As your startup grows, you will likely need to hire talent. Singapore offers several types of work passes for foreign employees, with the most common for professionals being the Employment Pass (EP).

To sponsor an EP for a foreign professional, your company must be operational, and the candidate must meet a minimum qualifying salary of S$5,600 per month for most sectors (S$6,200 for financial services), with higher salaries required for older applicants. Since 2026, all new EP applications must also pass the COMPASS points-based assessment framework, which evaluates factors like salary, diversity, and skills, requiring a minimum of 40 points. For the business founder themselves, the EntrePass is an alternative, designed specifically for entrepreneurs who want to start and operate a business in Singapore. Alternatively, you can hire local Singapore citizens or permanent residents, with CPF contributions being a mandatory employer obligation.