Comparison of Entrepreneur versus Employment Pass
This guide provides a side-by-side comparison of the two passes so you can explore which pass might better suit your unique circumstances. Singapore manpower authorities review each application based on its own merits. We will be able to advice you further once our services are engaged.
| Singapore Employment Pass (EP) | Singapore Entrepreneur Pass (EntrePass) | |||||||||
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| Who it is for? | Professionals, managerial personnel (managing director, CEO), executives or specialists who wish to work in Singapore can apply for an Employment Pass.
[ Most Popular Choice ] |
The Singapore Entrepreneur Pass, widely known as EntrePass, is suitable for foreign entrepreneurs seeking to set up a business in Singapore | ||||||||
| Eligibility Criteria | To be considered for an Employment Pass, a foreigner must have a fixed monthly salary of at least S$3,000, and possess acceptable degrees, professional qualifications or specialist skills. Singapore Employment Passes are carefully assessed by the Ministry of Manpower by taking into consideration a number of factors such as the applicant’s qualifications, work experience, job profile, economic contribution, employer’s track record and the quality of the applicant to complement and supplement Singapore local workforce.
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Proposed business idea, hiring locals, investment amount, applicant’s relevant background and total business spending.
* Business plan must demonstrate the viability in executing the Total Business Spending (TBS) and hiring of Singaporeans within a one-year period. P1 Pass – 8 local employees; TBS S$300,000 |
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| Pass Type & Eligibility | Eligibility Criteria | |||||||||
P1:
P2:
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P1:
P2:
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| Company Paid-up Capital | S$1.00 | S$50,000 | ||||||||
| Required Annual Total Business Spending | None |
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| Minimum Number of Singapore Employees2 | None |
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| MOM Processing Time | 1 day – 8 weeks | 3 weeks – 3 months | ||||||||
| Visa Validity | 1 – 2 years | 1 – 2 years | ||||||||
| Renewal | Renewable as long as you continue to be employed by the company. | Renewal of EntrePass is contingent on achieving goals and objectives outlined in the business plan. | ||||||||
| Dependent Pass | Will be granted for immediate family members (Q1 pass holders must earn a monthly salary of at least S$4,000) | Will be granted for immediate family members (Q1 pass holders must earn a monthly salary of at least S$4,000) | ||||||||
| Permanent Residence (PR) | Eligible to apply for Singapore Permanent Residence after 12 months | Eligible to apply for Singapore Permanent Residence after 12 months | ||||||||
| Status (Upon Approval) | P1: Fixed monthly salary > S$8,000 P2: Fixed monthly salary > S$4,500 Q1: Fixed monthly salary > S$3,000 |
P1: Fixed monthly salary > S$8,000 P2: Fixed monthly salary > S$4,500 Q1: Fixed monthly salary > S$3,000 |
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| When can it be applied? | Employment Pass can be applied anytime after incorporation of the company. | Entrepreneur Pass can be applied either before company incorporation or within six months of the incorporation | ||||||||
| Learn More | Learn More | |||||||||
1 TBS stands for Total Business Spending in a one-year period.
2 It is the requirement by Ministry of Manpower that the company must employ a minimum number of Singaporean or local workers. Together with TBS, these strategies to meet these requirements are to be accounted in the 10-page business plan when applying for EntrePass. Subsequent renewals of the Singapore EntrePass visa are contingent on meeting these requirements.