(i) Employment Pass
This pass is meant for foreign professionals (all nationalities) with a fixed monthly salary of at least S$4,500. More experienced and senior candidates will require higher salaries to qualify.
Duration: EPs granted for new companies will usually be up to 1 year and subsequently renewable for 2-3 years, depending on the performance or track record of the company.
Renewal Criteria: EP holders is to ensure that business activities and operations are running, and you are not working in a dormant company. Renewal of EP can be done up to 3 months prior to the pass’s expiry date.
Summary of Documents Required:
- Your Passport
- Company’s latest business profile or instant information registered with ACRA
- Your Highest Education Certificates (up to 2), e.g., Degree Certificate. Additional documents are required for the following countries:
- India – Transcripts or marksheets for all semesters, indicating the college attended.
- China – Verification proof for Diploma and above qualifications (service for verification of education certificates is included as part of our Business and Relocation package)
- Completed EP application form
- Additional supporting documents will be required, on a case-by-case basis.
The success rate of EP can be determined by the following factors:
- Your credentials (e.g., educational and professional qualifications, years of work experience, specialised skills, relevant work experience, salary, etc)
- Singapore Company’s Profile (for new companies, a substantial amount of Paid-Up Capital is crucial, nature of the business, Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) / Invoices / Contracts with clients, etc.). Kindly note that a company must be incorporated before we can file an EP application.
Processing time: An EP application takes an average of 8 weeks, which can be longer if you are selected at random for further checks by the MOM.
Approval: On approval of EP application, MOM will issue an In-Principal Approval (IPA) letter. This IPA is valid for 6 months, whereby you can use this IPA to travel and enter Singapore to complete the formalities with MOM. A medical check-up will be required for first-time EP holders.
Do note that you will not be allowed to start work in Singapore with the IPA alone. While waiting for the issuance of the EP card, you will require a Notification Letter (NL) to be issued by the MOM should you wish to commence work before the issuance of the EP card. This NL is valid for 30 days. Typically, the EP card will be delivered to the employer within four working days upon successful document verification and fingerprint registration (if required).
(ii) Entrepreneur Pass (EntrePass)
This pass is intended for serial entrepreneurs, high-calibre innovators or experienced investors who wish to venture into and operate a business in Singapore.
To be eligible for an EntrePass, you must meet at least one of the following seven criteria, on top of being at least:
- 21 years of age and above
- Does not have a company in Singapore yet OR the company in Singapore is incorporated less than 6 months ago
- Will be holding or hold at least 30% in this Singapore company
Entrepreneur |
Innovator |
Investor |
-
Has business network and entrepreneurial track record
You possess significant business experience or network and promising entrepreneurial track record of starting highly scalable businesses and want to establish, develop and manage a new or existing business in Singapore
-
Received funding from a government-recognized Venture Capitalist (VC) or business angel
Your Singapore company has raised at least S$100,000 from a government investment vehicle, VC or business angel that is recognised by a Singapore Government agency.
Examples:
SGInnovate Vertex Ventures
-
Is an incubate at a government-recognised incubator or accelerator
Your company is an existing incubate at an incubator or accelerator in Singapore that is recognised by the Government,
Examples:
|
-
Holds an intellectual property (IP)
You or your company holds an intellectual property (IP), registered with an approved national institution, which delivers a significant competitive advantage to your proposed business that cannot be easily replicated.
-
Has a research collaboration with an Institute of Higher Learning (IHL) or research institute in Singapore
Your company has an ongoing research collaboration with a research institution under A*STAR or IHL (NUS / NTU / SUTD / SMU / Polytechnics). The research collaboration must be related to your proposed business, with you being involved with the ongoing research collaboration.
Other examples include:
-
Has extraordinary achievements in key areas of expertise
You posses exceptional technical or domain expertise in an area related to your proposed business, including outstanding achievements or have received international recognition in your area of technical or domain expertise.
|
-
Has investment track record
To meet the eligibility criteria, you have to contact one of the following participating government or government-linked agencies:
- Accreditation@SGD
- SGInnovate
Enterprise Singapore
|
The following businesses are not eligible for an EntrePass:
Coffee shops, hawker centres, food courts
Bars, night clubs, karaoke lounges
Foot reflexology, massage parlours
Acupuncture, traditional Chinese medicine, herbal dispensing businesses
Employment agencies
Geomancy business
If you belong to any of the listed sectors, (i) Employment Pass will be the best option for you. Please refer to the above section on (i).
Duration: First-time EntrePass holders will be granted for up to 1 year and subsequently renewable for every 2 years, having met the renewal criteria set out by the MOM.
Renewal Criteria:
Renewal of EntrePass can be done up to 3 months of the pass’s expiry date.
Provide documentary proof of ongoing business activities as described in the original business plan. Candidate must own at least 30% shareholding of the company.
Number of years EntrePass is held |
Total annual business spending of minimum (in SGD) |
Employ at least |
2 |
1,00,000 |
3 local full-time employees
OR
1 local professional, manager or executive
|
4 |
2,00,000 |
6 local full-time employees
OR
2 local professional, manager or executive
|
6 |
3,00,000 |
9 local full-time employees
OR
3 local professional, manager or executive
|
8 or more |
4,00,000 |
12 local full-time employees
OR
4 local professional, manager or executive
|
Summary of Documents Required:
YourPassport
Your past employment testimonials or resume to elaborate on professional experiences, awards or recognitions.
A 10-page business plan in English, consisting of:
Product and service offered
Market analysis
Operation plan
Profile of management team
Supporting documents, e.g. licensing agreements, product certificates and endorsement patents
Company’s latest business profile or instant information from ACRA Bizfile (For businesses who have already incorporated a company in Singapore that is less than 6 months old
Documentary evidence to prove that you have fulfilled 1 out of the 7 criteria listed above
Your Highest Education Certificates (up to 2), e.g., Degree Certificate. Additional documents are required for the following countries:
India – Transcripts or marksheets for all semesters, indicating the college attended.
China – Verification proof for Diploma and above qualifications (service for verification of education certificates is included as part of our Business and Relocation package)
Completed EntrePass application form
Other additional documents that will support your EntrePass application, depending on your profile and which category you fall within the above 7 criteria.
Processing time: An EntrePass application takes an average of 8 weeks, which can be longer if you are selected at random for further checks by the MOM. The application will also be assessed jointly by the other government agencies such as SGInnovate, the Standards, Productivity and Innovation Board of Singapore (SPRING), Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA)
Approval: On approval of EntrePass application, MOM will email the In-Principal Approval (IPA) letter to you directly. This IPA is valid for 6 months, whereby you can use this IPA to travel and enter Singapore to complete the formalities with MOM. A medical check-up will be required to complete the formalities.
In order for MOM to issue the EntrePass card, you are required to have a residential address (must meet MOM’s housing requirements) and a local address to deliver the card to. There may also be a need to register your fingerprints and photograph within 2 weeks from the issuance of your EntrePass card. This will be indicated in your notification letter from MOM.
