Print

Work Permit Schemes for Professionals and Entrepreneurs

Relocating to Singapore | Work Permit Schemes for Professionals and Entrepreneurs

As Singapore is a one of the best country to set up businesses and to foster careers, many foreign skilled workers, professionals, investors and entrepreneurs seek to immigrate to Singapore. This guide will provide you with a summary of the work pass or work permit schemes for foreign entrepreneurs or professionals who are interested in relocating to Singapore.

Factors Entrepreneur Pass (EntrePass) Employment Pass (EP) Personalized Employment Pass (PEP) S Pass
General Description It is both a work permit and visa for foreign entrepreneurs who want to start a business in Singapore and will be actively involved in the operation of their business. It is a work permit and visa for foreign entrepreneurs, directors, shareholders or a qualified professional with tertiary degree. It is a type of employment pass which is not tied to a particular employer. It allows you to change jobs without having to re-apply for a new EP, as long as you are not unemployed for more than six months. It is a work permit and visa for foreign mid-level skilled workers.
Eligibility Main criteria:

  • Incorporate a company with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority no more than 6 months at the point of submission of the EntrePass application
  • Own 30%-100% of shareholding in the company
  • Have relevant experience and track record in creating and managing successful businesses
  • Provide S$50,000 and above in paid-up capital for the new company
  • Submit a 10-page business plan detailing business goals and strategy to accomplish required objectives of total business spending and to meet the quota for employment of Singapore workers
 Main criteria:

  • Acceptable diploma/degree
  • Professional qualifications
  • Specialist skills
  • Minimum monthly salary of S$2500

Other factors which also play a very important role are:

  • Salary of applicant
  • Age of applicant
  • Roles & responsibility
  • Related work experience
  • Repute of the company
  • Company paid up capital
  • Applicant current citizenship
 Main Criteria:

  • Overseas foreign professional whose last drawn fixed monthly salary overseas was at least S$7,000
  • Former P1 Pass holders who are residing overseas
  • P1 Pass holders
  • P2 Pass holders who have at least two years of working experience on a P Pass and earning a fixed salary of at least S$30,000 in the preceding year
  • Q1 Pass holders with at least five years of working experience on a Q1 pass and earning a fixed salary of at least S$30,000 in the preceding year
  • Foreign graduates from institutions of higher learning in Singapore with at least two years of working experience on a P or Q1 Pass; and earning a fixed salary of at least S$30,000 in the preceding year
 Applicants for Singapore S Pass are assessed based on:

  • Salary
  • Educational qualification
  • Job type
  • Years of work experience
Required Fixed Monthly Salary Not specified
  • P1 Pass: for applicants with a fixed monthly salary of more than S$7,000
  • P2 Pass: for applicants with a fixed monthly salary of more than S$3,500 and up to S$7,000
  • Q1 Pass: for applicants with a fixed monthly salary of more than S$2,500
 Not specified Minimum of S$1,800
Quota System None None None Yes. The number of S Pass holders a company can hire is capped at 25% of their total workforce.
Validity 1-2 years 1-2 years 5 years 1-2 years
Renewability Renewals of the EntrePass are contingent on meeting the requirements stipulated by Ministry of Manpower in which your business venture must demonstrate in a one-year period that it will meet the employment requirement of a minimum number of Singaporean or local workers; and with the required total business spending for each category of EntrePass. Renewable as long as you continue to be employed by the company. Non-renewable. Renewable as long as you continue to be employed by the company.
Eligibility for PR Application Eligible for Singapore Permanent Residence Eligible for Singapore Permanent Residence Eligible for Singapore Permanent Residence Eligible for Singapore Permanent Residence after 4-5 years
Learn more
See package details 		Learn more
See package details		 Learn more Learn more