The Ministry of Manpower confirmed at the Committee of Supply 2026 that a new ONE Pass (AI and Tech) track will launch from 1 January 2027, replacing the existing Tech.Pass. For tech founders, senior engineers, AI researchers, and anyone currently holding or considering Tech.Pass, this is the most important work visa development in several years — and positioning starts now, not in 2027.
The ONE Pass AI and Tech Track sits within the broader Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass framework, inheriting its five-year validity, multi-employer flexibility, and exemption from the COMPASS points system. What distinguishes the AI and Tech track is a revised salary criterion that counts both cash and non-cash compensation — a direct response to how technology founders and senior engineers are actually paid, with a meaningful portion of remuneration in equity, RSUs, and carried interest.
ONE Pass AI and Tech Track: What We Know as at May 2026
Based on MOM’s Committee of Supply 2026 announcements, confirmed details of the new ONE Pass (AI and Tech) track include:
- Launch date: 1 January 2027
- Validity: Five years, renewable for further five-year periods (aligned with the existing ONE Pass framework)
- Qualifying salary: A fixed monthly salary equivalent of at least SGD 30,000 per month for 12 consecutive months immediately prior to application — but with non-cash compensation (employee stock options, RSUs, employer-paid school fees, housing allowances) counting toward this threshold
- Experience requirement: At least five cumulative years of experience within the past ten years, in either a founder or C-suite role or in a senior technical role such as senior software engineer, principal researcher, or equivalent
- Target domains: Artificial intelligence, machine learning, quantum computing, fintech infrastructure, semiconductor design, advanced robotics, and related frontier-technology fields
- Multi-employer rights: Holders may work concurrently for multiple employers or as sole proprietors — the same feature that distinguishes the existing ONE Pass from the standard EP
Full eligibility criteria, documentary requirements, and the precise methodology for computing non-cash compensation toward the salary criterion are expected to be published by MOM ahead of the January 2027 launch. Applicants should monitor the MOM ONE Pass page for updates.
How the ONE Pass AI and Tech Track Differs from Tech.Pass
Tech.Pass, introduced in 2021, was a five-year pass for established technology leaders, entrepreneurs, and technical experts. Its five criteria — valuation threshold, salary history, IPO-participation record, research citations, and technical role at a leading company — were prescriptive and relatively narrow. Many senior engineers and AI researchers who did not fit neatly into the five criteria found themselves without a viable Tech.Pass route despite being exactly the type of talent Singapore sought to attract.
The ONE Pass (AI and Tech) track takes a different approach. By anchoring the primary criterion on a salary equivalent (including non-cash) and a broad experience requirement, MOM has opened the pathway to a wider range of tech talent including:
- Technical founders at pre-IPO AI companies whose total cash salary is below SGD 30,000 but whose equity compensation brings their annualised remuneration well above the threshold
- Senior AI researchers at leading global labs whose base salary may be in the SGD 20,000–28,000 range but who receive significant RSU grants
- C-suite executives at quantum computing, semiconductor, and robotics firms who are not founders but whose equity-inclusive packages exceed SGD 30,000 per month on an annualised basis
For context on the existing ONE Pass criteria (which remain unchanged for the regular track), see our detailed guide on ONE Pass Singapore: who actually qualifies in 2026.
Tech.Pass Holders Facing Renewal in 2026–2027: Your Options
Current Tech.Pass holders whose passes are due for renewal in 2026 or early 2027 face a transition decision. MOM has not yet published a formal Tech.Pass-to-ONE Pass (AI and Tech) migration pathway, but the broad expectation in the immigration advisory community is as follows:
Option A: Renew Tech.Pass Under the Existing Framework
Tech.Pass remains in force until end-2026, and renewal applications filed before December 2026 will likely be assessed under the existing criteria. A renewed Tech.Pass will carry its remaining validity — typically two to three years — which would extend the holder’s Singapore authorisation into 2029–2030 without the need to transition to the new track.
Option B: Transition to ONE Pass (AI and Tech) from January 2027
Holders whose Tech.Pass expires in late 2026 or early 2027 and who meet the new track’s criteria may find it preferable to apply directly for the ONE Pass (AI and Tech) track from launch date. The five-year validity and flexibility of the ONE Pass framework may represent a better long-term position than a short-duration Tech.Pass renewal.
Option C: Convert to Standard ONE Pass Now
Tech professionals with a fixed monthly cash salary of at least SGD 30,000 who qualify for the standard ONE Pass today do not need to wait until January 2027. The standard ONE Pass is available now and provides the same multi-employer rights and five-year validity. For those in this position, applying for the standard ONE Pass before the new track launches avoids any transition uncertainty. For the full EP salary threshold and COMPASS scoring context see our Complete Singapore Employment Pass Guide 2026, and for pass-holder spouses seeking to work while the holder transitions, our Letter of Consent Singapore 2026 guide explains the LOC entitlements that come with the ONE Pass.
Our guide to the Tech.Pass five criteria reality check explains the current Tech.Pass eligibility framework in full, which is useful context for those evaluating their transition options.
How Non-Cash Compensation Will Be Counted
The inclusion of non-cash compensation in the salary criterion is the most commercially significant feature of the new track. MOM has indicated that the computation will cover employee stock option plans (ESOPs), employee share ownership plans (ESOPs), restricted stock units (RSUs), and certain employer-paid benefits such as housing and school fees. Specific guidance on the valuation methodology — fair market value, vesting schedule averaging, or grant-date value — is pending.
Applicants intending to rely on equity compensation should prepare documentation of:
- Grant agreements and vesting schedules for all equity awards
- Most recent 409A valuation (for US-incorporated entities) or equivalent fair-value assessment
- Payslips and bonus statements for the 12-month qualifying period
- Employment contract or offer letter confirming all compensation components
Given the complexity of equity-compensation documentation, applicants in this category should engage specialist immigration support well ahead of the January 2027 application window.
Comparison: EP vs ONE Pass (Regular) vs ONE Pass (AI and Tech)
| Feature | Employment Pass | ONE Pass (Regular) | ONE Pass (AI & Tech) — from Jan 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salary criterion | S$5,600/month (most sectors) | S$30,000/month fixed cash | S$30,000/month incl. non-cash |
| COMPASS assessment | Required | Exempt | Exempt |
| Multi-employer | No (one employer at a time) | Yes | Yes |
| Validity | 1–3 years | 5 years | 5 years |
| Spouse LOC | Subject to conditions | Automatic LOC | Automatic LOC (expected) |
Application Strategy: Positioning Now for a January 2027 Launch
The January 2027 launch is eight months away. For tech professionals who believe they will qualify under the new track, the preparation window is now:
- Document 12 months of qualifying compensation: The salary criterion will require 12 consecutive months of income records. Start building the documentation file from the compensation structure you are in today.
- Review your cost-of-hire: Employers sponsoring a ONE Pass holder should also review the Local Qualifying Salary S$1,800 changes from 1 July 2026 which affect quota calculations for any supporting local workforce.
- Secure your Singapore entity: Founders intending to establish a Singapore company should incorporate now rather than in 2027. Raffles Corporate Services can assist with Singapore company incorporation and corporate secretarial support.
- Review your EP if you are in Singapore on one: If you currently hold an EP and believe your non-cash-inclusive package meets or exceeds SGD 30,000 per month, assess whether transitioning to the new track in January 2027 is advantageous compared to renewing your EP under COMPASS. The COMPASS exemption alone may be decisive.
Conclusion
The ONE Pass (AI and Tech) track launching January 2027 is the most significant enhancement to Singapore’s technology-talent visa framework since the original ONE Pass was introduced. By recognising non-cash compensation, MOM has addressed the single biggest barrier that prevented equity-heavy tech talent from qualifying for Singapore’s most flexible work pass. The transition from Tech.Pass to this new track also reflects Singapore’s commitment to remaining the preferred base for the world’s leading AI and technology professionals.
If you are a tech founder, senior engineer, or AI researcher evaluating your Singapore visa options — or a tech employer planning to hire global talent in 2026–2027 — the licensed immigration specialists at Singapore Employment Agency (MOM Licence 19C9790) can help you map the right pathway and build a strong application file.
— The Editorial Team, Little Big Employment Agency