EntrePass Singapore Guide

Now and then, Singapore welcomes thousands of foreign entrepreneurs and business owners to arrive and set up their business in Singapore. Most people get attracted to Singapore is because of its geographic locations, straightforward registration process, minimal annual compliance requirements, and many more things that make Singapore an ideal choice to start a business.

Moreover, it’s not that easy to set up a business in Singapore as you will require a work permit from MOM ( Ministry of Manpower ) in Singapore. Also, you can get a certified translation service in Singapore to remove the language barrier. In this guide, you will get complete details of EntrePass.

What is Singapore EntrePass?

An EntrePass is defined as the type of work visa mainly for serial entrepreneurs, foreign innovators, experienced investors who have an intention to set up innovative businesses that contribute to the Singapore economy.

The Singapore authorities started an EntrePass to welcome several R&D-intensive enterprises in several sectors.

Key facts about Singapore EntrePass 

• Before you proceed with the EntrePass application procedure, you must have a glimpse of some of the important key facts about the Singapore EntrePass. 
• You can apply for the EntrePass if you have yet not registered as a private limited company in Singapore or if you have registered your company in Singapore; it should not be more than six months old. However, if you are six months old, you can register for the employment pass instead of EntrePass. 
• The pass holder also can register for the dependent pass or Long term visit pass through which they can easily bring their family members to Singapore but only after the two years. As Dependent pass/ LTVP s not available in the first year. 
• To get your EntrePass application approved, the applying candidates need to meet one out of 7 qualification requirements. 
• Applicants can easily and quickly apply for the EntrePass, and there is no such salary requirement for applying. 
• Candidates having an EntrePass holder can also apply for the PR status in the future. 

Eligibility criteria for EntrePass

To get eligible for the EntrePass, you will have to meet the basic requirement mentioned below:

• Candidates should be more than 21 years of age, having the required experience and qualifications. 
• Should have a professional business proposal with innovative and entrepreneurial, should be capable enough to attract local employment.
• Have an intention to set up a business in Singapore. 
• You Should have applied as a private limited company in Singapore. 
• Should have a renowned company not more than six months old to get eligible for the EntrePass application. 
• Should have a minimum of 30% of shares in your proposed business. 

Apart from the above basic requirement, the candidates should meet the below-mentioned criteria under any of the three categories:

Innovator 

• You should have intellectual property that can’t be replicated. 
• The company should present exceptional expertise and outstanding achievements in its industry. 
• You must have research collaboration with the Singapore-based institute of higher learning or a credible research institute. 

Investor 

• Should have a clear track record of investing in businesses. 

Entrepreneur 

• You must have an amazing business network and entrepreneurial track record. 
• Your company should be a part of a government-supported incubator. 
• Your company should have raised monetary funding of a minimum of S$100,000. 

Businesses under the mentioned categories are not eligible for the EntrePass:

• Employment agencies and geomancy
• Foot reflexology and massage parlors
• Bars, nightclubs, karaoke lounges
• Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), acupuncture, and herbal dispensaries
• Coffee shops, hawker centers, food courts

Documents required for EntrePass 

Applying candidates need to submit some of the below-mentioned documents for the EntrePass application:

• You need to present the complete EntrePass application form. 
• You must also present the complete business plan of ten pages in a prescribed format. 
• You should have passport size photographs that should not be older than three months. 
• Documents are proof that you can meet the eligibility requirements under the innovator, inventor, and entrepreneur. 
• Physical copy of the personal particulars page of your valid passport. 

Physical copy of your education certificated if any.

In case your company is already registered prior to your document submission. Then, you need to present the below-mentioned documents:

• Physical copy of your updated business profile. 
• A valid license
• Should present a document showing the memorandum of understanding with potential suppliers or customers. 
• Valid product certifications
• Advertisement by external or reputable individuals parties. 
• Should submit a physical copy of your company updated bank statement. 

Ensure that you submit English translation documents Singapore or get them translated by the certified translation services. 

The application procedure of EntrePass 

To apply for the EntrePass, candidates are required to follow the below-mentioned steps:

Submit your application 

The applying candidate needs to submit the duly complete application form accompanied by the required documents to the MOM. Applicants are required to submit their applications by visiting the official SingPost branch. You have to pay the application fee of up to S$70. 

Obtain an in-principle approval letter (IPA)

Candidates will obtain the IPA through EP online. After you have obtained the IPA, you will be given six months to arrive in Singapore and ask for the EntrePass. 

Register your company with ACRA if required 

After you have obtained the IPA letter, you must register your company within 30 days. Once your company gets registered with ACRA, the EntrePass holder should be presenting his/her details through the form. 

Issue the EntrePass

To request the issuance of the EntrePass, you need to be present in Singapore. To get the Pass, the applicant, employment agent, or company representative need to submit the following documents online:

• Complete passport details of the candidates 
• The valid details of the applicant’s current short-term visit pass or an immigration pass. 
• The valid local address for the delivery of the EntrePass. 
• The details on at least one person who will receive an SMS or email alert with delivery details. 
• Payment of S$150. 

In a few of the cases, you will require to present some of the additional documents:

• Health declaration form 

• The duly completed form joined with the candidate’s in-principle approval letter. 
• Disembarkation/Embarkation card (immigration white card)
• After you submit the required documents, you will get the EntrePass immediately. 
• After you have got the EntrePass, the application will get a notification letter. 

You will get a notification that will be valid only for one month, enabling the applicant to travel in and out of Singapore. Moreover, it will be mentioned in the notification letter if fingerprints and photos is required. 

Register fingerprints and take the photographs 

New applicants and the application who register five years ago need to register their fingerprints and need to click the photographs within the two weeks before the issuance of the EntrePass. Applicants need to schedule an appointment with the employment pass service centre. During the time of the appointment, the candidates need to carry the following document with them:

• Notification letter 
• Appointment letter 
• Further documents are mentioned in the IPA letter and notification letter.
• Original and valid passport 
• Delivery of the EntrePass card 
• The applicants will then get an EntrePass card within four working days. 

EntrePass renewal 

After your EntrePass is approved, it is valid for one year. However, you can get a renewal after a year if you meet the required eligibility criteria set by the MOM regarding the number of employees employed in your company and total business spending. Candidates can proceed with the renewal application three months prior to the expiry date. 

Note: The first renewal of the EntrePass will be valid for one year. But after that, all other subsequent renewals valid for two years. 

Renewal criteria 

• Your company holding share should be at least 30%. 
• Company’s registration with ACRA as an LLC

Renewal procedure

The pass holder needs to fill the renewal form provided by the MOM. After filling the form, you need to mail the document to the given address : 

Ministry of Manpower

18 Havelock Road

Singapore 059764

Documents required for renewal

If you are undergoing the first renewal, you need to present company registration information from ACRA. Moreover, for several other renewals, the below-given documents are essential, accompanied by company registration information.

• Company latest audited accounts
• Employees’ Central Provident Fund statements

Some of the additional documents need to be submitted to the MOM along with your application:

Recently issued invoices

Contracts awarded

Referral letters from customers

Previous three months’ corporate bank statements

After Renewal

After your EntrePass renewal:

• You will obtain an IPA letter with the validity period of three months.
• IPA shows that if you are willing to proceed with the old pass or willing to get a new one.

EntrePass Cancellation

After you can turn your business or shifted your company to another country, you will have to cancel your EntrePass within a week. You should break the card allowed from the between so that no one can misuse the card.

Either a pass holder, company representative, or an authorized agent should apply for the cancellation of the pass. Hence your pass will be canceled quickly.

Important points

• You need to receive tax clearance documents from the IRAS (Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore) by cleaning all the outstanding dues. You should get a tax clearance at least a month preceding leaving the job.

• And if you have left Singapore permanently, your pass will be automatically canceled within a week from your departure date.

• Several other passes such as dependent pass and LTVPs accompanied by the LOCs and work permits will be automatically canceled as all these cards were dependent on the EntrePass

Canceling the card

• To cancel your EntrePass, you must log in to EP Online and proceed to cancel.

• In order to cancel your EntrePass, you first need to sign in to your EP online and continue to cancel.

• And after the cancellation, if you are still present in Singapore, you will alloted a short-term visit pass with the validity period of 30 days.

EntrePass Replacement

If you are looking for the replacement of the card due to any of the reasons (stolen, lost, or damaged), you need to apply for the replacement within a week.

Important Point

If you have lost your card, you have first to file a police complaint.

In case you have lost the card out of the country, you will have to notify immediately to the MOM. Then, they send you the letter so that you can enter Singapore.

Either an agent, representative, or pass holder can apply for the card replacement.

Replacement Procedure

In several cases, a replacement card is given immediately. To apply for the replacement, follow the mentioned points:

• Apply for the card through EP online

• After that, you will be asked to pay the non-refundable fee.

After approving the replacement request, you will get a card replacement along with the instructions related to the collection of the card.

And if MOM notices that you are continually losing the card, they will call you for an interview before issuing a replacement card.

If the lost card is found, it’s your responsibility to return the card to MOM by post.

The fee for the damaged card is S$60.

Moreover, the first-time fee for the stolen or lost card is S$100. If you again lost the card, the charges will be S$300 for further renewals.

Replacement Card Collection

Even if the request for the replacement card gets approved promptly, you will get the card only after four working days at the EPSC. After that, you or any of your agents can collect your card.

Some of the below-mentioned documents for the care collection are as follows:

• Original passport
• If your card is damaged, bring the damaged card with yourself
• If the card is stolen or lost, bring the declaration form
• Replacement card letter

Ensure that all the overseas police reports should be in English. You can get notarized documents in Singapore.

In case you are sending someone to collect the card on your behalf. Make sure they should carry the required documents.

• Passport, NRIC, or pass card for verification
• Authorization letter
• Damaged card.