Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass (ONE Pass Singapore)
From expanding networks to accessing industry expertise, ONE Pass opens doors for professionals and entrepreneurs to thrive in Singapore’s dynamic business ecosystem. With this comprehensive guide, you can uncover the ONE Pass benefits, eligibility requirements, application process, and much more!
What Is ONE Pass?
As a new facet of attraction to Singapore’s exponentially growing financial and technological hub, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has made a recent addition to the wide spectrum of Singapore work passes for business owners, skilled people, and their families: the Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass (ONE Pass). The ONE Pass is a Singapore work visa made available starting on January 1st of 2023, and it is designed to benefit top talent across various sectors in Singapore, including business, science, sports, arts and culture, research and academia, and technology.
The Benefits of ONE Pass
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Right to concurrently be employed at multiple companies in Singapore.
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Ability to incorporate and run a company in Singapore.
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No re-applying for the pass when changing jobs.
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Longer pass validity span (5 years).
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Eligibility for family members passes.
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Spouses can work in Singapore with a Letter of Consent.
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Continuously renewable pass for 5-year periods.
Qualifying for ONE Pass
Generally, candidates for ONE Pass can come from any nationality or be existing work pass holders in Singapore. There are, however, two distinct routes of eligibility for a person to apply for ONE Pass: salary criterion and outstanding achievements.
ONE Pass Salary Criterion Route
As the name implies, this route takes into consideration the salary of the candidate. The candidate must meet two requirements:
- Option 1: Earn a minimum monthly salary of S$30,000 or the equivalent in another currency. Option 2: Will earn a minimum monthly salary of S$30,000 under their upcoming employer in Singapore.
- Overseas applicants: Demonstrate that you have been working in an established overseas company or will work for one in Singapore. Existing pass holders: Demonstrate that you have worked in Singapore for at least 1 year or that you will work for an established company in Singapore.
Important Note
Established companies have a yearly revenue of at least US$200 million and a market capitalization/ valuation of at least US$500 million.
ONE Pass Outstanding Achievements Route
The other application route is to demonstrate outstanding achievements in one of the work sectors that the ONE Pass covers, which – to reiterate – primarily consists of business, science, sports, arts and culture, research and academia, and technology. Applicants that meet the requirements of this route do not have to satisfy the salary criterion requirements.
But what exactly is an “Outstanding Achievement”? Well, since MOM analyzes each candidate’s unique case, it is a subjective matter with no definitive answer for each individual. We have, however, compiled a list of accomplishments that have led various applicants to become ONE pass holders by fulfilling the requirements of this route.
- Arts and culture candidates who have earned distinguished awards by participating in local, national, or international art competitions.
- Science or technology candidates who have developed groundbreaking innovations to benefit a local or global community.
- Research and academia candidates who have conducted team-based or individual research studies that have led to discoveries contributing to a specific field.
- Sports candidates who have demonstrated a course of success in prestigious competitions or have won local, national, or international prizes.
- Business candidates who have founded or led one or multiple companies that have gathered widely recognized success.
Important Note
These are specific examples that are not meant to define an “outstanding achievement” for each category. They are sample accomplishments that have led previous applicants to become ONE pass holders through the “outstanding achievements” route.
Required Documents for ONE Pass
The documents required for the application process highly depend on which of the two application routes you are taking and (for salary criterion applicants) on which requirements you meet.
Salary Criterion Required Documents
If you earn a minimum monthly salary of S$30,000 in Singapore in the past year, you need to provide the following documents:
- Travel document biodata page.
- Monthly payslips for 12 continuous months.
- Latest tax statements provided by the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS).
- Any documents that demonstrate additional income aside from monthly salary.
If you earn a minimum monthly salary equivalent to S$30,000 in a foreign country in the past year, you need to provide the following documents:
- Travel document biodata page.
- Monthly payslips for 12 continuous months.
- Employment verification proof.
- Any documents that demonstrate additional income aside from monthly salary
- Any documents that demonstrate the latest company valuation, market capitalization, or annual revenue of the company you are employed at. It must come from one of the following sources in a maximum prior period of 3 months: (Yahoo Finance, itjuzi.com, Google Finance, Crunchbase, Bloomberg, Pitchbook, Venturecap, chinaventure.com.cn, preqin, QCC.com).
If you will earn a minimum monthly salary of S$30,000 under your upcoming employer in Singapore, you need to provide the following documents:
- Employment contract or letter from a prospective employer.
- Any documents that demonstrate the latest company valuation, market capitalization, or annual revenue of the company you are employed at. It must come from one of the following sources in a maximum prior period of 3 months: (Yahoo Finance, itjuzi.com, Google Finance, Crunchbase, Bloomberg, Pitchbook, Venturecap, chinaventure.com.cn, preqin, QCC.com).
Outstanding Achievement Required Documents
- Payslip from the prior month.
- Any documents that demonstrate additional income aside from monthly salary.
- A detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV) highlighting your professional experience, qualifications, and achievements.
- If you are an academia and research applicant: Letter(s) of endorsement from a local research organization (A*STAR or Autonomous Universities).
The ONE Pass Application Process
Submit a ONE Pass Application
- Start an application at MOM’s official ONE Pass application site.
- There is an application fee of S$105.
- Most applications are processed within 4 weeks, but it is possible for applications through the “outstanding achievement” route to take slightly longer since MOM may require additional documents.
- Once the ONE pass application is processed, you will receive an email with the outcome at the email account specified on your application. If you are approved for the pass, you will receive an In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter, which gives you 6 months to enter Singapore and get your ONE pass issued.
Enter Singapore
- To enter Singapore, you must fulfill all the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) travel requirements, including public health and general entry requirements.
Get Your ONE Pass Issued
- Once you enter Singapore, you must schedule an appointment to get your ONE pass issued at the MOM’s Employment Pass Services Centre (EPSC). Important Note: you must make this appointment within 6-months of receiving your IPA letter.
- Pay the required S$225 fee to get the pass issued and an additional S$30 fee (if needed) for a Multiple Journey Visa, which provides unlimited use of the work visa as long as it is valid.
- Submit additional required documents.
- Once all documents are submitted, you will receive a notification letter allowing you to travel to and work in Singapore for one month while you wait to receive your ONE pass card.
Register Fingerprints and Photo
- The notification letter will specify whether you must register your fingerprint and photo. If you are requested to, you will need to schedule another appointment at EPSC. Important Note: you must register your fingerprint and photo within 2 weeks of the ONE pass being issued.
Receive Your ONE Pass Card
- Once you register your fingerprints and photo (if applicable) and additional requested documents are processed, you will receive your ONE Pass Card within 5 business days.
Renewing Your ONE Pass
Your ONE pass can be renewed every 5 years regardless of which route you applied through. However, the requirements and application process for renewal depend on whether you applied through the salary criterion or the “outstanding achievements” route.
ONE Pass Renewal Requirements and Process
To be eligible for ONE pass renewal, you must satisfy one of these two requirements:
- Earn an average monthly salary of at least S$30,000 in the prior 5-year period in Singapore.
- Having started and been running a company in Singapore that employs a minimum of 5 locals who each earn at least S$5000 per month.
Additionally, MOM requires you to provide the following information every year you are a ONE pass holder to make sure that you are following regulations and making a positive impact on the economy:
- Specifics on all the professional activities you were involved in during the past year
- The cumulative annual salary you have earned from all your professional activities.
Important Note
If MOM identifies through these requirements that you have not been following guidelines or making a significant contribution to Singapore’s economy, your ONE pass may be revoked.
Bringing Family Members to Singapore With ONE Pass
As a ONE pass holder, you can bring family members to Singapore by applying for Dependant’s pass or Long-Term Visit Pass on their behalf. The pass for which your designated family member(s) qualify depends on their relationship status with you.
- Unmarried children under 21 and a legally married spouse are eligible for Dependant’s pass.
- Unmarried step-children under 21, unmarried handicapped children on or above 21, a common-law spouse, and parents are eligible for Long-Term Visit Pass.
These passes are valid for the same period of time as the ONE pass of the holder. Thus, they can also be renewed every 5 years.
Starting a Company With ONE Pass
In contrast to existing Employment Pass (EP) holders, who have to receive consent from MOM in order to start a new company, ONE pass holders can establish their own Singapore company without any additional approvals. Check out our guide on how to incorporate your company in Singapore to get started today.
Get Expert Help Today
Although the requirements and process of becoming a ONE pass holder may seem complex, the pass can be a gateway to many benefits for your professional career and personal life. Our Intracorp team is here to provide expert advice and guidance for you to achieve success in your professional endeavors. If you want to become a ONE pass holder or have any questions, contact us today for a free consultation.
