At a glance
Singapore’s ONE Pass gives qualifying top earners and people with outstanding achievements flexible work permission for up to five years. The main salary route requires SGD 30,000 monthly; a separate AI and Tech track is announced for January 2027.
- Main salary threshold
- SGD 30,000 fixed monthly salary under the applicable past- or future-employment rules
- Alternative route
- Outstanding achievements in specified sports, arts, culture, academic, or research fields
- Company-size test
- Where required, USD $500 million market value or USD $200 million annual revenue
Summary
Singapore’s Overseas Networks & Expertise (ONE) Pass gives a small group of top earners and people with outstanding achievements more flexibility than an ordinary work pass. Holders can work for several Singapore companies, change jobs without a new pass, and start or operate businesses.
The pass can last up to five years, with renewal subject to separate requirements. The main salary route requires at least SGD 30,000 in fixed monthly salary; a separate route considers outstanding achievements in specified fields.
Eligibility
Current salary and achievement routes
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) considers these main categories:
- Past salary: at least SGD 30,000 a month, or the foreign-currency equivalent, from one employer for the 12 consecutive months immediately before applying. Two smaller salaries cannot simply be combined. Where the employer is overseas, it normally must meet the established-company test, and you must have worked for it for the relevant 12 months. MOM may consider other income case by case, but that is not a guaranteed substitute.
- Future Singapore job: an offer from an established Singapore-based company paying at least SGD 30,000 in fixed monthly salary, with employment due to start within six months of the application.
- Outstanding achievements: exceptional evidence in sports, arts and culture, or academia and research may qualify without the salary threshold. MOM and the relevant agencies assess the field-specific records.
The established-company test is at least USD $500 million in market capitalization—the company’s stock-market value—or USD $200 million in annual revenue. MOM may consider combined global-office figures case by case. These are company figures, not your personal wealth.
If you already hold a Singapore work pass, you must have worked in Singapore for at least one year before applying. You, your employer, or an appointed employment agency can apply, but only one work-pass application can be pending for you at a time. Every case remains subject to assessment.
Announced AI and Tech track: January 28, 2027
This is a future route, not currently open. MOM has announced that it will replace Tech.Pass on January 28, 2027. The announced requirements include:
- At least SGD 30,000 monthly compensation over the preceding 12 months, including SGD 22,500 in fixed salary. Qualifying vested non-cash compensation may count toward the balance.
- At least five cumulative years during the previous 10 years as a technology founder, senior executive, or technical professional.
- A current or last employer meeting the specified technology-sector and company-size or funding tests, and eligible AI or technology work.
Check the live instructions when applications open. EDB has announced that new and renewal Tech.Pass applications will stop on that date. Existing Tech.Pass holders can keep their approved pass until expiry, then need to qualify separately for ONE Pass or another work pass.
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Choose a current eligibility route Prove the exact salary and company conditions or listed outstanding achievements.
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Apply and complete pass issuance Check any prior Singapore-work requirement and prepare the required evidence.
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Use the flexibility and maintain compliance Report activities and income annually and plan for the separate renewal test.
The announced AI and Tech track has a future opening date and its own compensation and experience rules.
A specialized AI and Tech track opens on 28 January 2027
A specialized AI and Tech track opens on 28 January 2027
The AI and Tech track opens on 28 January 2027, when new and renewal Tech.Pass applications close. Existing Tech.Pass holders can stay until their approved pass expires but do not convert automatically. The current ONE Pass salary and outstanding-achievement routes remain available under their own criteria.
Timing: The AI and Tech track opens on 28 January 2027. From that date, MOM/EDB will stop accepting new and renewal Tech.Pass applications. Existing Tech.Pass holders can remain on their approved pass until expiry; a ONE Pass requires a separate qualifying application.
What This Route Allows
The current ONE Pass can cover up to five years of work residence and allows concurrent work or business activity with multiple Singapore companies, subject to contracts and professional rules. There is no employer foreign-worker quota or levy.
You must report professional activities and annual income to MOM by January 31 of the following year, and update your address and relevant personal information as required.
Family members
A legally married spouse and unmarried children under 21, including legally adopted children, may qualify for family passes. A recognized common-law spouse, certain older unmarried children with disabilities, qualifying stepchildren, and parents may fit the relevant Long-Term Visit Pass rules.
A legally married or recognized common-law spouse can apply for a Letter of Consent to work. It is a separate approval, not automatic work permission. Other dependents generally need their own work pass.
Renewal
For renewal under the current mainstream rules, you must either:
- Have averaged at least SGD 30,000 in fixed monthly salary over the previous five years in Singapore; or
- Have started and be operating a Singapore company employing at least five local employees, each paid at least the prevailing Employment Pass minimum qualifying salary.
Renewals can be for up to five years. You may apply up to six months before expiry.
What This Route Is Not
A senior title, technology job, graduate degree, or high household income does not by itself qualify you. Fixed salary has a specific definition; bonuses, share gains, allowances, or irregular payments do not necessarily count.
This is not permanent residence or citizenship. Those require separate ICA applications and approval; adult citizenship also involves Singapore’s rules on other nationalities. The pass does not remove business licensing, professional registration, or tax obligations, or give family members independent permanent status.
Next Steps
- Choose the current route you can prove: past salary, a future Singapore job, or outstanding achievements.
- Gather month-by-month pay and employment records, the required company-size evidence, or MOM’s field-specific achievement records. Check the one-year Singapore-work rule if relevant.
- Apply without a competing work-pass application, and complete issuance if approved.
- Keep records for annual reporting and renewal. Check each family member’s pass and any work approval separately. For the future AI and Tech track, recheck the rules at opening.
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Sources
- Singapore Economic Development Board — Tech.Pass transition
- Singapore Ministry of Manpower — ONE Pass eligibility and renewal criteria
- Singapore Ministry of Manpower — ONE Pass key facts and holder obligations
- Singapore Ministry of Manpower — ONE Pass family passes
- Singapore Ministry of Manpower — Working on a Letter of Consent as a ONE Pass holder's spouse
- Singapore Ministry of Manpower — 2026 factsheet on the announced AI and Tech track
- Singapore Economic Development Board — Tech.Pass transition guidance
- Singapore Immigration & Checkpoints Authority — permanent residence