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WHAT IS AN ENTREPRENEUR PASS?

The Entrepreneur Pass (EntrePass) is for foreign entrepreneurs, high-caliber innovators, or experienced investors who are keen to operate a business in Singapore that is venture-backed or owns innovative technologies.

 

What are the businesses that are not eligible for EntrePass?

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

 

GUIDE BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER THE APPLICATION OF AN ENTREPASS

 

1. Know the eligibility and requirements

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 ACRA that:

• 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.

You need to meet any of the following innovative criteria as an entrepreneur, innovator, or investor. 

 

Entrepreneur	Raised funding of at least $100,000 from a government investment vehicle, venture capitalist (VC), or business angel that is recognised by a   Singapore Government agency.  Is an existing incubatee at an incubator or accelerator in Singapore that is recognised by the Government.  Has significant business experience or network and promising entrepreneurial track record of starting highly-scalable businesses and want to   start and operate an innovative tech or venture-backed business in Singapore.
Innovator	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.  Has 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.  Has exceptional technical or domain expertise in an area related to your proposed business that is either venture-backed or owns innovative   technologies.
Investor	Has a good track record of investing in businesses and wants to grow new or existing businesses in Singapore by starting an investment-   related company.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Prepare the documents before the application

• Personal particulars page of your passport.

• If available, past employment testimonials in English or resume to elaborate on professional experiences, awards, or recognitions.

• (For businesses registered with ACRA) Company’s latest business profile or instant information from Bizfile.

• A business plan in English, a maximum of 10 pages, consisting of:

  • Product and service offered

  • Market analysis

  • Operation plan

  • Profile of management team

  • Supporting documents, e.g. licensing agreements, product certificates, and endorsement patents

• Other documents that will support your EntrePass application.

• You need to include additional documents when you submit your application as an entrepreneur, innovator, or investor.

Ministry of Manpower (MOM) may ask for other documents when they review your application

Where a document is in a foreign language, the document must be translated into the English language.

 

3. Apply for the Pass before the candidate arrives in Singapore

The candidate or the appointed employment agency may apply for the pass on behalf of the candidate. The application form will be submitted online to MOM and will be processed within 8 weeks or may take longer if additional information or documents will be required by MOM.

 

4. Enter Singapore and get the pass issued

You can enter Singapore once the In-Principle Approval (IPA) from MOM is received. The IPA gives you 6 months to enter Singapore and get the pass issued. Do note that you must be in Singapore to get your pass issued.

After the issuance, the notification letter (valid for 1 month from the date of issue) that allows the candidate to start work and travel out of Singapore while waiting for the pass card will be received. The notification letter states if the candidate needs to have a fingerprint and photo taken for card registration.

The following information and documents are needed to get the pass issued:

• Candidate's passport details

• Candidate’s Singapore contact details

• Candidate's current Short-Term Visit Pass (STVP) or immigration pass details

• Candidate's Singapore residential address, which must meet the housing requirements

• Singapore residential or office address to receive the candidate’s card

• Details of up to 3 authorised recipients to receive the card (their mobile number, email address, and NRIC number / FIN/passport number)

 

The PDF copies of these documents may also need to be uploaded:

• Candidate’s passport page showing the date of arrival in Singapore

• Completed medical examination form or medical declaration form

 

5. Register fingerprints and photo

Check the notification letter whether you are required to have your fingerprints and photo registered. If required, you must make an appointment to visit Employment Pass Services Centre (EPSC) for the registration within 2 weeks after the pass is issued.

The candidate should bring along these documents for the appointment:

• Original passport

• Appointment letter

• Notification letter

 

6. Receive the card

The card will be delivered to the given address 4 working days after the candidate registers and gets the documents verified at EPSC. The authorised recipients will get an SMS or email with the delivery details at least 1 working day before the delivery. After 2 unsuccessful deliveries, the card must be collected personally from MOM within 3 working days after the second attempted delivery.

 

POST-APPLICATION STEPS (if required)

 

1. Notify MOM of any changes in the pass holder’s particulars

• You need to notify MOM under these circumstances:

• Update EntrePass details after company incorporation

• Change in Company’s name of financial information

• Change in Company’s address

• Change in salary

• Change in pass holder’s occupation

• Change in the residential address

• Change in personal particulars

 

2. Renew an Entrepreneur Pass

You can start to apply for renewal 3 months before your current pass expires. You can submit your scanned EntrePass renewal form and the related supporting documents using the MOM’s online form.

 

Renewal Criteria

You may be eligible to renew your pass if your company is registered with ACRA as a private limited company, and you:

• Own at least 30% shareholding of the company.

• Can provide proof of ongoing business activity.

• Can provide proof that the business is venture-backed or owns innovative technologies.

• Have created an individual profile and claimed your company profile on Startup SG Network (SSN)

• Achieve business spending and create local employment as shown in the table below:  

 

Number of Years holding an EntrePass	Your total annual business spending must be at least Total business spending is calculated by deducting the following from the total operating expenses: (1) Expenses due to purchase of royalties, franchise, and technical know-how fees from overseas companies; (2) Expenses due to outsourcing of work overseas; (3) Total remuneration to the company’s EntrePass holders	Minimum number of local PME (or equivalent) to be employed PMEs refer to professionals, managers, and executives who are: Singaporeans or Permanent Residents; Earn a monthly salary of at least the corresponding PME qualifying salary indicated in the table above; Receive CPF contributions for at least 3 months.	Qualifying salary for PME
1	-	-	$3,900
2	$100,000	1
4	$200,000	2
6	$300,000	3
8	$400,000	4
10	$700,000	5	$4,700
12	$750,000	6
14	$800,000	7
16	$900,000	8
18	$1,000,000	9
20	$1,500,000	10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Documents Required for Renewal of an EntrePass

You need to submit the following documents with your application:

• Company registration information from ACRA within the last 3 months.

• Latest audited Profit & Loss and Balance Sheet statements (optional for first EntrePass renewal if not available).

• Central Provident Fund statements for your employees (optional for first EntrePass renewal if not available).

• Corporate bank statements for the last 3 months.

• Travel document page showing your personal particulars.

• Screenshot of a company profile on Startup SG Network.

• Records of contribution to the local startup ecosystem (if any).

• Documents on the company’s business activities (at least 1 of the following):

  • Referral letters from customers.

  • Recent invoices issued.

  • Contracts awarded.

  • Business partnership agreements.

  • Tenancy agreements.

  • Revised business plan (required if the nature of business or business activities have changed since your previous EntrePass application or renewal).

 

After the renewal

If the renewal was successful:

• An In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter which is valid for 3 months will be received.

• Proceed to issue the pass before the IPA or current pass expires, whichever occurs first. The duration of the renewed pass will start when the current pass expires.

 

After the pass is issued

Check the notification letter to see whether you will continue using the existing card or get a new card. If you need to get a new card, the old card must be cut in half and discarded to prevent misuse after the new card has been received.

 

3. Replacement of an Entrepreneur Pass card

In case of a lost, stolen, or damaged pass card, the pass holder must apply for a replacement within 1 week. The application for the replacement of the EntrePass card will be done online through EP Online portal. If the request is approved, print the card replacement letter for the instructions on collecting the replacement card. The replacement card can be collected 4 working days after the approval. An appointment is not needed for card collection.

 

Important notes for replacement of an Entrepreneur Pass card  

Stolen card	Lost card	Damage card
The pass holder must also file a police report. The pass holder must collect the replacement card in person.	If the card was lost while the pass holder is overseas, he/she must inform MOM immediately and they will issue a letter for the pass holder to use when entering Singapore. MOM may call the pass holder for an interview before they issue a new card, or if the pass holder loses the card repeatedly. Subject to a $100 fee for the first loss and $300 for subsequent losses. Fees are non-refundable If the lost card was found, it must be returned to MOM immediately by post. The pass holder must collect the replacement card in person	Subject to a $60 non-refundable fee. The pass holder can authorise someone to collect the card on the pass holder's behalf.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. Cancellation of an Entrepreneur Pass

The EntrePass must be canceled when you close the business. Cancellation can be done online through EP Online portal.

 

Before cancellation

You need to pay your outstanding income tax and seek tax clearance from the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) at least 1 month before you leave the job.

 

Important notes for cancellation of an Entrepreneur Pass

• Request for cancellation of the pass can be submitted up to 14 days in advance. Or 1 week from the pass holder’s departure date.

• A request for a short visit pass (STVP) is needed if the pass holder is still in Singapore after the cancellation. The pass holder needs to show the STVP and a valid passport to the immigration officer when leaving Singapore.

• If the pass holder has left Singapore permanently, the EntrePass must be canceled within 1 week from the departure date, unless it has expired.

• Once the EntrePass is canceled, all the related Dependant's Passes, Long Term Visit Passes, Letters of Consent, and Work Permits for the family will also be canceled.

• Once the pass is canceled, please cut the pass card in half and discard it to prevent misuse.  

 

Our Entrepreneur Pass Application and Renewal Services include:

• Pre-application information and advice about Entrepreneur Pass
• Online filing of Entrepreneur Pass application
• Tracking EP application status while under processing
• Responding to MOM’s requests for additional information as necessary
• Arranging for issuance of EP card upon in-principle approval (IPA)
• Filing of appeal in case of initial rejection of EP application

 

 Talk to our specialist now.