Singapore’s EntrePass is one of the most strategically important visas the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) offers — yet it remains one of the least understood. Designed specifically for foreign entrepreneurs who want to found and operate a business in Singapore, the EntrePass opens a pathway that the Employment Pass (EP) or Personalised Employment Pass (PEP) simply cannot provide.

If you are a startup founder, a serial entrepreneur, or a business owner looking to relocate to Singapore, this guide explains exactly what the EntrePass is, who qualifies, how to apply, and what assessors look for when reviewing your application.

What Is the EntrePass?

The EntrePass (Entrepreneur Pass) is a work pass issued by MOM that allows qualifying foreign entrepreneurs to start and operate a business in Singapore. Unlike the Employment Pass — which requires you to be an employee of a company — the EntrePass is designed for founders who will hold a significant equity stake in the company they are building.

It was introduced to attract innovative entrepreneurs who can create jobs, develop intellectual property, and contribute to Singapore’s innovation ecosystem. As such, the criteria go beyond salary levels and focus on the quality and potential of your business idea or track record.

EntrePass vs EP vs ONE Pass vs PEP: How Are They Different?

Before diving into the EntrePass criteria, it helps to understand where it sits relative to other Singapore work passes. For a detailed comparison, see our guide on Employment Pass vs ONE Pass vs PEP: Which Singapore Work Visa Do You Need?

In brief: the EP is for employed professionals earning at least S$5,600/month; the ONE Pass targets top global talent earning S$30,000/month or with exceptional achievements; and the PEP is for high earners who want pass flexibility between employers. None of these requires or assumes you are a business owner.

The EntrePass, by contrast, requires you to hold at least 30% of the ordinary shares in the Singapore company you are founding or have founded. There is no minimum salary requirement. This makes it genuinely distinct — and better suited — for founders at the early stage of building a company.

EntrePass Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for an EntrePass, you must satisfy at least one of the following seven criteria established by MOM. Your company must also be a private limited company incorporated in Singapore (or in the process of being incorporated), and must be no more than six months old at the time of application.

1. Venture Capital or Private Equity Funding

You have raised funding of at least S$100,000 from a MOM-endorsed venture capitalist or private equity firm. This is one of the clearest signals of business viability and investor confidence, and applications backed by recognised venture capital tend to be processed favourably.

2. Intellectual Property

You hold a registered patent through a recognised IP authority — for example, the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS), the US Patent and Trademark Office, or the European Patent Office. Having filed a patent is not sufficient; it must be registered and in force.

3. Research Collaboration with an IHL or Research Institute

You are engaged in an ongoing research collaboration with a Singapore Institute of Higher Learning (IHL) such as NUS, NTU, SMU, or SUTD, or with a recognised research institution. The collaboration must be active and evidenced by formal agreements.

4. Participation in an Accredited Incubator or Accelerator

Your company is currently a participant in or has graduated from a government-endorsed incubator or accelerator programme. MOM maintains a list of accredited programmes. Examples include programmes run by SGInnovate, BLOCK71, and Enterprise Singapore-supported accelerators.

5. Recognition from a Singapore Government Agency

You have received a grant or recognition from a Singapore government agency, such as the Startup SG Founder grant from Enterprise Singapore or an award from the National Research Foundation. This demonstrates that your venture has been assessed and endorsed by the Singapore innovation ecosystem.

6. Significant Business Track Record

You can demonstrate a strong entrepreneurial track record — for example, having previously founded or been a key executive of a company with annual revenue of at least S$1 million, or a company that has raised significant funding. This criterion is assessed holistically and requires robust documentation.

7. Exceptional Technical or Domain Expertise

You possess exceptional domain knowledge, qualifications, or experience that is directly relevant to the proposed business and is rare in Singapore. This is the broadest and most discretionary criterion, and applicants relying on it must make a compelling case backed by evidence.

The 30% Shareholding Requirement

One key condition that catches many applicants off guard: you must hold at least 30% of the ordinary shares in the Singapore company. This requirement exists to ensure the EntrePass is used by genuine founders — not by professionals who want to set up a nominal company solely to obtain a work pass without real entrepreneurial intent.

If you are co-founding a company with multiple shareholders, you will need to structure the cap table carefully. MOM will review the shareholding structure as part of the application, and nominee or trust arrangements that obscure the true beneficial owner will raise red flags.

How to Apply for the EntrePass

The application is submitted through MOM’s EntrePass portal. Here is the step-by-step process:

Step 1: Incorporate or Register the Company

You must have incorporated (or be in the process of incorporating) a Singapore private limited company. The company must be no more than six months old at the time of application. See our guide on how to set up a Singapore company as a foreigner for the full process.

Step 2: Prepare Your Business Plan

MOM requires a detailed business plan as part of the application. This is not a formality — it is a core assessment document. Your business plan should cover: your business model, market opportunity, competitive landscape, go-to-market strategy, financial projections, and how your presence will benefit Singapore’s economy (including job creation for locals).

Step 3: Compile Supporting Evidence

Gather all supporting documents for the qualifying criterion you are relying on. For VC funding: term sheets, shareholder agreements, or capitalisation tables. For patents: patent certificates. For incubators: acceptance or graduation letters. For government grants: award letters from the relevant agency. The stronger and more documented your evidence, the better.

Step 4: Submit the Application via EP Online

Applications are submitted through MOM’s EP Online system. The applicant (or an authorised employment agent) submits the application on behalf of the company. MOM typically takes four to eight weeks to process EntrePass applications, though complex cases can take longer.

Step 5: Receive the In-Principle Approval (IPA)

If approved, MOM issues an In-Principle Approval letter. You then have six months to complete the formalities — including completing a medical examination if required — and collect the pass.

EntrePass Validity and Renewal

The EntrePass is initially granted for one year. Renewal is for two years, and subsequent renewals are also for two years each.

Renewal is not automatic. MOM assesses your business performance against three benchmarks:

  • Annual business expenditure in Singapore of at least S$100,000, or at least one local employee (Singapore citizen or PR) on your payroll
  • For the second renewal onwards: at least S$100,000 annual expenditure and at least three local employees; or annual revenue of at least S$300,000 with at least one local employee
  • Continued active operation of the business (the business must be trading, not dormant)

These renewal benchmarks are designed to ensure EntrePass holders are genuinely building businesses that contribute to Singapore’s economy — not merely maintaining a pass for residency purposes.

What Assessors Look For: Practical Tips

Beyond meeting the minimum criteria, EntrePass applications are assessed holistically. Here is what MOM officers are trained to look for:

Business viability. Is this a real business with genuine commercial potential, or a lifestyle business unlikely to grow? Applications that demonstrate a scalable model, a clear market need, and a credible go-to-market strategy perform significantly better.

Economic contribution to Singapore. Will this business create jobs for Singaporeans and PRs? Will it generate revenue and tax contributions? Will it add to Singapore’s innovation ecosystem? Frame your business plan with these considerations in mind.

Founder credibility. Do you have the skills, track record, and network to execute the business plan? Academic qualifications matter, but demonstrated experience in your industry is more persuasive. Endorsements from credible ecosystem players strengthen the case considerably.

Consistency and coherence. MOM checks for consistency across all submitted documents. Ensure your business plan, financial projections, and supporting documents tell a coherent, consistent story. Discrepancies raise red flags and can lead to requests for additional information or outright rejection.

Can EntrePass Lead to Permanent Residency?

Yes, in principle. EntrePass holders who have built a successful business in Singapore may apply for Singapore Permanent Residency (PR) through the Professionals/Technical Personnel & Skilled Workers (PTS) scheme or the Global Investor Programme (GIP), depending on the scale of their business and investment.

The path to PR via the EntrePass route is generally longer and requires demonstrable business success. See our guide on Singapore PR Application 2026: Requirements, Documents & Timeline for more detail.

How Raffles Corporate Services Can Help

Preparing a strong EntrePass application requires more than filling in forms. You need a compelling business plan, well-organised supporting documentation, and a clear understanding of how MOM assesses applications in your industry.

At Raffles Corporate Services, we assist foreign entrepreneurs with the full EntrePass journey: company incorporation, business plan preparation, document compilation, and submission. We also advise on renewal strategy and help EntrePass holders plan ahead for PR eligibility.

If you are planning to build your next venture in Singapore, contact our team for a consultation. We will help you put your best case forward.