Singapore’s strategy for attracting frontier technology talent is undergoing its most significant overhaul since the Tech.Pass was introduced in January 2021. On 3 March 2026, Minister for Manpower Dr Tan See Leng announced at the Ministry of Manpower’s Committee of Supply debate that the Tech.Pass will be retired and replaced by a new ONE Pass (AI and Tech) track from 1 January 2027. For AI researchers, technology founders, senior software engineers and C-suite technology leaders, this change affects not just the pass name — it alters the eligibility criteria, the validity period and, critically, how non-cash compensation such as stock options and performance shares can be counted toward the qualifying salary threshold.
The ONE Pass (AI and Tech) is not a new standalone pass. It is a dedicated eligibility track under the existing Overseas Networks & Expertise (ONE) Pass framework, which Singapore introduced in January 2023 for top-tier global talent. Adding an AI and Tech track signals MOM’s intention to sharpen Singapore’s competitive position against other global technology hubs as demand for artificial intelligence and quantum computing expertise intensifies worldwide.
This guide explains what the new track means, who qualifies, how the transition works for current Tech.Pass holders, and what steps to take before 31 December 2026 if you are considering applying.
Why Singapore Is Retiring the Tech.Pass
The Tech.Pass was administered by the Economic Development Board (EDB) and designed for established technology founders, corporate leaders and technical experts. It offered a two-year validity and gave holders the flexibility to work for or start multiple companies in Singapore — a feature that made it attractive to senior talent who did not want to be tied to a single employer.
However, the two-year validity was shorter than that of the broader ONE Pass (five years), creating a renewal burden for the very talent Singapore most wants to retain. The Tech.Pass also lacked any mechanism to recognise equity-based compensation — a structural mismatch for founders and senior engineers whose total remuneration is dominated by ESOP and ESOW components rather than fixed salary. The new ONE Pass (AI and Tech) track addresses both shortcomings directly.
Per MOM’s announcement at the Committee of Supply 2026, no new Tech.Pass applications will be accepted after 31 December 2026. Existing Tech.Pass holders may renew once more under the current framework until their pass expires, after which they will need to apply under the ONE Pass (AI and Tech) track or another qualifying pass.
ONE Pass (AI and Tech): Core Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must satisfy both a salary or compensation criterion and an experience criterion. The criteria below are as announced by MOM on 3 March 2026; full application guidelines are expected before 1 January 2027.
Criterion 1: Salary and Compensation Threshold
The primary pathway requires a fixed monthly salary of at least SGD 30,000 for 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the application date. This mirrors the general ONE Pass salary floor at the same level. Our guide on who qualifies for the ONE Pass explains how the SGD 30,000 threshold has been interpreted in practice for the general track.
For technology founders and senior technical specialists whose total compensation includes significant equity, MOM has introduced a combined-compensation pathway. An applicant may qualify by demonstrating:
- A last drawn fixed monthly salary of at least SGD 22,500; plus
- Vested non-cash components — specifically employee stock option plans (ESOP) or employee share ownership plans (ESOW) — assessed by MOM to bring the combined monthly equivalent to at least SGD 30,000.
The ESOP/ESOW route subjects applicants to MOM’s individual assessment of the vested value. MOM has confirmed it will release full application guidelines before 1 January 2027. Applicants relying on the equity pathway should begin preparing documentation of their vesting schedules and grant agreements well in advance.
Criterion 2: Experience Requirements
In addition to the compensation threshold, applicants must have at least five cumulative years of experience within the past ten years in one or more of the following roles:
- Founder of a technology company;
- C-suite executive (e.g. Chief Technology Officer, Chief AI Officer, Chief Product Officer) at a technology company; or
- Senior technical role, such as a senior software engineer, principal AI researcher or equivalent position.
Applicants in roles outside the obvious C-suite or founder categories should seek guidance from a MOM-licensed employment agency. Our analysis of the Tech.Pass five-criteria reality check illustrates how MOM has historically approached evidence assessment for technology leadership roles — context that remains relevant for the new track.
ONE Pass (AI and Tech) vs Tech.Pass: A Comparison
| Feature | Tech.Pass (until 31 Dec 2026) | ONE Pass AI & Tech (from 1 Jan 2027) |
|---|---|---|
| Administering body | Economic Development Board (EDB) | Ministry of Manpower (MOM) |
| Fixed salary threshold | SGD 22,500/month (last 12 months) | SGD 30,000/month; or SGD 22,500 + vested ESOP/ESOW (MOM-assessed) |
| Experience requirement | 5 cumulative years in past 10 years (founder, C-suite or senior tech) | 5 cumulative years in past 10 years (founder, C-suite or senior tech) |
| Pass validity | 2 years (renewable once) | 5 years (renewable for further 5-year periods) |
| Multi-employer flexibility | Yes — work for or start multiple companies | Yes — same ONE Pass flexibility retained |
| Equity compensation recognition | No | Yes — ESOP/ESOW components count toward threshold |
| Application portal | EDB portal | MOM’s myMOM Portal |
| New applications open | Closed 31 December 2026 | From 1 January 2027 |
Who Should Act Now: Planning for the January 2027 Transition
Existing Tech.Pass Holders
If your Tech.Pass expires in late 2026 or early 2027, you face an important decision. You may submit one more renewal under the existing Tech.Pass framework if your pass is due to expire before 31 December 2026 and you wish to continue on that basis. However, when that renewed pass expires, you will need to transition to the ONE Pass (AI and Tech) track — provided you meet the new criteria.
Tech.Pass holders who already meet the SGD 30,000 fixed-salary threshold (or the SGD 22,500 plus equity combination) and have the required experience should begin preparing their ONE Pass application documentation now, so they can apply from 1 January 2027 rather than waiting until their Tech.Pass lapses.
Prospective Applicants Planning to Apply in 2026
The final window to apply for a new Tech.Pass closes on 31 December 2026. Applicants who meet the current Tech.Pass criteria but do not yet meet the higher SGD 30,000 threshold required for the AI and Tech ONE Pass track may wish to submit a Tech.Pass application before the deadline — particularly if they expect to meet the higher threshold only in 2027 or later. However, applicants should weigh this carefully: a two-year Tech.Pass approved in late 2026 will require a transition to the new framework by 2028 at the latest. For those who already meet the higher threshold, waiting to apply under the ONE Pass track from 1 January 2027 may offer the more straightforward five-year path.
For context on how the broader ONE Pass has been structured, including how other exceptional-talent criteria operate alongside the salary threshold, see our complete Singapore Employment Pass guide for 2026.
How the Application Process Will Work from January 2027
Per MOM’s announcement, applications for the ONE Pass (AI and Tech) track will be submitted via MOM’s myMOM Portal, the same platform used for the general ONE Pass. Employers may apply on behalf of prospective employees, or individual applicants may self-apply — the same flexibility that applies to the current ONE Pass and Tech.Pass.
Key documentation will likely include: evidence of qualifying salary or equity compensation for the preceding 12 months; employment contracts, letters of appointment or ESOPgrant letters; and proof of experience in a qualifying role. MOM has not yet published a definitive checklist as at 18 May 2026, but the general ONE Pass documentation requirements provide a close proxy.
Companies planning to hire AI or technology leadership from overseas and considering this track should consult a licensed employment agency to assess candidate profiles before making offers. Raffles Corporate Services’ group company EP vs ONE Pass vs PEP comparison guide also provides a useful framework for evaluating which pass route fits a given hire’s profile.
Conclusion: Prepare Before Year-End
The retirement of the Tech.Pass and its replacement by the ONE Pass (AI and Tech) track represents a meaningful upgrade for Singapore’s top-tier technology talent pathway — longer validity, equity compensation recognition, and a unified administrative home at MOM rather than EDB. For the right candidate profile, the new track will be more attractive than what it replaces. The practical challenge is preparation: full eligibility guidelines are expected only before January 2027, leaving a relatively short window for employers and candidates to assess their position and act.
If you hold a Tech.Pass or are considering a technology talent hire from overseas, Little Big Employment Agency (LBEA) — a MOM-licensed employment agency — can advise on eligibility assessment, documentation and timing. For companies looking to structure a Singapore presence around a new technology hire, Raffles Corporate Services provides end-to-end incorporation and corporate-secretarial support alongside pass application services.
— The Editorial Team, Little Big Employment Agency