’s card guarantees this cycle.

Can firm COMPASS scores drop even if my salary still clears?

Yes. Firm criteria such as diversity or local PMET share can drift after hiring or local exits even when your personal pay cleared last year. Ask HR for SAT screenshots that include firm criteria.

Is my C1 salary percentile the same as the Stage 1 qualifying salary?

No. Stage 1 qualifying salary is the age-band floor for eligibility. C1 salary points are a separate COMPASS criterion against sector/age benchmarks — do not treat them as one number.

What should I ask HR in writing before an EP renewal filing?

Ask for SAT screenshots for the intended filing month, whether you still clear 40 points after recent headcount changes, which firm criteria are close to the edge, any exemption band, and the contingency if firm scores are soft.

If firm scores look soft, should I upload extra IR8A documents?

No. Soft firm scores are a firm-mix / timing / exemption problem — not an NOA document dump. Escalate raise, delay, role rewrite, or S Pass contingency with HR instead of uploading a random IR8A pack.

COMPASS firm scores on EP renewal

EP renewal companion — how firm diversity and local-PMET COMPASS criteria drift between cycles, what to ask HR before filing, SAT screenshots, and how firm-score weakness differs from your age-band salary floor.

NextLiving2 min readLast reviewed 15 September 2026

Short answer: Get SAT screenshots that include firm criteria before you assume last year’s salary clears this renewal — firm mix can move without you.

r/askSingapore renewal threads often blame the candidate’s age-band salary when the real wobble is firm COMPASS criteria that moved after a hiring spree. Age floors, SAT choreography, and S Pass contingency live on EP renewal strategy. Candidate-facing COMPASS literacy lives on COMPASS explained. This companion is the firm-score on renewal layer.

Unless exempted, renewals still need 40 COMPASS points. Your C1 salary percentile is not the Stage 1 qualifying-salary floor — and firm criteria (diversity / local PMET share) can drop even when your personal pay cleared last year.

What “firm score” means in renewal English

Lens	Candidate control	What drifts between cycles
Stage 1 qualifying salary	Negotiate fixed monthly pay	Your age band at filing / expiry (confirm with SAT)
C1 salary points	Pay vs sector/age benchmarks	Benchmark tables and your fixed-pay definition
Firm criteria (e.g. diversity / local PMET)	Low — ask HR	Headcount mix after new EP/S Pass hires or local exits
Individual criteria (qualifications / skills)	Degree proofs, shortage skills	Rarely the surprise on a same-role renewal

HR owns the firm screens. You own the questions before they file.

Questions to send HR in writing

Please run the Self-Assessment Tool on my renewal profile for the intended filing month and send screenshots.
Are we still clearing 40 COMPASS points after recent foreign / local PMET headcount changes?
Which firm criteria are close to the edge (diversity nationality share, local PMET share)?
Am I in any COMPASS exemption band (verify live thresholds — do not rely on Slack folklore)?
If firm scores are soft, is the plan raise / delay filing / role rewrite / S Pass contingency?

Soft firm score ≠ NOA email

Symptom	Likely lane
SAT shows firm criteria failing / scraping 40	This guide — firm mix / exemption / timing
Age-band fixed pay short	EP renewal strategy Stage 1
MOM asks for NOA after filing	EP renewal NOA & documents
Mid-pass salary cut never notified	Salary / occupation changes

Do not answer a firm-score problem by uploading a random IR8A pack.

Decision rule

Get SAT screenshots that include firm criteria before lease renewals and school-fee deadlines assume a stamped card. Parent renewal calendar stays on EP renewal strategy; framework vocabulary stays on COMPASS explained. Age-band Stage-1 packaging (separate from firm scores): EP renewal age-band salary packaging.

Questions, answered

Do EP renewals still need 40 COMPASS points?: Unless you are in a published exemption band, yes — renewals still need 40 COMPASS points. Confirm exemptions and SAT results with HR before assuming last year’s card guarantees this cycle.
Can firm COMPASS scores drop even if my salary still clears?: Yes. Firm criteria such as diversity or local PMET share can drift after hiring or local exits even when your personal pay cleared last year. Ask HR for SAT screenshots that include firm criteria.
Is my C1 salary percentile the same as the Stage 1 qualifying salary?: No. Stage 1 qualifying salary is the age-band floor for eligibility. C1 salary points are a separate COMPASS criterion against sector/age benchmarks — do not treat them as one number.
What should I ask HR in writing before an EP renewal filing?: Ask for SAT screenshots for the intended filing month, whether you still clear 40 points after recent headcount changes, which firm criteria are close to the edge, any exemption band, and the contingency if firm scores are soft.
If firm scores look soft, should I upload extra IR8A documents?: No. Soft firm scores are a firm-mix / timing / exemption problem — not an NOA document dump. Escalate raise, delay, role rewrite, or S Pass contingency with HR instead of uploading a random IR8A pack.

Sources & citations

Admin and policy details change. Prefer the official page when making decisions; we cite primary sources for Singapore government and statutory guidance.

ServiceImmigration counsel (category guide)