---
title: "Can I get an EP by incorporating my own company in Singapore?"
topic: "Employment Pass (EP) FAQ"
resource: "https://www.eh-immigration.com/faq/employment-pass/ep-through-own-company-incorporation"
last_updated: "2026-08-12"
---

# Can I get an EP by incorporating my own company in Singapore?

Last updated: 2026-08-12

Yes in principle — a self-employed EP (director of your own Singapore company) still needs to clear COMPASS and typically requires a minimum paid-up capital (commonly cited around S$50,000, but MOM assesses case-by-case alongside business plan and hiring intent). Incorporation with ACRA happens before or alongside the EP application.

## How the self-employed EP route works

You incorporate a Singapore company with ACRA and apply for an EP as a director of that company. The application is still assessed against the same qualifying salary and COMPASS criteria as a regular EP — owning the company does not bypass the framework.

## What MOM looks at

A paid-up capital in the region of S$50,000 is commonly cited as the practical benchmark, but MOM assesses each case individually — the business plan, the company's hiring intent and the substance of the business all matter. A company that exists mainly to sponsor the owner's EP is a much harder sell than one with a genuine operating plan.

## Sources

- [Singapore Company Setup & Employment Pass Guide](https://www.eh-immigration.com/articles/incorporating-a-company-in-singapore-and-obtaining-an-employment-pass-ep-your-step-by-step-guide)
- [MOM — Employment Pass](https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/employment-pass)

## Related E&H service

- [Employment Pass service](https://www.eh-immigration.com/services/employment-pass)
- [Entrepreneur & founder residency](https://www.eh-immigration.com/services/entrepreneur-and-founder-residency)

Canonical page: https://www.eh-immigration.com/faq/employment-pass/ep-through-own-company-incorporation