Singapore’s EntrePass is designed for one specific group of foreign nationals: entrepreneurs who want to start and operate a genuine, innovation-driven business in Singapore. Unlike the Employment Pass — which is for professionals employed by an existing company — the EntrePass is for founders who are building something new. It is one of the more selective work passes offered by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), with requirements focused on business innovation and long-term economic contribution rather than salary alone.
This guide covers the EntrePass eligibility criteria, application process, renewal requirements, and how the EntrePass interacts with Singapore’s broader work pass framework in 2026.
What Is the Singapore EntrePass?
The EntrePass (Entrepreneur Pass) is a work pass issued by MOM to foreign entrepreneurs who wish to start or operate a private limited company in Singapore. The pass is renewable annually and is specifically designed for founders of innovative, venture-backed, or research-driven businesses. It is administered by MOM in consultation with Enterprise Singapore.
The EntrePass is not the same as the Employment Pass. Key differences include:
- The EntrePass has no minimum salary requirement (unlike the EP’s S$5,600 floor from January 2027)
- The EntrePass requires the applicant to own at least 30% of the company’s shares
- The company must meet specific innovation criteria — it cannot be a typical F&B, retail, or personal services business
- The COMPASS framework does not apply to EntrePass applications — this framework is for Employment Pass and S Pass applications only
EntrePass Eligibility Criteria 2026
To be eligible for an EntrePass, the applicant must meet all of the following requirements as set out by MOM:
1. Company Requirements
- The company must be incorporated as a Singapore private limited company under ACRA, or the applicant must be prepared to incorporate within 30 days of EntrePass approval
- The company must be less than six months old at the time of application (or not yet incorporated)
- The applicant must own or intend to own at least 30% of the company’s issued ordinary shares
2. Innovation Criteria — One of the Following Must Be Met
The applicant’s company must satisfy at least one of the following innovation criteria. This is the core qualifying requirement that distinguishes EntrePass from other business migration pathways:
- Venture capital funding: The company has received at least S$100,000 in investment from an institutional venture capital fund or angel investor recognised by Enterprise Singapore
- Intellectual property: The applicant or company holds an Intellectual Property (IP) licence or has registered a patent, copyright, or trademark relevant to the business
- Research collaboration: The company is engaged in an active research collaboration with a Singapore Institute of Higher Learning (IHL) or approved research institution
- Incubator or accelerator acceptance: The company has been accepted into an Enterprise Singapore-supported incubator, accelerator, or equivalent programme
- Significant revenue with innovative business model: The company has annual revenue of at least S$100,000 and an innovative business model assessed by Enterprise Singapore
3. Excluded Business Activities
MOM explicitly excludes certain types of businesses from EntrePass eligibility, regardless of innovation claims. Excluded activities include:
- Coffee shops, food courts, and hawker centres
- Bars, nightclubs, and entertainment venues
- Foot reflexology, massage parlours, and body massage services
- Acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine dispensing
- Employment agencies (including labour supply and domestic worker agencies)
- Geomancy services
- General retail (non-innovative)
A technology platform enabling delivery from hawker centres may qualify. A hawker stall itself will not.
The EntrePass Application Process — Step by Step
Applications for EntrePass are submitted via MOM’s EP Online portal. The process typically takes four to eight weeks from submission to outcome.
Step 1: Incorporate or Prepare to Incorporate a Singapore Pte Ltd
The first step is incorporating a Singapore private limited company with ACRA — or being prepared to do so within 30 days of EntrePass approval if you have not yet done so. The company must have the applicant as a shareholder with at least 30% of issued shares. For a step-by-step guide to Singapore company incorporation, see our article on Singapore Pte Ltd Company Registration for Foreigners.
Step 2: Prepare Your Business Plan
A business plan of up to 10 pages is a mandatory supporting document. It should cover:
- The business concept and problem being solved
- The market opportunity and target customer segments
- Revenue model and projections
- Innovation credentials (IP, funding, accelerator, research collaboration)
- Key team members and their qualifications
- Growth strategy for Singapore and the region
- Expected economic contribution (jobs to be created, revenue, investment)
This plan is assessed by Enterprise Singapore as part of the EntrePass review process. It should be specific, evidence-based, and demonstrate genuine innovation rather than a generic business description.
Step 3: Gather Supporting Documents
Supporting documents typically required include:
- Applicant’s passport copy
- Educational certificates and professional qualifications
- ACRA business profile of the company (or draft incorporating documents)
- Evidence of innovation criteria (VC term sheet, IP certificates, incubator acceptance letter, or research collaboration agreement)
- Bank statements or financial projections
- CV/resume with detailed work history and entrepreneurial track record
Step 4: Submit Online via EP Online
The application is submitted through MOM’s EP Online portal. The company (or an authorised filing agent) must be registered on the portal to submit on the applicant’s behalf. Processing typically takes four to eight weeks. MOM may request additional information or documentation during this period.
Step 5: In-Principle Approval and Issuance
If approved, MOM issues an In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter, which is valid for six months. During this period, the applicant must enter Singapore (if not already in the country) and complete the issuance process, including a medical examination and fingerprinting at MOM.
EntrePass Renewal Requirements
Unlike the Employment Pass, the EntrePass carries escalating renewal thresholds. With each renewal, MOM expects the EntrePass holder to have built a progressively more substantial business. This is a critical consideration for founders planning their Singapore expansion.
| Renewal Stage | Minimum Business Spending (SGD) | Minimum Local Employees Hired |
|---|---|---|
| First renewal (Year 2) | S$100,000 | At least 1 Singapore citizen or PR |
| Second renewal (Year 3) | S$150,000 | At least 3 Singapore citizens or PRs |
| Subsequent renewals | S$200,000 | At least 5 Singapore citizens or PRs |
The “minimum business spending” refers to operating expenditure of the Singapore company — salaries, rent, office costs, supplier payments — not investments into the company. MOM may request audited accounts or management accounts to verify these thresholds at renewal.
EntrePass vs Employment Pass vs Global Investor Programme
Entrepreneurs considering a Singapore work pass often ask how the EntrePass compares with the Employment Pass or the Global Investor Programme (GIP). Here is a brief comparison:
| Feature | EntrePass | Employment Pass | Global Investor Programme |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who is it for | Entrepreneurs starting a new Singapore company | Professionals employed by a Singapore company | High-net-worth investors (qualifying investment) |
| Minimum salary | None | S$5,600/month (S$6,000 from Jan 2027) | None (business investment required) |
| COMPASS assessment | Not applicable | Required | Not applicable |
| Ownership required | At least 30% of company shares | No ownership required | Qualifying investment |
| PR pathway | Yes, after 2 years | Yes, after demonstrable economic contribution | Yes, AIP granted with GIP approval |
| Typical processing | 4–8 weeks | 3–8 weeks | 6–12 months |
For founders who do not meet EntrePass innovation criteria but are employing themselves within their own company, the Employment Pass may be more appropriate if the company is profitable and paying a qualifying salary. For the full comparison, see our guide on Employment Pass vs ONE Pass vs PEP: Which Singapore Work Visa Do You Need?
For high-net-worth entrepreneurs who also qualify for Singapore PR under the Global Investor Programme, see our guide on Global Investor Programme: Requirements & Process (2026).
Common EntrePass Application Mistakes
The EntrePass has a meaningful rejection rate. Common reasons for rejection include:
- Generic business plans: A business plan that reads like a template or does not clearly demonstrate the innovation element will be rejected. MOM and Enterprise Singapore look for specificity, credibility, and genuine economic contribution.
- Overstated IP claims: Claiming IP protection for a standard website or a software application without a genuine technical innovation does not satisfy the IP criterion.
- Excluded business types: Applying for an EntrePass to operate a restaurant, massage studio, or employment agency is grounds for immediate rejection, regardless of the business plan quality.
- Insufficient evidence: Claiming VC funding without a signed term sheet or shareholder agreement, or claiming incubator acceptance without an official acceptance letter, leads to rejection.
- Company too old: If the company was incorporated more than six months before the EntrePass application, it will be ineligible unless MOM grants an exception.
For assistance with EntrePass applications and business plan preparation, our associated licensed employment agency can provide end-to-end support for work pass submissions to MOM.
For the latest Singapore business regulatory news, including any changes to EntrePass criteria announced by MOM, staying current on policy updates is important for founders planning their Singapore entry.
How Raffles Corporate Services Can Help
Setting up a Singapore company and applying for an EntrePass involves multiple parallel processes — ACRA incorporation, business plan preparation, MOM application, and post-approval corporate secretarial setup. At Raffles Corporate Services, we work alongside entrepreneurs to manage the full incorporation and compliance workflow, from initial ACRA filing through to ongoing company secretarial support once the pass is issued.
To speak with the team at Raffles Corporate Services, you can email [email protected] or call, SMS, or WhatsApp +65 8501 7133. We are happy to assist with any queries.
— The Editorial Team, Raffles Corporate Services
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