EntrePass (Entrepreneur)

EntrePass (Work Pass for foreign Entrepreneur) in Singapore

EntrePass is intended for serial entrepreneurs, high-calibre innovators or experienced investors who want to operate a business in Singapore.

EntrePass is for eligible foreign entrepreneurs who want to start and operate a new business in Singapore with no stipulated minimum salary which the pass is issued for 1 year for new pass and for first renewal and any subsequent renewal with 2 years upon meeting the renewal criteria.

There is no foreign worker levy or quota required for EntrePass.

 

	Comparison of all Professional Passes (EntrePass, EP. PEP, Tech.Pass & ONE Pass

Factsheet: Enhanced EntrePass Scheme In Singapore

Effective 3 August 2017, the EntrePass scheme will be enhanced to facilitate the entry and stay of promising global startup talent, who can complement our local skillsets and contribute to a more vibrant startup and high tech ecosystem in Singapore. The key changes are:
• Removal of the paid-up capital requirement: New EntrePass applicants will no longer be required to have a paid-up capital of at least S$50,000 in their startup businesses here. With evolving economic trends, contributions by global startup talent will not be limited to only monetary contributions. Other factors like know-how and relevance to industries will also be taken into consideration.
• Broadening of evaluation criteria: Applicants will be assessed on factors beyond the four existing innovation criteria to allow global startup talent to enter Singapore on government support during the exploration stage.

Check for more details from the attachment.

Key Facts on EntrePass in Singapore 

Who it is for	Eligible foreign entrepreneurs who are high-calibre innovators or experienced investors
Eligibility to apply	Funding from a Government-recognised VC or business angel An incubate at a Government-recognised incubator or accelerator Having business network and entrepreneurial track record Holding an intellectual property Having a research collaboration with an IHL or research institute in Singapore Has extraordinary achievements in key areas of expertise Has investment track record
Who can apply	By self (or an appointed employment agent on behalf of the entrepreneur).
When can apply	Either before registering the company or within 6 months from registration of the company
Minimum salary	No stipulated minimum salary
What is the duration	The duration of the pass is as follows: New Pass or First Renewal: 1 year Subsequent Renewals: 2 years
Is it renewable	Yes, only upon meeting the renewal criteria
Passes for family	Available only after first year for eligible pass holders
Foreign worker levy or quota	No foreign worker levy or quota required.
Medical insurance	The company can choose whether to provide medical insurance for EntrePass holders.
Relevant legislation	Conditions of Work Pass Employment of Foreign Manpower Act

Who is eligible

EntrePass is open to all nationalities.

You can apply for an EntrePass if you:

• Have started, or intend to start, a private limited company registered with the Authority viz. ACRA

• If registered, the company must be less than 6 months old on the date you apply.
• If not registered, you can do so after you know the outcome of your application.

• Meet any of the following innovative criteria for application as an entrepreneur, innovator or investor.

Has funding from a Government-recognised VC or business angel?

Your company raised funding of at least SGD100,000 from a government investment vehicle, venture capitalist (VC) or business angel that is recognised by a Singapore Government agency.

Examples include:

• Vertex Ventures
• SGInnovate (formerly Infocomm Investments Pte Ltd)
• Qualified investors on the StartupSG Equity scheme
• Venture partners on the Early Stage Venture Fund (ESVF) scheme

Is an incubate at a Government-recognised incubator or accelerator?

Your company is an existing incubatee at an incubator or accelerator in Singapore that is recognised by the Government.

Examples include:

• Incubators or accelerators in Enterprise Singapore’s Startup SG Accelerator Programme
• Accredited Mentor Partners under Startup SG Founder
• Accreditation@SGD Programme
• SGInnovate-linked incubation or acceleration programmes.

Has business network and entrepreneurial track record

You have significant business experience or network and promising entrepreneurial track record of starting highly-scalable businesses and want to establish, develop and manage a new or existing business in Singapore.

Requirements

You must fulfil any of the following:

• You have founded and sold a tech company.
• You have raised significant funding from investors for a current or past venture.
• You have been or are being incubated by an internationally renowned incubator or accelerator.
• You have strong industry networks and business contacts that are related to your proposed business.
• You have received recognition by a national body, recognised media publication or credible industry organisation for your professional, business or entrepreneurial achievements and track record.

Holds an intellectual property

You or your company holds an intellectual property (IP), registered with an approved national IP institution, which delivers a significant competitive advantage to your proposed business that cannot be easily replicated.

Requirements

You must fulfil all of the following:

• Your IP must be registered with an approved national IP institution.
• Your IP delivers a competitive advantage to your proposed business and cannot be easily replicated.
• One of the shareholders or the company must be the owner of the IP.
• Expired IP can be considered as long as one of the shareholders is the inventor of the IP.

Has a research collaboration with an IHL or research institute in Singapore

Your company has an ongoing research collaboration with a research institution under the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), an Institute of Higher Learning (IHL) in Singapore.

Examples include:

• A*STAR Research Institutes
• Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise (CREATE) entities
• Institutes of Higher Learning (e.g. National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore University of Technology and Design, Singapore Management University, the Polytechnics)
• Recognised non-profit and private sector research groups

Requirements

You must fulfil all of the following:

• The research collaboration must be related to your proposed business.
• The research institution needs to provide a contact person to verify details of the research collaboration.
• You must be involved with ongoing research collaboration.
• Contract of services is not considered to be research collaboration.

Has extraordinary achievements in key areas of expertise

You have exceptional technical or domain expertise in an area related to your proposed business.

Requirements

You must fulfil all of the following:

• Your area of expertise must be related to your proposed business.
• You have outstanding achievements or received international recognition in your area of technical or domain expertise.

Has investment track record

You have a good track record of investing in businesses and want to grow new or existing businesses in Singapore.

Requirements

You are willing to invest a substantial amount of money in a local company and have a track record in one of the following:

• Investing in and driving the growth of highly-scalable businesses.
• Substantial experience (minimum 8 years) as a senior management professional or executive in a large corporation.

 

Note: You do not need to meet all of the criteria for each respective profile or type but having more qualifications would help your application.

Businesses that are not eligible

The following businesses are not eligible for an EntrePass:

• Coffee shops, hawker centres, food courts.
• Bars, night clubs, karaoke lounges.
• Foot reflexology, massage parlours.
• Acupuncture, traditional Chinese medicine, herbal dispensing businesses.
• Employment agencies.
• Geomancy business.

Passes for EntrePass holder’s families

As an EntrePass holder, you can get certain family members to join you in Singapore only if you meet the requirements for minimum business spending and local jobs created.

To bring your	Your total annual business spending must be at least	You must employ at least
Spouse (common-law or legally married) Children	SGD100,000	3 local FTEs (Full-Time Employees); Or 1 local PME (Professional, Manager or Executive)
Parents	SGD200,000	6 local FTEs; Or 2 local PMEs

Local FTEs refer to Singaporeans and Permanent Residents who earn a monthly salary of at least $1,200 (from 01-July-2019: $1,300), and receive CPF contributions for at least 3 months. Local PMEs refer to professionals, managers and executives who are Singaporeans or Permanent Residents, earn a monthly salary of at least $3,600 and receive CPF contributions for at least 3 months. 1 local PME counts as 3 local FTEs. For example: To meet the requirements of 6 local FTEs, you can employ 3 local FTEs and 1 local PME.

Total business spending is calculated by deducting the following from the total operating expenses: Expenses due to purchase of royalties, franchise and technical know-how fees from overseas companies. Expenses due to outsourcing of work overseas. Total remuneration to company’s EntrePass holders.

To bring your family in, you need to apply for the respective pass types:

Family member	Pass type
Spouse (legally married) Unmarried children under 21 years of age, including those legally adopted	Dependant’s Pass
Common-law spouse Unmarried handicapped children above 21 years old Unmarried step-children under 21 years old Parents	Long Term Visit Pass

 

Notify MOM Of Changes Of Particulars For EntrePass Holders If you hold an EntrePass, find out when and how to notify MOM of changes, including updates to company name and address, occupation, passport details, salary and residential address. Learn more about notification with MOM of any changes of particulars of EntrePass holders

Renewal Of EntrePass in Singapore Renewal will be based on criteria such as incorporation of company, proof of business activities, at least 30% shareholding of the company, as well as other criteria. Learn more about renewal of EntrePass

Cancellation Of EntrePass in Singapore You need to cancel your EntrePass when you close your business. You also need to discard the cancelled pass card. Learn more about cancellation of EntrePass

 

FAQ

How do I appeal a rejected EntrePass application? If your application has been rejected, you can submit an appeal at: https://www.mom.gov.sg/appeal-entrepass You should include documents that will support your appeal, for example: Business plan Financial statements or projections Contracts secured Testimonials or certificates not submitted during the initial application It will take 8 weeks or more to review the appeal. Some cases may take more time.

How long is my EntrePass valid for? The EntrePass is usually valid for a period of up to one year for: New pass. First renewal. Subsequent renewals will be for 2 years. Renewal depends on whether you meet the criteria.

I am an EntrePass holder. Am I allowed to work if I have not registered a company? Yes, you are allowed to engage in work activities related to the start-up of your business in Singapore. For example: Business incorporation Business marketing Business tenders Fund raising Getting the necessary registration and licences Market research Recruitment of manpower Sourcing for customers or contracts Sourcing for offices

What is the Tech@SG Programme? The Tech@SG is a joint programme by the Singapore Economic Development Board and Enterprise Singapore which aims to help fast-growing tech companies hire critical talent to grow and scale their business. If your company is: At least 30% Singapore-owned, you can find out more at the Enterprise Singapore’s website: http://www.startupsg.gov.sg/programmes/4897/startup-sg-tech Less than 30% Singapore-owned, you can find out more at the Singapore Economic Development Board’s website at: http://www.edb.gov.sg/en/how-we-help/incentives-and-schemes/tech-sg.html

Which companies are considered venture-backed or own innovative technologies? A company is considered venture-backed or owns innovative technologies if it has: Raised funding from capital providers including government investment vehicles, venture capitalists, corporates, family offices, and business angels. Developed, produced or commercialised tech products, services or platforms. Registered patents with an approved national IP institution. Ongoing research collaboration with a research institution.

 

ACHI BIZ is one of the licensed Employment Agencies in Singapore. We will assist your work pass related applications and appeals at our level best with the regulatory authority Ministry Of Manpower (MOM) for successful outcome.

 

Please refer to our GUIDES for more information, SERVICES to meet your requirements or CONTACT us if you wish to avail these or many other services.