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Entrepreneur & Founder Residency

We incorporate your company and apply for your Employment Pass — giving you legal residency in Singapore as your own boss.

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Overview

What Is Entrepreneur & Founder Residency?

The Entrepreneur & Founder Residency pathway allows foreign entrepreneurs and professionals to live and work in Singapore by setting up their own company. Unlike a traditional EP sponsored by an employer, you become the director and shareholder of your own Singapore-registered company, which then sponsors your Employment Pass.

E&H handles the entire process end-to-end — from incorporating your company with ACRA to submitting your EP application to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). This is a proven pathway to Singapore residency for entrepreneurs and self-starters.

Key Benefits

01Full control over your own business in Singapore
02Legal residency via Employment Pass for you and your family
03Access to Singapore's pro-business ecosystem and low tax rates
04Pathway to Permanent Residence and eventually Citizenship
05Ability to hire local and foreign employees
06Leverage Singapore's extensive free trade agreements

Start your application with confidence

Get a personalised roadmap for your case from E&H’s specialists.

Eligibility

Who Can Apply?

The entrepreneur & founder residency route is ideal for professionals and entrepreneurs who meet the following criteria.

Requirement
Typical EP
Entrepreneur EP
Minimum salary of S$5,000/month (varies by sector & experience)
Recognised degree or professional qualifications
Employer/company sponsor in Singapore
You are the company director & shareholder
Relevant entrepreneurial or professional experience

Not sure if you qualify? Our free consultation will assess your profile and advise on the best approach.

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Why It Matters

Why Getting Your EP Application Right the First Time Matters

Entrepreneur EP applications face additional scrutiny from MOM. Incomplete or poorly prepared documentation can lead to rejection — and re-applying is harder.

MOM evaluates your business viability, not just your qualifications.
Entrepreneur applications require a credible and well-structured business plan to pass scrutiny.
Reviewing entrepreneur EP application paperwork

Common Challenges Applicants Face

Business Plan Scrutiny: MOM requires a detailed and viable business plan. Generic or unrealistic plans are a leading cause of rejection for entrepreneur EP applications.
COMPASS Framework Compliance: Your application needs to meet the points-based COMPASS criteria. Without expert guidance, it's easy to fall short on diversity or qualification benchmarks.
Company Setup Complexities: Proper company incorporation, share structure, and paid-up capital requirements must all be in place before MOM will even consider your EP application.
E&H
Why E&H

Why Choose E&H Immigration Consultancy?

Your entrepreneur EP application deserves more than a one-size-fits-all approach. Here's what sets us apart.

25+ Years of Collective Experience

Our seasoned team brings decades of hands-on immigration expertise, having successfully guided thousands through the application process.

Unmatched Professionalism

From the first consultation to the final outcome, every interaction is handled with the utmost care, accuracy, and respect for your time.

Full Transparency

We give you an honest assessment of your chances upfront — no hidden fees, no inflated promises. You'll always know exactly where you stand.

Personalised Attention

Every application we handle is unique. We take the time to understand your background and craft a strategy tailored specifically to you.

Thorough & Meticulous

We invest weeks building a compelling case with multiple rounds of document review, ensuring nothing is left to chance before submission.

End-to-End Support

From eligibility assessment through to post-approval obligations, our team stays by your side at every milestone of your journey.

E&H Immigration consultation meeting in Singapore office
E&H Immigration Consultancy

E&H Immigration Consultancy has built its reputation on trust, results, and genuine care for every client. With over 1,000+ applications submitted and a 4.8-star Google rating, we are one of Singapore's most trusted immigration agencies.

Real Clients. Real Results.

What Our Clients Say

4.8· 100+ Google Reviews

E&H guided us through every step of our PR application. Their attention to detail and personalised approach made all the difference — we got approved on the first try!

A

Amanda T.

2 months ago

Incredibly professional and thorough. They knew exactly how to position my profile and the result was a successful PR approval. Highly recommend.

J

James L.

4 months ago

The team was responsive, knowledgeable, and genuinely cared about our outcome. Worth every cent — our application was approved faster than expected.

P

Priya S.

1 month ago

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common Work Pass Questions, Answered

What is the difference between an Employment Pass (EP) and an S Pass?
  • The Employment Pass (EP) is for professionals, managers, executives and specialists earning at least S$5,600/month (S$6,200 in financial services). It requires passing the COMPASS points framework unless the salary exceeds S$22,500/month.
  • The S Pass is for skilled mid-level technical workers earning at least S$3,300/month (S$3,800 in financial services). It is subject to employer quota limits and a monthly levy.
  • In general, the EP is considered a stronger foundation for a future PR application.
Learn more
What is the COMPASS framework for Employment Pass applications?
  • COMPASS (Complementarity Assessment Framework) is a points-based system introduced in September 2023 for all new EP applications.
  • Applicants must score at least 40 points across five criteria: salary relative to local peers, qualifications, diversity contribution, support for local employment, and strategic economic priorities.
  • Candidates earning S$22,500/month or more are exempt from COMPASS scoring.
Learn more
What is the Overseas Networks and Expertise (ONE) Pass?
  • The ONE Pass is a five-year work pass for top global talent earning at least S$30,000/month, or those with outstanding achievements in arts, culture, sports, science, or academia.
  • It allows the holder to work for multiple employers simultaneously and permits their spouse to work in Singapore without a separate work pass.
  • Applications are assessed holistically by MOM and do not follow a fixed points system.
Learn more
How long does the Employment Pass application process usually take?

MOM states that online EP applications are typically processed or updated within 10 business days. Cases needing additional review — borderline COMPASS scores, qualifications requiring verification, or employer compliance questions — can take longer. Once approved, the In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter is valid for 6 months, within which the candidate must enter Singapore and complete issuance.

Learn more
Can my family join me in Singapore if I have an Employment Pass?

Yes, subject to salary thresholds. EP holders earning at least S$6,000/month can sponsor their spouse and unmarried children under 21 for a Dependant's Pass. Those earning below this amount may have options through the Long-Term Visit Pass route, assessed by ICA on a case-by-case basis.

Learn more
Can you help if an Employment Pass application is rejected?

Yes. We handle EP rejections for both employers and individual applicants — working through the likely MOM concerns, assessing what can be strengthened, and preparing a more carefully built resubmission. It is worth getting advice promptly after a rejection, when the available options are clearest.

Learn more
Free Consultation — No Obligation

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