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EntrePass renewal ladder: TBS, local hires, and cycle traps
Companion to EntrePass — first vs later renewal evaluation, Total Business Spending and local workforce ramps, shareholding / innovative-activity folklore, and when to plan an EP exit before the ladder fails.
Parent map: EntrePass. Director vs pass edges: EntrePass resident director vs pass. This companion is the renewal evaluation ladder — where founders treat year-one approval as proof the pass renews forever.
Approval ≠ sustainable renewal
EntrePass is renewable, but MOM’s Total Business Spending (TBS) and local workforce expectations ramp by cycle. First renewal is often easier than second/third. WhatsApp screenshots of old tables are not the live ladder.
| Folklore | Safer reading |
|---|---|
| “We got EntrePass once — renewals are automatic” | Later cycles demand higher TBS / more locals on CPF payroll — verify live |
| “Contractors count as local hires” | Locals usually need to be on the company’s direct payroll with CPF for the published months |
| “Shelf company + 30% shares is enough forever” | Ongoing venture / innovative activity + financials still matter |
| “Family passes will be fine if mine renews late” | Dependants ride the founder’s renewal risk — model household clocks early |
Cycle planning checklist
- Diary renewal from ~3 months before expiry — not the week the card dies.
- Map this cycle’s TBS / local-hire bar vs your CPF payroll reality (not aspirational headcount slides).
- Keep shareholding / Startup SG Network / innovative-activity evidence current.
- If the ladder is about to fail, plan a sponsored Employment Pass exit while the EntrePass is still valid — not after cancel.
- If household work rights were the real reason you founded, stress-test ONE Pass / trailing partner honestly instead of forcing a fake startup story.
Decision rule
If you cannot clear the next published TBS / local-hire rung with real CPF payroll and financials, treat EntrePass as a bridge — and stage the EP (or exit) before the renewal window closes.
Sources & citations
Admin and policy details change. Prefer the official page when making decisions; we cite primary sources for Singapore government and statutory guidance.
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