Singapore’s work pass system is built primarily around employment — you need a job offer before you can get an Employment Pass. The EntrePass breaks that mould entirely. Designed for serial entrepreneurs, high-calibre innovators and experienced investors, the Singapore EntrePass 2026 allows eligible foreign founders to start and operate their own business in Singapore without requiring a sponsoring employer. If your startup is venture-backed, IP-rich, or backed by a recognised incubator, the EntrePass is likely your fastest pathway to a Singapore work authorisation.
This guide covers everything a founder needs to know: eligibility criteria, application process, renewal milestones, and how the EntrePass compares with the Tech.Pass, Employment Pass and ONE Pass.
What Is the Singapore EntrePass and Who Is It For?
Per the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), the EntrePass is intended for serial entrepreneurs, high-calibre innovators or experienced investors who want to operate a business in Singapore that is venture-backed or owns innovative technologies. Unlike the Employment Pass — which requires a fixed monthly salary of at least S$5,600 (as at 1 January 2025, most sectors) and an employer-sponsor — the EntrePass is self-sponsored.
The pass is open to all nationalities. Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG) works with MOM to evaluate applications, and EntrePass holders are encouraged to contribute to Singapore’s startup ecosystem through mentoring, workshops and deal-making activities.
EntrePass Eligibility: Two Conditions That Both Must Be Met
To qualify for the EntrePass, you must satisfy both of the following conditions simultaneously.
Condition 1 — Your company must be venture-backed or own innovative technologies
You must have started — or intend to start — a private limited company that is:
- Registered with ACRA (you must hold at least 30% of the registered company); and
- Either venture-backed or owner of innovative technologies.
If the company was registered more than 12 months before the application date, it will be assessed against the renewal criteria (business spending and jobs created), not the initial eligibility criteria. First-time applicants should therefore apply while their company is still less than 12 months old, or — if the company does not yet exist — before incorporating.
Condition 2 — You must meet at least one of five qualifying criteria
Per MOM’s EntrePass eligibility guidelines, you need to satisfy at least one of the following:
- Raised funding: You have raised at least S$100,000 from a single funding round from eligible investors — such as SEEDS Capital, Vertex Ventures, an Enterprise Singapore SSGE partner, or an internationally recognised VC firm, corporate, or business angel.
- Supported by a recognised incubator or accelerator: Your business is or will be supported by a government-recognised or internationally renowned incubator or accelerator — for example, a partner under EnterpriseSG’s Startup SG Accelerator or Startup SG Founder programmes, or an internationally recognised programme such as Y Combinator, MassChallenge or Alchemist Accelerator.
- Founded and sold a technology business: You have previously founded and sold a business that was venture-backed or owned innovative technologies. You must provide incorporation documents, a company business plan, and a Sale and Purchase Agreement showing your involvement.
- Holds intellectual property: Your registered (or proposed) business holds IP registered with an approved national IP institution (as listed by WIPO). The IP must provide significant competitive advantage that cannot be easily replicated.
- Has a research collaboration in Singapore: Your business has an ongoing, relevant research collaboration with an Institute of Higher Learning (IHL) or Research Institution (RI) in Singapore — such as NUS, NTU, SMU, or an A*STAR research entity.
Businesses That Are Not Eligible for the EntrePass
MOM explicitly excludes the following business types from EntrePass eligibility:
- Coffee shops, hawker centres and food courts
- Bars, nightclubs and karaoke lounges
- Foot reflexology and massage parlours
- Acupuncture, traditional Chinese medicine and herbal dispensing businesses
- Employment agencies
- Geomancy businesses
If your business falls into one of these categories, the EntrePass is not available to you. Founders in the food and beverage sector who are building a scalable, technology-driven operation may wish to explore whether their business model qualifies under the innovative technology criterion — but this requires a compelling case.
The EntrePass Application Process: Step by Step
Before you apply
The most critical preparation step is assembling a strong business plan. MOM and EnterpriseSG assess the business plan carefully, looking for evidence of a genuine, scalable, technology-driven enterprise with a credible market opportunity. The plan should cover your business model, market size, competitive landscape, team credentials, financial projections, and — crucially — how the business is either already venture-backed or holds innovative technology.
If your company is not yet incorporated, you can still apply — but you should be prepared to incorporate promptly upon receiving your In-Principle Approval (IPA).
Submitting the application
Applications are submitted through MOM’s myMOM Portal. Required documents typically include your passport, educational certificates, a comprehensive business plan, evidence of funding (term sheet, cap table, or investor confirmation letter), and supporting documentation for whichever of the five qualifying criteria you are relying on. See the full EntrePass documents required list on the MOM website.
Processing time and IPA
MOM and EnterpriseSG jointly review each application. Processing typically takes four to eight weeks, though complex applications — particularly those relying on the IP or research collaboration criteria — may take longer. Upon approval, you receive an IPA letter giving you eight weeks to enter Singapore and complete the pass issuance process.
EntrePass Renewal: What You Must Achieve
The EntrePass is initially issued for one year. Renewal is subject to MOM assessing whether your business is growing in the right direction. The renewal criteria are milestone-based and scale with the age of your company.
Business spending and local jobs created
At the first renewal (year one to two), MOM expects founders to have achieved minimum annual business spending and to have created at least one local (Singaporean or PR) job. As the company matures, the spending floor and local headcount requirements increase. MOM publishes specific renewal thresholds — these are periodically updated, so check the EntrePass renewal page for the current figures before applying for a renewal.
Founders who fail to meet the renewal criteria may face a shorter renewal period or non-renewal. Building a clear Singapore-based business with local hires from year one is the most reliable way to ensure smooth renewals.
EntrePass vs Tech.Pass vs Employment Pass vs ONE Pass
Founders often ask which pass best fits their situation. Here is a concise comparison:
| Pass | Target | Salary Requirement | Employer Required? | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EntrePass | Founders of venture-backed or IP-rich startups | None (founder self-sponsors) | No | 1 year (renewable) |
| Tech.Pass | Senior tech leaders, founders of large tech cos | S$20,000/month (last drawn) or alt. criteria | No | 2 years (renewable once) |
| Employment Pass | Salaried professionals | S$5,600+/month (most sectors, as at Jan 2025) | Yes | 1–2 years (renewable) |
| ONE Pass | Top global talent | S$30,000/month or outstanding achievement | No | 5 years (renewable) |
If you are a first-time founder whose startup is pre-revenue but venture-backed, the EntrePass is almost certainly your best option. If you have already led a substantial tech company (valuation of US$500M+ or significant funding), the Tech.Pass offers more flexibility. For a full comparison across the pass landscape, see our guide on EP vs PEP vs ONE Pass by career stage.
Family Passes for EntrePass Holders
EntrePass holders can apply for a Dependant’s Pass (DP) for their spouse and children under 21, subject to meeting MOM’s minimum income threshold. The Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) is available for common-law partners and parents. See our Dependant’s Pass and LTVP 2026 guide for eligibility details and the documents required.
EntrePass as a Pathway to Singapore PR
EntrePass holders are eligible to apply for Singapore Permanent Residency under the Professionals, Technical Personnel and Skilled Workers (PTS) scheme, provided they hold a valid EntrePass at the time of application. Building a track record of business success in Singapore — revenue growth, local hiring, community contributions — strengthens the holistic case ICA considers. Most successful EntrePass-to-PR transitions involve at least two to three years of demonstrated business activity in Singapore before the PR application is filed.
For a full overview of the PR pathway and what ICA weighs in its holistic assessment, see the Complete Singapore PR Pathway Guide 2026.
At Singapore Employment Agency (Little Big Employment Agency Pte Ltd, MOM Licence 19C9790), we advise founders on EntrePass applications from business plan structure through to submission and renewal. If you are also setting up a Singapore private limited company, our sister firm Raffles Corporate Services provides incorporation, corporate secretarial and accounting services.
— The Editorial Team, Little Big Employment Agency