The Singapore EntrePass is the clearest path for a foreign founder who wants to relocate to Singapore and run their own business here. Unlike the Employment Pass — which requires an employer to sponsor you — the EntrePass is specifically designed for entrepreneurs incorporating and operating their own company. It is not easy to get, but it is well-designed: the bar exists to ensure Singapore attracts genuinely innovative ventures, not lifestyle businesses dressing up as startups.
This guide explains exactly what the EntrePass requires in 2026, who qualifies, how to apply, what happens at renewal, and how it compares to the Employment Pass and Singapore ONE Pass.
What Is the EntrePass?
The EntrePass (Entrepreneur Pass) is a work pass issued by Singapore's Ministry of Manpower (MOM) that allows a foreign national to incorporate and operate a business in Singapore as its key executive. The holder is essentially both the founder and an employee of the company they create.
Key facts:
- Issued for 1 year initially, renewable for 2-year periods thereafter
- The applicant must be a shareholder of the company being registered
- The company must be incorporated in Singapore and less than 6 months old at the time of application (or not yet incorporated)
- No minimum salary threshold (unlike the EP), but the business must show real economic activity at renewal
Who Qualifies: The Three Pathways
MOM evaluates EntrePass applications across three qualifying pathways. You need to fit into at least one:
Pathway 1: Innovative Entrepreneur
You have raised funding or have IP, and your business is technology-driven or innovative:
- Raised at least S$100,000 from a Singapore Government-linked investment vehicle or recognised VC/PE firm, or
- Own intellectual property (registered patent, trademark, or copyright) that is central to the business, or
- Have a collaboration agreement with a Singapore research institution (A*STAR, NUS, NTU, SMU, etc.)
Pathway 2: Investor / Serial Entrepreneur
You have a strong track record building or investing in businesses:
- Have a 5-year track record of founding or co-founding companies with meaningful revenues or exits, or
- Are a venture investor with a portfolio demonstrating experience backing early-stage companies
Pathway 3: Incubator / Accelerator Endorsement
Your startup has been accepted by a qualifying Singapore-based incubator, accelerator, or government programme:
- Acceptance into an MOM-recognised incubator or accelerator (e.g., Antler, Entrepreneur First, BLOCK71, NUS Enterprise, Plug and Play)
- Selection into government-backed startup programmes (e.g., Startup SG programmes)
If you don't have a prior exit or large VC round, Pathway 3 (incubator endorsement) is the most accessible route. Singapore has a dense ecosystem of recognised incubators — many of which accept international founders remotely before relocation. Getting accepted into one gives you the endorsement letter MOM needs to process your application.
Businesses That Do NOT Qualify
The EntrePass is explicitly not available for businesses that are:
- Coffee shops, hawker stalls, or food and beverage retail
- Foot reflexology, massage, or traditional Chinese medicine
- Karaoke lounges, nightclubs, or entertainment venues
- Employment agencies
- Moneylenders
- Any business that is predominantly a trading or distribution operation without significant value-add
MOM is looking for ventures with innovative products, technology, or scalable service models — not conventional SME businesses that could be run by a Singapore PR or citizen.
Application Process: Step by Step
Step 1 — Incorporate your Singapore Pte Ltd (or prepare to — company must be ≤ 6 months old). You need a UEN (Unique Entity Number) for the application.
Step 2 — Prepare your business plan. MOM requires a detailed plan: problem, solution, market size, revenue model, traction to date, financial projections for 3 years, and key hires planned.
Step 3 — Secure qualifying evidence for your chosen pathway (funding proof, IP certificates, incubator acceptance letter).
Step 4 — Submit via EntrePass online portal at mom.gov.sg. The application fee is S$105 (non-refundable).
Step 5 — MOM assessment. Processing takes approximately 8 weeks. MOM may request additional documents or an interview.
Step 6 — In-Principle Approval (IPA) issued. Valid for 6 months — you must complete formalities and collect the pass within this window.
Documents Required
- Completed online application form
- Passport copy
- Business plan (no standard template — MOM wants a genuine document, not a template fill-in)
- ACRA BizFile business profile of the Singapore company
- Evidence for qualifying pathway (funding term sheet, IP registration, incubator letter)
- CV / resume showing entrepreneurial or professional track record
- Audited financials or management accounts of previous companies (if applying via Pathway 2)
Pass Conditions During the First Year
Once issued, the EntrePass comes with conditions you must comply with:
- You must be an equity shareholder of the company throughout the pass validity
- You must be actively involved in running the company (not a passive investor)
- The business must operate from a physical Singapore address (not a virtual office in most cases)
- You cannot be employed by another company on the side without separate MOM approval
Renewal: The Tougher Bar
The first renewal (from 1 year to 2 years) is where many EntrePass holders face difficulty. MOM assesses whether the business has achieved minimum criteria that scale with the age of the pass:
| Pass Age | Annual Business Spending | Local Employees Hired |
|---|---|---|
| At first renewal (Year 1) | At least S$100,000 | At least 1 local full-time employee |
| At second renewal (Year 3) | At least S$100,000 | At least 2 local full-time employees |
| At third renewal (Year 5) | At least S$100,000 | At least 3 local full-time employees |
"Business spending" means actual expenditure on the company — salaries (including your own), rent, professional services, marketing, equipment. This is not revenue; it is how much the company has genuinely spent operating in Singapore. For most early-stage startups spending on salaries and office, S$100,000 is achievable if they are serious about the business.
MOM tracks this closely. You must hire at least one Singaporean or PR in a genuine full-time role by your first renewal. Hiring a family member on a nominal salary or a part-time contractor does not satisfy this condition. Build the local hire into your hiring plan from Day 1.
EntrePass vs Employment Pass: Key Differences
| EntrePass | Employment Pass | |
|---|---|---|
| Who it's for | Founders starting their own company | Professionals employed by an existing company |
| Sponsor | Your own Singapore company | An employer company (can be your own, but must be operational) |
| Min salary | None (business spending threshold instead) | S$5,600/month (general) as of 2025 |
| Business requirement | Innovative / qualifying business | Any sector; must be a real job |
| Renewal condition | Business spending + local hires | Continued employment + COMPASS points |
| Processing time | ~8 weeks | ~3 weeks |
| Family passes | Dependant's Pass available | Dependant's Pass available |
Key strategic point: If your Singapore company is already operational and generating revenue — and you can pay yourself a salary of S$5,600/month or more — you may be better served applying for an Employment Pass sponsored by your own company. The EP is faster, has a clearer criteria (COMPASS score), and does not carry the local hiring conditions that the EntrePass renewal requires. Many founders who initially get an EntrePass switch to an EP once the business is generating revenue.
EntrePass vs ONE Pass
Singapore's Overseas Networks and Expertise (ONE) Pass, launched in 2023, is aimed at exceptional talent earning above S$30,000/month or with outstanding achievements in their field. It is a 5-year pass that allows the holder to work for multiple companies simultaneously.
For most startup founders, ONE Pass is not the right tool — the salary threshold is too high for early-stage founders who are conserving cash. However, if you are a serial founder with a strong track record and can demonstrate income above S$30,000/month from your ventures or investments, ONE Pass offers significantly more flexibility than EntrePass.
Practical Tips for a Strong Application
- Business plan quality matters enormously. MOM officers read these carefully. A generic 5-page template will be rejected. Write a genuine plan that explains why you are building this in Singapore, what problem you are solving, and who your first customers are.
- Traction beats forecasts. If you already have paying customers, letters of intent, or a signed pilot agreement, include it. Forward projections alone rarely impress.
- Incubator letters carry weight. If you can get accepted into a recognised Singapore incubator before applying, do it. The endorsement letter signals to MOM that a credible third party has evaluated your business.
- Explain why Singapore specifically. MOM wants to see that you understand Singapore's market position and why your business needs to be here — not just that Singapore has favourable taxes.
- Keep records from Day 1. When renewal comes, you will need to show business spending receipts, payroll records, and employment documentation. Start good record-keeping immediately.
Conclusion
The EntrePass is a genuine startup visa — one of the few in Asia that is specifically designed for founders rather than corporate transferees. The bar is real: MOM rejects non-innovative businesses, and the renewal conditions require you to build a real company with local employees. But for a foreign founder with a credible idea, a track record, or an incubator endorsement, the EntrePass is a clear and well-structured path to building in Singapore.
If you are considering Singapore, the most practical first step is to incorporate a Singapore Pte Ltd and apply for EntrePass simultaneously — Karman handles the incorporation in 1 business day, and we can advise on the document requirements for your specific situation. Get in touch to discuss your case.
Official Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
The Singapore EntrePass is a work pass issued by MOM that allows foreign entrepreneurs to start and operate a business in Singapore. Unlike the Employment Pass, which requires an existing employer to sponsor you, the EntrePass is designed for founders who want to incorporate and run their own company. It is evaluated on the quality of the business, the applicant's track record, and a qualifying endorsement.
There is no minimum fixed salary requirement for EntrePass the way there is for Employment Pass. However, EntrePass holders must demonstrate at renewal that the company has spent at least S$100,000 per year on business operations. This effectively means the business (and your salary from it) must be real and substantial.
MOM typically processes EntrePass applications within 8 weeks. Applications requiring endorsement from a qualifying incubator may take longer if the endorsement process itself takes time. Strong applications from well-funded founders with clear track records can occasionally be approved faster.
Yes — you can apply for EntrePass before incorporating, or after incorporating a company that is less than 6 months old. In practice, most applicants incorporate first to get the UEN (Unique Entity Number) required for the application form, then apply for the EntrePass immediately after. Karman can incorporate your company in 1 business day, giving you the UEN you need to proceed.
Yes. EntrePass holders can apply for Dependant's Passes (DP) for their spouse and children under 21. Once you have renewed your EntrePass at least once (showing the business is viable), Long-Term Visit Passes (LTVP) may also be available for parents and other dependants.