Master prompt
Employment Pass cover narrative + COMPASS framework match (Singapore — MOM)
Cover narrative for Employment Pass application — MOM COMPASS framework points walkthrough, role / salary / qualification narrative, foreign-share ratio context, diversity bonus.
SingaporeEmployment PassEPCOMPASSMOMCover narrativeEFM Act
Draft a cover narrative for [CLIENT_NAME]'s Singapore Employment Pass application via MOM (Ministry of Manpower) EP Online portal. Target: 500-700 words, formal business English, COMPASS-anchored, MOM-acceptable. The narrative accompanies the EP application form (filed by [EMPLOYER]) and addresses the COMPASS Self-Assessment Tool framework.
CLIENT SUMMARY
- Applicant: [CLIENT_NAME], age [AGE]
- Current location: Bengaluru
- Role: [ROLE]
- Employer: [EMPLOYER]
- Monthly salary: [MONTHLY_SALARY]
- Qualifications: [QUALIFICATIONS]
- Experience: [YEARS_EXPERIENCE]
- COMPASS self-assessment: [COMPASS_SELF_ASSESSMENT]
- Known concerns: [KNOWN_CONCERNS]
GROUND FRAMING — COMPASS (Complementarity Assessment Framework)
MOM introduced COMPASS in September 2023 as a points-based qualifying framework for new Employment Pass applications and EP renewals. Statutory basis: Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (Cap. 91A). Pass mark: 40 points (out of 80 foundational + 20 bonus).
THE 6 CRITERIA:
C1 — Salary (0 / 10 / 20 points)
- Compared to local PMET salaries in the same sector
- Top 10% in sector for age band: 20pts
- Top 35% in sector for age band: 10pts
- Below 35%: 0pts
- MOM publishes age-band benchmarks (verify current MOM tables)
C2 — Qualifications (0 / 10 / 20 points)
- Degree from MOM-recognised "Top-tier" institution: 20pts (verify against MOM's Top-tier list — generally includes Times Higher Ed / QS top 100, plus IITs, IIMs, ISB)
- Degree from MOM-recognised institution: 10pts
- Other / unrecognised: 0pts
- PhD typically auto-Top-tier; IIT BTechs typically Top-tier
C3 — Diversity (0 / 10 / 20 points)
- Applicant's nationality share at [EMPLOYER]:
- Below 5% of PMET share: 20pts
- 5-25%: 10pts
- 25%+: 0pts
- Indian-nationality-heavy firms (TCS, Infosys, Wipro Singapore offices) commonly score 0 here
C4 — Local Workforce (0 / 10 / 20 points)
- [EMPLOYER]'s local PMET workforce share vs industry benchmark
- Top 50% of sector: 20pts
- Average: 10pts
- Bottom 50%: 0pts
- Older / Singapore-rooted firms (DBS, OCBC, UOB) commonly score 20; foreign tech newer entrants commonly 10
BONUS C5 — Skills (0 / 20 points)
- Role on the MOM Shortage Occupation List (SOL) — published quarterly
- 2026 priority occupations (verify against current MOM SOL): cybersecurity, AI/ML engineering, green economy, advanced manufacturing, fintech compliance
BONUS C6 — Strategic Economic Priority (0 / 10 points)
- [EMPLOYER] involved in strategic partnerships with EDB / MTI on national priorities
- Capability transfer initiatives recognised
- Not commonly awarded; verify with MOM if [EMPLOYER] qualifies
PASS MARK: 40 points across the 6 criteria.
§1 — STRUCTURE (7-section, 500-700 words)
Paragraph 1 — Opening (50-70 words)
- State the role + applicant + employer
- State COMPASS self-assessment result + pass status
- Format: "I, [CLIENT_NAME], aged [AGE], a citizen of India currently based in Bengaluru, have been offered the position of [ROLE] at [EMPLOYER]. My COMPASS Self-Assessment yields [COMPASS_SELF_ASSESSMENT total] points against the 40-point pass mark."
Paragraph 2 — C1 Salary contribution narrative (60-80 words)
- Cite [MONTHLY_SALARY] vs MOM published PMET benchmark for [AGE] age band in sector
- State the percentile placement (top 10% / top 35% / median)
- State the C1 points awarded
- Example: "My fixed monthly salary of [MONTHLY_SALARY] places me at the 92nd percentile against MOM's published benchmark for [sector] professionals in the 30-34 age band, yielding 20 C1 points."
Paragraph 3 — C2 Qualifications narrative (60-80 words)
- Cite [QUALIFICATIONS] with institution name + ranking
- State Top-tier / Recognised / Other classification
- State C2 points
- Example: "I hold a Bachelor of Technology in Computer Science from the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (graduated 2014, CGPA 9.4/10) and a Master of Science in Statistics from Stanford University (graduated 2018, GPA 3.92/4.0). Both institutions appear on the MOM Top-tier list, yielding 20 C2 points."
Paragraph 4 — C3 Diversity context (60-80 words)
- Acknowledge [EMPLOYER]'s nationality composition
- State C3 points
- If 0pts: do NOT make excuses — instead emphasise C1+C2+C4+C5 cumulative score
- If 10-20pts: cite [EMPLOYER]'s diversity initiatives
Paragraph 5 — C4 Local workforce + C5/C6 bonuses (80-100 words)
- State [EMPLOYER]'s local PMET workforce ratio (cite specific number if available)
- State C4 points
- If [ROLE] is on Shortage Occupation List (SOL): cite the SOL inclusion + 20 C5 bonus points
- If [EMPLOYER] qualifies for C6 Strategic Priority: cite EDB partnership
- State cumulative COMPASS total
Paragraph 6 — Experience + fit (80-100 words)
- Bridge from points to qualitative fit
- [YEARS_EXPERIENCE] — narrate trajectory + skills [EMPLOYER] specifically needs
- State specific Singapore-relevance: regulatory familiarity, Asia-Pacific exposure, prior work with Singapore-based clients / partners
- Avoid generic "I am excited" filler
Paragraph 7 — Closing commitment (40-60 words)
- Concrete intent: contribute, transfer skills to local workforce, support [EMPLOYER]'s diversity targets
- Acknowledge MOM's regulatory framework
- Sign-off
- Example: "I commit to contributing to Singapore's [sector] ecosystem through specific knowledge transfer to local PMETs at [EMPLOYER], full tax compliance with IRAS, and respect for the regulatory framework set by MOM under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act."
§2 — ADDRESSING [KNOWN_CONCERNS]
For each item in [KNOWN_CONCERNS]:
If C1 Salary borderline:
- Cite supplementary compensation (signing bonus, equity, performance bonus structure)
- Cite forward salary progression in offer letter
If C2 Qualifications below Top-tier:
- Compensate with depth of experience or rare certifications (CFA, FRM, Cisco CCIE, AWS Solutions Architect Pro)
- Cite published research, patents, industry recognition
If C3 Diversity at 0pts:
- Do NOT argue the framework
- Show that even WITHOUT C3, total is well above 40
- Cite role's contribution to [EMPLOYER]'s diversity transition plan (a future target)
If C4 Local Workforce at 0-10pts:
- Cite [EMPLOYER]'s Singapore Citizen / PR hiring plan
- Cite [EMPLOYER]'s investment in local talent (NUS / NTU / SMU / SUTD partnerships, internship programmes)
§3 — TONE FOR MOM AUDIENCE
DO:
- Quantitative, points-anchored, criteria-by-criteria
- Cite EFM Act inline ("under EFM Act s.5...") where relevant
- Acknowledge framework constraints; do not argue against them
- Use [EMPLOYER]'s legal Pte Ltd / Ltd name
- British business English
DO NOT:
- Plead or argue against COMPASS framework
- Make qualitative claims unsupported by points / numbers
- Vague "I will work hard" filler
- Hyperbole about [EMPLOYER]'s reputation
§4 — EMPLOYER-SIDE ATTACHMENTS
The cover narrative is submitted by [EMPLOYER] alongside:
- Form EP1 (EP Online portal)
- Offer letter (signed, with role, salary, start date, term)
- Applicant's passport bio page
- Educational certificates (apostilled if from India / abroad)
- CV / resume
- [EMPLOYER]'s ACRA business profile
- For first-time EP for a firm: undertaking letter
§5 — DRAFT THE NARRATIVE for [CLIENT_NAME]
Produce the full 500-700 word EP cover narrative addressed to MOM, walking through C1-C6 explicitly with [COMPASS_SELF_ASSESSMENT] anchors, pre-empting [KNOWN_CONCERNS], at the target word count.
§6 — REVIEW CHECKLIST
[ ] Subject line: "Cover Narrative — Employment Pass Application — [CLIENT_NAME] (Indian passport [number]) for [ROLE] at [EMPLOYER]"
[ ] All 6 COMPASS criteria addressed (C1-C6) with point totals
[ ] [COMPASS_SELF_ASSESSMENT] total exceeds 40-point pass mark
[ ] [KNOWN_CONCERNS] pre-empted, not avoided
[ ] [QUALIFICATIONS] cited with institution names + classification
[ ] [YEARS_EXPERIENCE] narrated with trajectory + Singapore-relevance
[ ] Local PMET contribution intent stated
[ ] EFM Act referenced
[ ] Signed by applicant + [EMPLOYER] HR
[ ] Word count 500-700
End with: "DRAFT EP cover narrative — for Singapore-licensed immigration / employment law firm + [EMPLOYER] HR review. Verify against current MOM COMPASS published benchmarks (refreshed periodically) before submission. The Singapore EP cover narrative is fundamentally QUANTITATIVE — points beat prose. The most effective narratives walk through C1-C6 transparently, acknowledge any 0-point criteria honestly, and demonstrate the cumulative pass-mark mathematics. Indian applicants from non-Top-tier institutions commonly compensate via experience depth + Shortage Occupation List + competitive salary; that combination consistently clears the 40-point threshold even with C3 Diversity at 0pts."Unlock the vault to see the full prompt