Entrepreneur Pass (EntrePass)

EntrePassSummary: Visa that allows foreign individuals to set up a company in Singapore.

The Entrepreneur Pass, or EntrePass, is a business visa for foreign entrepreneurs, innovators, and investors planning to launch or relocate a business in Singapore. A new EntrePass is valid for a year, while subsequent renewals extend for 2 years.

 

Who’s Eligible for EntrePass?

Open to all nationalities, candidates who satisfy the following conditions are eligible for an EntrePass:

  • There’s an intention to set up, or the applicant has already registered a private limited company with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA).
  • For candidates with a pre-existing company, it shouldn’t exceed six months old as of the application date.
  • As for those without a registered business, they can set it up post EntrePass application approval.
  • Fulfill as many innovation-based criteria either as an entrepreneur, an innovator, or an investor, outlined below:

 

Innovation Criteria for Entrepass

These are the criteria for attaining the Entrepass:

Entrepreneur

  • Your company has a funding pool of at least $100,000 sourced from a Singapore government-recognised institution. This can be from a governmental investment vehicle, a venture capitalist (VC), or a business angel.
  • Your venture is incubating within a government-acknowledged incubator or accelerator in Singapore.
  • You can demonstrate considerable proficiency or professional networks suitable for hatching a scalable and high-potential business in Singapore.

Innovator

  • If you or your company holds a registered intellectual property (IP) from a recognised national IP institution.
  • Your company is actively engaged in research tie-ups with a research establishment under the Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR) or an Institute of Higher Learning (IHL) in Singapore.
  • You possess exceptional domain expertise associated with your proposed business, and your credentials have received international accolades.

Investor

If you have an investment track record and plan to start an investment-oriented enterprise to nurture budding or existing businesses in Singapore.

 

Who Takes Charge of the Pass Application?

Candidates can either personally apply for the pass or delegate the task to a professional company capable of handling the paperwork, creating a business plan, and submitting and tracking of the application, as well as appealing in case of initial rejection.

 

Can EntrePass Holders Relocate their Families to Singapore?

Certainly, EntrePass holders can invite their families to Singapore either on a Dependant’s Pass (DP) or a Long-term Visit Pass (LTVP). However, to qualify for these passes, they must meet certain criteria encompassing total annual business spending and local job creation.

Dependant Pass

A Dependant’s Pass is applicable to spouse and children. To get one, EntrePass holders should have a total annual business spending of at least $100,000 and must employ at least 3 local full-time employees or 1 local professional, executive, or manager.

Long-term Visit Pass

EntrePass holders can apply for a Long-term Visit Pass for their common-law spouse, unmarried step-children or children with disabilities provided their annual business spending is at least $100,000. additionally, they need to employ at least 3 locals or 1 local professional, executive, or manager. For parents, the annual business spending must amount to a minimum of $200,000 with at least 6 local employees or 2 local professionals, executives, or managers on the payroll.