The Overseas Network and Expertise Pass (ONE Pass Singapore): Attracting Top Talents to Singapore

To enhance Singapore’s attractiveness to top talent, the Ministry of Manpower has announced the launch of a new immigration route for high-skilled persons. The program is called the Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass (ONE Pass Singapore). This article provides an overview of the requirements and procedures you’ll need to know to get started. We can also help guide you through the entire process as part of our services.
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Overseas Network and Expertise (ONE) Pass

Key Facts about the New Singapore Work Visa - ONE Pass

  • The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) announced the launch of a new work visa in Singapore called the Overseas Networks and Expertise Pass (known also as ONE Pass Singapore). It is open for applications from 1 January 2023.
  • The target candidates for the ONE Pass are top talent in business, arts and culture, sports, science and technology, and academia and research.
  • The Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass (ONE Pass visa), unlike the regular Employment Pass, will be a personalized work pass tied to the individual. This means ONE Pass holders will not have to reapply for a new pass if they change jobs.
  • The validity of ONE Pass is 5 years. ONE Pass can also be renewed upon meeting the renewal criteria.
  • ONE Pass holders can register their company in Singapore to run and operate it.
Overseas Network and Expertise (ONE) Pass Singapore
  • The new Singapore work visa will also allow high-income talents and established corporate executives to live in Singapore without needing to get a job here.
  • Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass holders can bring certain family members to Singapore. Moreover, the successful candidate’s spouse will be able to work in Singapore on a Letter of Consent.
  • There are tough eligibility requirements to qualify for the Singapore ONE Pass.
  • There are two different routes to apply for the Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass.

Benefits of the New Singapore ONE Pass

Right to operate a company in Singapore: ONE Pass holders can incorporate a company in Singapore with some conditions.
Employment flexibility: The Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass provides employment flexibility by allowing eligible applicants to work for multiple companies in Singapore at any one time.
Passes for family members: ONE Pass holders are allowed to have certain family members join them in Singapore.
Absence of the COMPASS: Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass holders will not be subject to the Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS), which is a point-based eligibility assessment system for employers to select foreign professionals.
Absence of the job advertisement requirement for employers: Employers who wish to hire ONE Pass holders are not subject to the Fair Consideration Framework job advertising requirement.
Right for the spouse to work: ONE Pass holder's spouses will be able to work on a Letter of Consent.

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one pass work visa in singapore

Do I Qualify for an Overseas Networks and Expertise Pass?

There are two separate routes by which to apply for the Overseas Networks and Expertise Pass:

  1. ONE Pass route based on a salary criterion
  2. ONE Pass route based on outstanding achievements

Each has its own qualification requirements.

Who can apply for the ONE Pass?

Persons of any nationality can apply for the ONE Pass Singapore. Eligible applicants can be either existing work visa/pass holders or overseas candidates if they meet the qualification requirements.

Requirements for ONE Pass Singapore

Candidates for both routes must represent one or more of the following fields:

  • Arts and culture,
  • Sports,
  • Science and technology,
  • Academia and research.
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What is considered to be an “outstanding achievement”?

There is no precise and unambiguous definition of outstanding achievement in Singapore. It will be determined by the MOM on a case-by-case basis. Here are some possible examples:

  1. Candidates in arts and culture who have received prestigious regional or international prizes for excellence in artistic endeavors.
  2. Candidates in sports (athletes, coaches, footballers, and other sports-related professionals) should have a proven track record such as prize places in competitions, either individually or as a part of a team.
  3. Candidates in research and academia, or science and technology, must demonstrate a proven record of impactful outcomes from their research, which may include international recognition of scientific and academic leadership.

ONE Pass Visa Application Process and Required Documents

The MOM announced that either the candidate directly or an authorized agency on behalf of the candidate can apply for the Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass (ONE Pass).

Required Documents for ONE Pass Singapore

The list of the required documents for ONE Pass differs based on the route you choose to apply for.

ONE Pass route based on salary

Each eligible category has their own list of required documents.

ONE Pass route based on outstanding achievements

Applicants with outstanding achievements in arts and culture, sports, or academia and research must submit the following documents:

  • Payslips from the latest month;
  • Documents supporting other income sources other than fixed monthly fixed salary (if applicable);
  • CV with key achievements;
  • ONLY for applicants applying under the academia and research track:
    • CV should list significant publications, patents or technology disclosures in the past 5 years.
    • Provide recommendation or endorsement letter or document by a local host institution for a potential position.

ONE Pass Application Process

To apply for a ONE Pass in Singapore, a candidate or appointed specialized agency on behalf of the candidate must complete the following steps:

ONE Pass and Starting Your Own Company

Unlike Employment Pass holders, ONE Pass holders have the right to set up their own company in Singapore. The incorporation process will be exactly the same as for locals.

Although there is no specific guidance or requirements yet regarding the opening and operating of a Singapore company by ONE Pass holders, MOM stated that a few company-related factors would be taken into consideration when renewing the ONE Pass of company owners. For example, your company must employ at least five locals who are earning a minimum salary of S$5,000 per month (or the sum that is the EP minimum qualifying salary at that time).

rights with singapore one pass

Can You Bring Family under the ONE Pass?

Yes. ONE Pass holders can bring their family to Singapore on Dependant’s Passes or Long-Term Visit Passes. The type of required visa is determined by the family tie to the ONE Pass holder.

Family Member

Type of Visa

Spouse (legally married)

Dependant’s Pass

Unmarried children under 21 years old, including those legally adopted

Common-law spouse

Long-Term Visit Pass

Unmarried handicapped children aged 21 and above

Unmarried step children under 21 years old

Parents

Can ONE Pass Visa Be Renewed?

Yes, the Overseas Networks and Expertise Pass can be renewed. The initial duration of the pass is five years. ONE Pass can be renewed multiple times for another period of five years if the renewal conditions are met.

Renewal Criteria

The ONE Pass visa renewal criteria differ between the two routes. For the route based on the salary criterion, the pass holder must meet either of the following conditions:

For the route based on outstanding achievement, more details on renewals will be released closer to 1 January 2023.

ONE Pass Renewal Process

The Ministry of Manpower will collect the necessary information for renewal assessment on a yearly basis. The ONE pass holders will have to provide:

  • Details on all their professional activities over the past year;
  • The annual salary they have earned from all professional activities during the past year.

If MOM deems that you do not contribute to the economy meaningfully, the ONE Pass may be revoked. This means that you will not be able to reside in Singapore, and this will affect your stability, especially if you have dependents.

The more detailed procedure for ONE Pass renewal will be announced later.

singapore one pass renewal process
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Converting an Employment Pass into ONE Pass

Existing Singapore EP holders can convert to the ONE Pass if they fulfill either of the qualification criteria:

  1. Salary criterion: The candidate earned a fixed monthly salary of at least $30,000 within the past year or will earn a fixed monthly salary of at least $30,000 under their future employer in Singapore.
  2. Outstanding achievement criterion: The candidate must have outstanding achievements in the business, arts and culture, sports, science and technology, or academia and research sectors.

How Does Singapore ONE Pass Differ From the Other Work Passes? (comparison table)

This table outlines key differences between the Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass (ONE Pass) and other Singapore work passes designed for top foreign talent.
Visa Validity
5 years

2 years

5 years for experienced tech experts with skills in shortage from September 1, 2023

3 years
1 year
2 years
Target applicants

1. High income earning executives who have worked in an established company for over one year

2. Individuals with outstanding achievements in the arts and culture, sports, science and technology, or academia and research

Foreign professionals, managers and executives with a job offer in Singapore
High-earning Employment Pass holders or overseas foreign professionals
Foreign entrepreneurs who have started a private limited company in Singapore that is venture- backed or possesses innovative technologies
Tech Experts
Salary Criterion
Fixed monthly salary of at least S$30,000 within the past one year or will earn a fixed monthly salary of at least S$30,000 under their future employer based in Singapore
Minimum fixed monthly salary of at least S$5,000 and increases with age
Minimum fixed monthly salary of at least S$22,500 for all candidates
Applicants must meet the business track records
Fixed monthly salary of at least S$20,000
Renewal
Yes, for 5 years
Yes, for 3 years
No
Yes, for 2 years
Yes, for 2 years
Scope of Rights
Can concurrently start, operate and work for multiple companies in Singapore at any one time
Can work for one employer; need to reapply when changing the employer
Can work for more than one company, change employers without reapplying for pass, stay in Singapore up to six months while searching for employment
Can only run one company that is venture-backed or possesses innovative tech
Can work for multiple tech companies and operate multiple tech companies
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Next Steps

With the introduction of the ONE Pass, MOM implements a flexible work pass that can support the range of professional activities that top talents may engage in, without restricting them to a single employer or venture. By tying the work pass to the individual talent, these individuals are free to engage in multiple ventures and share their expertise across multiple companies. If you consider yourself to be a good candidate for the ONE Pass, contact us and we will be happy to assist you. Our well-experienced team can be your guide and advisor in your quest for the new Singapore work visa — ONE Pass. We will help you to prepare necessary documents and assessments, as well as help you prepare applications and appeal, if necessary.

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