Establishing a company in Singapore does not automatically qualify a founder for an EntrePass. Applicants should first assess whether the business demonstrates sufficient innovation and growth potential.
1. What Is the EntrePass?
The EntrePass is a work pass issued by Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower for foreign entrepreneurs who intend to operate a business through a company they have established in Singapore.
Applicants must generally hold at least 30% of the company’s shares.
Because the business is separately assessed for innovation and scalability, incorporation alone does not guarantee approval.
2. Applicants Must Satisfy at Least One of Five Eligibility Criteria
In addition to the shareholding requirement, the applicant must generally satisfy at least one of the following criteria:
- Raise at least SGD 100,000 in a single funding round
- Receive support from a recognized incubator or accelerator
- Have a strong track record in founding an innovative or technology-driven business
- Own intellectual property that provides a competitive advantage
- Conduct joint research with a Singapore-based research institution
Certain businesses, such as cafés, nightclubs, and massage establishments, are excluded from the scheme.
Traditional trading businesses may also face a higher burden in demonstrating sufficient innovation.
3. Application Process and Fees
The application is generally submitted online.
If in-principle approval is granted, the applicant must enter Singapore and complete the pass issuance process within six months.
The application fee is SGD 105, and the issuance fee is SGD 225.
Processing generally takes around six weeks, although actual timing may vary depending on the application.
4. Key Issues to Review at Renewal
The initial EntrePass and first renewal are generally granted for one-year periods, with later renewals typically granted for two years.
However, the renewal requirements become progressively stricter.
Factors such as:
- annual business expenditure; and
- number of local employees
become increasingly important at each renewal stage.
Accordingly, even where the initial application is approved, renewal may be refused if the business does not demonstrate actual growth.
For this reason, companies should prepare their medium- to long-term revenue and hiring plans from the incorporation stage.
5. Practical Support from DECENT Law Firm
For EntrePass holders, the practical risk often arises not at the initial approval stage, but at the renewal stage.
DECENT Law Firm’s Global Business Practice Team provides practical support throughout the Singapore market-entry process, including:
- initial eligibility assessment;
- business plan structuring;
- Singapore company formation; and
- monitoring of renewal requirements.
If you are preparing an EntrePass application, it is advisable to review the eligibility criteria and long-term business plan before filing.