Published: 23 June 2025 · Last reviewed: 17 September 2026 · Reviewed by Ray Tay, Co-Founder & Managing Director, VIVOS PTE. LTD. (ACRA Filing Agent FA20240323 · MOM EA Licence 24S2425)
Quick answer: The Singapore ONE Pass (Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass) is a 5-year, renewable work pass for top talent in business, arts & culture, sports, and academia & research. You qualify with a fixed monthly salary of at least S$30,000 (earned for the past 12 months at an established company, or offered by an established Singapore employer), or through outstanding achievements with no salary test. Unlike an Employment Pass it is not tied to one employer, is exempt from COMPASS, and lets you start and run companies. Fees are S$105 to apply and S$225 on issuance; most decisions take about 4 weeks. From 1 January 2027, a new AI & Tech track opens for senior tech founders and engineers. Facts verified against MOM on 14 September 2026.
Singapore has cemented its reputation as a dynamic global business hub due to its attractive economic prospects, political stability, and modern amenities, continually striving to attract and retain top international talent. To further enhance this position, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) introduced the Singapore ONE Pass Visa (Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass) in January 2023.
The Singapore ONE Pass, officially the Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass, is a personalised, 5-year work visa designed for top-tier global professionals across business, arts and culture, sports, science and technology, and academia and research, the ONE Pass Singapore grants holders the freedom to work for multiple employers, operate and incorporate companies, and relocate with their families, all without reapplying when changing roles.
As of the end of 2025, approximately 3,000 ONE Pass Singapore visas have been issued, with the majority converted from existing work passes, reflecting strong demand from the global talent community.
The Overseas Networks & Expertise (ONE Pass) is a personalised work pass launched by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) in Singapore. Unlike traditional work visas that are often tied to a specific employer, the ONE Pass is linked to the individual, providing significantly greater employment flexibility.
Singapore ONE Pass Visa targets top talent in various fields, including business, arts and culture, sports, science and technology, and academia and research.
Singapore’s ONE Pass offers a multitude of advantages that set it apart from traditional work visas in Singapore.
Unlike traditional work visas tied to specific employers, the ONEPass grants holders freedom to work for multiple companies concurrently. This allows professionals to pursue diverse projects, sit on multiple boards, or establish their own companies.
The pass is initially granted for up to 5 years and can be renewed for subsequent 5-year periods, providing greater stability for expats and their families.
Spouses can obtain a Letter of Consent (LOC) to work in Singapore, eliminating the need for separate work visa applications.
ONE Pass holders are exempt from COMPASS framework and Fair Consideration Framework job advertising requirements, streamlining the hiring process.
There are no quotas or caps for the ONE Pass application process, unlike certain other Singapore work passes. This ensures accessibility based purely on eligibility criteria rather than allocation limits.
The ONE Pass supports family relocation. Eligible family members, including spouses, unmarried children under 21, common-law spouses, unmarried handicapped children aged 21 and above, and parents, can join the pass holder on Dependant’s Passes or Long-Term Visit Passes.
ONE Pass holders have the right to set up and operate their own company in Singapore, fostering entrepreneurial endeavours.
Persons of any nationality can apply. However, to qualify for the ONE Pass, applicants must meet one of the following key criteria:
High-earning professionals or globally accomplished individuals who demonstrate strong career standing through either consistent high income or proven exceptional expertise in their field.
Route 1: Based on Salary
Applicants who do not meet the salary threshold may still qualify if they have outstanding achievements in at least one of the following sectors:
Applications are assessed holistically by Singapore authorities (MOM and partner agencies).
For Academia and Research candidates specifically, a CV listing significant publications, patents, and technology disclosures from the past 5 years, along with a recommendation letter from a local host institution such as an Autonomous University or A*STAR, is required.
Route 1b: Future salary in Singapore. You also qualify if you will earn a fixed monthly salary of at least S$30,000 under an established company based in Singapore. Submit the application only when the employment will start within 6 months.
For the salary routes, MOM treats a company as established if it has either a market capitalisation of at least US$500 million or annual revenue of at least US$200 million. Combined figures across a group’s global offices can be considered case by case. If your employer is smaller, the outstanding-achievements route, the Employment Pass or the Personalised Employment Pass may be the realistic path.
If you drew salaries from more than one employer in the 12 months before applying, the S$30,000 must come from one employer. MOM’s own examples:
| Employer A | Employer B | Total fixed monthly salary | Eligible? |
|---|---|---|---|
| S$20,000 | S$10,000 | S$30,000 | No |
| S$30,000 | S$5,000 | S$35,000 | Yes |
| S$30,000 | Nil | S$30,000 | Yes |
Other income sources may be considered case by case. Existing Singapore work-pass holders must have worked in Singapore for at least 1 year before applying, and MOM accepts only one work-pass application per candidate at a time.
MOM has confirmed a dedicated AI & Tech track opening on 1 January 2027. Candidates need S$30,000 a month for 12 consecutive months, of which the fixed salary must be at least S$22,500 and the balance may be vested non-cash pay such as ESOP or ESOW; at least 5 cumulative years in the past 10 as a founder, C-suite leader or senior technical role in tech; and a current or last employer that is a tech company, tech division or tech VC with a valuation or market cap of US$500 million+, revenue of US$200 million+, US$500 million+ in assets under management, or (for start-ups) at least US$30 million raised. Read our dedicated guide to the ONE Pass (AI & Tech) track replacing Tech.Pass.
Entrepreneurs are not assessed on a separate track at the application stage; they apply via the salary or outstanding achievements routes above. However, the ONE Pass has a dedicated renewal pathway tailored for entrepreneurs:
Renewal Criteria (after 5 Years)
To renew the ONE Pass, the holder must meet one of the following:
This renewal option makes the ONE Pass especially attractive for founders and investors who may not draw a fixed salary but are actively building and employing local talent in Singapore.
Applications may be submitted directly by candidates or through appointed employment agencies.
| Document | Purpose / notes |
|---|---|
| Passport particulars page | Identity and travel document |
| 12 months of payslips and tax statements (e.g. IRAS Notice of Assessment) | Proves the S$30,000 fixed monthly salary for the salary route |
| Employment contract or offer letter | Required for the future-salary route; confirms start date within 6 months |
| Employer financials (market cap or revenue evidence) | Shows the employer meets the established-company test (US$500m market cap or US$200m revenue) |
| CV with dated achievements and impact metrics | Essential for the outstanding-achievements route |
| Awards, patents, publications, technology disclosures | Supporting evidence for achievements; academia and research applicants list the past 5 years |
| Endorsement or recommendation letters | Academia and research candidates need a letter from a local host institution such as an Autonomous University or A*STAR |
| Company incorporation documents and corporate financials | If you are applying on the strength of a business you own or run |
Best practice: have non-English documents translated by a certified translator, add a one-page cover summary of your achievements in date order, and quantify impact (revenue, users, citations, funds raised) rather than listing titles.
Applying for a ONE Pass Singapore can be done directly by the candidate or by an appointed employment agency or employer on their behalf. Here’s a simplified breakdown of the process:
Begin by confirming eligibility under one of the following routes:
Gather documents based on the applicable category:
Passport Biodata Page.
Payslips for the past 12 months (for Salary route applicants)
Updated CV highlighting key accomplishments
Academia or Research Applicants: A CV detailing publications, patents, or technology disclosures from the last 5 years, along with a recommendation or endorsement letter from a local host institution.
Total government fees: S$105 on application plus S$225 on issuance of each pass (and S$30 per Multiple Journey Visa where applicable), payable to MOM by Visa or Mastercard. MOM accepts only one work-pass application per candidate at a time, so an open Employment Pass application must be withdrawn first. If a ONE Pass application is rejected, MOM does not automatically assess the candidate for an Employment Pass.
The ONE Pass must be collected within 3 to 6 months of arrival in Singapore. Visit the MOM Services Centre with the IPA letter and original documents to complete biometric registration, including photograph and fingerprint capture.
After the IPA: the IPA letter is a pre-approved single-entry visa and gives you 6 months to enter Singapore and get the pass issued (via the EP eService with Singpass, or at the Employment Pass Services Centre). You then receive a notification letter, valid for 1 month, which lets you start work immediately. If fingerprint and photo registration is required, complete it within 2 weeks of issuance; the pass card is delivered within 5 working days after registration, and your digital pass is available in the SGWorkPass app.
The ONE Pass can be renewed for subsequent 5-year periods if certain conditions are met.
You can apply to renew up to 6 months before the pass expires. The company criterion matters for founders: you can renew on the strength of the local jobs you have created rather than a S$30,000 salary. Experienced founders building a new venture should also weigh EDB’s Global Founder Programme (GFP), which bundles visa facilitation, capital and connections and can complement or replace the ONE Pass route.
Annual Notification: ONE Pass holders must submit an annual notification to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) by 31 January each year, detailing all professional activities and annual salary earned. Passholders must also notify MOM within two weeks of any changes to residential address or personal information. |
The ONE Pass stands out among Singapore’s work visas due to its high degree of flexibility and long validity.
| Feature | Employment Pass (EP) | ONE Pass | Personalised Employment Pass (PEP) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who it is for | Professionals, managers and executives with a Singapore job offer | Top talent in business, arts & culture, sports, academia & research (AI & Tech track from 1 Jan 2027) | High-earning EP holders or overseas professionals |
| Minimum fixed monthly salary | From S$5,600 (S$6,200 in financial services), rising with age; S$6,000 / S$6,600 from 1 January 2027 | S$30,000, or qualify through outstanding achievements | S$22,500 (and at least S$270,000 per calendar year) |
| COMPASS points test | Yes, 40 points unless exempt | Exempt | Exempt |
| Tied to one employer | Yes | No; work for and run multiple companies | No |
| Duration | Up to 2 years first, 3 years on renewal (up to 5 years for tech Shortage Occupation List roles) | Up to 5 years | Up to 3 years |
| Renewable | Yes | Yes, 5 years each time | No, issued once |
| Run your own business | Restricted | Yes | No |
| Who applies | Employer or agent | Candidate, employer or appointed agent | Candidate directly |
| Government fees | S$105 + S$225 | S$105 + S$225 | S$105 + S$225 |
Salary figures verified against MOM in September 2026; confirm current criteria with MOM before relying on them. Compare in more depth: EP vs EntrePass vs ONE Pass.
MOM issues a written advisory with the grounds for refusal. You have 3 months from the rejection date to appeal, and most appeals are decided within about 4 weeks. Re-submitting the same file rarely changes the outcome: a successful appeal adds materially stronger evidence, such as additional endorsement letters, quantified achievements (revenue, patents, awards) or third-party validation that answers MOM’s stated reasons. If an agent appeals for you, a signed authorisation letter is required. Applicants under the outstanding-achievements route are the most likely to need an appeal, because sector agencies apply their own standards.
For senior professionals weighing Singapore against the United States, the contrast is sharp. The H-1B is lottery-based with an annual cap and, for Indian nationals in particular, green-card backlogs measured in years. The ONE Pass is merit-based with no quota or lottery, decided in about 4 weeks, tied to you rather than an employer, and gives your spouse the right to work on a Letter of Consent. Singapore also offers a transparent, merit-based permanent residency route and sits within a 4 to 5 hour flight of India and the rest of ASEAN, which is why many Indian founders and executives now treat Singapore as a first choice rather than a fallback.
Always consult official Ministry of Manpower resources or qualified Singapore immigration advisors for the most current requirements and procedures.
The Singapore ONE Pass remains one of the most strategically powerful work visas available to global professionals today. Its five-year validity, multi-employer flexibility, and family inclusion provisions make it the preferred pathway for senior executives, entrepreneurs, and exceptional achievers seeking long-term stability and opportunity in Singapore.
At VIVOS, we specialise in navigating the path of Singapore ONE Pass applications from eligibility assessment and document preparation to post-approval compliance and renewal planning. If you are ready to explore whether the ONE Pass is the right pathway for you, our team is here to guide you at every stage.
Partner with VIVOS today to Access support for your Singapore ONE Pass application.
2 January, 2025
2 January, 2025What is the ONE Pass Singapore?
The Singapore ONE Pass (Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass) is a personalised 5-year work visa for top global talent. It allows holders to work for multiple employers, start businesses, and relocate families without reapplying when changing roles.
Can I appeal for a rejected ONE Pass application?
Yes, you can appeal within 3 months of the rejection date, but only if you understand and address the reasons for rejection. Re-submitting the same information will not change the outcome. If appealing through an agent, a signed authorization letter is required. Most appeals are processed within 4 weeks.
What are the renewal criteria for the Singapore ONE Pass?
At renewal, holders must either have maintained an average fixed monthly salary of at least S$30,000 over the past five years in Singapore, or operate a Singapore company employing at least five locals each earning S$5,000 or more per month.
How can I apply for the Singapore ONE Pass?
You can apply online through the Ministry of Manpower’s (MOM) EP eService portal. Applicants must either earn at least S$30,000 monthly or show outstanding achievements in business, arts, sports, science, or research. Successful applicants receive an In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter to finalize their pass in Singapore.
What is the salary requirement for the ONE Pass?
Applicants must earn a fixed monthly salary of at least S$30,000 from a single employer for 12 consecutive months prior to the application. Individuals with outstanding achievements in arts, sports, science, or academia may qualify without meeting this threshold.
What’s the difference between ONE Pass and Employment Pass?
The ONE Pass lets you work for many employers, lasts up to 5 years, and your spouse can work easily. The Employment Pass is for one employer, valid for up to 2 years, and spouse work options are limited.
How long does it take to get the One Pass in Singapore?
Most Singapore ONE Pass applications are processed within 4 weeks. The Outstanding Achievements route may take longer. Once approved, applicants have 6 months from the IPA letter to enter Singapore and complete the pass issuance.
What are the Documents Required to Apply for the ONE PASS?
Key documents include a valid passport, 12 months of payslips, IRAS Notice of Assessment, employment contract, employer’s financial data from verified platforms, and a comprehensive CV highlighting key achievements for the Outstanding Achievements route.
What are the Spouse & Family Benefits for Singapore One Pass Holders?
ONE Pass holders can bring their spouse and children to Singapore on Dependant’s Passes, valid for 5 years. Spouses are eligible for a Letter of Consent (LOC), allowing them to work freely or run a business in Singapore.
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