Does registering a Pte Ltd automatically get me an EntrePass?

No. ACRA incorporation is not a work pass. EntrePass needs a private limited where you hold ≥30%, venture-backed or innovative-technology status, plus at least one published innovator test (funding, incubator, prior tech exit, registered IP, or Singapore research collaboration).

Is there a minimum salary for EntrePass?

MOM publishes no stipulated minimum salary for EntrePass itself. Renewal still demands Total Business Spending and Local Workforce thresholds that ramp by cycle — model hiring and burn before you relocate a household on IPA vibes.

What happens at first vs later renewals?

New pass and first renewal are commonly up to 1 year; later renewals up to 2 years if you clear criteria. First renewal has no TBS/LWF floor; second needs about S$100k annual TBS and 1 local worker; third S$200k and 2 — then the published ladder keeps rising. Locals counted need CPF for ≥3 months on the company’s direct payroll.

Should I choose EntrePass or just hire myself on an EP?

If a Singapore employer (including a properly capitalised company that can clear COMPASS) can sponsor a normal role, an Employment Pass is usually cleaner. Use EntrePass when the founder/innovator path is the real thesis — not as a self-sponsor loophole for ordinary employment.

Does EntrePass give Dependant’s Pass rights the same way an EP does?

Family privileges follow MOM’s published EntrePass / family-pass rules and your renewal profile — do not assume EP-style DP salary gates copy across automatically. Early-stage EntrePass renewals that miss spending/local-hire criteria can put the founder and any dependants at risk together. Verify live MOM family eligibility before relocating a spouse or child on EntrePass assumptions.

Move

EntrePass: starting a company as a foreign founder in Singapore

EntrePass eligibility gates — funding, incubators, IP, research collab — ineligible F&B myths, family timing, and when to use EP or ONE Pass instead.

MoveArriving3 min readLast reviewed 15 September 2026

EntrePass is MOM’s pathway for foreign entrepreneurs building venture-backed or innovative-technology businesses in Singapore. It is not a generic “ACRA registration = pass” product. Incorporation mills that sell “guaranteed EntrePass” are selling hope against published eligibility. For the ACRA/CSP/resident-director mechanics alone, see incorporating as a foreigner.

Who should consider it

Serial founders, innovators, or investors who will be operationally present
Teams that can show funding, incubator backing, IP, research collaboration, or a prior tech exit
People whose business is not on MOM’s ineligible list (coffee shops, bars, massage, employment agencies, TCM, geomancy, etc.)

If you already have a Singapore employer ready to sponsor a normal role, an Employment Pass is usually cleaner. If you are top-talent salary / spouse-LOC motivated, compare ONE Pass. Incorporation vs resident-director vs pass: EntrePass vs resident director.

Eligibility gates (meet company + at least one innovator test)

You generally need a private limited company (ACRA) where you hold at least 30%, that is venture-backed or owns innovative technologies — and at least one of:

Path	Orientation bar (verify live)
Funding raised	≥ S$100,000 from a single round from eligible investors (SEEDS, Vertex, SSGE partners, reputable VCs/angels, etc.)
Incubator / accelerator	Government-recognised or internationally renowned (e.g. SSGA/SSGF partners, Y Combinator-class names)
Founded & sold a tech / venture-backed business	Docs proving you founded, innovation/venture nature, and sale under your management
Registered IP	IP with significant competitive advantage, registered with an approved national IP office
Singapore research collaboration	Ongoing collab with eligible IHL / RI (A*STAR, CREATE, ICA-listed IHLs, etc.) with your involvement

Companies older than 12 months at application are assessed against renewal criteria — do not assume a quiet shelf company unlocks a founder pass.

Businesses that will not work

MOM explicitly excludes ordinary F&B courts, nightlife, massage/reflexology, TCM/herbal dispensing, employment agencies, and geomancy. “Innovative kopi” narratives rarely survive that list.

Renewal ladder (model this before you move the household)

EntrePass is renewable, but the Total Business Spending (TBS) and Local Workforce (LWF) bars ramp by cycle. Apply up to 3 months before expiry. You generally still need ≥30% shareholding, a Startup SG Network profile, ongoing venture/innovative activity, and latest financials.

Renewal cycle	Annual TBS (orient)	Local workforce
1st	—	—
2nd	S$100,000	1
3rd	S$200,000	2
4th+	Keeps climbing on MOM’s table	Keeps climbing

LWF may mix PMEs (basic monthly salary at/above the published PME floor for that cycle) and Local Qualifying Salary employees. Counted locals need CPF contributions for ≥3 months on the company’s direct payroll — nominee directors and “friends on paper” do not clear the audit.

After approval

Banking KYC is heavier than employee EP accounts — see opening a bank account
CPF obligations appear when you hire locals (and those hires are what renewals demand)
Family passes have their own salary / tenure gates on renewals — do not relocate a household on IPA vibes alone
Many founders later transition to employer-sponsored EP once the company can hire them under standard criteria

Ecosystem, not just immigration

Startup SG and the chamber / founder networks matter for fundraising reality checks more than for form-filling. Browse Startup SG and chambers once the pass thesis is credible.

Renewal ladder depth (TBS / local hires by cycle): EntrePass renewal evaluation ladder.

Founder → employer EP exit timing: EntrePass → EP founder exit.

Next: trailing partner career if a spouse’s work rights are part of the move economics; ONE Pass if the real goal is top-talent salary + spouse LOC rather than founding.

Questions, answered

Does registering a Pte Ltd automatically get me an EntrePass?: No. ACRA incorporation is not a work pass. EntrePass needs a private limited where you hold ≥30%, venture-backed or innovative-technology status, plus at least one published innovator test (funding, incubator, prior tech exit, registered IP, or Singapore research collaboration).
Can I use EntrePass for a café, spa, or employment agency?: No. MOM’s ineligible list covers coffee shops/hawker/food courts, bars/nightclubs/karaoke, massage/reflexology, TCM/herbal dispensing, employment agencies, and geomancy. Rebranding as ‘innovative F&B’ rarely survives that list.
Is there a minimum salary for EntrePass?: MOM publishes no stipulated minimum salary for EntrePass itself. Renewal still demands Total Business Spending and Local Workforce thresholds that ramp by cycle — model hiring and burn before you relocate a household on IPA vibes.
What happens at first vs later renewals?: New pass and first renewal are commonly up to 1 year; later renewals up to 2 years if you clear criteria. First renewal has no TBS/LWF floor; second needs about S$100k annual TBS and 1 local worker; third S$200k and 2 — then the published ladder keeps rising. Locals counted need CPF for ≥3 months on the company’s direct payroll.
Should I choose EntrePass or just hire myself on an EP?: If a Singapore employer (including a properly capitalised company that can clear COMPASS) can sponsor a normal role, an Employment Pass is usually cleaner. Use EntrePass when the founder/innovator path is the real thesis — not as a self-sponsor loophole for ordinary employment.
Does EntrePass give Dependant’s Pass rights the same way an EP does?: Family privileges follow MOM’s published EntrePass / family-pass rules and your renewal profile — do not assume EP-style DP salary gates copy across automatically. Early-stage EntrePass renewals that miss spending/local-hire criteria can put the founder and any dependants at risk together. Verify live MOM family eligibility before relocating a spouse or child on EntrePass assumptions.

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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