Singapore Employment Pass vs Singapore EntrePass
A factual side-by-side comparison of two residency programmes. All figures are drawn from the canonical program pages — follow either link in the table header for sources and the full profile.
Key Differences at a Glance
- ›Singapore Employment Pass is faster: 1 months vs 2 months for Singapore EntrePass.
Singapore Employment Pass Singapore · skilled worker | Singapore EntrePass Singapore · entrepreneur | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Singapore | Singapore |
| Category | Skilled Worker | Entrepreneur |
| Application Fee | $110 | $150 |
| Minimum Income | $3,700 /mo | — |
| Minimum Investment | — | — |
| Processing Time | 1 months | 2 months |
| Family Included | Dependant's Pass for spouse and children under 21 if earning SGD $6,000+/month; Long-Term Visit Pass for lower earners. | Dependant's Pass available for spouse and children under 21; Long-Term Visit Pass available for parents and parents-in-law. |
| Path to PR | Yes — 2 years | Yes — 2 years |
| Path to Citizenship | Yes — 8 years | Yes — 8 years |
| Physical Presence | Must work and reside in Singapore; continuous physical presence expected. Extended absences may affect PR eligibility. | Must actively manage the business in Singapore; substantial physical presence required for renewal. |
| Dual Citizenship | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Tax Impact | Employment Pass holders are Singapore tax residents if they work 183+ days in a calendar year. Singapore taxes only Singapore-sourced income for most residents. | Singapore taxes income sourced in Singapore; foreign-sourced income remitted to Singapore may also be taxable. No capital gains tax. |
| Tax Residency Trigger | 183 days/yr | 183 days/yr |
| Worldwide Taxation | Territorial | Territorial |
| Renewal Cost | $110 | $150 |
About Singapore Employment Pass
The Singapore Employment Pass (EP) is the primary work visa for foreign professionals, managers, and executives seeking employment in Singapore. Applicants must be sponsored by a Singapore-registered employer and meet minimum salary thresholds that vary by age and industry. The EP is renewable and, after a period of continuous work and residency, provides a practical pathway to Singapore permanent residency.
Full Singapore Employment Pass profile →About Singapore EntrePass
The Singapore EntrePass is designed for foreign entrepreneurs who wish to start and operate innovative, scalable businesses in Singapore. Applicants must either have secured funding from a recognized venture capital firm, be supported by a Singapore government-linked incubator, or possess a strong track record in entrepreneurship or intellectual property. The pass is renewable every one to two years and can serve as a stepping stone toward Singapore permanent residency.
Full Singapore EntrePass profile →Gotchas to Watch For
Singapore Employment Pass
- ⚠COMPASS framework (from Sep 2023) means even high-salary candidates can be rejected if their employer's workforce diversity score is low — the employer's existing nationality mix affects your application
- ⚠Financial services sector has a higher salary threshold: SGD 6,800/month (vs SGD 5,600 general). Revised upward from SGD 5,000 as of September 2023.
- ⚠EP does NOT grant CPF contributions — no mandatory savings scheme. This impacts long-term financial planning differently from local employment.
- ⚠Singapore does NOT allow dual citizenship
- ⚠EP is tied to employer — if you change jobs, new EP application required (employer must reapply from scratch)
- ⚠PR application is fully discretionary — many EP holders with strong profiles are rejected without explanation
- ⚠National Service applies to male Singapore citizens and PR holders — male children who obtain Singapore citizenship are subject to NS obligations at age 16-18
Singapore EntrePass
- ⚠The "VC funding" qualifier must be from a MOM-recognised, MAS-licensed investor — a term sheet from an unrecognised angel or family investment will be rejected
- ⚠EntrePass renewal is NOT automatic — MOM expects demonstrable business progress at each renewal. No progress = no pass
- ⚠Singapore does NOT allow dual citizenship — naturalisation requires full renunciation
- ⚠There is no minimum salary requirement for EntrePass (unlike Employment Pass) — but personal financial viability is assessed
- ⚠EntrePass holders do NOT qualify for CPF contributions (personal) — no CPF for your own retirement unless hiring Singapore citizens/PRs
- ⚠Business plan must show Singapore-specific operations; companies that simply "relocate" without local activity are rejected
- ⚠Spouse/children on Dependant's Pass can work in Singapore (spouse may apply for Letter of Consent to work without separate EP)
Neutral reference — we don't recommend one programme over another. Programmes change: always verify each detail against the official source linked on the individual program pages.