Singapore Relocation for Company Owners

There are two types of Singapore work visas that foreign company owners can apply for depending upon their eductaional qualifications and professional experience - the Singapore Employment Pass or the Singapore Entrepreneur Pass.

Singapore Employment Pass

Foreign entrepreneurs with a good education i.e. at least a degree from a reputed University; professional experience; and a minimum monthly salary of S$3,000 are eligible to apply for the Employment Pass.

Singapore Entrepreneur Pass

Also known as the Singapore EntrePass, the Entrepreneur Pass is specially designed for foreign entrepreneurs who may possess a good business track record but are unable to qualify for the Employment Pass due to lack of good educational qualifications. However, entrepreneurs applying for the Singapore EntrePass must satisfy certain eligibility criteria:

The foreign entrepreneur must:

• Have at least 30% shareholding in the company;
• Possess an entrepreneurial background;
• Have a good business plan;
• Inject a minimum paid-up capital of S$50,000 in the Singapore company;
• Create employment for locals once the company is incorporated; and
• Incorporate the business only as a private limited company and not any other business structure.

Both the Employment Pass and EntrePass are issued for 1-2 years at a time and are renewable thereafter, subject to satisfying the renewal criteria. Pass holders can apply for Singapore Permanent Residence in due course of time. There is no quota or limits imposed on the number of passes that can be issued.

Well that depends on the type of Singapore work visa you are applying for.

• If you are relocating under the Singapore Employment Pass, you can apply for the pass only after incorporating a Singapore Company.
• If you are relocating under the Singapore EntrePass, you can submit your EntrePass application before Singapore company incorporation. However, note that on approval of your EntrePass, you are required to incorporate your company within 1 month from the date of approval.

Yes. Singapore recognizes that not all entrepreneurs possess a professional degree and has therefore designed a special work pass scheme known as the Singapore EntrePass for entrepreneurs who may not have professional educational qualifications but possess an excellent business track record and wish to set up a Singapore corporation. However, note that the EntrePass work permit scheme has some eligibility criteria that must be satisfied. For details, refer to our Singapore EntrePass section.

Yes. Singapore has designed a family visa known as the Dependant Pass to facilitate the relocation of the spouse and unmarried children below 21 years of age for Employment Pass holders and EntrePass holders. You need to submit a separate application for each family member you wish to bring into Singapore along with you. Note that their Dependant Pass will be valid only as long as your Employment Pass or EntrePass remains valid.

Yes. If your child is a Dependant Pass holder, you are free to apply for his/her admission into either local schools or foreign system, international schools. In reality, it is far easier to obtain admission in the international schools as compared to the local schools. This is because the local schools tend to give first priority to Singapore citizens, followed by Singapore Permanent Residents and only then are Dependant Pass holders and Student Pass holders given consideration. Note that no special Student Visa is required for schooling. However, for higher education in Singapore  a Student Visa must be obtained by the Dependant Pass holder.

Spouses of Employment Pass holders or EntrePass holders are eligible to work in Singapore, provided they hold a valid Dependant Pass and secondly, their prospective employer obtains a Letter of Consent (LOC) from the Singapore Ministry of Manpower, prior to their employment.