The Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass

In August 2022, as part of a new initiative to strengthen Singapore’s position as a global hub for talent, the Singapore government introduce the Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass (the “ONE Pass”), a new work pass which will be available as of 1 January 2023.

The Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass

The ONE Pass is a personalized 5-year renewable work pass meant to attract top talent in business, arts and culture, sports, science & technology, and academia & research. ONE Pass holders will be able to concurrently start, operate and work for multiple companies in Singapore at any one time without having to re-apply for a new pass if they change jobs. The ONE Pass does not require employer sponsorship.

Whilst the MOM does not impose a time limit requiring ONE Pass applications to remain employed, the MOM reserves the right the cancel the ONE Pass if there are extended periods of economic inactivity without good reasons.

It is anticipated that some of the sectors which are likely to benefit the most from the ONE Pass include the green economy and sustainability, biotechnology, agrotechnology, data science and vaccine development, artificial intelligence, cyber security, and automation.

Salary threshold

Existing work pass holders and overseas candidates can apply if:

they earn a fixed monthly salary of at least SGD 30,000 within the last 1 year; or
will earn a fixed monthly salary of at least SGD 30,000 under their future employer based in Singapore.

The minimum salary of SGD 30,000 is benchmarked to the top 5 percent of Employment Pass (“EP”) holders in Singapore. The fixed monthly salary must in general be drawn from 1 employer (not multiple employers).

Established company

Overseas candidates must also demonstrate that:

they have been working for an established company* overseas for at least 1 year; or
will be working for an established company* in Singapore

*An established company is a company that (i) has a market capitalization of at least USD 500 million; or (ii) an annual revenue of at least USD 200 million.

Outstanding achievements

Individuals with outstanding achievements in the arts and culture, sports, science and technology, and academia and research may qualify for the ONE Pass even if they do not meet the salary threshold.

What constitutes outstanding achievement in each One Pass applicant's field remains to be determined. The MOM will release more details on the eligibility criteria closer to 1 January 2023.

Renewal of ONE Pass

To be eligible for renewal, ONE Pass holders will need to:

earn a fixed monthly salary of at least SGD 30,000 on average over the past 5 years in Singapore; or
have started and are operating a Singapore-based company that employs at least 5 Singapore citizens/permanent residents, each earning at least SGD 5,000.

Yearly checks

ONE Pass holders will be required to provide the MOM with (a) details of their professional activities over the past year; and (b) the annual salary they have earned from their professional activities, on a yearly basis.

Other benefits

ONE Pass holders are exempt from the points-based Complementarity Assessment Framework (“COMPASS”) and employers wishing to hire them are not subject to the Fair Consideration Framework (“FCF”) job advertising requirement.

An important advantage compared to EP is that ONE Pass holders’ spouses will be entitled to work with a letter of consent. They will not need to apply and qualify for their own work passes.