The Singapore ONE Pass: A High-Earner’s Fast-Track to Long-Term Residency

Written by Adrian Koh, Senior Partner – Global Mobility, Apex HR Solutions (Singapore)

Singapore is no stranger to superlatives—world-class airport, most liveable expat city in Asia, and yes, some of the stiffest immigration filters anywhere.
Yet the Government surprised even seasoned mobility professionals in 2023 by launching the Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass (ONE Pass), a five-year, renewable visa aimed squarely at high-earning or highly-accomplished individuals.

I have guided more than 200 executives through Employment Pass (EP) and Personalised Employment Pass (PEP) applications over the past decade. The ONE Pass is, without question, the most flexible option Singapore has ever offered—but only if you sit in the 1 % salary bracket or carry a CV that makes international head-hunters swoon.

Below I break down the hard numbers, the paperwork, and the subtle pitfalls that can torpedo an otherwise stellar application. Read through to the end for my field notes on choosing between the ONE Pass, EP and PEP, plus a quick way to test your eligibility in minutes.

1. Salary & Achievements Criteria

“Think of the ONE Pass as an executive lounge: the fees are steep, but once you’re in, the doors stay open longer.”

1.1 The SGD 30,000 Baseline

To qualify under the salary route, you must prove a fixed monthly income of at least SGD 30,000 (≈ USD 22,000). The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) accepts two scenarios:

1. Overseas applicants – Show 12 consecutive months of payslips OR tax documents for the past year reflecting at least SGD 30k per month and a signed job offer in Singapore paying the same or higher.
2. Current Singapore-based EP/PEP holders – Demonstrate 12 months of local salary at or above the threshold.

Unlike the EP, bonuses, stock options and allowances don’t count. MOM wants evidence of fixed remuneration; I’ve seen cases rejected because RSUs were folded into “monthly” figures.

1.2 The “Outstanding Achiever” Route

Not raking in 30 grand every month? You still have a shot if you’re a recognised name in:

• Business or entrepreneurship
• Academia and research
• Arts and culture
• Sports

The yardstick is international reputation. Olympic medalists, Forbes 30-under-30 founders, principal investigators holding multi-million-dollar grants—those are the type of profiles that clear the bar. Evidence can include:

• International awards (e.g., Cannes Lion, Fields Medal)
• High-impact publications (for academics, an h-index above 40 turns heads)
• Media coverage in tier-1 outlets
• Patents that generated significant licensing revenue

A pianist who headlines tours across Asia might qualify—especially if they’ve optimised taxes using tips from our guide for touring musicians. Yes, culture really is a legitimate immigration path now.

1.3 Probability Check

My rule of thumb:

• Income ≥ SGD 50k → 95 % approval rate
• Income 30k–40k → 80 % (provide extra proof of future projects)
• Achiever route → 50 % (committee review; documentation quality is everything)

2. Application Documents & Timeline

I often say the ONE Pass packet is part résumé, part bank statement, part coffee-table book. Below is the master checklist we use in-house.

2.1 Core Documents

1. Form 8 (ONE Pass Application) – MOM’s online form via EP e-Service.
2. Passport biodata page – Valid for ≥ 6 months.
3. Education certificates – Degree not compulsory but helps; notarised copies.
4. Proof of salary – Any combination of:
5. Payslips for the last 12 months
6. Personal income tax assessments

7. Employer’s CPF contribution history (for SG-based applicants)

8. Employment contract / offer letter – Must state fixed salary, role, start date.

9. CV (max 3 pages) – Highlight international scope and leadership.
10. Achievements dossier (if using that route) – Include:
11. Award letters
12. Patent grants
13. Press clippings (screenshots + URLs)
14. Letters of endorsement from recognised bodies

2.2 Optional but Recommended

• LinkedIn profile PDF – Recruiters often cross-check.
• Corporate registry extracts for founders (e.g., Delaware, BVI, ACRA records).
• Business plan if you’ll run multiple ventures (the ONE Pass permits it).

2.3 Submission Best Practices

• Merge everything into one < 10 MB PDF.
• Use clear file names: 01_Passport.pdf, 02_Payslips.pdf, etc.
• Highlight currency conversions on salary slips if not in SGD (I attach XE.com screen grabs).
• Write a one-page cover memo summarising eligibility—MOM officers are human; make their job easy.

2.4 Processing Times

Officially 4–8 weeks. Real-world data from my 2024 clients:

• Salary route: 14–28 calendar days
• Achiever route: 30–45 days (committee sits monthly)

You’ll receive an In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter via email. Book your fingerprinting appointment within 6 months of IPA issuance. The physical pass card arrives in 2 weeks. Easy.

3. Family Privileges: What the Brochure Doesn’t Tell You

One of the biggest selling points—often glossed over in press releases—is that the ONE Pass carries EP-plus-plus family benefits.

3.1 Who Can Tag Along?

• Spouse & children under 21 – Eligible for Dependants’ Pass (DP).
• Common-law partner, step-children & disabled children > 21 – Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP).
• Parents of main pass holder – LTVP (this is not available under standard EP).

3.2 No Quotas, No LOC Cap

Dependants can work freely under a Letter of Consent. There is no minimum salary requirement for the spouse to secure LOC—a relief for partners who want to freelance or consult part-time.

3.3 Education Seat Guarantee

D-Pass kids aged 6–15 get priority placement in public schools. That matters; competition is cut-throat. I had a German client whose two sons were offered spots in their top-choice primary within 3 weeks—unheard of for most EP families.

3.4 Pathway to PR

Time spent on ONE Pass counts towards Permanent Residence eligibility, but there is no accelerated PR scheme. The common route is to apply after two tax cycles. A clean track record (no enforcement infractions, consistent CPF contributions for employees you hire) is key.

4. ONE Pass vs. EP vs. PEP: Which One Fits?

Pull-quote: “If the EP is a studio apartment, the ONE Pass is a penthouse—with matching rent.”

Below is the side-by-side my corporate clients love.

4.1 When EP Still Makes Sense

• You earn < SGD 22.5k and have a single employer willing to sponsor.
• You need to land in SG quickly (EP approvals often in 7 days if employer is board-approved).

4.2 The PEP’s Niche is Shrinking

PEP once served as the mid-career free-agent pass. With its stagnant salary floor and 3-year, non-renewable nature, I now recommend it mainly for transitional cases—e.g., founders exiting a startup who need breathing room before their next gig.

4.3 The ONE Pass Sweet Spot

• C-suite and partners in finance/tech.
• Ultra-specialised professionals running portfolio careers (VC advisor + adjunct professor + non-profit board).
• Creatives and athletes commanding global fees—think K-pop producers shuttling between Seoul and Singapore while monitoring capital gains from crypto (read our Mexico vs. Portugal crypto face-off for tax planning cues).

5. Practical Tips from the Field

5.1 Currency Conversion Pitfalls

A US-based AI researcher earning USD 240k base thought she qualified: 240k/12 ≈ 20k USD. Converted to SGD it fell shy of the 30k mark. We renegotiated her offer to include a housing stipend baked into fixed salary—problem solved.

5.2 Gaps in Employment

If you took a sabbatical or maternity leave during the 12-month salary window, attach an explanatory note and supporting docs (e.g., hospital discharge papers). MOM’s officers appreciate transparency more than perfection.

5.3 Dual Roles & Conflicts

The ONE Pass lets you moonlight, but conflict-of-interest clauses in your employment contract still stand. I advise clients to run a “red-flag review” with corporate counsel before signing side gigs.

5.4 Tax Residency Nuances

Holding the ONE Pass does not automatically make you a Singapore tax resident. You must spend ≥ 183 days in a calendar year here. Remote executives juggling multiple jurisdictions should map out travel early; the last thing you want is to be dual-resident in Singapore and—say—Italy, famous for its labyrinthine tax quirks.

(Quick plug: BorderPilot’s multi-country tax simulator saves my team hours of Excel modelling.)

5.5 Renewal Strategy

MOM re-checks salary and activity portfolio at renewal. Start archiving proof of revenue streams from day one—consulting invoices, royalty statements, updated CV. If you leveraged the achiever route, maintain public-facing contributions: keynote talks, peer-reviewed papers, curated exhibitions.

6. Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I apply while still on an EP?
A: Yes. Once the ONE Pass is issued, your EP is cancelled automatically. No exit-re-entry needed.

Q: Does my spouse have to meet the salary floor to work?
A: No. A simple Letter of Consent suffices, regardless of salary. However, employers still run fair hiring ads under the Fair Consideration Framework.

Q: Can I set up a company without triggering additional passes?
A: Absolutely. The ONE Pass allows directorship and shareholding in multiple entities. If you hire locals, remember CPF obligations kick in.

Q: What happens if my income dips below SGD 30k?
A: MOM states pass holders must “continue to be of good standing.” Dropping below the threshold isn’t an instant cancellation, but expect scrutiny at renewal. Maintain documentation showing the dip is temporary (e.g., market downturn).

Q: Will owning crypto affect my application?
A: No. But declaring crypto-derived income in your home country may complicate tax filings. Our earlier analysis of crypto-friendly regimes explores legal wrappers if you trade actively.

7. Key Takeaways

1. SGD 30k fixed salary or world-class achievements are non-negotiables.
2. Application success hinges on well-organised evidence—think IPO prospectus-level polish.
3. The ONE Pass offers five years of employer-agnostic flexibility, plus unrivalled family perks.
4. EP remains the workhorse for mid-range professionals; PEP’s relevance is fading.
5. Continuous compliance—tax filings, employment contracts, public contributions—is vital for renewal and PR.

“In 2025, Singapore isn’t just courting capital; it’s courting capability. The ONE Pass is the red carpet.”

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