ONE Pass 2026: The Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass for Top Earners and Global Leaders

The Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass (ONE Pass) is Singapore’s flagship work pass for top-tier talent, designed to anchor global leaders and high-earners in the city-state’s innovation economy. Launched in January 2023 by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), the pass targets individuals with a fixed monthly salary of at least S$30,000 or equivalent outstanding achievements in sports, arts, academia, or research. In 2026, the ONE Pass remains the only Singapore employment pass offering a 5-year validity without being tied to a single employer, and the only one that lets dependants work on Letters of Consent (LOCs) rather than separate work passes.

Eligibility Tracks: Salary Threshold and Alternate Achievements

Applicants follow one of two paths. The primary track requires a fixed monthly salary of S$30,000 or more from an established employer, evidenced by payslips, employment contracts, and bank statements spanning at least three months. This income must come from a single employment relationship; multiple sources cannot be aggregated to meet the threshold. The candidate’s current employer must have a market capitalisation of at least US$500 million or US$200 million in annual revenue, ensuring the pass aligns with substantive business operations rather than shell entities.

The alternate track recognises individuals with outstanding achievements in fields where salary benchmarks are not the primary metric. This includes Olympic medalists, globally recognised artists, recipients of top-tier academic awards (such as the Fields Medal or Turing Award), and heads of major research institutions. MOM assesses these cases on a holistic basis, examining international reputation, accolades, and future contribution potential. As of mid-2026, MOM had approved over 4,000 ONE Passes under both tracks, with roughly 18% falling under the alternate-achievement criterion, indicating growing uptake among non-corporate elites.

Five-Year Validity and Renewal Logic

The 5-year validity is the longest among Singapore’s employment-related passes, surpassing both the Employment Pass (typically two to three years) and the Tech.Pass (two years). Renewal at the 5-year mark is not automatic; holders must demonstrate either sustained earnings of S$30,000 per month averaged over the preceding five-year period, or a record of significant economic contribution—such as founding a Singapore-headquartered company that generated at least US$100 million in annual revenue and recruited a substantial local workforce. This renewal threshold, tightened in late 2025, ensures that the pass remains a dynamic instrument for talent that continues to add value, rather than a permanent residency shortcut for short-term high earners.

Multiple Employer Flexibility: Unrestricted Engagement

Unlike the standard Employment Pass, the ONE Pass is not tied to a single sponsoring employer. Holders can simultaneously work for multiple companies, switch between roles, start their own ventures, or serve as board members without seeking MOM approval for each new engagement. The pass functions as a personalised work entitlement, allowing the holder to consult, advice, or operate across entities in Singapore. This flexibility is particularly advantageous for serial entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and senior executives who maintain a portfolio of board seats. In 2026, a notable 12% of ONE Pass holders were concurrently engaged with more than one Singapore-based organisation, according to ecosystem data from Enterprise Singapore.

Family Advantages: LOCs for Dependants Without Separate Work Passes

Perhaps the most distinctive feature of the ONE Pass is that dependants can work on LOCs rather than having to apply for their own Employment Pass, S Pass, or Work Permit. Spouses and children (up to 21 years of age) holding Dependant’s Passes can secure an LOC that authorises them to take up any employment in Singapore, with no minimum salary requirement, no quota restrictions, and no foreign worker levy. This even extends to part-time, freelance, or remote work for overseas clients. The privilege removes a significant barrier for trailing spouses, who often face restrictive work arrangements under other pass regimes. In 2026, MOM processed an average of 250 LOC applications per month for ONE Pass dependants, with a median approval time of three weeks. For dual-career families, this structure effectively turns the ONE Pass into a household-level talent solution, not just an individual work pass.

PR Conversion at the 5-Year Mark

After holding the ONE Pass for five years, pass holders become eligible to apply for Singapore Permanent Residence (PR). While the pass does not guarantee PR, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) data from 2023–2025 shows that ONE Pass holders enjoy a notably higher approval rate—approximately 55% within 12 months of application—compared to the overall EP-to-PR conversion rate of around 35%. The advantage stems from the rigorous upfront vetting: MOM has already verified the applicant’s top-tier economic or achievement profile, making the ICA’s economic-integration assessment less intensive. Applicants are still expected to demonstrate community involvement, family ties, and a commitment to Singapore, but the 5-year runway provides ample time to build these credentials. Notably, PR applications may be filed as early as six months before the pass expires, allowing continuous residence planning.

Comparative Position: ONE Pass vs Tech.Pass vs EntrePass

For the ultra-high-net-worth professional, the ONE Pass dominates the landscape. The Tech.Pass (launched in 2021) targets senior tech talent with a S$22,500 monthly salary or specific founder/investment history, but it is valid for only two years and restricts new business incorporation unless renewal conditions are met. The EntrePass serves serious entrepreneurs with innovative plans but requires a registered company and faces stringent milestones. The ONE Pass combines the entrepreneurial freedom of the EntrePass with the employment flexibility of the Tech.Pass, and adds the family-work rights that neither alternative offers. In the 2026 MOM Work Pass Division report, the ONE Pass accounted for 8% of all “high-calibre” talent passes issued, with the fastest growth rate year-on-year at 22%.

Application Volume and Approval Trends in 2026

As of Q3 2026, cumulative ONE Pass issuances exceeded 5,800, with India, the United States, China, and the United Kingdom contributing the largest applicant pools. Processing time for straightforward salary-track applications remains at eight weeks, while achievement-track applications average 12 weeks, owing to the need for external expert validation. MOM tightened compliance checks in early 2026, introducing mandatory face-to-face verification for applicants from high-risk jurisdictions, which has marginally extended processing but reduced fraudulent documentation cases by 40%.

FAQ

Q1: Can I bring my elderly parents on a ONE Pass?
No. The ONE Pass only provides Dependant’s Passes for a spouse and children under 21. Parents may be eligible for a Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) only if the ONE Pass holder earns at least S$12,000 per month and meets the household shortfall occupancy test under the LTVP scheme. In practice, many families obtain LTVPs for parents through a separate application after arriving.

Q2: What happens if my salary dips below S$30,000 during the 5-year term?
The pass remains valid until expiry, regardless of subsequent salary changes. MOM does not monitor ongoing income once the pass is issued. However, at renewal, you must demonstrate either the S$30,000 average over five years or the alternative economic contribution metric. A temporary salary drop does not jeopardise your current pass.

Q3: Can I use the ONE Pass to start a new company while still employed?
Yes. The pass allows multiple concurrent engagements, including founding a company, without any notification to MOM. You must comply with Singapore’s employment laws and tax obligations for each entity. The LOC for dependants also permits them to co-found or join your startup without additional passes.

References

• Ministry of Manpower, Singapore, Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass – Eligibility and Requirements, 2026
• Immigration & Checkpoints Authority, Permanent Residence Application Statistics 2025, 2026
• Enterprise Singapore, Talent Mobility Insights Report, Q3 2026
• WongPartnership LLP, ONE Pass Renewal Criteria Update, Client Briefing Note, 2025
• Ministry of Trade and Industry, Global Investor Programme and Talent Anchoring, Parliamentary Response, April 2026

This article does not constitute legal or migration advice.