Quick Answer
The easiest way for foreign founders to get long-term residency in Singapore is through the Employment Pass. It allows you to live, work and run your Singapore company, and opens a clear path to Permanent Residency after six to twelve months. Savvy Platform helps foreign founders incorporate their company, secure a nominee director and apply for an Employment Pass through a single integrated platform.
Long-Term Residency Options for Foreign Founders
Singapore offers several visa pathways for foreign entrepreneurs. Not all of them are equally accessible.
|
Visa type |
Best for |
Minimum requirement |
Path to PR |
|
Employment Pass (EP) |
Founders running a Singapore company |
S$5,600 monthly salary |
Yes, after 6 to 12 months |
|
EntrePass |
Tech or innovation startup founders |
S$100,000 in funding or incubator backing |
Yes, after 2+ years |
|
ONE Pass |
High earners and top talent |
S$30,000 monthly salary |
Yes |
|
Global Investor Programme (GIP) |
High net worth investors |
S$10 million investment |
Immediate PR |
For most startup and SaaS founders, the Employment Pass is the most practical and cost-effective route.
Employment Pass: The Most Common Route
The Employment Pass is Singapore's main work visa for professionals, executives and business owners. It is issued for one to two years and can be renewed for up to three years at a time.
To qualify, a foreign founder must:
- Incorporate a Singapore private limited company
- Appoint a local resident director
- Show paid-up capital and business activity
- Draw a monthly salary of at least S$5,600
Once the EP is approved, the founder becomes a resident director and can remove the nominee director.
What an Employment Pass allows you to do
- Run and manage your Singapore company
- Act as a legally resident director
- Open personal and business bank accounts
- Rent property in Singapore
- Apply for Dependant Passes for spouse and children
- Apply for Permanent Residency
Typical costs
|
Cost item |
Typical amount |
|
Government application fee |
S$105 |
|
Government issuance fee |
S$225 |
|
Professional EP processing |
S$800 to S$2,500 |
|
Nominee director (temporary) |
S$300 to S$1,000 |
Total first-year cost usually ranges from S$1,500 to S$4,000, depending on the complexity of the application.
EntrePass: For Innovation and Tech Founders
The EntrePass is designed for entrepreneurs building venture-backed or technology-driven businesses. It is administered by the Ministry of Manpower.
To qualify, founders must meet at least one of these criteria:
- Raised at least S$100,000 from a recognised investor
- Hold registered intellectual property
- Be an incubatee at a government-supported accelerator
The initial EntrePass is issued for one year.
The first renewal is for 1 year, and subsequent renewals are for 2 years.
As an EntrePass holder, you may apply for passes to bring your family in if you meet the requirements:
|
To bring your |
Meet these requirements |
|
Spouse (common-law or legally married) Children |
At least 1 of the following: Your business has Annual Total Business Spending (TBS) of SGD 100,000 and 1 Local Workforce (LWF) You have founded and sold 2 or more companies that are venture-backed or own innovative technologies You have raised more than SGD 2 million for a past or current business You possess 2 or more deep tech Intellectual Properties (IPs) that provide significant competitive advantage to the business. |
|
Parents |
Your business has Annual Total Business Spending (TBS) of SGD 200,000 and 2 Local Workforce (LWF) |
EntrePass holders become eligible for PR after approximately two years.
Why most founders choose the EP over the EntrePass
|
Factor |
Employment Pass |
EntrePass |
|
Funding requirement |
None |
S$100,000 minimum |
|
Salary requirement |
S$5,600 per month |
None |
|
Family passes |
Immediate if salary above S$6,000 |
After 1 year with conditions |
|
Validity |
1 to 2 years |
1 year |
|
Path to PR |
6 to 12 months |
2+ years |
|
Complexity |
Moderate |
High |
For founders who can draw a reasonable salary from their company, the EP is faster and simpler.
Global Investor Programme: For High Net Worth Founders
The GIP grants immediate Permanent Residency but requires a minimum investment of S$10 million. It is designed for established business owners with companies generating at least S$200 million in annual turnover. It is not practical for most startup founders.
From Employment Pass to Permanent Residency
The typical path for founders is as follows:
1. To incorporate a company with a nominee director.
- To obtain an Employment Pass and become the resident director.
- To apply for a PR status after six to twelve months. Spouse and children can be included in the PR application.
PR applications are evaluated by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority based on salary, qualifications, length of stay and employer profile.
How Savvy Platform Helps Foreign Founders
Savvy Platform simplifies the entire process by combining company incorporation, nominee director services and Employment Pass support into one platform.
Savvy Platform offers:
- Fast company incorporation through SavvyStart
- Nominee director included during the incorporation period
- Employment Pass application support
- Company secretary and registered address
- Bank account setup assistance
This removes the need to coordinate between multiple service providers and reduces the total time and cost to establish residency in Singapore.
Conclusion
The Employment Pass is the easiest and most accessible path to long-term residency in Singapore for foreign founders. It requires a registered company, a local director and a qualifying salary, but it offers a direct route to Permanent Residency within one to two years.
Savvy Platform provides a complete, integrated solution to help founders incorporate, secure a local director and apply for their Employment Pass from a single platform.
Q&A
What is the minimum salary for an Employment Pass in Singapore?
The minimum qualifying salary for an Employment Pass is S$5,600 per month, or S$6,200 for roles in the financial services sector.
Can I bring my family to Singapore on an Employment Pass?
Yes. EP holders earning at least S$6,000 per month can apply for Dependant Passes for their spouse and unmarried children under 21.
How long does it take to get an Employment Pass?
Employment Pass processing typically takes ten business days to several weeks, depending on the applicant profile and the complexity of the case.
Do I need a nominee director before applying for an EP?
Yes. Every Singapore company must have at least one locally resident director. A nominee director fulfils this requirement until the founder obtains an Employment Pass.
Can I apply for Permanent Residency on an Employment Pass?
Yes. Most EP holders become eligible to apply for PR after six to twelve months of working in Singapore.
What happens if my Employment Pass is rejected?
You can appeal the decision within 90 days. Most rejections occur due to salary below expectations, weak company profile or insufficient documentation.
Is the EntrePass better than the Employment Pass for founders?
The EntrePass suits founders with innovation credentials or venture backing. For most founders who can draw a salary, the Employment Pass is faster and offers quicker access to family passes and PR.
