The ONE Pass (Overseas Networks & Expertise) is the summit of Singapore’s visa line, launched in 2023 to chase world-class talent. Its key difference from a regular Employment Pass: the status attaches to the person, not the employer — you can work for several employers, run your own ventures and switch projects without re-papering.
Entry Criteria
The base path is salary: a fixed income of S$30,000+ per month over the last 12 months, or an offer at that level from a Singapore employer. Applicants coming from overseas employers face an extra employer test: market capitalisation of US$500m+ or revenue of US$200m+. The parallel path skips the salary bar entirely: outstanding achievements in science, the arts, sports or academia.
What the Status Gives
The pass is issued for 5 years outright (regular passes run 1–2 years) and renews. The spouse works on a simplified Letter of Consent — rare generosity among Asian hubs. The one obligation is an annual activity report to MOM. The pass does not lead to PR automatically, but in practice it is the strongest base for a PR application built on real activity in Singapore.
ONE Pass Against the Alternatives
It differs from Tech.Pass in audience and administrator: ONE Pass is broader by profession and runs through MOM; Tech.Pass is tech-specific and runs through EDB. Against the UK Global Talent the filter differs: there — a dossier of recognition, here — first of all the price of your contract. If the salary history misses S$30,000, the workable alternatives are a regular Employment Pass (from S$5,600, higher with age) or Tech.Pass for founders.