Is Tech.Pass the same as PEP?

No. Both need roughly S$22,500 fixed monthly salary, but Tech.Pass also demands ≥5 years in a leading role at a large tech company or big tech VC. PEP is the general high-earner personalised pass without that company-scale test — and PEP is generally one-shot while Tech.Pass has published renewal paths until the 2027 sunset.

Do I need a Singapore job offer to apply for Tech.Pass?

No. EDB’s programme is designed so you can apply without a local employer, then work across employee, founder, investor, consultant, and mentor roles once issued.

What happens to Tech.Pass after 28 January 2027?

EDB stops accepting new and renewal Tech.Pass applications from that date. Existing holders can ride the pass to expiry. MOM’s ONE Pass (AI and Tech) track is the published replacement direction — verify live MOM/EDB pages before you plan a late-2026 conversion.

Can a mid-level engineer get Tech.Pass on salary alone?

Unlikely. Salary clears only half the gate. Without leading-role proof at the published company-scale or VC AUM thresholds, stay on employer-sponsored EP + COMPASS or compare PEP if you clear the general high-earner floor.

Can I convert Tech.Pass to an Employment Pass or PEP before the 2027 sunset?

There is no automatic conversion switch. Before EDB stops new/renewal Tech.Pass filings (28 January 2027), many holders plan an employer EP (COMPASS + FCF) or test PEP eligibility on fixed salary history. Start the next pass while Tech.Pass is still valid — do not wait for a courtesy conversion letter.

Move

Tech.Pass Singapore: flexibility, salary floor, and the 2027 sunset

EDB Tech.Pass vs PEP and ONE Pass — S$22,500 salary track, multi-activity flexibility, renewal tests, and the Jan 2027 handoff to ONE Pass (AI and Tech).

MoveArriving & Living3 min readLast reviewed 15 September 2026

Tech.Pass is EDB’s personalised tech-talent visa: apply without a Singapore employer, then operate across employee, founder, investor, consultant, and mentor roles. Reddit threads comparing it with PEP often miss two facts — the company-scale experience test, and that new and renewal applications close from 28 January 2027 as MOM’s ONE Pass (AI and Tech) track takes over.

Eligibility (verify live on EDB)

You must meet both:

Last-drawn fixed monthly salary of at least S$22,500 (or foreign-currency equivalent) in the last year — other income / non-cash components can be assessed case-by-case
At least 5 cumulative years (within the past 10 years) in a leading role at either:
- a tech company with valuation / market cap ≥ US$500m or ≥ US$30m funding raised, or
- a tech VC with ≥ US$500m AUM

No Singapore job offer is required to apply. Existing EP / PEP / EntrePass holders who meet the criteria may convert if they also clear their current pass rules.

What it is for (and not for)

Use case	Fit
Job-hunt / multi-company consulting while based in SG	Strong — pass is not single-employer
Founding / investing / mentoring in the tech ecosystem	Designed for this
Ordinary mid-level engineer without leading-role + large-company proof	Weak — stay on EP + COMPASS
General high earner outside tech company tests	Look at PEP or ONE Pass

Renewal reality (while applications still open)

EDB’s published renewal paths include (verify live):

≥ S$270,000 assessable income on the latest IRAS Notice of Assessment, or
≥ S$100,000 annual business spending and hire thresholds (local PME / LQS counts), or
Singapore-incorporated digital/tech core product with > US$10m cumulative investment funding in 36 months and programme-recognised investor participation

Founders generally need meaningful shareholding (commonly ≥ 30% on ACRA profiles in programme materials).

The 2027 sunset — plan the handoff

From 28 January 2027, EDB stops accepting new and renewal Tech.Pass applications. Existing holders can ride the pass to expiry. MOM’s March 2026 factsheet introduces ONE Pass (AI and Tech) from January 2027 as the replacement track — including a path to combine fixed cash salary (≥ S$22.5k) with vested non-cash components toward a S$30k/month composite, plus company-scale and experience tests. Details will continue to land on MOM’s live pages — treat press-release annexes as directional until the eligibility page updates.

Nearby alternatives Reddit conflates

Option	When it is the better tool
ONE Pass	Broader top-talent / outstanding-achievements; post-2027 AI & Tech track
PEP	High earner flexibility without tech-company leading-role proof — but generally one-shot
5-year tech EP	Employer-sponsored shortage occupations + COMPASS diversity points + higher salary band
EntrePass	Venture-backed / innovative founder path when Tech.Pass company tests do not fit

Sunset handoff calendar (ONE / PEP / sponsored EP sequencing): Tech.Pass 2027 sunset handoff. Salary-composite depth before the handoff: Tech.Pass → ONE Pass salary composite.

Next: if your question is “can I freelance on my EP while I wait?”, read side income and work-pass rules before you invoice anyone in Singapore.

Questions, answered

Is Tech.Pass the same as PEP?: No. Both need roughly S$22,500 fixed monthly salary, but Tech.Pass also demands ≥5 years in a leading role at a large tech company or big tech VC. PEP is the general high-earner personalised pass without that company-scale test — and PEP is generally one-shot while Tech.Pass has published renewal paths until the 2027 sunset.
Do I need a Singapore job offer to apply for Tech.Pass?: No. EDB’s programme is designed so you can apply without a local employer, then work across employee, founder, investor, consultant, and mentor roles once issued.
What happens to Tech.Pass after 28 January 2027?: EDB stops accepting new and renewal Tech.Pass applications from that date. Existing holders can ride the pass to expiry. MOM’s ONE Pass (AI and Tech) track is the published replacement direction — verify live MOM/EDB pages before you plan a late-2026 conversion.
Can a mid-level engineer get Tech.Pass on salary alone?: Unlikely. Salary clears only half the gate. Without leading-role proof at the published company-scale or VC AUM thresholds, stay on employer-sponsored EP + COMPASS or compare PEP if you clear the general high-earner floor.
Can I convert Tech.Pass to an Employment Pass or PEP before the 2027 sunset?: There is no automatic conversion switch. Before EDB stops new/renewal Tech.Pass filings (28 January 2027), many holders plan an employer EP (COMPASS + FCF) or test PEP eligibility on fixed salary history. Start the next pass while Tech.Pass is still valid — do not wait for a courtesy conversion letter.

Sources & citations

Admin and policy details change. Prefer the official page when making decisions; we cite primary sources for Singapore government and statutory guidance.

ServiceImmigration counsel (category guide)