World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report 2019 also ranks the city-state as the most competitive economy in the world, offering the best IP protection, infrastructure and incentives in Asia.
A testimony to this is the increasing number of foreign investors, who want to take advantage of Singapore’s attractive tax framework and are incorporating their companies here. So much so that Singapore’s Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) registered a total of 63,480 new companies in the first half of 2020, as the year sets to improve on ta steady annual growth rate of company formation witnessed in Singapore in the last few years.
If you are a foreign entrepreneur and want to take advantage of Singapore’s pro-business climate, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) provides an option of EntrePass, which is a visa for entrepreneurs who are ready to incorporate and run a new private limited company in Singapore.
Initially conceived for businesses involved in innovative technology creation and application, the EntrePass framework was further enhanced last year to include technopreneurs and R&D-intensive enterprises including the clean-tech and biotech sectors.
How do I qualify for an EntrePass?
What are the pre-requisite criteria for EP:
Before you think about applying for the EntrePass, do note that a mandatory requirement for the application is meeting at least one of the following:
- You must receive strictly monetary funding of at least S$100,000 from a recognised third-party VC or a Singapore government agency accredited business angel
- One of the shareholders in the company possess an IP registered with an approved national IP institution; and the business mentioned in the EntrePass application must be related to the said IP
- The EntrePass applicant has ongoing research collaboration with institutes of higher learning in Singapore or other institutions recognised by the Singapore Government’s premier research agency A*STAR
- The private limited company is based at a Singapore Government-supported incubator such as SPRING Singapore’s Startup SG Accelerator Programme and Startup SG Founder’s Accredited Mentor Partners
- The EntrePass applicant holds significant business experience/network and promising entrepreneurial track record
- The EntrePass applicant has exceptional technical/domain expertise in an area related to proposed business
- The EntrePass applicant holds good track record of investing in businesses and want to grow new or existing businesses in Singapore
If none of the above applies, it’s always advisable to go for a Singapore Employment Pass (EP).
Interested in applying for an EntrePass PEP? Contact us for a free consultation.
Eligibility Criteria for EP
Every EntrePass application is reviewed by three government bodies – SPRING Singapore, Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and the National Research Foundation (NRF), which must always satisfy the following conditions:
- The applicant has to meet at least one out of the seven following criteria:
- Has funding from a government accredited VC or business angel
- Holds an intellectual property
- Holds significant business experience/network and promising entrepreneurial track record
- Has exceptional technical/domain expertise in an area related to proposed business
- Holds good track record of investing in businesses and want to grow new or existing businesses in Singapore
- Has research collaboration with A*STAR or a university
- Is an incubate at a government-supported incubator
- It is not mandatory to register the private limited company before making the Pass application. But if the incorporation is done before the application, the date of incorporation must not be more than six months from date of application.
- It’s pertinent that the business activities of the company are legal and are entrepreneurial in nature. Note that certain types of businesses are not eligible under the EntrePass scheme. Businesses which are not considered for the EntrePass include:
- coffee shops, hawker centres, food courts
- bars, night clubs, karaoke lounges
- foot reflexology, massage parlours
- acupuncture, traditional Chinese medicine, herbal dispensing
- employment agencies, geomancy
- While it’s important that the applicant has the relevant experience and excellent track record in creating and managing a business successfully, he or she must also submit a 10-page draft business plan along with the EntrePass application. This plan must include:
- Profile of applicant
- Professional experience, such as employment history, role in growing businesses, track record in growing startups
- Awards or recognitions, such as prestigious awards by a national body, credible organisation or recognised media
- Special skills or resources, such as intellectual property, technology, networks, financial
- Academic qualifications
- Role in societies or organisations
- Business idea
- Product and service offered
- Market analysis
- Supporting documents – e.g. licensing agreements, product certifications and endorsements
- Implementation plan
- Market plan
- Operation plan
- Financial projections
- Profile of management team
- Profile of applicant
So, in a nutshell, an EntrePass application will include: Documents:
- Singapore EntrePass application Form 8
- a copy of educational certificates
- one passport-size photograph taken within the past three months
- a copy of the passport personal particulars page
- Do note that the EntrePass application form requires the local contact person details including the address. We can provide you the same if you choose to engage our services.
- MOUs or contracts with potential clients for the new business, if any
- brochures, press releases, or any other business collaterals from previous or existing business ventures
- a well-drafted, 10-page business plan detailing business goals and objectives
- if the private limited company is receiving funding of at least S$100,000, the applicant must provide the shareholder certificate and other supporting documents.
- if the shareholder owns an IP, provide the IP certificate.
- if the EntrePass applicant has any research collaborations, the research institution must provide a contact person for verification of research collaboration details, which must be related to proposed business
- If the applicant satisfies the incubation requirement, provide the proof of incubation
Incorporation requirements:
- register a private limited company
- have a minimum of 1 Shareholder
- have a minimum of 1 Resident Director
- appoint a company secretary
- have a registered local address
Timeline for EntrePass Application
It takes around eight weeks to process an Entrepreneur Pass application, as the requirements are stringent compared to those of an EP. If MOM requires further clarifications, the processing period may be extended.
Collection of EntrePass
Once the Pass is approved, MOM issues an approval-in-principle letter. Upon receiving it, the applicant has six months to relocate to Singapore to collect the EntrePass. Post-collection of EntrePass, the applicant must register the company with ACRA within the timeframe stated in the approval-in-principle letter.
To collect the EntrePass, the following must be presented:
- a copy of the IPA letter
- passport size photo
- original passport with the disembarkation card
- medical exam report* (if required as stated in the In-Principle Approval letter)
- any other documents that are requested for in the IPA
* You may get a medical examination done in your own country through an established clinic/hospital or in Singapore. Most clinics in Singapore can provide medical examination and report within a day.
EntrePass Renewal
The renewal of the Pass is directly dependent on the contribution of the EntrePass holder (as indicated in the table below) as well as the success achieved in meeting the objectives stated in the draft business plan.
| No. of years you have held an EntrePass | Total business spending** must be at least | Must employ at least |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | – | – |
| 2* | $100,000 | 3 FTES** OR 1 PME*** |
| 4 | $200,000 | 6 FTEs OR 2 PMEs |
| 6 | $300,000 | 9 FTEs OR 3 PMEs |
| 8 or more | $400,000 | 12 FTEs OR 4 PMEs |
*Hold a minimum of 30% shares in the Company from Year 2
**Total Business Spending (TBS) refers to total local business spending excluding renumeration to EntrePass holder
***Full-time Employees (FTEs) refer to Singaporeans and Permanent Residents who earn a monthly salary of at least $1,400
****PMEs refer to professionals, managers and executives who are Singaporeans or Permanent Residents and earn a monthly salary of at least $4,500
Note: 1 local PME = 3 local FTEs
Appeal on Rejection of an EntrePass Application
If all the above mentioned is taken care of diligently, there is no reason why your EntrePass application will be rejected. But if it does, under exceptional circumstances, we liaison with the MOM and investigate the reasons for the rejection.
After rectifying the stated reasons, we submit a strong appeal on your behalf, which is an area of our expertise. The ministry takes a minimum of three weeks, or more in some cases, to review the appeal.
Eligibility for Permanent Residency
EntrePass holders are eligible to apply for permanent residency in Singapore.
It is advisable to wait for at least six months before making the application so that you can furnish the required proof of six months’ salary and preferably an IRAS tax assessment.
To read more about applying for Singapore Permanent Residence, click here.
Passes for Family Members of EntrePass Holders
Like the EP and PEP Pass holders, EntrePass holders can also get their family members to join them in Singapore. The only difference is that EntrePass holders are only entitled to dependant privileges after they renew their passes in Year 2.
- With minimum Total Business Spending of at least $100,000 and employment of at least 3 local FTEs (full-time employees) OR 1 local PME (professional, manager or executive):
- Dependant’s Pass – spouse (legally married), unmarried children under 21 years of age, including those legally adopted
- With minimum Total Business Spending of at least $200,000 and employment of at least 6 local FTEs (full-time employees) OR 2 local PME (professional, manager or executive):
- Long Term Visit Pass – parents, common-law spouse, unmarried handicapped children above 21 years of age, unmarried step-children under 21 years old
Documents Required for Family Passes:
- duly filled application form
- a photograph of the applicant (passport-sized and taken within last three months)
- personal particulars page of applicant’s passport/travel document
- document(s) establishing the applicant’s relationship with the Pass holder
The list of documents needed to establish the relationship between the EntrePass holder and the applicant is:
| Common-law spouse |
|
| Unmarried handicapped children above 21 years of age |
|
| Unmarried stepchildren under 21 years of age |
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| Parents |
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Letter of Consent
Family members of EntrePass holders, who have secured a Singapore Dependant’s Pass (DP), can apply to work in Singapore. Effective from 1 May 2021 onwards, DP holders are required to apply for a work pass instead of a Letter of Consent (LOC) in order to work in Singapore. However, for current DP holders with existing LOC, do take note that this will expire by April 2022.
For those with existing LOC, since the DP, and in turn, the LOC, is tied to the main EntrePass holder, both (DP and LOC) are automatically cancelled on the cancellation of the EntrePass
Since the DP, and in turn the LOC, is tied to the main EntrePass holder, both (DP and LOC) are automatically cancelled on the cancellation of the EntrePass.
Eliminate the stress from your Singapore EntrePass application
Engage us for immigration, recruitment and work visa services and liaise with a dedicated specialist who will attend to every step of your EntrePass application thoroughly.