Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass (ONE Pass) Singapore Guide
Overseas Network & Expertise Pass (ONE Pass) Singapore: A Comprehensive Guide to the New Work Visa Scheme for Top Talents
If you are an overseas executive with a high income or an exceptional individual in your field, the newly launched Overseas Networks and expertise pass (also known as the ONE Pass) may be suitable for you. As a business hub, Singapore has always been a draw for top talents from all over the world. The city-state has launched this new visa scheme, especially for highly skilled foreign talent in business, arts and culture, sports, education and research, and other fields. The ONE Pass is a personalized work visa (Administered by the Ministry of Manpower) designed for top-notch overseas professionals looking to work, start or operate multiple companies in Singapore. Unlike the typical Singapore work visa, the ONE Pass offers greater employment flexibility and many other benefits.
How can you Benefit from the ONE Pass?
The ONE Pass offers numerous benefits, surpassing those of other work visa such as the Employment Pass, Personalized Employment Pass, EntrePass, and Tech. Pass. These benefits include:
- Career Flexibility: You are allowed to operate your own business and work for multiple companies;
- Greater Certainty in your visa status: This visa is issued based on individual merits which means that you are not tied to any employer and you do not have to worry about losing your work pass when you lose your job;
- Longer Visa Validity Period: Your Visa is granted for 5 years which is a much longer validity period as compared to all other work passes which gives you a much longer time to plan for your future in Singapore;
- Spouse Exceptional Work Privileges: Your spouse can be granted a Letter of Consent which allows him or her to work in Singapore without having to apply for a new work pass without having to meet all the new work pass criteria and conditions.
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Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass Criteria
The One Pass follows much stricter eligibility criteria where applicants need to either meet the high salary or outstanding achievements criteria. You must meet one of the below eligibility criteria to secure this work visa scheme:
- The Current working professionals route: Applicants who are existing work pass holders and overseas candidates must earn a minimum fixed monthly salary of S$30,000 for the last year, or will potentially earn a minimum fixed monthly salary of at least S$30,000 under their prospective employer based in Singapore.
- The Outstanding Achievements route: Caters to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional contributions in the fields of arts and culture, sports, science and technology, and academia and research. These candidates can qualify for the Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass without meeting the salary criterion, showcasing Singapore's commitment to diverse fields of excellence.
What are the Documents Required to Apply for the ONE PASS?
The usual timeline for the application of the ONE Pass is 4 weeks. However, there are situations when the visa can take up to 8 weeks to process depending on the period.
As for the submission process, applicants can appoint an agency like One Visa, to submit the visa on their behalf and the types of documents to submit would depend on the eligibility pathway that you are selecting.
Upon submission, the MOM would take at least 4 weeks to process the application. You may check your application status here.
See below for the list of standard documents needed for the Application:
- 1. Passport particular page of the applicant
- 2. a. Overseas Executive scheme:
- Payslips
- Recent tax statements
- Support document for other sources of income (if necessary)
- 2. b. Exceptional Individual Achievements in Arts, Sports, Culture, Academia, or Research.
- Recent payslips
- Support document for other sources of income (if any)
- Resume showing your achievements
- Those under the academia or research pathway:
-
* Resume highlighting your substantive achievements like your publications, patents, or technology disclosure in the last 5 years;
* Recommendation or endorsement letter from the local institution for a potential position
How is ONE Pass Vs Other Work Visa Schemes in Singapore?
| Tech.Pass | Employment Pass (EP) | Entrepass | Personalised Employment Pass (PEP) | Overseas Network & Expertise Pass (ONE Pass) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Applicant's Profile | Tech Experts | Company owners Working professionals, executive or specialised roles. Directors and Business Owners | Entrepreneurs with track records | High Earning Executives | 1. High Income earning executives who have work in an established company for over one year. 2. Individual with Outstanding achievements in the arts and culture, sports, science and technology, and academia and research. |
| Visa Issued Validity | Issued for 2 years Renewal Allowed Every 2 years. | First time issued for 1 - 2 years. Renewal: 3 years | First time issued for 1 years. Renewal: Every year | First time issued for 3 years. Not possible to renew | Issued for 5 years and can be renewed every 5 years but must meet certain criteria |
| Criteria | Fixed monthly salary of at least S$20,000; See the full list of Tech Pass Criteria | Minimum Fixed monthly salary of at least S$4,500 See list EP Criteria here. | Applicants Meet the business track records. See the full list of Entrepass Criteria | Applicants meet the Fixed Salary Criteria of 12,000 18,000 SGD per month. See the full list of PEP criteria here | For Corporate Executives: 1. Earning a monthly salary of 30,000 SGD per years; 2. Worked in an Established company with annual revenue of 200 million or 500 million capitalisation OR Individual with Outstanding Achievements in the arts & culture, sports, science and technology, academia and research |
| Features | Work for more than one employers and can start own business. | Can only work for one employer or company. | Can only operate One Company. | Can work for more than one company but need to meet the minimum salary requirements yearly | Allowed to concurrently work for more than one employers or operate a business |
Setting Up Your Own Company With the ONE Pass Scheme
Unlike other work visa schemes in Singapore which tie you to One company, this visa offers you greater flexibility by allowing the pass holder to concurrently your own business while working for your existing company.
If you planning to set up a private exempt company in Singapore, unlike other work passes, you can act as the local director and shareholder of the company without any restrictions. Additionally, you can also hold directorship in multiple companies.
Interested to set up your company in Singapore? Contact us now to get a Free Assessment Today on your requirements for your company setup.
Securing Relevant Visas for Family Members
As for the family members or parents of the ONE Pass holders, they are eligible for either the Dependant's Pass or Long Term Visit Pass. See below for the eligibility criteria:
- Dependant's Pass: Your legally married spouse, and unmarried children under the age of 21 are eligible;
- Long-Term Visit Pass: Your common-law spouse, parents, unmarried stepchildren (under 21 years of age), and unmarried handicapped children are eligible for this pass.
One unique difference between the spouse of ONE Pass as compared to other work visas is that the spouse can obtain a Letter of Consent (LOC) to Work in Singapore under the Dependant's Pass scheme which makes it much easier for the spouse to secure employment in Singapore.