- The Employment Pass requires a minimum fixed monthly salary of S$5,600 (S$6,200 for financial services), and all new EP applications must pass the COMPASS points-based assessment framework introduced by MOM.
- The EntrePass has no minimum salary requirement but demands genuine innovation.
- If your company has been incorporated for more than six months, the EntrePass is no longer an option. You must apply for an Employment Pass instead.
- Foreign founders cannot submit either application independently. A Corporate Service Provider must handle the submission, and at least one Singapore-resident director is required before incorporation can be completed.
Foreign founders and company directors looking to work in Singapore through an Employment Pass or EntrePass face a decision that directly shapes how they structure their salary, shareholding, and business from day one. Both visas allow you to live and work in Singapore legally, but they serve entirely different profiles, and choosing the wrong one costs you time, money, and in some cases, a rejection you could have avoided.
This guide breaks down exactly how the two passes compare in 2026, who qualifies for each, and how to decide which is the right path for your situation.
What it means to be an employee in Singapore
Before understanding either pass, it helps to understand what MOM considers genuine employment. To qualify as an employee in Singapore, you must be based in Singapore as your primary place of residence, work a minimum of 40 hours per week for a Singapore-registered company, receive a fixed monthly salary, and pay personal income tax on that salary.
This distinction matters because the Employment Pass is built around this definition, and MOM scrutinises director-shareholders who pay themselves the minimum salary from a company with no revenue or operational history.
Understanding the Employment Pass
The Employment Pass is Singapore’s primary work visa for foreign professionals, managers, executives, and specialists. It is quota-free and levy-free, making it the most commonly used pass for skilled hires and foreign company directors.
To qualify in 2026, applicants must meet the following:
Minimum monthly salary
- S$5,600 for general sectors
- S$6,200 for financial services
- Salary thresholds scale upward with age. Candidates in their mid-forties may need to earn between S$10,700 and S$11,800 to qualify
COMPASS assessment
Since 2023, all new EP applicants must pass the Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS), a points-based system that evaluates salary relative to local benchmarks, educational qualifications, workforce diversity, and employer support for local hiring. Candidates earning S$22,500 or above are exempt from COMPASS.
Qualifications
A degree from a recognised university is strongly preferred. Professional qualifications such as a CFA, CPA, or medical licence carry significant weight. Non-degree holders can still qualify with exceptional experience and a salary comfortably above the minimum.
Timing
The EP can only be applied for after your company has been incorporated, and MOM expects the company to demonstrate commercial credibility: active clients, funded accounts, or verifiable revenue, particularly when a director-shareholder is the applicant.
Understanding the EntrePass
The EntrePass is designed for a very specific type of founder: one who is building an innovative, venture-backed, or technology-driven business and wants to relocate to Singapore to run it. It is not a general entrepreneur visa, and MOM applies rigorous standards.
Key eligibility criteria
To qualify, you must have registered or intend to register a private limited company with ACRA, hold at least 30% of the company’s shares, and meet at least one of the following innovation criteria:
- Raised at least S$100,000 in funding from a government-recognised venture capital firm or angel investor
- Accepted by a government-recognised incubator or accelerator such as those under Enterprise Singapore’s Startup SG Accelerator programme, or internationally recognised programmes like Y Combinator
- Previously founded and sold a venture-backed or technology business
- Hold registered intellectual property
- Engaged in research collaboration with a Singapore institution of higher learning or research institute
No minimum salary requirement
However, applicants may still need to submit financial records depending on their circumstances.
Timing
The EntrePass can be applied for before incorporation or up to six months after. If your company is older than six months at the time of application, you are no longer eligible and must apply for an Employment Pass instead.
Pass validity
Initial issue and first renewal are valid for one year each. Subsequent renewals are valid for two years.
Ineligible business types
MOM excludes several business categories from the EntrePass regardless of how the application is structured. These include employment agencies, massage parlours, hawker businesses, and other traditional service businesses that do not demonstrate innovation or scalability.
Employment Pass vs EntrePass: A direct comparison
|
Employment Pass |
EntrePass |
|
|
Who it is for |
Foreign professionals, managers, executives, and company directors |
Foreign entrepreneurs running innovative or venture-backed businesses |
|
Minimum salary |
S$5,600/month (general); S$6,200 (financial services), scaling with age |
No minimum salary requirement |
|
Educational requirement |
A degree from a recognised university is strongly preferred |
Assessed on entrepreneurial profile and business plan, not education |
|
Business plan required |
Not typically required; MOM may request more information |
Mandatory — detailed plan covering business model, market, hiring plans, and financial projections |
|
COMPASS assessment |
Required for all new applicants (exempt above S$22,500/month) |
Not applicable |
|
Company age at application |
Must be incorporated before applying |
The company must be less than six months old, or not yet incorporated |
|
Quota and levy |
Quota-free, levy-free |
Quota-free, levy-free |
|
Pass validity |
1–2 years, renewable for up to 3 years |
1 year initial; 1 year first renewal; 2 years |
Which pass should you apply for?
Apply for the Employment Pass if:
- Your company has been operating for more than six months
- You can draw a fixed monthly salary that meets the minimum threshold for your age group
- You hold a recognised degree and strong professional credentials
- Your business does not meet the EntrePass innovation criteria
Apply for the EntrePass if:
- You are starting a new venture that is venture-backed, technology-driven, or supported by a recognised incubator
- You prefer not to commit to a minimum salary in the early stage of your business
- Your company is less than six months old or has not yet been incorporated
- You can demonstrate a clear track record as a founder, innovator, or investor
A common scenario: Many foreign founders incorporate first and then realise they have passed the six-month EntrePass window. If you are considering the EntrePass, begin your application before or shortly after incorporation. Do not wait.
What about bringing your family to Singapore?
Both passes allow dependants to join you in Singapore, but the conditions differ.
EP holders earning S$6,000 or more per month can sponsor a spouse and unmarried children under 21 on a Dependant’s Pass. To sponsor parents, the EP holder must earn at least S$12,000 per month.
EntrePass holders can bring family only after meeting business milestones. To sponsor a spouse and children, your company must spend at least S$100,000 annually and employ at least three local workers at the Local Qualifying Salary, or one local PMET. To sponsor parents, the thresholds rise to S$200,000 in annual spending and at least six local employees or three PMETs.
How Sleek helps you apply with confidence
Navigating the EP and EntrePass process alongside company incorporation is where most foreign founders hit delays. Sleek manages the entire journey, from incorporation and nominee director services to Employment Pass and EntrePass applications, fully online with no paperwork or in-person visits required.
What Sleek handles for you:
- Company incorporation with ACRA, including name application and Bizfile filing
- Nominee director services for founders who need a Singapore-resident director
- Employment Pass application preparation and submission
- EntrePass application support, including business plan guidance
- Registered office address and company secretary from day one
- Ongoing compliance, accounting, and corporate secretarial support
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FAQs: Employment Pass vs EntrePass
Can a company director apply for an Employment Pass in Singapore?
Yes. Directors and shareholders can apply for an Employment Pass, provided the company has been incorporated for more than six months, the applicant draws a qualifying fixed monthly salary, and the company can demonstrate commercial justification for that salary. MOM scrutinises director-shareholder EP applications more closely than standard employee applications.
What is the minimum salary for an Employment Pass in Singapore in 2026?
The minimum qualifying salary is S$5,600 per month for general sectors and S$6,200 per month for financial services. These thresholds increase with age. Candidates in their mid-forties may need to earn between S$10,700 and S$11,800 to qualify. All new applicants must also pass the COMPASS points-based assessment.
Can I apply for an EntrePass if my company is already registered?
Yes, but only if your company is less than six months old at the time of application. If your company has been incorporated for more than six months, you are no longer eligible for the EntrePass and should apply for an Employment Pass instead.
Does the EntrePass require a minimum salary?
No. Unlike the Employment Pass, the EntrePass has no minimum salary requirement. Eligibility is assessed based on your entrepreneurial profile and whether your business meets MOM’s innovation criteria: venture backing, registered IP, incubator support, or a track record of founding and exiting businesses.
How long does it take to process an Employment Pass or EntrePass application?
Standard Employment Pass applications are typically processed within two to eight weeks. EntrePass applications take up to eight weeks, and MOM may request additional documents or conduct an interview, which can extend the timeline further.
