IMMIGRATION / ENTREPASS
EntrePass (Entrepreneur Pass) Application in Singapore
The EntrePass is Singapore’s visa for foreign entrepreneurs who want to start and operate an innovation-driven business here. No minimum salary. No COMPASS. But a rigorous assessment of your business idea, your track record, and your venture’s potential to contribute to Singapore’s economy.
We handle the business case, the documentation, and the submission — so your move to Singapore starts on the right foundation.
New Application
From $2,500
Renewal Support
From $1,500
We handle the business case, the documentation, and the submission — so your move to Singapore starts on the right foundation.
Full business plan review and advisory
Innovation criteria assessment
Application preparation and MOM submission
Incorporation support included
Renewal milestone planning
What’s included in our EntrePass service
PRE-APPLICATION
APPLICATION
POST-APPROVAL
IF THINGS DON’T GO TO PLAN
Government fees: MOM application fee $105, issuance fee $225. Payable directly to MOM.
How it works
Assess
We evaluate your entrepreneurial profile and business concept against MOM’s innovation criteria. If EntrePass isn’t the right fit, we’ll tell you and suggest alternatives.
Prepare
We review and refine your business plan, compile all supporting documents, and prepare the full application.
Submit
We submit to MOM. Your application is jointly assessed by MOM and Enterprise Singapore. Processing takes approximately 8 weeks.
Launch
On approval, we coordinate your company incorporation (if not yet done), pass issuance, and help you plan for your first renewal milestones.
Pricing
SELECT SERVICES
EntrePass —
New Application
From $2,500
EntrePass —
Renewal
From $1,500
Business Plan Advisory
(standalone)
$800
Appeal
(rejected application)
From $1,500
Company Incorporation
(add-on)
From $300
EntrePass eligibility requirements
Business Registration
You must have started, or intend to start, a Private Limited company registered with ACRA. If the company is already registered, it must be less than 12 months old at the time of application. You can also register the company after approval — but must do so within 30 days of receiving your IPA.
Innovation Criteria
You must meet at least one of MOM’s qualifying criteria:
— Funded by a recognised venture capitalist or business angel — Holder of a national patent (or intellectual property)
— Ongoing research collaboration with a recognised research institution (e.g., A*STAR, NUS, NTU)
— Incubatee at a Singapore government-supported incubator or accelerator
— Have received significant investment or government grant funding
— Possess an exceptional track record of entrepreneurial success
— Developing a product or service in a recognised innovation area
— Funded by a recognised venture capitalist or business angel — Holder of a national patent (or intellectual property)
— Ongoing research collaboration with a recognised research institution (e.g., A*STAR, NUS, NTU)
— Incubatee at a Singapore government-supported incubator or accelerator
— Have received significant investment or government grant funding
— Possess an exceptional track record of entrepreneurial success
— Developing a product or service in a recognised innovation area
No Salary Requirement
Unlike the Employment Pass, there is no minimum salary for the EntrePass. Eligibility is based on your entrepreneurial profile and the innovation potential of your business.
No Compass
The EntrePass is not assessed under the COMPASS framework. It is assessed jointly by MOM and Enterprise Singapore based on the business plan and innovation criteria.
Excluded Businesses
Not all businesses are eligible. The EntrePass is not available for: — Coffee shops, hawker centres, food courts
— Bars, nightclubs, karaoke lounges
— Foot reflexology, massage parlours
— Traditional Chinese medicine, herbal dispensing
— Employment agencies
— Geomancy businesses
If your business falls into these categories, an Employment Pass may be more appropriate.
— Bars, nightclubs, karaoke lounges
— Foot reflexology, massage parlours
— Traditional Chinese medicine, herbal dispensing
— Employment agencies
— Geomancy businesses
If your business falls into these categories, an Employment Pass may be more appropriate.
What founders need to know about the EntrePass
EntrePass vs Employment Pass — Which one should I use?
This is the most common question we get from founders, and the answer depends on your situation.
Choose EntrePass if:
— Your business is genuinely innovation-driven (tech, deep-tech, venture-backed)
— You don’t yet have a company that can sponsor an EP, or your company is less than 12 months old
— You want to be assessed on your business idea and entrepreneurial track record rather than salary
Choose Employment Pass (with shareholder involvement) if:
— Your business is more established and generates revenue
— You can pay yourself a salary of at least $5,600/month
— Your business doesn’t fit MOM’s innovation criteria for EntrePass
— You want to avoid the renewal milestones (business spending and local hiring targets) that EntrePass requires
We assess both options and recommend the path with the highest chance of approval for your specific situation.
Choose EntrePass if:
— Your business is genuinely innovation-driven (tech, deep-tech, venture-backed)
— You don’t yet have a company that can sponsor an EP, or your company is less than 12 months old
— You want to be assessed on your business idea and entrepreneurial track record rather than salary
Choose Employment Pass (with shareholder involvement) if:
— Your business is more established and generates revenue
— You can pay yourself a salary of at least $5,600/month
— Your business doesn’t fit MOM’s innovation criteria for EntrePass
— You want to avoid the renewal milestones (business spending and local hiring targets) that EntrePass requires
We assess both options and recommend the path with the highest chance of approval for your specific situation.
What are the renewal milestones — and Why they matter from day one
The EntrePass is initially issued for 1 year. To renew, you must demonstrate real business progress:
First renewal (after Year 1):
— Minimum $100,000 in total business spending
— At least 3 full-time local employees (Singapore citizens or PRs earning at least $1,100/month with CPF), OR 1 local professional/manager/executive (earning at least $3,600/month with CPF)
Second renewal (after Year 2):
— Minimum $200,000 in total business spending
— At least 6 full-time local employees, OR 2 local PMEs
These milestones are strict. If you don’t meet them, your pass will not be renewed — and you’ll need to leave Singapore or find an alternative visa route.
This is why we plan for renewal milestones from day one. We help you structure your hiring and spending to hit these targets without over-extending your runway.
First renewal (after Year 1):
— Minimum $100,000 in total business spending
— At least 3 full-time local employees (Singapore citizens or PRs earning at least $1,100/month with CPF), OR 1 local professional/manager/executive (earning at least $3,600/month with CPF)
Second renewal (after Year 2):
— Minimum $200,000 in total business spending
— At least 6 full-time local employees, OR 2 local PMEs
These milestones are strict. If you don’t meet them, your pass will not be renewed — and you’ll need to leave Singapore or find an alternative visa route.
This is why we plan for renewal milestones from day one. We help you structure your hiring and spending to hit these targets without over-extending your runway.
The business plan — what MOM actually wants to see
MOM requires a 10-page business plan. This isn’t a pitch deck
— it’s a structured document that needs to demonstrate:
— Innovation: What is novel about your product or service?
— Market opportunity: What problem are you solving, and for whom?
— Business model: How will you generate revenue?
— Team: Who is involved, and what is their track record?
— Singapore value-add: Why Singapore? What will you contribute to the local economy?
— Hiring plan: How many local employees will you hire, and by when?
— Financial projections: Revenue, expenses, and funding sources
The business plan is jointly assessed by MOM and Enterprise Singapore. Weak business plans are the most common reason for EntrePass rejections.
We review and refine your business plan to ensure it addresses every assessment criterion clearly and credibly.
— it’s a structured document that needs to demonstrate:
— Innovation: What is novel about your product or service?
— Market opportunity: What problem are you solving, and for whom?
— Business model: How will you generate revenue?
— Team: Who is involved, and what is their track record?
— Singapore value-add: Why Singapore? What will you contribute to the local economy?
— Hiring plan: How many local employees will you hire, and by when?
— Financial projections: Revenue, expenses, and funding sources
The business plan is jointly assessed by MOM and Enterprise Singapore. Weak business plans are the most common reason for EntrePass rejections.
We review and refine your business plan to ensure it addresses every assessment criterion clearly and credibly.
Can I bring my family on an EntrePass?
Not immediately. Unlike the EP, you cannot include dependants in your initial EntrePass application.
After your first renewal, if you’ve created at least 4 full-time local jobs and achieved annual business spending of at least $150,000, you may be eligible to apply for:
— Dependant’s Pass (DP) for your spouse and children under 21
— Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) for common-law spouse, stepchildren, or parents
For parents to be eligible, the threshold is higher: 8 full-time local employees and $300,000 in business spending.
If bringing your family to Singapore immediately is a priority, an Employment Pass (which allows Dependant’s Pass applications from day one at salaries above $6,000) may be the better route.
After your first renewal, if you’ve created at least 4 full-time local jobs and achieved annual business spending of at least $150,000, you may be eligible to apply for:
— Dependant’s Pass (DP) for your spouse and children under 21
— Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) for common-law spouse, stepchildren, or parents
For parents to be eligible, the threshold is higher: 8 full-time local employees and $300,000 in business spending.
If bringing your family to Singapore immediately is a priority, an Employment Pass (which allows Dependant’s Pass applications from day one at salaries above $6,000) may be the better route.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to register my company before applying?
No. You can apply for EntrePass before incorporating. If approved, you must register the company with ACRA within 30 days of receiving your IPA letter. We can handle the incorporation for you.
How long does the EntrePass application take?
Approximately 8 weeks. MOM and Enterprise Singapore jointly assess the application. Complex cases or those requiring additional documentation may take longer.
Is there a minimum investment amount?
There is no mandated minimum capital investment. However, having funding — whether from VCs, angels, or personal investment — strengthens your application significantly. Some sources indicate a practical benchmark of around $100,000.
Can I work for another company while on an EntrePass?
No. The EntrePass is tied to the specific business in your application. If you want to work for multiple companies or switch roles, consider the ONE Pass or Tech.Pass.
What happens if my business fails?
If you close your business, you must cancel your EntrePass. You’ll need to settle any outstanding taxes (IRAS tax clearance) and return your pass card to MOM within 1 week of cancellation.
Can I apply for PR on an EntrePass?
Yes. After your second renewal (typically 2–3 years), you may be eligible to apply for Permanent Residency under the PTS scheme, provided you can demonstrate stable employment, tax filings, and economic contribution.
What if my business isn’t ‘innovative’ enough for EntrePass?
If your business doesn’t meet MOM’s innovation criteria — for example, it’s a traditional services company or an F&B business — the EntrePass isn’t the right route. We’ll advise on alternatives, typically an Employment Pass with shareholder involvement.
You might also need
Incorporation
Register your SG company. From $300
Employment Pass
Alternative route for founders. From $1,500
Startup Formation
ESOP-ready setup, SHA, IP assignment.
ONE Pass
For top-tier tech founders. 5-year validity.