Short answer: you are eligible for a Tech.Pass if you meet both of EDB's criteria together: a last drawn fixed monthly salary of at least S$22,500 in the past year, and at least 5 cumulative years in a leading role at a tech company valued at US$500 million or more (or one that has raised US$30 million or more), or at a tech venture capital firm managing US$500 million or more, within the last 10 years. This Tech Pass eligibility checker tests both, plus the renewal rules. Applications close after 27 January 2027, 2359hrs.
Figures checked 3 Oct 2026 against the Economic Development Board's (EDB) Tech.Pass pages, last updated 2 October 2026, and the Ministry of Manpower's (MOM) ONE Pass eligibility page.
Tech.Pass Eligibility Checker
EDB stops accepting new and renewal Tech.Pass applications after 27 January 2027, 2359hrs.
Key Takeaways
- Tech.Pass now has two criteria and you need both. The older rule of meeting any 2 of 3, with a S$20,000 salary and a 100,000-user product test, no longer appears on EDB's pages.
- EDB and MOM stop accepting new and renewal applications from 28 January 2027. The last moment to submit is 27 January 2027, 2359hrs.
- Existing holders keep their pass until it expires. A Tech.Pass lasts 2 years and can be renewed once for 2 more.
- From 28 January 2027 the ONE Pass (AI and Tech) track replaces it: S$30,000 a month with at least S$22,500 fixed, plus 5 years as a founder, C-suite or in a technical role.
- Fees are S$105 to apply and S$225 when the pass is issued. EDB takes around 8 weeks once documents are complete.
The Two Tech.Pass Criteria
EDB lists the criteria as salary AND experience. Meeting one without the other is not enough.
| Criterion | What EDB requires | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Salary | Last drawn fixed monthly salary of at least S$22,500 within the past year | Raised from S$20,000 on 1 September 2023. Non-cash income is considered case by case. |
| 2. Experience | At least 5 cumulative years in a leading role | Must fall within the 10 years before the application date |
| Qualifying firm for criterion 2 | A tech company valued at US$500m or more, or one that has raised US$30m or more; or a tech VC firm with US$500m or more in assets under management | Revenue alone does not count for Tech.Pass |
What a Tech.Pass Lets You Do
No employer has to sponsor you. A holder can start and run one or more tech companies, work for one or more Singapore companies, act as a consultant or mentor, lecture at local institutions of higher learning, and sit as a director of Singapore companies. That flexibility is the main reason to choose it over an Employment Pass.
Renewal Criteria
A Tech.Pass is valid for 2 years and can be renewed only once, for another 2 years. To renew, you need any one of these three:
| Route | What you must show |
|---|---|
| Income | At least S$270,000 of assessable income on your latest IRAS Notice of Assessment |
| Business | Total annual business spending of at least S$100,000, and at least 1 local PME (fixed salary of S$3,900 a month or more, with 3 months of CPF) or 3 locals at the Local Qualifying Salary |
| Funding | A Singapore-incorporated business that raised more than US$10m in investment in the past 36 months, with at least part of it from a programme-recognised investment firm |
Submit a renewal between 6 months and 12 weeks before the pass expires. Because renewals also close after 27 January 2027, a holder whose pass expires in mid-2027 has to file by that date or move to another pass.
A Note on the LQS Figure
EDB's renewal footnote still describes the Local Qualifying Salary as S$1,600 a month. MOM raised the LQS to S$1,800 from 1 July 2026. If you rely on the three-locals route, pay at least S$1,800 to be safe and confirm with EDB.
Fees, Timeline and Family
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Application fee | S$105, non-refundable |
| Issuance fee | S$225 per pass, plus S$30 per Multiple Journey Visa if needed |
| Processing | Around 8 weeks once documents are in order |
| Issue the pass | Within 6 months of in-principle approval |
| Validity | 2 years, renewable once for 2 years |
| Last day to apply or renew | 27 January 2027, 2359hrs |
Tech.Pass holders can sponsor a spouse and children under 21 on a Dependant's Pass, and a common-law spouse, children with disabilities aged 21 and above, step-children and parents on a Long-Term Visit Pass, all issued by MOM. Our Dependent Pass calculator walks through each family member.
A Worked Example
A product director earns S$26,000 a month fixed and spent 6 years leading engineering at a payments company valued at US$2 billion. Both criteria are met, so she should apply before 27 January 2027. Her colleague earns S$23,000 fixed plus S$8,000 a month in vested shares, after 6 years as chief technology officer of a software firm with US$300 million in annual revenue that has never been valued at US$500 million. He fails Tech.Pass, because revenue is not one of its firm tests. From 28 January 2027 the same profile fits the ONE Pass (AI and Tech) track: S$31,000 a month in total, S$23,000 of it fixed, at a firm with more than US$200 million in revenue.
What Replaces Tech.Pass in 2027
MOM announced at the Committee of Supply in March 2026 that a new ONE Pass (AI and Tech) track opens in January 2027 and replaces Tech.Pass. MOM's ONE Pass page sets out the track for applications from 28 January 2027.
| Tech.Pass (until 27 Jan 2027) | ONE Pass (AI and Tech), from 28 Jan 2027 | |
|---|---|---|
| Pay | S$22,500 fixed a month | S$30,000 a month, of which at least S$22,500 fixed; the rest can be vested ESOP or ESOW |
| Experience | 5 years in a leading role within 10 years | 5 years as a founder, C-suite or in a technical role within 10 years |
| Qualifying firm | Valued at US$500m, raised US$30m, or VC with US$500m AUM | Adds companies with US$200m annual revenue |
| Validity | 2 years, renewable once | ONE Pass terms; MOM lists up to 5 years for a ONE Pass |
MOM says the renewal criteria for the AI and Tech track will be published on its website. Our ONE Pass eligibility checker covers the salary and achievement routes that are open today.
Which Pass to Aim For
If you meet both Tech.Pass criteria now and want the freedom to run your own companies, apply before the deadline. If your pay is S$30,000 a month or more from one established employer, the ONE Pass salary route is open today and lasts 5 years. If neither fits, an Employment Pass through an employer remains the standard route.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tech.Pass Eligibility
What are the Tech.Pass eligibility criteria in 2026?
Two criteria, both required: a last drawn fixed monthly salary of at least S$22,500 in the past year, and at least 5 cumulative years in a leading role at a tech company valued at US$500 million or more, or one that raised US$30 million or more, or at a tech VC firm with US$500 million or more under management, within the past 10 years.
Is Tech.Pass being discontinued?
Yes. From 28 January 2027, MOM and EDB no longer accept new or renewal Tech.Pass applications. The last moment to apply is 27 January 2027, 2359hrs. Holders keep their pass until it expires.
What replaces Tech.Pass?
The ONE Pass (AI and Tech) track from 28 January 2027. It needs at least S$30,000 a month, of which at least S$22,500 is fixed salary, plus 5 years as a founder, C-suite or in a technical role within the past 10 years at a qualifying firm.
Is there an application window or quota for Tech.Pass?
EDB's current pages show applications open continuously until 27 January 2027. The only quota EDB mentions is the 500 places offered when the pass launched in 2021, on a first come, first served basis.
How long is a Tech.Pass valid?
2 years, renewable once for another 2 years if you meet one of the renewal criteria.
What does a Tech.Pass cost?
S$105 per application, which is not refundable, and S$225 when the pass is issued, plus S$30 for a Multiple Journey Visa if needed.
Do I need an employer to apply?
No. Individuals can apply without employer sponsorship, and a holder can work for, found or direct several Singapore companies at once.
Can I bring my family on a Tech.Pass?
Yes. A spouse and children under 21 can get a Dependant's Pass, and a common-law spouse, step-children, children with disabilities aged 21 and above and parents can get a Long-Term Visit Pass issued by MOM.
Official Sources and References
- Tech.Pass (EDB)
- Apply for a Tech.Pass (EDB)
- ONE Pass eligibility and the AI and Tech track (MOM)
- Partnering businesses and workers to thrive in a changed world, COS 2026 (MOM)
- Local Qualifying Salary (MOM)
Explore Catalyst Immigration’s other services:
- Tech.Pass Singapore Guide
- ONE Pass Singapore Guide
- Personalised Employment Pass
- Singapore Work Pass Application Guide 2026
- Work Pass Application Service
Talk to Catalyst Immigration
The Tech.Pass window closes on 27 January 2027, so timing is now part of the application. Catalyst Immigration can check your profile against Tech.Pass, the ONE Pass routes and the Employment Pass, and prepare the application that fits. EDB and MOM make the decision; we make sure your case is complete and on time.