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EntrePass
SingaporeSingapore•Asia
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EntrePass

Investment PR PathwayThis visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa.

At a Glance

Processing Time

1 month

Estimated Cost

SGD $330

Stay Duration

1 year

Renewable

Renewal

Renewable

Family

Not specified

PR Pathway

Yes

Sponsor

No job offer needed

Work

Remote not required

Apply Now Official Information
Singapore flag

Living in Singapore

Cost of Living
30% more than United States
Avg SalarySGD 64,000
Quality of Life
148/200
Full Country Guide

Overview

Self-sponsored Singapore work pass for foreign founders building venture-backed or innovation-driven private limited companies.

The EntrePass is a Singapore work pass from the Ministry of Manpower with Enterprise Singapore for foreign entrepreneurs starting a venture-backed or innovation-driven business. It targets serial founders, investors and innovators building scalable companies, not passive owners or traditional small businesses.

Applicants self-sponsor by registering a private limited company with ACRA, holding 30%+ equity, and meeting one innovation criterion (SGD 100,000+ funding, recognised incubator, registered IP, research collaboration, or a prior founded-and-sold venture). Fees are SGD 105 plus SGD 225 on issuance, processed within 6 weeks. Valid 1 year, renewable on hiring/spend benchmarks, with a PR pathway.

This visa is ideal for early-stage tech founders with venture funding, IP, or incubator support who want to build a Singapore-incorporated company without an employer sponsor.

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Cost Breakdown

Application FeeSGD $105
Pass Issuance FeeSGD $225
TotalSGD $330

Stay & Extensions

Initial grant1 year

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

Permanent Residency (PR)
Singapore flagSingapore

Permanent Residency (PR)

ValidityVaries (Indefinite status unless revoked)
Processing6 months
View Visa Details

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Private limited company registered with ACRA (or intent to register); applicant must hold at least 30% equity

Company less than 12 months old at application (older companies assessed under renewal criteria)

Meet at least one innovation criterion: SGD 100,000+ funding from a recognised investor, support from a government-recognised or internationally renowned incubator/accelerator, a prior founded-and-sold venture-backed business, registered IP with significant competitive advantage, or an ongoing research collaboration with a Singapore IHL or research institution

Business is venture-backed or owns innovative technologies

Business is not in a non-qualifying category (coffee shops, hawker centres, bars, night clubs, karaoke lounges, foot reflexology, massage parlours, acupuncture/TCM/herbal dispensing, employment agencies, geomancy)

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Passport

Business plan

Company registration

Funding evidence

CV

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

  • Self-sponsored — no Singapore employer or job offer needed
  • Open to all nationalities with no minimum salary requirement
  • 1-year initial validity, renewable for 1 then 2 years on hiring and spend benchmarks
  • Pathway to Singapore Permanent Residency for successful founders
  • Qualifying family members can obtain Dependant's Passes (spouse can work via Letter of Consent)
  • No foreign worker levy or quota applies to the pass holder
  • Multiple qualifying routes: funding, incubator, IP, research collaboration, or prior tech exit

Worth Knowing

  • Company must be registered with ACRA and applicant must hold at least 30% equity
  • Must meet a specific innovation criterion (e.g. SGD 100,000+ from a recognised investor)
  • Renewal requires meeting local hiring and total business spend benchmarks
  • Processing takes up to 6 weeks and pass must be issued in Singapore within 6 months of IPA
  • Several sectors are excluded (F&B outlets, bars, massage, TCM, employment agencies, geomancy)
  • Business is in a non-qualifying category such as coffee shops, bars, massage parlours, TCM or employment agencies
  • Cannot demonstrate any of the five innovation criteria (funding, incubator, IP, research collaboration, or prior tech exit)
  • Applicant would hold less than 30% equity in the registered private limited company

Application Process

1

Prepare required documents

business plan, ACRA registration (if any), funding/IP/incubator/research evidence, passport and CV

2

Submit application online via the EntrePass eService at service2.mom.gov.sg and pay the SGD 105 application fee by Visa/Mastercard/Amex

3

Await assessment by MOM and Enterprise Singapore (typically within 6 weeks; status checkable after 2 weeks)

4

Receive in-principle approval (IPA) letter, which acts as a pre-approved single-entry visa valid for 6 months to enter Singapore

5

Enter Singapore and complete any required medical examination indicated on the IPA

6

Get the pass issued in Singapore via EP eService (Singpass holders, company reps or employment agents) or in person at the Employment Pass Services Centre, paying SGD 225 plus SGD 30 Multiple Journey Visa if applicable

7

If notified, register fingerprints and photo at an MOM appointment, then set up the digital work pass and receive the EntrePass card at the registered address

Application Forms

Go to application portal
EntrePass OnlineFill online

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