Singapore EntrePass

The EntrePass is a Ministry of Manpower (MOM) work pass for foreign entrepreneurs who start and run a business in Singapore that is venture-backed or owns innovative technologies (MOM). It's open to all nationalities. It isn't a remote-work visa: the pass covers running the holder's own Singapore company.

• Status: active
• Ownership: At least 30% of the ACRA-registered company
• Minimum salary: No minimum salary stipulated
• Fees: SGD 105 to apply and SGD 225 when the pass is issued
• First pass: up to 1 year, renewable
• Processing: within 6 weeks for most cases
• Quota and levy: none (MOM key facts)

The Singapore guide sets this pass beside the other ways to stay in the country.

Applicants need a qualifying company and must meet at least one innovation criterion (MOM eligibility).

Company: a private limited company registered with ACRA, Singapore's company registry. Ownership rule: At least 30% of the ACRA-registered company. If the company is more than 12 months old on the date of application, MOM assesses it under the renewal criteria instead.

Innovation criteria (one is enough):

• Funding: raised at least SGD 100,000 in a single funding round from investors, for a current or past business.
• Incubator or accelerator: the business is or will be supported by a government-recognized or internationally renowned incubator or accelerator.
• Track record: the applicant founded and sold a business that was venture-backed or owned innovative technologies.
• Intellectual property: the business holds IP registered with an approved national IP institution.
• Research: an ongoing research collaboration in Singapore with an institute of higher learning or a research institution. Contracts of services don't count.

Excluded businesses: coffee shops, hawker centers and food courts; bars, night clubs and karaoke lounges; foot reflexology and massage parlors; acupuncture, traditional Chinese medicine and herbal dispensing; employment agencies; and geomancy.

MOM sets no minimum salary. Family passes depend on how the business performs; the cost and renewal sections cover the thresholds.

MOM asks for these documents with the application (MOM document list):

• The personal particulars page of the applicant's passport.
• A business plan in English of 10 pages or less.
• A CV and past employment testimonials, if any, plus proof of earlier business ventures where relevant.
• The company's latest business profile or instant information from Bizfile, if the company is already registered.
• Evidence for the chosen innovation criterion, such as funding records, an incubation agreement, IP registration papers or a research collaboration agreement.

Documents not in English need an English translation, which a service provider can prepare. After approval, MOM may ask for a medical declaration form and a medical examination before the pass is issued (MOM).

• Application fee: SGD 105 per pass (MOM).
• Issuance fee: SGD 225 per pass, charged again at each renewal.
• Multiple Journey Visa: SGD 30 each, if one applies.

Passes for a spouse, children or parents follow the fee rules for those passes. Company registration, legal help and translation costs come on top and vary by provider.

1. Apply. Online through the MOM EntrePass eService; Enterprise Singapore evaluates with MOM. The SGD 105 fee is paid with the application, and status can be checked after two weeks.
2. In-principle approval. Most cases are decided within 6 weeks. The approval letter works as a pre-approved single-entry visa and gives 6 months to enter Singapore and have the pass issued. It also says whether a medical examination is needed.
3. Pass issuance. Holders with a Singpass account get the pass issued in EP eService; others book an appointment at the Employment Pass Services Centre. The issuance fee is SGD 225, plus SGD 30 for each Multiple Journey Visa if one applies.
4. Registration. If required, fingerprints and a photo are taken at the Employment Pass Services Centre within two weeks of issue. The card is delivered within 5 working days after registration.

Steps and fees are on MOM's apply page.

• First pass: up to 1 year.
• Renewals: First renewal up to 1 year, later renewals up to 2 years; apply 3 months before expiry; must meet rising Total Business Spending and Local Workforce criteria (none at the 1st renewal cycle, SGD 100,000 and 1 local employee at the 2nd, up to SGD 1,150,000 and 10 at the 11th).
• Timing: renewals are processed within 8 weeks for most cases (MOM renewal page).
• Salary floor for local hires: local professionals counted toward the workforce criterion must earn at least SGD 3,900 a month in cycles 1 to 5 and SGD 4,700 from cycle 6.

Family: a Dependant's Pass for a spouse and unmarried children under 21 needs annual total business spending of SGD 100,000 and one local employee, or another milestone such as raising more than SGD 2 million or holding two or more deep tech IPs. A Long-Term Visit Pass for parents or a common-law spouse needs spending of SGD 200,000 and two local employees (MOM family passes).

The EntrePass isn't permanent residence, and MOM doesn't say whether holders can apply for it.

The EntrePass carries no tax regime of its own. Holders follow Singapore's normal residency tests: an individual is resident after at least 183 days in Singapore in a calendar year, among other tests, and holders of a work pass valid for at least a year are also treated as tax residents (IRAS).

The company is taxed separately under Singapore's corporate rules. The Singapore guide covers the personal tax basics.