What this area covers: founder visa in Singapore
Founder visa is one of 5 parts of our “Immigration & Relocation” practice. It covers the full cycle from initial scoping to operational launch, run by a single named partner from our Singapore practice.
What it is in Singapore: founder and entrepreneur routes.
How we handle founder visa
The “Founder visa” project in Singapore is structured as a 4-stage process run by a single named partner.
EntrePass and Employment Pass, sequenced with the company structure so neither blocks the other.
The same desk that runs founder visa handles your banking, bookkeeping, compliance and — where needed — your wind-down.INNOVA · Operating model
Why Singapore
Singapore is the operating hub of the Asia-Pacific region, with territorial taxation, a strong regulator (MAS), and the rule of law. Our priority for structures focused on Southeast Asia and for fintech licensing under the PSA.
A reliable regulatory environment
Banking ecosystem
Corporate tax 17% (effectively lower with reliefs)
Local execution, one plan
Why INNOVA
What changes for you when INNOVA runs the project. If a company or a second jurisdiction is not needed yet, we will say so plainly.
Turnkey, without the extra hassle
One window and one contract: we take the task whole, handle everything on your behalf with our own team and trusted contractors, and you buy the result. From you we need decisions and signatures; we get in touch only when the next step depends on you.
We handle banks and regulators
A bank refusal, a registry query, a regulator's request, a stalled deadline: we answer, rework the file and resubmit at no extra charge for our work until the matter is closed.
We see it through
The partner who opens your project carries it through to the result, even when the process runs for months, and stays on afterwards: renewals, filings, changes to the structure. Where the law requires a licensed professional, we bring one in and remain answerable to you.
A boutique, personally involved
We have worked in international business since 2012. An experienced partner runs your project personally, and unusual structures are our field: where you hear “that can't be done”, we look for the lawful route.
Your affairs stay yours
Information about you, your structure, your beneficial owners and your deals reaches neither competitors nor third parties. Banks, registries and regulators receive exactly what the law or the procedure requires, and the contract says so.
Faster and more precise
We build the file around the specific bank's and regulator's requirements before filing. Experience means we get the work right straight away, where some firms need three attempts. A partner replies in writing within 24 hours.
How the work is structured
A 4-stage process led by a single named partner — from scoping to the operational hand-over.
Route assessment
Routes and realistic timelines
Document gathering
Certificates, financial documents and references
Submission
Filing with the embassy or online
Decision and relocation
Approval, biometrics, entry and settling in
What we need from you · what you get from us
What we need from you to begin — and what you walk away with. We won't pester you with needless questions: we already have most of the answers.
- Passport + biographical dataall family members
- Education + qualificationswhere the route requires
- Police clearance certificatesper jurisdiction
- Financial evidenceto thresholds
- Health and insurancewhere required
- Visa / residence permitissued
- Resident cardbiometric
- Tax-residency application supportdocumented
- Family-member visaslinked
- Renewal calendarset up
Four ways to work together
We don't quote a fixed price without understanding your situation — cost depends on the complexity of your case. Send a written request or book a paid consultation, then we pick the right format.
Consultation
A paid 30-minute video consultation with a partner. We discuss your situation, define the project scope, and propose a structure and timeline.
Written analysis
A written consultation with a full review of the business — tax positioning, structure options, jurisdiction comparison, banking path. Turnaround: 5 business days.
Operating roadmap
For complex situations — multi-jurisdiction structures, regulated activity, founder relocation. A full plan with stages, dependencies, deliverables and timing.
Direct execution
You know what you need — we execute. No advisory mark-up and no discovery phase.
Fill in the questionnaire
Complete the online questionnaire: a partner studies your case and replies in writing within 24 hours.
Fill in the questionnaire
4 steps · a partner replies in writing within 24 hours.
A partner reads the questionnaire, replies in writing at the email you gave within 24 hours, then a written quote follows. Work starts after you accept it.
Frequently asked questions
The questions we're asked most often. If yours isn't here, a written request is the fastest way to get an answer.
Most “Founder visa” projects in Singapore run 2–8 months start to finish. The fastest stage is document filing; the longest is post-registration onboarding (banking, tax registration). A single named partner runs the project throughout.
From US$ 4,500 + government fees. The lower bound is for clean, standard profiles; the upper bound is for complex ownership structures, multi-jurisdiction projects or regulated activity. A fixed quote follows once we have scoped the task.
In most cases, no. The entire process runs remotely under a notarised power of attorney. A handful of jurisdictions require an in-person visit (typically biometrics for a residence permit) — we plan those as efficiently as possible.
The EntrePass is a 1-year renewable visa for entrepreneurs launching an innovative, venture-backed, or IP-driven business in Singapore. You must show funding from a recognised VC, ownership of registered IP, or membership in an MAS/EDB-endorsed incubator. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) assesses it. A service business or sole proprietorship with no distinct innovation won't qualify.
The Employment Pass (EP) is Singapore's main work visa for a professional earning at least S$5,600 per month (2024 threshold; S$6,200 for financial services). Since 2023, every new EP application is scored under the COMPASS framework — salary, qualifications, firm diversity, and support for local hiring. Processing runs 3–8 weeks. Spouses and children get Dependant's Passes; after 2–4 years of continuous EP, you can apply for PR.
Yes. The common route: hold an Employment Pass continuously for 2–4 years with a clean tax record and real business contribution. EntrePass holders apply once their company hits meaningful revenue and headcount milestones. ICA assesses PR applications holistically, with no published quota. Odds are better for STEM profiles, applicants with significant local economic contribution, and those whose family members are citizens.
No. Tax residency is determined by domestic tests in the origin and destination country, not by visa status. We coordinate the visa and tax sides specifically to keep the position consistent.
Founder visa in other countries
The same service — in every jurisdiction we run. One desk, one standard.
