6
Singapore Trust Mark

Tech.Pass

Tech.Pass is a visa that allows established tech entrepreneurs, leaders or technical experts from around the world to come to Singapore to perform frontier and disruptive innovations.

Individuals can apply for the pass directly.

The pass is administered by the Singapore Economic Development Board.

Read the press release.

 

Key Features

Tech.Pass Key Features — Singapore EDB

As an individualised pass, Tech.Pass holders are able to take on multiple roles concurrently in Singapore, such as:

  1. Start and operate one or more tech companies;
  2. Be an employee in one or more Singapore-based companies at any time; 
  3. Be a consultant or mentor, lecture in local institutions of higher learning; and/or
  4. Be an investor or director in one or more Singapore based companies.

There is no need for Tech.Pass holders to apply for different passes as they transit between activities. 

Tech.Pass holders are able to sponsor stay for spouse, children, and parents1 in Singapore on either a Dependant’s Pass (DP) or a Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) issued by MOM.

The pass will be valid for 2 years in the first instance, and can be renewed for another 2 years, upon meeting renewal criteria.

1 Legally married spouse and unmarried children under 21 years of age, including those legally adopted, will be eligible for a DP issued by MOM. Common-law spouse, unmarried handicapped children aged 21 years and above, unmarried stepchildren under 21 years of age, and parents will be eligible for a LTVP issued by MOM.

Eligibility and Renewal

To be eligible for the pass, applicants must satisfy any two of the following conditions:

  1. Have a last drawn fixed monthly salary (in the last 1 year) of at least S$22,5002.
  2. Have at least five cumulative years of experience in a leading role in a tech company with a valuation/market cap of at least US$500mil or at least US$30mil funding raised.
  3. Have at least five cumulative years of experience in a leading rolein the development of a tech product that has at least 100,000 monthly active users or at least US$100mil annual revenue.

2 Or its equivalent in a foreign currency. The fixed monthly salary should come from one employer. Candidates or business owners with other sources of income may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

3 E.g. made major contributions to the design, development, and/or deployment of a tech product.

To be eligible for a two-year renewal, the pass holder must fulfil either: (i) Criterion 1 or 2, and (ii) Criterion 3.

(1) Criterion 1 or 2
1. Have earned at least S$240,000 in assessable income based on the latest Notice of Assessment from the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (can be made up of salaries and / or business income);
Note: From 1 September 2024, the required assessable income will be raised to S$270,000.

2. Demonstrate total annual business spending of at least S$100,000 and employ at least 1 local PME1 or 3 LQS2.3

(ii) AND Criterion 3
At the time of renewal, be performing at least two of the following roles, at least one of which must be in Category (A):

 
Category A Category B
  1. Founded a company in Singapore, offering a tech-based or tech-enabled product or service.3
  2. Served a leading role (e.g. CEO, CTO, APAC MD) in a Singapore-based tech company
  3. Served a leading role in two or more Singapore-based tech companies
  4. Employed in a technical role leading a team in a Singapore-based company (e.g. senior engineer or senior researcher leading a team in a particular tech field)
  5. Employed in a technical role leading a team in two or more Singapore-based companies
  1. Served on Board of Directors of a Singapore-based company (need not necessarily be tech company)
  2. Acted as advisor / mentor to a Singapore-based start-up
  3. Served as professor / lecturer / adjunct professor / adjunct lecture in a Singapore Institute of Higher Learning (IHL) 
  4. Provided training in some form not covered by B2 or B3 above (e.g. workshops, corporate training classes).
  5. Invested in one or more Singapore-based tech companies

 

1 Local PMEs refer to professionals, managers, and executives who are Singaporeans or Singapore Permanent Residents, earn a fixed monthly salary of at least S$3,900 and receive CPF contributions for at least 3 months, as aligned with the definition in the EntrePass renewal criteria.  

2 LQS refers to Singaporeans and Singapore Permanent Residents who earn a monthly salary of at least S$1,400 and receive CPF contributions for at least 3 months, as aligned with the definition in the EntrePass renewal criteria.

3 You are eligible as a business owner or founder if your company is registered with ACRA as a private limited company, and you own at least 30% shareholding of the company and can provide proof of ongoing business activity, as aligned with the EntrePass renewal criteria.

Ready to Apply?

Application | Tech.Pass  | Singapore EDB

For new applicants

For new applicants

Apply for a Tech.Pass
Apply for a Tech.Pass
Renewal | Tech.Pass | Singapore EDB

For existing pass holders

For existing pass holders

Renew my Tech.Pass
Renew my Tech.Pass

Frequently Asked Questions

About Tech.Pass
 

  • The Tech.Pass is an extension of the Tech@SG programme, as part of Singapore’s efforts to attract tech talent to Singapore and develop Singapore’s tech ecosystem.
  • Tech@SG programme provides high-potential companies in growth areas such as digital, medtech, biotech, cleantech, agritech and fintech, access to business networks and talent needed to set up new teams in Singapore, including the facilitation of EP applications of core team members.
  • The Tech.Pass aims to attract highly accomplished entrepreneurs, business leaders, or technical experts to Singapore and provides them with flexibility in participating in a variety of activities that can contribute to the tech ecosystem. For example, a pass holder could operate a business, while also being an investor, employee, consultant or director in one or more Singapore-based companies at any time. They can also mentor start-ups and lecture at local universities.

No. Tech.Pass holders who would like to participate in the Tech@SG Programme have to ensure that their company meet the separate company eligibility conditions to qualify for the programme. 

More details may be found on the Tech@SG programme page.

There will be 500 places available for applicants upon launch of the Tech.Pass, on a first come first serve basis. The Tech.Pass will be reviewed thereafter to take into consideration the benefits brought to the local tech ecosystem and feedback on the programme from individuals and stakeholders.

To provide greater clarity and transparency in our work pass framework for talent, the Government has introduced a new salary benchmark of S$22,500, pegged to the top 10% of Employment Pass holders. From 1 September 2023, Applicants earning a fixed monthly salary of S$22,500 will be exempted from the Fair Consideration Framework (FCF) job advertising requirement and COMPASS. It will also be the salary criterion for Tech.Pass and the Personalised Employment Pass (PEP).

Applying For Tech.Pass
 

Existing EP, PEP, or EntrePass holders who meet the Tech.Pass criteria may apply if they also meet the prevailing eligibility or renewal criteria of their respective work passes. 

Existing pass holders who wish to convert should consider whether they will require the flexibilities provided by the Tech.Pass. If their existing pass is sufficient for the activities that they undertake in Singapore, there is no need to convert to the Tech.Pass.

No, you do not need to secure employment in Singapore prior to application. Individuals can apply for the Tech.Pass without employer sponsorship. Applicants will be assessed based on their track record and prior experience in leading teams or developing a tech product. Tech.Pass holders will subsequently be able to utilize flexibilities accorded with the pass, such as starting and operating companies, being an investor, employee, consultant or director in one or more Singapore-based companies, mentoring start-ups or even conduct training in local institutions. 

Tech.Pass Renewal
 

You may apply for a renewal of your Tech.Pass within 6 months of your pass expiry date. The Tech.Pass can only be renewed once for an additional 2 years. Thereafter, individuals may wish to apply for other work passes (e.g. Employment Pass, Personalised Employment Pass, Entrepass) based on your eligibility.

Renewal applications should be submitted up to 6 months and no later than 12 weeks before your Tech.Pass expires.

Tech.Pass vs. Overseas Networks & Expertise (ONE) Pass
 

The ONE Pass is a pass is a personalised pass for top talent across different sectors, including but not limited to the tech sector. While the Tech.Pass has a validity of 2 years and can only be renewed once for an additional 2 years, the ONE pass has a 5 year validity and is eligible for multiple renewals of 5 years at each time, subject to renewal eligibility.

We are currently reviewing the Tech.Pass to see if our work pass offerings need to be further rationalised. In the meantime, the Tech.Pass continues to be a work pass within MOM’s mainstream work pass framework, and individuals can continue to apply for this per normal.

 

Further queries and interest on the Tech.Pass? Contact the team here.

Singapore Global Network (SGN)

Learn more about relocating to Singapore, and connect with over 100,000 strong community of professionals and friends seeking to deepen connections in Singapore and across the globe.
Reach out to SGN here to get started.