Singapore ONE Pass (Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass)

Application Process — Step by Step

1. 01

   Confirm eligibility — SGD 30,000/month salary OR distinguished achievement

   home country

   The Overseas Networks & Expertise (ONE) Pass launched in January 2023. Two eligibility tracks: (1) Salary track: fixed monthly salary of SGD 30,000 (approx. USD 22,000) or more; OR at least SGD 30,000/month in the last year if changing jobs; (2) Achievement track: outstanding achievements in arts, culture, sports, science, technology, business, or academia — assessed case-by-case by MOM. Salary track is employer-independent: you can work for multiple employers or start your own business without changing your pass.

   Typical duration: 1-2 weekssource ↗

2. 02

   Apply online at mom.gov.sg — individual or employer can apply

   online

   Unlike the standard EP, individuals can self-apply for ONE Pass (no employer sponsor required for the application itself). Apply via MOM's online portal. For salary track, provide last payslips, tax documents or employment contract showing SGD 30,000+/month. For achievement track, provide portfolio of achievements, awards, publications, or recognition. Processing: 4-8 weeks.

   Typical duration: 4-8 weekssource ↗

3. 03

   Receive In-Principle Approval (IPA) and collect ONE Pass

   destination

   IPA valid 6 months to collect pass. Enter Singapore and collect ONE Pass at MOM Services Centre. Pass valid 5 years, renewable for another 5 years.

   Typical duration: 1-2 weekssource ↗

4. 04

   Commence employment — flexibility to work for multiple employers

   destination

   ONE Pass holders can work for multiple Singapore employers simultaneously, transition between employers without new pass applications, and set up and operate their own Singapore businesses. This is a fundamental difference from the standard EP.

   Typical duration: Ongoingsource ↗

Documents Required

Realistic Costs

~ Some figures below are industry estimates rather than officially verified: lawyer_fee_low, lawyer_fee_high, health_insurance_first_year, relocation_misc, total_first_year_low, total_first_year_high, total_5_year_low, total_5_year_high.

Application fee SGD 105; issuance SGD 225. At SGD 30,000/month salary tier, cost of living is less of a concern. Most applicants at this level use an immigration lawyer (SGD 2,000-5,000). Singapore income tax on SGD 360,000 annual income ≈ SGD 60,000/year (marginal rate, after personal reliefs). Significant benefit: no need for employer-specific pass fees on every job change.

Realistic Timeline

• Consulate wait0–0 weeks
• Decision → arrival2 weeks
• Residence card issuance1 weeks
• Total to residence card6–12 weeks

MOM targets 4-8 weeks. Achievement track may take longer due to case-by-case assessment. Since ONE Pass launched January 2023, the process is well-established.

Renewal

First renewal after

60 months

Subsequent cycle

60 months

Renewal fee

$225USDEURGBPCADAUDINRAEDTHBSGDBRLMXNZAR

Requirements

ONE Pass is valid 5 years, renewable for another 5 years. Renewal requires demonstrating continued economic contribution — either continued SGD 30,000+/month salary, continued distinguished achievement, or Singapore business operations. No explicit milestone requirements unlike EntrePass, but economic substance is assessed.

Path to Permanent Residency — Details

Years required

2

Max days absent / year

60

Integration test

Not required

Application fee

$100USDEURGBPCADAUDINRAEDTHBSGDBRLMXNZAR

Path to Citizenship — Details

Years required

2

Language test

No

Civic test

Not required

Oath

Required

Dual citizenship

Not allowed

Application fee

$100USDEURGBPCADAUDINRAEDTHBSGDBRLMXNZAR

Tax Residency

Trigger

183 days/year of presence

Taxation scope

Territorial (in-country only)

Exit-tax country

No

Health Insurance

Mandatory

No

Public system access

After 0 months

Examples: AIA Singapore, Prudential Singapore, AXA Singapore, Great Eastern, HSBC Life Singapore

Family Specifics

Spouse work rights

Spouse of ONE Pass holder automatically receives a Dependant's Pass that includes the right to work in Singapore without needing a separate work pass. This is a significant privilege compared to lower-tier EP dependants.

Child school enrolment

Children on Dependant's Pass. Both local and international schools available. At this income level, most ONE Pass families use international schools (SGD 20,000-50,000/yr). Singapore local schools are world-class for children who will integrate into the local system.

Parent inclusion

Not eligible

Sibling inclusion

Not eligible

Gotchas — Things to Watch For

• ⚠SGD 30,000/month is the firm fixed-salary threshold — bonuses, RSUs, variable pay, and equity do not count toward this figure
• ⚠ONE Pass is employer-flexible but NOT employer-independent entirely — you still need to be working for a Singapore entity or operating a Singapore business to justify your presence
• ⚠Singapore does NOT allow dual citizenship — renunciation required if naturalising
• ⚠At SGD 360,000/year, Singapore income tax is approximately SGD 60,000-70,000/year — still lower than most Western countries but substantial
• ⚠COMPASS framework does NOT apply to ONE Pass — unlike the standard EP, no points system is used; it is salary or achievement only
• ⚠Spouse of ONE Pass holder can work in Singapore without a separate work pass — a major practical benefit not available on standard EP at lower salary tiers
• ⚠Achievement track is opaque — MOM does not publish specific criteria; rejections with no explanation are possible

Common Rejection Reasons

• •Salary does not meet the SGD 30,000/month fixed salary threshold — variable pay, bonuses, and equity do not count
• •Achievement track: achievements not sufficiently distinguished or internationally recognised at world-class level
• •Prior Singapore immigration violations
• •Applicant is from a country under enhanced scrutiny (rare, but security vetting applies)
• •Financial records not in English or insufficiently documented

Recent Legislative Changes

• 2023-01-01

  Singapore ONE Pass (Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass) officially launched in January 2023. Replaces the older "Personalised Employment Pass" (PEP) for the top talent tier. 5-year validity, renewable, allows multiple employers and business ownership simultaneously, SGD 30,000/month salary threshold.source ↗

• 2023-01-01

  ONE Pass spouse work rights: the dependent spouse of a ONE Pass holder is automatically authorised to work in Singapore without requiring a separate work pass application — an explicit new entitlement not available under the prior Personalised Employment Pass.source ↗

Frequently Asked Questions