What is the Singapore ONE Pass?
The Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass (ONE Pass), launched by the Ministry of Manpower in January 2023, is Singapore's top-tier work pass for the world's highest-achieving professionals. Unlike the Employment Pass (tied to one employer), the ONE Pass is attached to the individual — holders can work for multiple Singapore companies at once, start and run businesses, and change jobs without applying for a new pass.
It is valid for 5 years (the longest of any Singapore pass) and is exempt from COMPASS. There are two routes: a salary route (SGD $30,000/month fixed for 12 consecutive months) and an achievements route (an outstanding record in business, arts and culture, sport, or academia and research).
By late 2025, the scheme had grown to around 8,500 holders, concentrated in AI, finance and biomedical sciences. It sits above the Tech Pass — which itself becomes a ONE Pass (AI and Tech) track in 2027.
Note: Information on this page is for guidance only and does not constitute immigration advice. Requirements change — verify current figures at the official government source before applying.
Do you qualify?
You qualify through one of two routes — salary or outstanding achievements. Only one is needed, and MOM assesses every application on a case-by-case basis.
You must have earned, or will earn, a fixed monthly salary of at least SGD $30,000 (or foreign-currency equivalent) for 12 consecutive months. Overseas applicants must also have worked for an established company (market cap of at least USD 500 million or annual revenue of at least USD 200 million) over those 12 months. Variable pay and allowances do not count toward the fixed salary.
Alternatively, qualify through an outstanding track record in business, arts and culture, sport, or academia and research — demonstrating extraordinary global impact. No employment is required at the point of application under this route.
The 2026 qualifying routes
The salary route is fixed at SGD $30,000/month for 12 consecutive months; the achievements route has no salary requirement. Only the fixed component counts — variable pay and allowances are excluded, which is a common cause of the pass's high rejection rate.
Renewal is assessed on the 5-year average: there is no obligation to notify MOM if your salary dips below SGD $30,000 during the pass, but at renewal, MOM assesses the average over the full term. If the average is not met and no qualifying business has been established, renewal may be refused — so document employment carefully. Tax note: Singapore's personal tax is low (2–24%) with no capital gains tax; ONE Pass holders are not subject to CPF.
What you need to apply
You apply directly to MOM (self-sponsored) — no employer needs to file, though a Singapore offer supports the salary route. Documentation precision is critical given the high rejection rate.
If you do not have any of the documents below, read the FAQs section for further guidance.
Application timeline
From applying to a decision typically takes around 4 weeks. Preparation — assembling precise salary or achievement evidence — is where most of the effort and risk lies.
Most common delay: misreading eligibility. The high rejection rate is driven by misunderstanding the fixed-salary definition (variable pay and allowances do not count) or the overseas-employer standing requirement. Confirm the fixed component alone meets SGD $30,000 before applying.
Gather payslips, employment contract and evidence of employer standing (salary route), or your achievements portfolio (achievements route). Precision matters — the ONE Pass has one of the highest rejection rates in the system.
Handled by: you
Apply directly to MOM online, paying the application fee (SGD $105). It can also be submitted by an employer or an authorised employment agency on your behalf.
Handled by: you
MOM assesses the application case by case against the salary or achievement criteria.
Handled by: MOM
MOM issues an In-Principle Approval. Complete the pass issuance (photo, fingerprints) in Singapore, and your spouse can then apply for a Letter of Consent to Work.
Handled by: you
Frequently asked questions
Yes — this is the ONE Pass's defining feature. Because the pass is attached to you rather than an employer, you can work for several Singapore companies at once, start and run your own business, and take board or advisory roles simultaneously. No other Singapore pass offers this, and adding or changing jobs needs no new pass.
Yes. Your spouse can join and receive a Letter of Consent (LOC) to work in Singapore — without a separate work pass application. Dependent children can join on Dependant's Passes.
If you do not meet the SGD $30,000 salary threshold, you can still qualify through an outstanding track record in business, arts and culture, sport, or academia and research — demonstrating extraordinary global impact. No employment is required at the point of application. It targets internationally recognised founders, artists, athletes and researchers.
It can. Holders can apply for Singapore PR through the ICA under the PTS (Professionals/Technical Personnel and Skilled Workers) scheme after meeting the usual criteria. PR is discretionary and not guaranteed, but holding the ONE Pass — especially for 2+ years — builds a strong foundation.
There is no obligation to notify MOM or surrender the pass if your salary falls below SGD $30,000 during the 5-year validity. At renewal, MOM assesses the average salary over the full term. If the average is not met and you have not established a qualifying business, renewal may be refused — so keep careful records of your employment and earnings.
The Employment Pass is tied to one employer, requires COMPASS points, and runs for up to 2 years for first-timers. The ONE Pass is not tied to any employer, is exempt from COMPASS, runs for 5 years, and lets you work for multiple companies. If you earn below SGD $30,000/month, the EP (or the Tech Pass, for tech leaders) is the appropriate route.
The salary route can be based on your current overseas earnings or a Singapore offer, and the achievements route requires no job at all. If you are looking for a Singapore role, every job listed on Workbeyond is from employers who sponsor international talent to work in Singapore. Use the filters to narrow by profession, city and seniority level.
Find visa-sponsored jobs in Singapore
The ONE Pass is self-sponsored, but if you are also exploring employed roles, every job listed on Workbeyond is from an employer that sponsors international workers in Singapore. Use the filters to narrow by profession, city and seniority level.
Planning a move? See the Singapore destination guide.
Other visas you may qualify for
Singapore's work pass for foreign professionals. Every application must clear two stages — an age-progressive salary from SGD $5,600/month, plus the COMPASS points test (40 minimum).
Singapore's self-sponsored pass for established tech leaders — founders, executives and technical experts. Qualify through one of three routes (SGD $22,500/month salary, company leadership, or product track record) and start companies, invest and be employed at once. Being replaced by ONE Pass (AI and Tech) in 2027.