Entrepass or Employment pass - Which pass is right for me?

[nitin22]

Hello everyone!
I am an Electrical Engineering degree holder with over twelve years of experience in Software field. Out of twelve years, I worked six years in USA as a Software Engineer, then returned to India and am running a Software Development / Web Development / Web Marketing company in India since last six years.
Now I am planning to immigrate to Singapore.
Reading the board and also talking to different agencies, I have been suggested that first I should register a company in Singapore (using nominee director service) and then later apply for Employment Pass for myself.
I am uncomfortable doing that, because for doing this a company will be incorporated in Singapore with a nominee director. I also have been told to start up the company with a significant (in the range of mid five figures) amount to make sure that I get Emp Pass easily. That is why I am uncomfortable to open a company under someone's name and deposit huge amount in that company and then wait and prey that my visa get approved.

The other path can be EntrePass route. But all I read is that if you have good professional qualification / experience, you should not go through this route. I also have been told that the business model of the company that I am proposing is not strong enough to get approval in first go.

So here I am. Very confused and not sure which path to follow. I will highly appreciate if you people can help me out.

[littlegreenman]

Hi there,

if you go with a decent accounting/legal/trustee firm in Singapore to be the nominee director you are quite safe and don't have that much to worry about.

The other path can be EntrePass route. But all I read is that if you have good professional qualification / experience, you should not go through this route. I also have been told that the business model of the company that I am proposing is not strong enough to get approval in first go.

This is very weird. You do have formal qualifications which is always a plus and you have a proven track record. There is absolutely no reason why this would count negative towards your EntrePass application. This does make absolutely no sense because what you are saying is the government would give you a license to burn money but not make money. Whoever told you this is absolutely wrong. What rubbish!

Also who told you that your proposal is not strong enough to get approved on the first attempt? If this came from MOM then fair enough but I don't think anyone there would just tell you your proposal most likely won't make it. They will only give you a definite answer once they processed your application.

Bottom line: your qualifications and experience will not be a hinderance when applying for an EntrePass, but instead it will make your case stronger. If you do have a decent business plan you should definitely go and apply for an EntrePass and work with MOM to make sure it goes through. Don't listen to hearsay.

[econoMIC]

You can try calling xxx

Spam!

[Strong Eagle]

If you have read any of the rest of the posts in business and careers you'll see that getting an Entrepass has become much more difficult. You'll need S$50,000. So your only option is an EP.