EntrePass is Singapore’s work pass for foreign entrepreneurs who want to found and operate a business in Singapore. It is the only MOM-issued pass that does not require an employer to sponsor you — you are the employer. Unlike the Employment Pass, which assesses salary and employer characteristics, EntrePass assesses your startup’s innovation credentials, funding status, and growth trajectory. The process involves two agencies: MOM administers the pass, and Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG) evaluates the innovation criteria.
This guide covers everything a founder needs to know about EntrePass Singapore 2026: who qualifies, how to apply, what the renewal milestones require, and how EntrePass compares to the Employment Pass route that some founders consider as an alternative.
Who EntrePass Is For
EntrePass is designed for foreign entrepreneurs who intend to incorporate and actively operate a Singapore-registered company. It is not suitable for passive investors, company directors who do not play an active management role, or professionals who simply want to freelance.
Your company must either be newly incorporated with ACRA (within six months of your application) or yet to be incorporated — MOM issues an In-Principle Approval (IPA) first, then you incorporate and use the IPA to collect your pass. The company must be private limited (Pte. Ltd.) and must not have commenced business operations before you apply.
One common misconception is that any founder can apply. EntrePass specifically targets innovation-driven companies. MOM and EnterpriseSG look for startups with genuine technology, IP, or incubation backing — not traditional businesses such as food and beverage, retail, entertainment, or nightlife. These sectors are explicitly excluded from EntrePass eligibility.
EntrePass Eligibility: Three Pathways
Your company must qualify under at least one of three EntrePass eligibility pathways.
Pathway 1: Venture-Funded Startup
Your company has received funding from a Singapore-registered venture capital (VC) firm, government-linked fund, or corporate investor. The funding must be documented with a term sheet or investment agreement. EnterpriseSG evaluates the credibility of the investor as part of the assessment. Self-funded companies or funding from personal networks without formal VC structure do not satisfy this pathway.
Pathway 2: Intellectual Property Holder
Your company owns intellectual property — either a registered patent or a registered copyright for software or technology — that has been registered with a recognised IP office (IPOS Singapore, USPTO, EPO, or equivalent). The IP must be commercially relevant to your business plan. A patent application in progress without registration does not satisfy this pathway, though it may strengthen a borderline application.
Pathway 3: Accelerator or Incubator Graduate
Your company has been accepted into or graduated from a recognised startup accelerator or incubator programme. EnterpriseSG maintains a list of recognised programmes — including NUS Enterprise, Plug and Play, JFDI, and others. Participation must have involved structured mentorship, programme completion, and ideally a demo day or cohort certification. Mere co-working space membership does not qualify.
Innovation Activity Criteria
In addition to qualifying under one of the three pathways, your company must demonstrate at least one innovation activity. MOM and EnterpriseSG look for businesses engaged in: proprietary technology development, novel product or process R&D, platform or marketplace innovation with network effects, or cutting-edge applications in sectors such as healthtech, fintech, deep tech, agritech, cleantech, or logistics. Straightforward e-commerce, professional services, and import-export businesses are not considered innovation-driven and will generally not pass this criterion.
Application Steps
The EntrePass application process has five stages:
- Prepare your business plan and supporting documents. MOM requires a structured business plan covering your product/service, market, competitive landscape, financial projections (3 years), and team. You must attach evidence of your qualifying pathway: VC term sheet, IP certificate, or accelerator acceptance letter. Include any relevant CVs, pitch decks, and company formation documents.
- Submit your application to MOM. Applications are submitted via MOM’s EP Online portal. You submit as an individual (the applicant), not as a company — because the company may not exist yet. Pay the application fee (S$105 as at 2026).
- Assessment period. MOM refers the innovation components to EnterpriseSG for technical evaluation. The combined assessment period is typically six to eight weeks. MOM may request additional information, in which case the clock pauses. A clear, complete application with strong evidence avoids back-and-forth delays.
- In-Principle Approval (IPA). If approved, MOM issues an IPA valid for six months. During this window, you must: incorporate your Pte. Ltd. with ACRA, open a corporate bank account, register for GST if applicable, and then submit your IPA collection documents to MOM.
- Pass issuance and collection. After IPA completion, MOM issues your EntrePass. First-term duration is one year.
Renewal Milestones: What Your Business Must Achieve
EntrePass renewals are explicitly performance-gated. Unlike the Employment Pass, where renewal is generally straightforward if employment continues, EntrePass holders must demonstrate business progress at each renewal to remain eligible. This is the most consequential aspect of the pass and the one founders most frequently underestimate.
Year 1 Renewal (First Renewal — 1-Year Term)
Your first renewal, applied for before your initial one-year pass expires, results in a further one-year term if approved. At this stage, MOM primarily verifies that your business is operational: your company is active with ACRA, you have a Singapore business bank account, and you are running the business (not simply incorporated on paper). No specific revenue or headcount threshold applies at Year 1, but MOM expects to see meaningful business activity.
Year 2+ Renewal (Two-Year Term)
From the second renewal onwards, you receive a two-year term if the business criteria are met. MOM requires one of:
- At least one local employee (Singapore citizen or PR) on payroll earning at least S$1,400 per month, and annual business spending of at least S$100,000; or
- Annual turnover of at least S$100,000.
“Business spending” includes salaries, office rent, vendor payments, and other verifiable business costs — it is not restricted to Singapore-sourced expenses.
Year 4+ Renewal (Two-Year Term, Higher Threshold)
At the fourth year and beyond, the bar rises. MOM requires one of:
- At least two local employees (citizens or PRs) earning at least S$1,400 per month each, and annual business spending of at least S$200,000; or
- Annual turnover of at least S$200,000.
Founders who cannot meet these thresholds at the four-year mark may face non-renewal. Planning your hiring and revenue trajectory around these milestones from Day 1 is essential.
EntrePass vs Employment Pass: Key Differences
Some founders consider applying for an Employment Pass through their own company rather than an EntrePass. This is legally possible — a director-shareholder can receive a salary and be employed by their own company — but the two passes serve different purposes and have materially different implications.
For a detailed comparison of the full Singapore work pass landscape, see our guides on the Employment Pass and EP vs PEP vs ONE Pass: which visa fits your career stage.
Salary requirement: EP requires a minimum monthly salary of S$5,600 (rising to S$6,000 from January 2027). EntrePass has no salary floor — founders often draw modest salaries in early stages without affecting pass eligibility. However, at each renewal, MOM assesses your salary as part of the overall business health picture.
COMPASS assessment: EP applications are scored under COMPASS. EntrePass is not — it is assessed holistically on innovation criteria and business milestones. There is no points formula for EntrePass.
Employer sponsorship: EP requires an employer to sponsor you. With EntrePass, you are the entrepreneur — you sponsor yourself through your own company. This is a critical distinction for founders who have not yet found a corporate partner willing to sponsor an EP.
Renewal dependency: EP renewal depends primarily on your continued employment and salary. EntrePass renewal depends on your business performance. An EP can be renewed indefinitely as long as employment continues; EntrePass renewal is genuinely conditional on growth.
Dependants, PR, and Long-Term Planning
EntrePass holders may apply for Long-Term Visit Passes (LTVPs) for their spouse and children, but LTVP approval is not automatic — it depends on the holder’s salary and business health. Dependant’s Passes (DPs), which allow dependants to work freely in Singapore, are generally issued only to EntrePass holders meeting the higher renewal business criteria.
Permanent residency from an EntrePass is possible but not guaranteed or fast. ICA assesses all PR applications holistically, including your business contribution to Singapore, tax contributions, community ties, and family situation. EntrePass holders who have met the Year 4+ criteria and have demonstrated sustained business contribution are broadly competitive for PR consideration, but the timeline and outcome remain discretionary. The Complete Singapore PR Pathway Guide 2026 covers the full assessment landscape for all applicant profiles.
For founders seeking support with company formation alongside EntrePass preparation — including ACRA incorporation, registered address, nominee director, and corporate bank account introduction — Raffles Corporate Services provides an integrated service covering both the pass and the company setup. Full details of EntrePass advisory services are available via our contact page.
For the authoritative and current EntrePass requirements, always refer to the MOM EntrePass page and EnterpriseSG, which administers the innovation criteria assessment.
— The Editorial Team, Little Big Employment Agency