Overview of visa/work passes
Employment Pass vs EntrePass vs TechPass
Next to setting up your company, you need to get the right visa to live in Singapore and run your business.
Employment Pass (EP) vs EntrePass
There will always be a debate over an EP or EntrePass for foreign business owners. We are advocates of the Employment Pass. Why?
1. Higher application success rate
A qualified individual for EP should have a tertiary or degree certification and a minimum monthly salary of S$4,500 (in accordance to their resume). An EntrePass candidate is intended for serial entrepreneurs, high-calibre innovators or experienced investors whose business in Singapore that is venture-backed or owns innovative technologies. In comparison, the EntrePass is daunting.
2. EP is family friendly
If you’re bringing spouse or kids in, they can apply for dependent passes attached to your EP. The qualifying salary for the EP holder is S$6,000. However, if you’re on an EntrePass, you need a total annual business spending of S$100,000 and meet local employment requirements.
3. No specific requirement for renewal
The renewal of an EP is subjective by nature. The Ministry Of Manpower (MOM) looks at the company’s need for the EP holder and their capabilities of engaging him/her for another period. The EntrePass is has a progressive renewal criteria framework. By the 2nd year, you should plan to hire at least 3 full-time employees (FTE) or 1 local professional, manager or executive (PME). Your total annual business spending by then must be at least S$100,000.
1. Employment Pass has easier requirements to relocate family members
As you may have known, an Employment Pass holder may bring in certain family members into Singapore if you earn at least SGD$ 6,000. You may also bring in your own parents to relocate to Singapore if you earn at least SGD$ 12,000 per month.
Whereas as an EntrePass holder, you are not allowed to bring in your family members during the first year the visa was approved. There are certain requirements that need to be met in order to bring in the family members as below:
| To bring your | Your total annual business spending must be at least | You must employ at least |
|---|---|---|
| Spouse (common-law or legally married)
Children |
$100,000 | 3 LQS (Local Qualifying Salary) (full-time employees, formerly known as FTE)OR1 local PME (professional, manager or executive) |
| Parents | $200,000 | 6 LQS
OR 2 local PMEs |
2. Employment Pass has easier requirements for renewal
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) did not highlight any specific requirements for an Employment Pass holder to meet before proceeding for renewal compared to an EntrePass holder. So long as the EP holder is able to furnish the supporting documents that MOM requested to support its renewal application, it should be a smooth journey from thereon.
However, an Entrepass must meet a specific set of criteria in order for them to opt for renewal.
EP vs Tech.Pass
The other hot new pass is the Tech.Pass. A new work pass initiated in 2021, the Tech Pass is available for top-notch foreign professionals and experts who are keen to launch businesses, head corporate teams, or become a lecturer in Singapore. Example: Top-notch e-commerce, AI, and cybersecurity foreign professionals and experts. While promising, it is still a new area and lacks case studies.
What is the difference between TechPass and Entrepass visa?
Having a Tech Pass is like a self-sponsored work visa where it offers you greater flexibility to participate in more than one company business or position.