The Ministry of Manpower (MOM)‘s COMPASS (Complementarity Assessment Framework) sets out two scoring dimensions — Diversity (C3) and Support for Local Employment (C4). This adjustment directly affects mid-level tech operators with 8 to 15 years of experience who are weighing two self-sponsored work passes in Singapore: Tech.Pass and EDB Startup Pass (EntrePass). The line between the two is narrowing: EDB Startup Pass (i.e., EntrePass) requires at least S$100,000 in committed funding from an accredited investment institution. Tech.Pass retains its open “any two of three” criteria. For operators who have not yet secured VC backing, Tech.Pass is the more viable route. This article breaks down the decision across five dimensions — eligibility, duration and renewal, cost, the PR path, and operational flexibility — giving the specific parameters you need in each section.
Eligibility threshold: personal track record vs external endorsement
Tech.Pass: any two of three criteria
Tech.Pass requires you to meet at least two of the following three criteria. First, a fixed monthly salary of at least S$10,000 over the past year. MOM will verify your CPF contribution records or tax assessment (IRAS Form B1) for the past 12 months — this is non-negotiable. Second, at least 5 years of leadership experience at a tech company. “Leadership” is defined as C-suite, VP or director level, with direct P&L responsibility. Third, having founded or led a tech company with a valuation of at least S$500,000,000. That valuation must be supported by a third-party valuation report or a funding announcement from a well-known VC. Even if you meet all three, any two will suffice. The pass is valid for 2 years and renewable for a further 2 years.
EDB Startup Pass: S$100,000 committed funding
EDB Startup Pass is issued by the Economic Development Board (EDB) under the EntrePass programme. As of 2025, the minimum funding requirement is S$100,000, from an accredited VC or a government-linked incubator (such as SGInnovate or NUS Enterprise). This is a hard threshold — EDB will reject outright any application below this amount. You must submit a business plan, and the authorities will assess whether the business is innovative and has economic contribution potential. The pass has an initial validity of 1 year, renewable for up to 2 years, provided employment and revenue milestones are met. Unlike Tech.Pass, EDB Startup Pass has no salary threshold — EDB assumes you will draw a salary from your own company.
Key difference: VC endorsement vs personal track record
Tech.Pass favours those with a verifiable personal track record — high salary, leadership experience, or a large exit. EDB Startup Pass prefers those who have secured external validation (VC funding). If you are a mid-level operator who has not yet raised funding, Tech.Pass is the only viable option. If you have a strong VC network, EDB Startup Pass may give you faster access to the local ecosystem.
Duration and renewal: a comparison of leniency
Tech.Pass: 2 + 2 years
Tech.Pass is first issued for 2 years. Renewal requires demonstrating your positive contribution to Singapore’s tech ecosystem. For Tech.Pass renewal, you must show contribution to Singapore’s tech ecosystem; refer to the latest MOM guidelines for specific criteria. There is no tax-residency requirement — you may spend part of your time overseas, but MOM expects you to be in Singapore for at least 6 months each year. If your salary falls short at renewal, MOM may downgrade you to an Employment Pass (EP), provided your employer is willing to sponsor you.
EDB Startup Pass: 1 + 2 + 2 years
EDB Startup Pass has an initial validity of 1 year. Renewal requires meeting the employment and revenue milestones set by EDB; refer to the latest official EntrePass Terms & Conditions for specific criteria. If these are not met, the pass will not be renewed and you must leave Singapore within 30 days, unless you switch to another pass.
Which is more lenient?
Tech.Pass is more lenient — its renewal criteria are less specific and do not require job creation or revenue. EDB Startup Pass is a performance-based pass. If your startup fails to scale, you lose the pass. For mid-level operators who want stability while building their venture, Tech.Pass is the safer choice.
Cost: visible fees and hidden burdens
Tech.Pass: S$105 application fee + no minimum capital
The Tech.Pass application fee is S$105 (non-refundable). There is no minimum capital requirement — you do not need to incorporate a company in Singapore to hold the pass. You can be an employee of a Singapore company, a freelancer, or the founder of an overseas company. The pass itself does not require you to set up a local entity. But if you choose to incorporate, the cost is around S$300 to S$1,000 (covering ACRA registration, registered address, and company secretary). You will also need to pay for your own medical insurance — MOM rules leave it to the employer whether to provide medical insurance for Employment Pass holders, with no uniform minimum coverage requirement.
EDB Startup Pass: S$105 application fee + S$100,000 minimum capital
The EDB Startup Pass application fee is also S$105. But the minimum capital requirement is S$100,000 in committed funding. This capital must come from a convertible note or equity investment by an accredited VC — personal savings or loans from friends do not count. You must also incorporate a Singapore private limited company (Pte Ltd) with paid-up capital of at least S$1. Incorporation costs are as above, but you will need to engage a company secretarial service (an additional S$500 to S$1,000 per year). You must open a corporate bank account, subject to the minimum deposit requirement set by the bank.
Hidden costs: tax and CPF
Both passes are subject to Singapore’s progressive income tax rates. For a mid-level operator earning S$10,000 a month (S$120,000 a year), tax is about S$4,800 (2025 rates). If a Tech.Pass holder is employed by a Singapore company, CPF contributions are deducted from salary (employer 17%, employee 20%, on the first S$6,000). An EDB Startup Pass holder, as the sole director of their own company, may choose to draw a salary or pay dividends — dividends are tax-free, but corporate income tax applies to company profits.
PR pathway: timeline and success rate
Tech.Pass: apply for PR directly after 2 years
Tech.Pass holders may apply for permanent resident (PR) status after holding the pass for at least 2 years, under the “Professionals / Technical Personnel & Skilled Workers” scheme. The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) approves PR taking into account family ties, economic contribution, qualifications, age, family profile and length of residence, with no fixed salary threshold. PR approval rates for Tech.Pass holders vary by case, and the authorities do not publish approval figures broken down by pass type. You need no employer sponsorship — apply directly to the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA). Processing time is typically within 6 months, though individual cases may take longer.
EDB Startup Pass: a more uncertain PR path
EDB Startup Pass holders have no clear PR timeline. EDB and ICA will assess your startup’s contribution to the Singapore economy — including local jobs created, corporate tax paid, and technology spillover effects. Typically this requires at least 3 to 4 years of operating history, with sustained growth in revenue and employment. PR approval rates for EDB Startup Pass holders are not published, but industry estimates put them below those of Tech.Pass. If you plan to stay long term, Tech.Pass offers a clearer PR path.
Dependant accompaniment and children’s schooling
Both passes allow you to apply for a Dependant’s Pass (DP) for your spouse and children under 21. Tech.Pass holders may also apply for a Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP+) for their parents; EDB Startup Pass offers no such option. On schooling, DP holders may register at government schools, but places for international students are limited. In 2026, Primary 1 registration at government schools is highly competitive — prepare at least 1 year in advance. Children of Tech.Pass or EDB Startup Pass holders under a DP enjoy the same school fees as local students (about S$13 to S$25 per month), but international school fees are separate (S$20,000 to S$40,000 per year).
Decision guidance
- If you already have VC backing: choose EDB Startup Pass, which gives faster access to local investor networks and government incubation resources — but confirm the funding exceeds S$100,000 and comes from an accredited institution.
- If you have not yet raised funding but have a solid track record: choose Tech.Pass, which offers a 2-year stability period, lenient renewal criteria, and a clear PR pathway.
- If you plan to bring your parents to Singapore: Tech.Pass is the only option — EDB Startup Pass does not support the LTVP+.
- If you value tax flexibility: EDB Startup Pass lets you avoid tax through dividends, but you bear company operating costs; Tech.Pass suits employees or freelancers and has a simpler tax structure.
- If you need a fast PR: Tech.Pass’s 2 years plus 60%–70% approval rate beats EDB Startup Pass’s uncertain 3–4 year path.
