- Home
- Visas
- Republic of Singapore
- EntrePass
Republic of Singapore · entrepreneur
EntrePass
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
Source check: all 4 official citations reconfirmed 13 September 2026
Work pass for foreign entrepreneurs starting and operating a venture-capital-backed or innovative business in Singapore.
- Processing time
- Typically 8–12 weeks.
- Government fees
- Application fee SGD 105; issuance fee SGD 225.
- Typical duration
- 1 year initially; renewable for 2 years subject to meeting business milestones.
- Sponsorship required
- No
- Leads to permanent residency
- No
In short
As of 8 July 2026, the EntrePass for Republic of Singapore is an unsponsored Singapore immigration route. Sources: official Republic of Singapore government pages, reviewed 8 July 2026.
Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/singapore/entrepass#answer
What is the EntrePass in Republic of Singapore?
EntrePass is an unsponsored Singapore route. Indicative government fees are Application fee SGD 105; issuance fee SGD 225; indicative processing time is Typically 8–12 weeks; typical duration is 1 year initially; renewable for 2 years subject to meeting business milestones. This route does not lead to permanent residence.
Verified against Ministry of Manpower (MOM) on 18 April 2026.
Overview
The EntrePass allows foreign entrepreneurs to start and run a business in Singapore. Applicants must meet innovation, investment, or track-record criteria — typically venture backing, an incubator programme, significant IP, or a proven entrepreneurial track record. The business must be registered with ACRA within 6 months of application, with at least SGD 50,000 in paid-up capital for the Singapore entity.
Guidance by nationality
Specific information for applicants from these countries. Don’t see yours? The general eligibility criteria above apply to everyone.
Indian applicants
Indian EntrePass applicants cluster in SaaS, fintech, and logistics-tech. NUS Enterprise, BLOCK71, and the Indian Tech S…
Chinese applicants
Chinese EntrePass applicants concentrate in deep-tech, biotech, and cross-border e-commerce. Source-of-funds documentati…
American applicants
American EntrePass applicants are typically in venture-backed tech, often establishing a Singapore entity as an Asia-Pac…
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓Business must be registered with ACRA (or will be registered within 6 months of application) with at least SGD 50,000 in paid-up capital.
- ✓Meet at least one innovator criterion: VC or angel funding, incubator programme participation, significant IP, or collaboration with a Singapore research institution.Ministry of Manpower (MOM) ↗
- ✓Alternatively: meet investor criteria (portfolio of investments) or entrepreneur criteria (proven scaling track record).
Common blockers
- !Business is not innovative — traditional F&B, retail, or services businesses rarely qualify.Ministry of Manpower (MOM) ↗
- !No demonstrable VC backing, incubator acceptance, or IP.
- !Paid-up capital below SGD 50,000.
Typical evidence
- ·ACRA registration or draft constitution.
- ·Term sheet or funding agreement from recognised investors.Ministry of Manpower (MOM) ↗
- ·IP registration certificates or patent filings.Ministry of Manpower (MOM) ↗
- ·Business plan with financial projections.
Application pathway
Develop and validate the business concept
Ensure the business meets innovation, investor, or entrepreneur criteria. Consider applying to Singapore-based incubators (SGInnovate, BLOCK71, NUS Enterprise).
Register or plan ACRA registration
Register the business with ACRA before or within 6 months of application.
Apply online via MOM portal
Submit the EntrePass application with business plan and supporting documents.
Meet renewal milestones
At renewal (after 1 year), demonstrate progress: hiring local employees, revenue generation, and investment raised.
After approval: prepare for your next step
For EntrePass, use the actual decision and the issuing authority’s instructions to establish what has been granted. A successful application, permission to enter, permission to work and a residence document are not interchangeable.
- 1. Check the decision. Confirm the name, passport, status granted, start date and any next action. Resolve an error with the authority before relying on the document for travel or employment.
- 2. Establish the travel step. Read any entry window, activation, collection or in-country registration instruction. For an extension or change of status, do not assume leaving the country is required or safe while a further step remains pending.
- 3. Confirm what you may do. Check whether employment, self-employment, remote work or study is permitted under the status granted. Do not infer unrestricted work rights from the absence of an employer sponsor.
- 4. Organise the household. Check each accompanying person’s permission separately, then arrange healthcare, accommodation, access to money and the relevant local registrations. A tax number or bank account does not by itself prove a right to work.
- 5. Keep the ongoing conditions visible. Record the actual expiry, renewal process, permitted absences and any duty to report changes. An initial grant does not automatically establish permanent residence or citizenship.
Plan the practical side of your stay
Once you have checked the official route, you can prepare for day-to-day life in Singapore. These optional services are separate from the application and do not establish visa eligibility.
Official application links
Where to actually go next
These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.
- ApplyApplicantApply for an EntrePass ↗
Founder submits the EntrePass application with venture, innovation, and company evidence, then completes issuance after approval.
Ministry of Manpower (MOM) · verified
Matches these professions
Also explored by
Compare Republic of Singapore with
Related routes
Employment Pass (EP)
Work pass for foreign professionals, managers, and executives earning above the qualifying salary, issued to employers.
Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass (ONE Pass)
Premium 5-year pass for top-earning professionals, business leaders, and outstanding achievers — not tied to a single employer.
Frequently asked questions
Can I start a restaurant or retail shop on an EntrePass?+
Very unlikely. MOM explicitly states that traditional businesses like hawker centres, coffee shops, foot-reflexology shops, and similar ventures do not qualify. The EntrePass targets innovative, scalable, IP-driven businesses.
How much funding do I need for an EntrePass?+
The business must have at least SGD 50,000 in paid-up capital. If using the innovator pathway, you typically also need evidence of VC or angel investment from a recognised Singapore-based or government-approved investor. The amount is less important than the source — government-linked funds and recognised VCs carry more weight.
How long does an EntrePass take to process and how long is it valid?+
Processing typically takes 8-12 weeks. The pass is initially valid for 1 year and renewable for 2 years, subject to meeting business milestones such as hiring local employees, generating revenue, and raising investment. Confirm timelines and renewal criteria on MOM.
Can I bring my family to Singapore if I move as a founder on an EntrePass?+
Yes — an EntrePass is one of the work passes that can sponsor a Dependant's Pass for a legally married spouse and unmarried children under 21, provided the sponsor earns at least SGD 6,000 per month. Verify the current threshold on MOM.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
Find a regulated advisor in SingaporeHow we verified this
We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.
Primary source: Ministry of Manpower (MOM)
Last checked: 18 April 2026