EntrePass

TL;DR

Singapore work pass for foreign founders of a venture-backed Pte Ltd, with eligibility tied to funding raised, IP, accelerators, or innovation track record.

The EntrePass is a Singapore Ministry of Manpower work pass designed for foreign entrepreneurs who want to start and run a venture-backed Singapore-incorporated company. Eligibility (revised 2023) requires the founder to meet at least one of four tracks: raised S$100k+ from a Singapore government-recognised VC, hold IP/IP application that adds clear value, be accepted into a Singapore government-recognised incubator, or have an exceptional track record in tech innovation.

The pass is initially valid for one year, renewable in two-year increments based on the company hitting milestones (local hires, business spend, total revenue). It's the standard route for foreign founders relocating their startup HQ to Singapore — Indian, Chinese, and Indonesian founders are the largest cohorts.

Worked example

An Indian founder raising a US$1M seed round into her newly incorporated Singapore Pte Ltd applies for the EntrePass under the 'funded-by-recognised-VC' track (Sequoia Capital India qualifies). Approval comes in 4 weeks; the founder relocates from Mumbai to Singapore and the company hires its first 3 local engineers within 12 months to clear the renewal milestones.

Common pitfalls

• Applying without meeting one of the four 2023-revised eligibility tracks and getting an outright reject.
• Underestimating the renewal requirements (e.g. ≥3 local hires + ≥S$100k local business spend by year 2).
• Confusing EntrePass with the Tech.Pass route — Tech.Pass is for established tech executives, EntrePass is for first-time founders.

When this shows up in a pitch deck

Cross-border founders moving HQ to Singapore mention 'EntrePass approved, full-time SG presence' on the team slide.

Related terms

• Tech.Pass — Singapore work pass for established tech execs and founders (S$22.5k+/mo or 5+ yrs at a $500M+ tech firm) — the most flexible tech-talent pass.
• Pte Ltd (Singapore) — Singapore's standard private limited company: minimum S$1 paid-up capital, one director and one shareholder — default holdco for SE-Asia tech startups.
• ACRA Filing — Mandatory filings every Singapore Pte Ltd lodges with ACRA — incorporation, annual return, financial statements, and changes to directors or capital.
• Golden Visa (UAE) — 10-year renewable UAE residency visa for investors, founders, and high-skill specialists, decoupled from employer sponsorship — a talent lever.
• Founder — A person who started or co-started the company and (typically) holds founder common stock subject to founder vesting.

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