What is the Singapore Entrepreneur Pass (EntrePass) Visa?

The EntrePass visa is a non-immigrant work and study visa for foreign entrepreneurs who wish to start their own business in Singapore, or expand an existing one here. It enables them to come, stay, work, study, or do both in Singapore for up to two years.
This visa will allow you to:
In addition, it also allows you to apply for permanent residency after three years.
The EntrePass visa has been introduced since 1 January 2012.
It can be applied for by anyone aged 21 and above who:
You can apply for the EntrePass if you are from one of these countries:
Belgium
Canada Chile Denmark France Germany Ireland Italy Japan Netherlands Norway Poland |
Portugal
Spain Sweden United Kingdom USA Australia New Zealand Philippines South Africa Thailand Vietnam |
Singaporean citizens can apply for this visa on behalf of overseas companies they represent.
To qualify for the EntrePass, applicants must meet the following criteria:
For every applicant, there will be one representative registered under him/her. This representative should be someone who knows the applicant well and has complete access to the applicant’s financial documents. For example, if the applicant is married, then he/she can register themselves as the spouse of the applicant.
The application form will ask for details such as:
To submit the application form, applicants need to fill out the online EntrePass application form. They may choose to use either a desktop computer or laptop. Applicants may also use a smartphone to fill out the form. However, they cannot use a mobile device to scan the application form.
Applicants need to pay the $1,000 fee for processing the application. Payment can be made using credit cards or debit cards.
After submitting the application form, applicants will receive confirmation via email. Once the application is approved, the applicant will get an appointment letter within 7 working days.
Appointments letters will be sent to applicants’ email addresses. If the applicant does not have an email address, then the appointment letter will be delivered to the applicant’s home address.
When the applicant meets the immigration officer at the airport, he/she will be asked about his/her background, employment history, family members, and assets. The interview process takes approximately 15 minutes.
Once the interview is over, the applicant will be given EntrePass approval notice by the Immigration Department. The applicant needs to keep this document safe until their arrival in Singapore.
On arriving in Singapore, the applicant will need to present the EntrePass approval notice to the Immigration Officer at Changi Airport. He/She may also be required to provide other supporting documents like an invitation letter or an air ticket.
If the applicant re-enters Singapore after having left it without obtaining the EntrePass approval, he/she will face a fine of up to S$5,000.
The above information applies to individuals. But what about those who work with an entrepreneur? Can they apply for an EntrePass visa too? Yes! There are two types of passes that can be obtained from the government:
This type of pass allows dependents to travel into Singapore while the entrepreneur is staying outside of Singapore. It is valid for 30 days. A dependent pass holder must show his/her passport when entering Singapore.
A non-dependent pass is valid for 90 days. An individual holding a non-dependent pass can enter Singapore without showing his/her passport.
Note: Both types of passes require the entrepreneur to obtain a separate pass before leaving the country.
There are many benefits associated with permanent residency in Singapore. For example, you can live in Singapore indefinitely. You can also bring your spouse and children to live in Singapore. Permanent residents do not have to renew their passports every time they visit another country as often, as entering Singapore will no longer require a passport.
Entrepreneurs who hold a Singapore permanent resident pass can travel freely between countries without requiring a visa. This means that entrepreneurs can travel to any country in the world and stay there as long as they wish. They will only need to obtain a tourist permit to visit Singapore.
You need to submit the following documents to support your application:
• Your EntrePass Application Form
• Proof of identity such as a driver’s license or passport
• A recent photo
• Two copies of your passport
• One copy of your current passport
• Five bank statements
• Three years of tax returns
• Invitation Letter
• Air Ticket
It costs $1,500 and takes six months to receive an EntrePass.
In case you were rejected for an Entrepass, you can appeal against the decision. To do so, you need to contact the Ministry of Manpower at 1-637-7001 within 14 days of receiving the rejection notification.
Here are some tips to help you prepare yourself for the process:
• Read through the guidelines carefully and follow them closely.
• Make sure all the documents submitted are complete and accurate.
• Ensure that you have enough money to cover the entire procedure.
• Keep track of the progress of your application and ensure that all relevant documents are sent to the right address.
• Do not forget to check if you have already applied for an EntrePass. If yes, then make sure that you provide proof of this.
Yes, you can! Anyone with legitimate business investment or business vehicle can apply. However, you cannot apply for permanent residence until after you have been approved for an EntrePass and received your permanent resident card from the Ministry of Manpower.
The average processing time for an EntrePass is 6 months.
After you have completed the EntrePass application form, you must send in the required documents by post to the Ministry of Manpower’s Immigration Department. The department will then issue you with an EntrePass. Once you have received your EntrePass, you may pick up your EntrePass from one of the designated collection centres located around Singapore.
Part of getting the EntrePass for Singapore is to first have a registered business in Singapore. The experts at Air Corporate are here to help you. Talk to one of our experts or immediately register your Singapore business with us.
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