The ONE Pass in Singapore is a five-year personalised work pass for top talent, run by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). Its full name is the Overseas Networks and Expertise Pass. Most applicants qualify with a fixed monthly salary of at least S$30,000, either from their last year overseas or from a confirmed Singapore job offer. A separate route exists for people with outstanding achievements in arts and culture, sports, science, academia or research, where the salary figure can be set aside.
Unlike the Employment Pass, the ONE Pass is tied to the person, not a single employer. As of 2026, holders may work for several companies at once, start and run their own businesses, and change jobs without reapplying. This guide explains who qualifies, what the pass allows, how to apply, how renewal works, and how it compares with the Employment Pass and the Personalised Employment Pass, all sourced from MOM.
Key Takeaways
- What it is: the Overseas Networks and Expertise Pass (ONE Pass) is a five-year work pass for top talent across business, arts and culture, sports, academia and research.
- Salary route: a fixed monthly salary of at least S$30,000 for 12 consecutive months at an established firm, or a confirmed S$30,000 Singapore offer, per MOM figures as of 2026.
- Achievement route: the salary figure may be waived for people with outstanding records in arts and culture, sports, science, academia or research, reviewed by MOM with partner agencies.
- Benefits: work for or start several companies at once, no need to reapply when changing jobs, no COMPASS, no levy or quota; the spouse can work on a Letter of Consent.
- Renewal: renew for another five years if the past-five-year average salary is at least S$30,000, or you run a Singapore company employing at least five locals at the EP qualifying salary.
What the ONE Pass Is
The Overseas Networks and Expertise Pass, shortened to ONE Pass, is MOM's most flexible work pass. It was introduced for individuals at the very top of their field, whether that is business, finance, technology, the arts, sport, science or academic research. The aim is to anchor people who bring international networks, capital and expertise to Singapore.
The defining feature is that the pass belongs to the holder rather than to one employer. A standard Employment Pass is sponsored by a single company and ends if that job ends. The ONE Pass keeps running for its full five-year term regardless of how many roles or ventures the holder takes on, as long as the conditions are met.
Who It Is Designed For
MOM frames the pass as one for top talent in all sectors. In practice it suits senior executives moving to Singapore, founders setting up regional businesses, fund managers, and recognised figures in arts and culture, sport, academia and research. People who do not meet the salary figure but hold a standout record in those fields can still apply through the achievement route.
ONE Pass Eligibility in Singapore
There are two ways to qualify: a salary route and an outstanding achievement route. Most applicants use the salary route.
The Salary Route
Under the salary route, you must show a fixed monthly salary of at least S$30,000 (or the foreign-currency equivalent) for 12 consecutive months. This can come from either of two situations, as of 2026:
- Current or recent overseas role: you earned at least S$30,000 a month for 12 consecutive months while working at an established company overseas within the last year.
- Future role in Singapore: you hold a confirmed offer from an established Singapore-based company paying at least S$30,000 a month, with employment starting within six months of the application.
An established company, per MOM, is one with a market capitalisation of at least US$500 million or annual revenue of at least US$200 million. Firms that do not meet those figures may still be considered on a case-by-case basis.
The Outstanding Achievement Route
If you do not meet the salary figure, you can still apply on the strength of an exceptional record in arts and culture, sports, science, academia or research. MOM assesses these applications together with partner agencies such as MCCY, MOE, NRF and A*STAR, looking at awards, recognition and contribution to the field rather than pay.
Existing pass holders already living in Singapore must have worked here for at least one year before they can apply for the ONE Pass.
Benefits of the ONE Pass
The ONE Pass carries privileges that no other Singapore work pass offers in full. These are the main ones, drawn from MOM's key facts.
- Five-year validity: the pass is valid for up to five years, far longer than the typical one to two years of a first Employment Pass.
- Multiple roles at once: you may start, run and work for several companies at the same time, subject to your contract terms.
- No reapplication when switching jobs: changing employer does not require a new pass.
- No COMPASS or job advertising: the pass is exempt from the COMPASS points test and the job advertising rule that applies to most Employment Pass roles.
- No levy or quota: there is no foreign worker levy or quota tied to the holder.
- Spouse can work: a legally married spouse on a Dependant's Pass can get a Letter of Consent to take up a job or run a business in Singapore.
Bringing Your Family
A legally married spouse and unmarried children under 21 can apply for a Dependant's Pass linked to the ONE Pass. Because ONE Pass holders earn well above the usual dependant salary thresholds, the family routes are open. The spouse's Letter of Consent allows work for one employer, including self-employment, which is a clear edge over passes where the spouse cannot work at all.
How to Apply for the ONE Pass
Applications go through MOM. An individual can apply for themselves, or an appointed employer or agent can apply on their behalf. The broad steps are below.
- Confirm which route fits: the S$30,000 salary route or the outstanding achievement route.
- Gather documents, including passport details, proof of salary for 12 consecutive months, and evidence the employer is an established company (or, for the achievement route, proof of your record).
- Submit the application to MOM and pay any applicable fees.
- Wait for the outcome and the in-principle approval, then complete pass issuance and any medical or registration steps after arrival.
- Apply for Dependant's Passes for eligible family members, together with your application or afterwards.
Accuracy matters at this stage. Salary evidence, the established-company test and achievement records are all checked closely, and a weak or incomplete submission is the most common reason a strong candidate is delayed. Catalyst Immigration reviews each profile against the live MOM criteria before filing.
ONE Pass Renewal
The ONE Pass renews for another five years at a time. You can apply to renew up to six months before the current pass expires. To qualify for renewal, as of 2026, you must meet one of two tests.
- Salary test: an average fixed monthly salary of at least S$30,000 over the past five years.
- Business test: you run a Singapore-based company that employs at least five local staff, each earning at least the prevailing Employment Pass qualifying salary.
The business test rewards holders who build a company and create local jobs, even if their own salary varies. Founders who do not draw a high fixed salary can still renew on this basis.
ONE Pass vs EP vs PEP
The ONE Pass, the Employment Pass (EP) and the Personalised Employment Pass (PEP) all let foreign professionals work in Singapore, but they suit very different profiles. The table below compares the key points, as of 2026.
| Feature | ONE Pass | Employment Pass (EP) | Personalised Employment Pass (PEP) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tied to an employer | No, tied to the person | Yes, sponsored by one employer | No, but limited |
| Salary benchmark | S$30,000 fixed monthly, or achievement route | From S$5,600 a month, rising with age | Higher salary threshold than EP |
| Validity | Up to 5 years | Usually 1 to 2 years | Up to 3 years, not renewable |
| Work for multiple employers | Yes, concurrently | No | No, one job at a time |
| Start or run companies | Yes | Restricted | No |
| COMPASS points test | Exempt | Applies to most roles | Exempt |
| Spouse can work | Yes, on a Letter of Consent | Yes if salary qualifies, on a Letter of Consent | Yes if salary qualifies, on a Letter of Consent |
In short, the EP is the standard route for a single salaried job, the PEP gives experienced professionals a few years of flexibility without a sponsor, and the ONE Pass is the long-term, multi-role pass for the highest earners and most accomplished talent. For a fuller comparison of the lower-tier passes, see our guide on the Employment Pass and the EP versus S Pass.
Frequently Asked Questions About the ONE Pass in Singapore
What is the ONE Pass in Singapore?
The ONE Pass is the Overseas Networks and Expertise Pass, a five-year personalised work pass from MOM for top talent in business, arts and culture, sports, academia and research. It is tied to the holder, not a single employer, so it allows work for several companies at once.
What is the salary requirement for the ONE Pass?
Most applicants need a fixed monthly salary of at least S$30,000 (or the foreign-currency equivalent) for 12 consecutive months, either from a recent overseas role at an established company or from a confirmed Singapore offer, as of 2026. People with outstanding achievements in arts, sports, science, academia or research may apply without meeting the salary figure.
How long is the ONE Pass valid?
The ONE Pass is valid for up to five years, both on first issue and on renewal where the criteria are met. This is much longer than a first Employment Pass, which usually runs for one to two years.
Can my spouse work on a ONE Pass?
Yes. A legally married spouse can hold a Dependant's Pass linked to your ONE Pass and apply for a Letter of Consent to work for one employer, including running their own business in Singapore.
How do I renew the ONE Pass?
You can apply up to six months before expiry. To renew for another five years, you must show an average fixed monthly salary of at least S$30,000 over the past five years, or run a Singapore company employing at least five local staff at the prevailing Employment Pass qualifying salary.
How is the ONE Pass different from the Employment Pass?
The Employment Pass is sponsored by one employer, subject to the COMPASS points test, and usually valid for one to two years. The ONE Pass is tied to the person, exempt from COMPASS, valid for five years, and lets the holder work for or start several companies at once.
Official Sources and References
- MOM - Overseas Networks and Expertise Pass overview
- MOM - ONE Pass eligibility
- MOM - ONE Pass key facts
- MOM - ONE Pass frequently asked questions
Explore Catalyst Immigration’s other services:
- Employment Pass and Work Visa
- EP vs S Pass in Singapore
- EP COMPASS Framework in Singapore
- Work Pass Application Service
Talk to Catalyst Immigration
Catalyst Immigration helps senior professionals, founders and accomplished talent assess their fit for the ONE Pass before applying, so you file with the right route and clean evidence rather than a guess. We review your salary record, the established-company test, the achievement route and your family's Dependant's Pass options, then handle the full submission to MOM.