Does my work pass type restrict company ownership?

No — the pass governs your right to work in Singapore, not your shareholding. Foreigners can own 100% of a Singapore company regardless of pass type.

EP vs EntrePass vs ONE Pass: Which Singapore Work Pass Should a Founder Choose?

By the VIVOS team — ACRA Registered Filing Agent FA20240323 · MOM Employment Agency Licence 24S2425 · Last reviewed: 22 July 2026

Most founders take the Employment Pass sponsored by their own Singapore company, with a qualifying salary from S$5,600/month in 2026. EntrePass suits venture-backed or IP-rich startups that cannot yet pay an EP salary. The ONE Pass is for top-tier talent earning S$30,000+/month — employer-flexible, but out of reach for most.

Side-by-side comparison

	Employment Pass	EntrePass	ONE Pass
Who it is for	Professionals and founders paying a market salary	Innovative startup founders with funding, IP or accelerator backing	Top talent earning S$30,000+/month
2026 salary floor	S$5,600 (S$6,200 financial services)	None — assessed on venture criteria	S$30,000
COMPASS applies	Yes, unless exempt	No	No
Family passes	DP/LTVP above salary thresholds	Yes, criteria apply	Yes
Multiple employers	No — tied to the sponsor	Own venture	Yes — the key benefit
Typical processing	3–8 weeks	Several weeks; renewals tied to business milestones	Weeks

How to decide in three questions

Can your company pay you S$5,600+ a month? Take the EP through your own company — it is the cleanest route, and the company’s setup and the pass can run as one process. See the 2026–2027 salary thresholds.

Pre-revenue but funded or IP-backed? EntrePass removes the salary floor but replaces it with venture criteria — recognised funding, IP, or accelerator backing — and its renewals demand real spending and local hiring milestones that get steeper over time. Read our EntrePass eligibility guide.

Already earning S$30,000+ a month? The ONE Pass frees you from single-employer sponsorship entirely — rare among work passes — and suits serial operators and senior executives.

Frequently asked questions

Can I switch from EntrePass to EP later?

Yes — many founders move to an EP from their own company once it pays a qualifying salary.

Which pass leads to PR fastest?

None has a formal fast lane — PR outcomes track salary, tenure, economic contribution and family ties. The direct investment route is the Global Investor Programme.