Singapore EntrePass for Indian Entrepreneurs: Who Qualifies

The EntrePass is open to all nationalities, and the candidate can apply directly to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). Singapore's High Commission in New Delhi and its Consulates-General in Mumbai and Chennai do not process work passes, so nothing about this pass goes through them. The rules below are as published on the official sources, checked on 15 October 2026. For Singapore visit visas from India, see our Singapore visa guide for Indians.

What are the core tests every applicant must pass?

MOM describes the EntrePass as a pass for serial entrepreneurs, high-calibre innovators and experienced investors who want to operate a venture-backed or innovative-technology business in Singapore. Three conditions apply to the company:

1. It is a private limited company registered with ACRA, Singapore's company registry. It can already exist or be one you intend to start.
2. You hold at least 30% of it. A minority stake below that does not qualify.
3. It is venture-backed or owns innovative technologies. A conventional trading or services business without either does not fit this pass.

If the company is more than 12 months old on the date you apply, MOM assesses you against the renewal criteria instead of the new-application criteria.

Which of the five credentials can you show?

On top of the company tests, you must meet at least one of these:

Two details matter for Indian founders. The funding credential can come from a past or current business, and MOM's wording does not limit it to a Singapore company, so a qualifying single round raised by an Indian start-up is worth documenting. And the IP credential refers to registration with an approved national IP institution; check MOM's list before relying on an Indian patent.

Which businesses can never qualify?

MOM lists business types that are not eligible for the EntrePass regardless of funding or credentials:

• coffee shops, hawker centres and food courts;
• bars, night clubs and karaoke lounges;
• foot reflexology and massage parlours;
• acupuncture, traditional Chinese medicine and herbal dispensing businesses;
• employment agencies;
• geomancy businesses.

If your plan is a restaurant franchise or a recruitment firm, the EntrePass is the wrong tool.

What does it cost, and how long does MOM take?

MOM publishes these fees only in Singapore dollars. There is no official rupee amount. Full details are on MOM's EntrePass eligibility page.

EntrePass or Employment Pass: which fits you?

Some founders are better served by the Employment Pass (EP), for example if a Singapore employer will hire them. The two differ sharply:

The EP floor rises for new applications from 1 January 2027, to SGD 6,000 rising to SGD 11,500 at 45 and above. ICA's list of groups who can apply for permanent residence names Employment Pass and S Pass holders; EntrePass holders are not named in that list.

Can you visit Singapore first to set things up?

Yes, on a business visit visa, but Indians cannot walk in to a Singapore mission. Applications go through an Authorised Visa Agent (AVA), who files them in ICA's e-Visa system. At New Delhi and Mumbai the visa processing fee is INR 2100 and the AVA service fee is Rs. 1300 per application. Processing takes 3 to 5 working days, and some applications take longer.

For a business visit, a Letter of Introduction (Form V39A) may be required case by case. The local contact issuing it must act on behalf of the Singapore-registered business entity. Running the business from Singapore is what the EntrePass itself is for.

What should Indian founders check before applying?

• Your shareholding will be at least 30% after any planned funding round.
• Your evidence for the chosen credential is documented, such as investor agreements, incubator letters or IP registration.
• Your business is not in an excluded category.
• You know whether your company will be more than 12 months old when you apply.

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Frequently asked questions

Do Singapore's missions in India handle EntrePass applications?

No. The High Commission in New Delhi and the Consulates-General in Mumbai and Chennai do not process work passes. The EntrePass candidate applies directly to the Ministry of Manpower.

Is there an age limit or degree requirement for the EntrePass?

MOM's eligibility criteria for the EntrePass do not list an age limit, a degree or a minimum salary. Eligibility rests on the company tests and at least one of the five credentials.

How long is a Singapore EntrePass valid?

A new EntrePass and its first renewal are issued for up to 1 year. Subsequent renewals can be issued for up to 2 years.

Is the EntrePass a route to Singapore permanent residence?

ICA's list of groups eligible to apply for permanent residence names Employment Pass and S Pass holders, family members of citizens and PRs, certain students and Global Investor Programme investors. EntrePass holders are not named, so check ICA's PR page for your own case.