Singapore EntrePass

Summary

The EntrePass is Singapore's work pass for founders of innovative, venture-backable startups — not for ordinary small businesses. It's administered by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), Singapore's labor and work-pass agency, in coordination with Enterprise Singapore, the government agency that supports business growth. It is deliberately scoped to entrepreneurs building tech-enabled, scalable ventures with external validation: venture-capital funding, incubator backing, meaningful intellectual property, or significant research collaboration with a Singapore institution.

You don't need the company registered at the point of application — but you must register a Singapore private limited company with ACRA within 30 days of approval, and you must hold at least a 30% shareholding. The pass is valid for 1 year initially, renewable in 2-year blocks. Renewals depend on meeting progressive local hiring and business spending milestones, which scale up over time.

Eligibility

You may qualify for an EntrePass if you meet the general criteria and at least one of the innovation anchors:

• You plan to start and actively run a Singapore-registered private limited company (Pte Ltd) in an innovative, scalable sector.
• You will hold at least 30% shareholding in the company.
• The company is either less than 6 months old at the point of application, or not yet registered (you have 30 days post-approval to register).
• You meet at least one of the eligibility anchors below.

The innovation anchors (need at least one)

• Funding — You've raised at least SGD 100,000 from a recognized, government-recognized VC or business angel, or been backed by an angel investor on MOM's recognized list. "Friends and family" money does not count.
• Incubator / accelerator — You're incubated or accepted into an accelerator recognized by Enterprise Singapore (A*STAR, NUS Enterprise, SMU IIE, and similar).
• Intellectual property — You hold IP registered with an approved national IP institution (e.g. IPOS, USPTO, EPO) that's relevant to your proposed business.
• Research collaboration — You have a research collaboration with A*STAR or a recognized Singapore Institute of Higher Learning.
• Extraordinary track record — You have notable entrepreneurial, innovation, or technical achievements recognized by national/international media or industry bodies.

Renewal milestones

Renewal after the first year requires meeting a combined hiring and spending threshold:

• Year 2 renewal (1-year extension): Total business spending (excluding founder's salary) of SGD 100,000 and 3 local employees (Singaporeans or PRs in full-time roles earning at least the Local Qualifying Salary).
• Year 3 renewal (2-year extension): SGD 200,000 spending and 6 local employees.
• Year 5+ (2-year extensions): SGD 300,000+ spending and 9+ local employees, scaling with each renewal.

Local employees must be paid at least the prevailing Local Qualifying Salary (LQS) (SGD 1,600/month as of 2025) and contribute to CPF.

Businesses that don't qualify

The EntrePass explicitly excludes: cafes, bars, restaurants, retail shops, nightclubs, massage parlors, karaoke lounges, foot reflexology, Chinese medicine halls, acupuncture, feng shui businesses, employment agencies, and geomancy. The inclusions and exclusions track MOM's definition of "innovative, scalable" industries.

Dependants

EntrePass holders can sponsor spouse and children under 21 via Dependant's Pass (DP) once the business has met SGD 100,000 in spending AND 3 local employees at renewal. There's no minimum founder salary threshold as with the EP, but the business milestones gate family sponsorship.

Path to PR

After holding the EntrePass and showing a viable, growing business, founders can apply for Permanent Residence under the Professionals/Technical Personnel/Skilled Workers (PTS) scheme. Approval is discretionary and leans heavily on the business's actual performance — revenue, hiring, and strategic fit matter more than the pass category itself.

What This Route Allows

This route can allow you to live in Singapore through the qualifying investment, business, or self-employment basis described above. The proof package should be concrete before filing: accepted investment or business activity, lawful source-of-funds records, corporate, property, or bank documents where relevant, background checks, and the government forms for this pathway.

What This Route Is Not

This is not just a business idea on paper. Entrepreneur and self-employment routes usually require a credible plan, real activity, funds, qualifications, or official endorsement.

Next Steps

1. Self-test against the innovation anchors. If you don't have at least one of VC funding, incubator status, IP, research collaboration, or a standout track record, the EntrePass is not the right pathway — consider the Employment Pass or ONE Pass instead.
2. Prepare a 10-page business plan. Required as part of the application: sector, product/service, market, funding secured, IP, hiring plan, and 3-year financial projections. This gets scrutinized closely.
3. Assemble the supporting evidence. VC term sheet or funded-round documentation, IP registration certificates, accelerator acceptance letters, press or awards documentation — whatever proves the anchor.
4. Apply through EP Online (MOM). Unlike the EP, the founder applies directly — no employer sponsor needed.
5. Register the company within 30 days of approval. Incorporate a Pte Ltd with ACRA, hold 30%+ shareholding, and begin operations.
6. Track your renewal milestones. Hiring and spending targets are cumulative and audited at renewal — keep detailed CPF records, payroll receipts, and accounting books.
7. Evaluate PR after 2+ years. Once the business has revenue, employees, and a track record, apply for PR under PTS.

Sources

• Ministry of Manpower — EntrePass
• MOM — EntrePass Eligibility
• Enterprise Singapore — Startup Resources
• Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) — Company Registration
• Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS)