Comparison · L8
Tech.Pass vs ONE Pass vs EntrePass: AI/Tech Founder Visa Routes (2026)
Tech.Pass is for senior tech leaders at qualifying employers; ONE Pass is for top-of-market earners with sponsorship flexibility; EntrePass is for venture-profile founders without a salary qualifier.
Top 5
- Tech.Pass — EDB-administered; senior tech track record at qualifying employer (US$500M valuation, US$30M+ funding raised, or tech VC firm with US$500M+ AUM); 2-year initial, 1 renewal cap, total 4 years.
- ONE Pass — MOM-administered; S$30,000/month last drawn fixed for 12 consecutive months OR outstanding-achievement track; 5-year initial duration; sponsorship flexibility across multiple Singapore employers.
- EntrePass — MOM-administered; foreign entrepreneurs with venture profile (funding from recognised investor, IP, accelerator, research record); evaluated on the venture, not on founder salary.
- New ONE Pass AI/Tech track is launching January 2027 with revised eligibility for AI and tech founders; current ONE Pass criteria continue until then.
- All three permit family sponsorship through Dependant Pass and Long-Term Visit Pass at qualifying conditions.
Side-by-side comparison
| Tech.Pass | ONE Pass | EntrePass | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Administering body | EDB | MOM | MOM |
| Qualifying signal | Senior tech leadership track record at qualifying employer | S$30,000/month fixed × 12 months OR outstanding-achievement | Venture profile: funding, IP, accelerator, or research record |
| Salary qualifier | Last drawn fixed monthly salary at least S$22,500 in past 1 year (initial), or outstanding-track-record evaluation | S$30,000/month last drawn fixed × 12 consecutive months | No salary qualifier — venture is the qualifying basis |
| Initial duration | 2 years | 5 years | 1 year |
| Renewability | 1 renewal × 2 years (4 years total) | 5-year renewals available subject to track record | Renewals tied to business spending and local jobs |
| Sponsorship flexibility | Flexible — multiple roles, founder ventures | Flexible — multiple Singapore employers | Tied to the founded venture |
| New AI/Tech track | Not applicable | Launching January 2027 | Not applicable |
Methodology
Detailed analysis
Tech.Pass — Senior Tech Leadership at Qualifying Employer
Best for: Senior tech professionals with track record at companies meeting EDB-defined thresholds (US$500M valuation, US$30M+ funding raised, or tech VC firm with US$500M+ AUM); founders preferring 2-year cycles and EDB administration.
Pros
- EDB administration brings tech-ecosystem alignment and strategic-talent positioning.
- Sponsorship flexibility across multiple Singapore roles, founder ventures, and advisory positions.
- Family sponsorship via Dependant Pass / Long-Term Visit Pass at qualifying conditions.
Cons
- Initial 2-year duration plus single renewal cap — total maximum 4 years before transition required.
- Renewal requires substantive Singapore-side activity (assessable income, business spending, local employment).
- Qualifying-employer test rules out tech professionals from non-qualifying employers regardless of seniority.
Cost: Engagement scope and pricing scoped per case during the strategy call.
Source: EDB — Tech.Pass Overviewverified 2026-05-02
Overseas Networks & Expertise (ONE) Pass — Top-of-Market Earners
Best for: Founders, executives, and senior professionals meeting the S$30,000/month last drawn fixed × 12 months threshold or qualifying under the outstanding-achievement track; preferring 5-year cycles and employer flexibility.
Pros
- 5-year initial duration — longest among Singapore work passes.
- Sponsorship flexibility across multiple Singapore employers.
- New AI/Tech track launching January 2027 broadens eligibility for AI and tech founders.
Cons
- High salary qualifier (S$30,000/month fixed for 12 consecutive months) excludes most early-stage founders.
- Outstanding-achievement track is narrowly defined — track record in arts, sports, science, academia at recognised level.
- Renewal review tied to continued substantive Singapore-economic contribution.
Cost: Engagement scope and pricing scoped per case during the strategy call.
Source: MOM — Overseas Networks & Expertise Passverified 2026-05-02
EntrePass — Venture Profile, No Salary Qualifier
Best for: Foreign entrepreneurs founding venture-backed or innovation-driven Singapore businesses; founders whose ventures meet a recognised lane (funding from recognised investor, IP held, accelerator membership, research record).
Pros
- No salary qualifier — venture profile is the qualifying basis.
- Direct alignment with Enterprise Singapore startup pathways and Singapore innovation ecosystem.
- Family sponsorship via Dependant Pass and LTVP at qualifying conditions.
Cons
- Initial 1-year duration — shorter than Tech.Pass or ONE Pass.
- Renewal requires meeting MOM-published total business spending and local jobs created thresholds.
- Tied to the founded venture — pivoting outside the qualifying lane affects renewal prospects.
Cost: Engagement scope and pricing scoped per case during the strategy call.
Source: MOM — EntrePass Eligibilityverified 2026-05-02
Decision framework
Senior tech professional with track record at qualifying employer?
Tech.Pass — EDB administration, sponsorship flexibility, 4-year maximum tenure.
Earning S$30,000/month last drawn fixed × 12 months OR outstanding-achievement track record?
ONE Pass — 5-year duration, employer flexibility, broadest sponsorship rights.
Founder with venture profile (funding, IP, accelerator, research) below ONE Pass salary threshold?
EntrePass — venture is the qualifying basis; build the renewal-cycle metrics from year one.
AI or tech founder waiting for the new ONE Pass AI/Tech track?
Track current eligibility and plan transition for the January 2027 track launch; current ONE Pass continues until then.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I hold Tech.Pass and EntrePass simultaneously?
- A foreign national holds one Singapore work pass at a time. Tech.Pass and EntrePass have different administering bodies (EDB and MOM respectively); the holder selects the route that matches the qualifying profile and intended Singapore activity.
- How does the new ONE Pass AI/Tech track affect existing applicants?
- The new track is announced for January 2027 launch. The existing ONE Pass eligibility (S$30,000/month or outstanding-achievement) remains operative; current applicants can continue under existing criteria. The AI/Tech track introduces revised eligibility for AI and tech founders that has not been fully published as of writing.
- Is family sponsorship comparable across the three passes?
- All three permit Dependant Pass for spouse and unmarried children under 21 and Long-Term Visit Pass for parents at qualifying conditions. The qualifying conditions (minimum salary thresholds for the principal under MOM rules) vary; the MOM family-pass framework page is the authoritative reference.
- Which pass is fastest to obtain?
- Processing time depends on application completeness and the administering body. EntrePass with documented venture profile and Tech.Pass with clear qualifying employer history process faster than ONE Pass which is administered with more bespoke review for the outstanding-achievement track.
- Can the holder transition between these passes during the tenure?
- Yes, in principle. A Tech.Pass holder reaching the 4-year cap can apply for ONE Pass if eligible, or for EP under the 5-year duration tech-shortage track. EntrePass holders whose ventures scale can apply for ONE Pass when the salary qualifier is met.
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