Tech@SG is a programme run jointly by the Economic Development Board (EDB) and Enterprise Singapore that gives fast-growing technology companies a company-level endorsement to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) for up to 10 new Employment Passes over two years. It is open to Singapore-incorporated companies with a core digital or technology business that have raised more than US$10 million in the past 36 months, including funding from a recognised investment firm. Endorsement reduces the risk of EP rejection, but MOM remains the final approving authority for every EP.
Raffles Corporate Services works with a panel of experienced Singapore law firms who offer cost-effective and efficient legal service and advice. This article is general information only and is not legal advice.
Tech@SG is not a cash grant. It is a facilitation programme that helps a funded tech company bring in its core team. This guide explains who qualifies, what the endorsement does and does not do, how it interacts with MOM’s current EP rules and COMPASS, and how to apply. It also keeps three separate questions apart: setting up the company, getting work passes for staff, and where those staff and their families live.
What does Tech@SG actually give you?
According to EDB, Tech@SG provides:
- A company-level endorsement to MOM, which EDB says reduces the risk of EP rejections.
- Support for up to 10 new EPs for core team members over two years. Enterprise Singapore states that support ends after 10 successful applicants or two years, whichever comes first.
- Coverage for the first renewal of each new EP supported under the programme, with each renewal valid for up to three years.
- Support of up to five years in total for each EP. After that, standard EP guidelines apply.
Tech@SG supports new hires only. It does not cover the renewal of EPs for staff you already employ. EP applications must be submitted within two years of your company being accepted into the programme.
EDB also states that there are no conditions attached to the programme, although employers are encouraged to build local teams through training and capability transfer and to follow MOM’s Fair Consideration Framework.
Which companies are eligible?
A company must meet all of the following:
| Criterion | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Incorporation | Incorporated in Singapore and registered with ACRA |
| Core business | A digital or technology product or service as the core business, for example SaaS, digital media, AI, medtech, biotech, cleantech or fintech |
| Total funding | More than US$10 million in cumulative investment funding within the past 36 months |
| Recognised investor | Funding (no minimum amount) from a Programme-Recognised Investment Firm (PRIF) within the past 36 months |
| Excluded businesses | Including coffee shops, hawker and food court stalls, bars, nightclubs and karaoke lounges, massage and reflexology, acupuncture, TCM and herbal businesses, employment agencies and geomancy |
EDB or Enterprise Singapore: which one do you apply to?
The route depends on local shareholding, traced to the ultimate individual owners:
- Less than 30% local shareholding: apply to EDB.
- 30% or more held by Singapore Citizens and/or PRs: apply through Enterprise Singapore (Startup SG).
Most foreign-founded startups fall into the EDB route. For Enterprise Singapore’s wider startup support, see our Startup SG programmes guide.
What is a Programme-Recognised Investment Firm?
A PRIF is an investment firm that EDB and Enterprise Singapore have recognised for Tech@SG. Investment firms apply to be recognised in nomination cycles, twice a year. EDB states that the current cycle closes on 30 November 2026, and firms are notified within three months of the cycle ending. The list of recognised firms is published on EDB’s Tech@SG page. If your lead investor is not on it, ask whether it plans to apply.
Which employees can be covered?
EDB lists three individual criteria for core team members:
- Salary: a fixed monthly salary that meets MOM’s EP minimum qualifying salary.
- Function: a role in a core business function (for example business development, finance or strategy) or a technical function (for example product development, software engineering or data science).
- Seniority: manager level and above. EDB states that analyst, associate, executive and representative roles do not qualify as core team members.
Enterprise Singapore’s Tech@SG page still shows an older salary figure from 2022. Use MOM’s current qualifying salary, set out below, as the minimum.
How do MOM’s EP rules and COMPASS still apply?
A Tech@SG endorsement does not replace MOM’s EP framework. Each candidate still needs an EP application that MOM assesses and approves. Key MOM rules as checked on 6 November 2026:
| MOM rule | Current position | From 1 January 2027 (new applications) |
|---|---|---|
| EP qualifying salary (all sectors except financial services) | From $5,600, rising with age to $10,700 at 45 and above | From $6,000, rising with age to $11,500 at 45 and above |
| EP qualifying salary (financial services) | From $6,200, rising with age to $11,800 at 45 and above | From $6,600, rising with age to $12,700 at 45 and above |
| COMPASS | Must score 40 points unless exempt | Same requirement |
| COMPASS exemptions | Fixed monthly salary of at least $22,500; overseas intra-corporate transferees; roles filled for one month or less | Check MOM for any updates |
| Job advertising | Employers must meet the Fair Consideration Framework job advertising requirement before submitting new EP applications, unless exempt | Same requirement |
Neither EDB’s nor Enterprise Singapore’s Tech@SG page says that endorsed applications are exempt from COMPASS or from the job advertising requirement. Plan on each candidate needing to meet COMPASS unless one of MOM’s own exemptions applies. Our COMPASS framework guide explains how the 40 points are scored, and our Employment Pass guide covers the full EP process.
Candidates who do not meet the EP qualifying salary are not eligible, regardless of COMPASS points or Tech@SG endorsement.
Company, work pass and residence: three separate questions
Foreign founders often treat these as one step. They are not.
- Incorporation and ownership (ACRA). Incorporating a Singapore company and holding its shares does not give anyone the right to work in Singapore. Tech@SG requires the company to be incorporated first. Our guide to registering a Singapore company as a foreigner covers the resident director and other incorporation requirements.
- Work authorisation (MOM). Each core team member needs a work pass approved by MOM. Tech@SG endorsement supports the EP application but does not guarantee approval. EDB states plainly that MOM is the final approving authority for all EP applications.
- Residence. An EP is a work pass tied to the employment. It is not permanent residence. Any later PR application is a separate application to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority, assessed on its own criteria, and neither an EP nor Tech@SG guarantees PR.
Individual tech professionals who want a pass not tied to a single employer should look at MOM’s personalised options instead. Our article on the ONE Pass AI and Tech track explains the changes affecting Tech.Pass.
How do you apply?
- Prepare. Incorporate with ACRA, set up Corppass and give it access to the relevant agency’s Form SG e-service, check eligibility and gather documents.
- Submit for endorsement. Companies with less than 30% local shareholding apply to EDB; those with 30% or more apply through Enterprise Singapore. EDB’s form must be completed in one session, as it has no save-to-draft feature. EDB estimates 15 to 20 minutes.
- Register for EP Online. While waiting, consider registering for MOM’s EP Online (EPOL) account, which EDB says takes about five working days.
- Receive the outcome. EDB states that it advises the outcome within 10 to 15 working days of a complete submission.
- Submit EP applications to MOM. After endorsement, submit EP applications through EPOL within two years of acceptance. EDB states that MOM responds within 10 business days.
Documents checklist
- Company details: parent and local entity names, website, headquarters and primary business activity
- A Singapore business plan description of about 200 words
- Details of up to 10 core team members: designation, years of experience and expected annual salary including benefits
- Supporting documents proving the funding criteria (EDB accepts PDF, PNG or JPEG files, not more than 7MB)
- Shareholding information showing which route applies (EDB or Enterprise Singapore)
- For each EP later: the documents MOM requires, a COMPASS assessment and evidence of job advertising where required
Example: a Series A AI startup
Example (hypothetical): A Singapore-incorporated AI software company founded by two overseas engineers has raised US$14 million over the past two years, led by a fund on the PRIF list. Local shareholding is 8%, so it applies to EDB.
- It lists six planned core hires: a head of engineering, two engineering managers, a head of data science, a finance director and a regional business development director.
- EDB endorses the company. The company registers for EPOL and, for each hire, checks MOM’s qualifying salary for the candidate’s age, runs a COMPASS self-assessment and completes job advertising where required.
- It plans to file its first applications before 1 January 2027 where possible, because the qualifying salary for new applications rises from that date.
- Its two founders, who are directors and shareholders, look at their own work pass position separately. Being a shareholder does not give them the right to work in Singapore.
Common reasons applications fail
- Funding below US$10 million in the 36-month window, or no PRIF investor. Both are required.
- Applying through the wrong agency. The 30% local shareholding line decides whether you go to EDB or Enterprise Singapore.
- Roles below manager level. Analyst, associate, executive and representative roles are not core team roles for Tech@SG.
- Salary under MOM’s qualifying salary. This is a hard requirement for any EP.
- Assuming endorsement replaces COMPASS or job advertising. The Tech@SG pages do not say so.
- Trying to use Tech@SG for renewals of existing staff. It supports new hires only.
- Missing the two-year window. EP applications must be submitted within two years of acceptance.
Frequently asked questions
Does Tech@SG guarantee an Employment Pass?
No. Endorsement reduces the risk of rejection, but MOM is the final approving authority for every EP application.
Is Tech@SG a grant?
No. It does not pay money to the company. It is a company-level endorsement that supports EP applications for core team hires.
What if we have raised less than US$10 million?
EDB states that it and Enterprise Singapore can offer other forms of assistance. Local companies backed by a PRIF can also consult that firm.
Can Tech@SG cover renewals?
Only the first renewal of EPs that were supported as new hires under the programme, for up to five years of support in total. It does not cover renewals for staff you employed before joining.
Does an EP lead to permanent residence?
Not automatically. PR is a separate application to ICA with its own assessment, and no programme or adviser can guarantee it.
Where are the official terms?
See EDB’s Tech@SG page, Enterprise Singapore’s Tech@SG page and MOM’s EP eligibility page. For other funding, see our directory of Singapore government grants for companies.
Information checked against official sources on 6 November 2026.
Free grant consultation: is Tech@SG right for your company?
Raffles Corporate Services has in-house certified grant consultants who are experienced with Singapore grant applications and the full grant process, from checking eligibility and preparing the proposal and supporting documents to submitting claims and meeting the conditions after approval. We can arrange a free consultation to review your company and identify which grants, including Tech@SG, may be applicable.
Email [email protected] or WhatsApp +65 8501 7133 to book a time. EDB or Enterprise Singapore decides every Tech@SG application and MOM decides every Employment Pass, and no consultant can guarantee approval.
Tiffany Goh, Raffles Corporate Services