A large expense total does not, by itself, show that an EntrePass holder meets renewal requirements. Determine the applicable renewal cycle, calculate the relevant business spending and assess qualifying local workforce evidence separately.
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MOM’s EntrePass renewal page sets out its own spending and workforce criteria. Do not assess an EntrePass renewal by importing the EP COMPASS points framework.
Confirm the renewal cycle first
Retrieve the pass history and company incorporation records. Check the official method for determining the renewal cycle and seek clarification if the history is unusual. Requirements differ by cycle, so an incorrect starting point can distort the whole calculation.
Keep the current table and calculation with the application file. A budget prepared several years ago may not reflect the requirements at renewal.
Reconcile spending to the accounts
Start with the financial statements and operating-expense detail. MOM excludes specified items in calculating Total Business Spending, including overseas outsourcing and the EntrePass holders’ remuneration. Cost of sales and certain personal or residential costs are not treated as operating expenses for this purpose.
Build a schedule showing included and excluded amounts and their evidence. Do not rename an expense account to make a genuinely excluded cost appear eligible.
Example: overseas development dominates the expense total
A startup spends heavily on an overseas development team and also pays the founder. Its overall cash outflow can be substantial while the renewal calculation is lower. The accountant should apply the stated definitions rather than submit the bank-payment total as business spending.
Review the workforce on its own facts
- Employees’ citizenship or PR status where relevant.
- Direct payroll employer.
- Salary and the applicable workforce category.
- CPF contribution history.
- Employment timing at the relevant assessment point.
- The calculation under the official formula.
The MOM guidance requires qualifying employees to be on the registered company’s direct payroll and addresses CPF contribution history. A contractor or an employee of another group company should not be counted automatically as the applicant’s local employee.
Avoid confusing plans with achieved criteria
A signed future offer, planned expenditure or fundraising proposal is different from an existing qualifying fact. Present the company’s actual position accurately and ask advisers what the official process requires where a gap remains.
Hiring should reflect genuine business needs and lawful employment arrangements. Do not create nominal payroll records or make unsupported declarations solely to satisfy a numerical target.
Prepare the wider renewal evidence
The spending and workforce schedule is part of the file. The official page also addresses shareholding, company activity, financial statements and other requirements. Align the application with the actual progress of the business.
Keep supporting records and assign a responsible person to answer queries. Treat the official outcome and issuance steps as separate from sending an application.
Does high revenue replace the spending requirement?
Apply the actual criteria. Revenue and qualifying business spending are different measures.
Can a group employee count because the founder controls both companies?
Review the direct-payroll and other workforce conditions. Common ownership alone does not establish qualification.
Related work-pass and company guidance
Read our Employment Pass overview, COMPASS framework guide and company ownership and EP guidance.
Discuss your company and work-pass plans
Email [email protected] or WhatsApp +65 8501 7133 to discuss company administration, payroll and work-pass advisory support. Where employment or corporate legal advice is needed, advisers from our associated law firms can assist. You may also explore Singapore Employment Agency for related recruitment and work-pass services. Applications remain subject to official assessment.