How Technology Founders Can Move to Singapore with the Right Work Pass

Singapore remains one of the most accessible places in Asia for ambitious technology founders to relocate and build. The pathway is not one size fits all, but there are four serious routes that cover most founder profiles: a company sponsored Employment Pass, EntrePass, Personalised Employment Pass, and ONE Pass.

This guide sets out what each route is for, who typically qualifies, and how to decide between them based on current Ministry of Manpower requirements.

Start with your operating model, then pick the pass

Many founders choose a pass first and build plans around it. In practice, this usually creates rework. A better sequence is to decide how you will operate in Singapore, then align your pass strategy to that reality.

• If you are joining your own Singapore company in an executive role, the Employment Pass route is usually the default starting point.
• If you are building a venture backed or deep technology startup with clear innovation credentials, EntrePass can be a stronger fit.
• If you are a high earning executive who wants flexibility to change employers, PEP may be relevant, subject to its restrictions.
• If you are in the top global talent bracket and want maximum flexibility, ONE Pass can be the most powerful option.

1) Self sponsor as an Employment Pass holder

Strictly speaking, an Employment Pass is employer sponsored. For founders, this usually means your Singapore company applies for your EP once the entity is in place and the role is real, defensible and aligned with the business plan.

Core eligibility points to know:

• You need a job offer in Singapore and must meet EP salary and qualification expectations.
• MOM states the current minimum qualifying salary starts at S$5,600, increasing with age, with higher benchmarks in financial services.
• Most new EP applications are assessed under COMPASS unless exempt.
• EP candidates with fixed monthly salary of at least S$22,500 are exempt from COMPASS.

For foreign founders, ACRA also states you need to engage a Corporate Service Provider for registration steps and meet local residency requirements for statutory roles. In other words, your immigration and incorporation workstreams should be designed together from day one.

2) EntrePass for venture backed or innovation led founders

EntrePass is designed for founders building businesses that are venture backed or own innovative technologies. This is not a general small business permit. It is a targeted pathway for scalable and innovation heavy ventures.

Core eligibility points to know:

• You must have started or intend to start a private limited company in Singapore, with at least 30 percent shareholding by the pass holder.
• The business must be venture backed or technology innovation led.
• You must meet at least one recognised founder criterion, such as credible fundraising, recognised incubator or accelerator support, track record of founding and exiting a technology business, relevant IP ownership, or a qualifying Singapore research collaboration.
• There is no stipulated minimum salary for EntrePass.

If your company is already more than 12 months old at application, MOM assesses against renewal style criteria. Timing therefore matters.

3) Personalised Employment Pass for high earners who want job mobility

PEP is for high earning foreign professionals who want flexibility across employers. It is not tied to a single employer in the same way as a standard EP.

Core eligibility points to know:

• You generally need fixed monthly salary of at least S$22,500.
• To keep PEP, you must stay continuously employed in Singapore and meet annual fixed salary requirements.
• PEP holders are not allowed to run a business as a sole proprietor, partner, or director shareholder in an ACRA registered company while on PEP.
• EP holders under the sponsorship scheme are not eligible for PEP.

For technology founders, this route is often useful only in specific scenarios. If your plan is to actively operate your own startup as a founder operator, EntrePass or ONE Pass is often more aligned with MOM rules.

4) ONE Pass for top tier global talent with founder flexibility

The Overseas Networks and Expertise Pass is aimed at top talent and offers significant flexibility for building and advising across multiple activities in Singapore.

Core eligibility points to know:

• Salary route: fixed monthly salary of at least S$30,000 over the prior 12 consecutive months, or a Singapore role at that level.
• Company scale route: for overseas employment route, the company should be established, typically with at least US$500 million market capitalisation or at least US$200 million annual revenue.
• Alternative route exists for candidates with outstanding achievements in sports, arts and culture, or academia and research.
• The pass is renewable for 5 years each time if renewal criteria are met.

For a founder with a strong track record, ONE Pass can materially reduce operating friction because it offers more room to shape portfolio level activity while staying based in Singapore.

How to decide quickly between the four routes

Choose EP if

You are joining your own Singapore company in a clearly defined executive role and can meet EP salary and COMPASS requirements.

Choose EntrePass if

You are building a venture backed or innovation heavy startup and can evidence the recognised founder criteria.

Choose PEP if

You are a high earning professional who prioritises job mobility and you do not intend to run your own business in ways that PEP restricts.

Choose ONE Pass if

You meet top tier salary or achievement thresholds and want the broadest flexibility for high impact founder and leadership activity.

Related setup steps founders should align early

Pass strategy should be coordinated with incorporation and governance. If you are planning your move, it helps to align decisions on incorporation, resident director arrangements and registered office setup before filing. You can read our related guides on incorporating in Singapore as an international founder and the local director requirement.

Conclusion

For technology entrepreneurs, moving to Singapore is usually more straightforward than many expect once the pass is matched to the founder profile. There is no single perfect route, but there is a clear route for most serious founders. With proper planning across EP, EntrePass, PEP or ONE Pass, relocation can be executed in a structured and predictable way.