What visa does the director of a Singapore company need to work in Singapore?

Usually the newly incorporated Singapore company acts as the employer and applies for the director's own Employment Pass. If the founder has raised investment or has a track record as an entrepreneur, EntrePass can also be considered.

To work in Singapore, even a managing director or director needs an Employment Pass. The Employment Pass is applied for online by the employer or an appointed employment agent, and approval depends on MOM's review.

• If a Korean head office is setting up a subsidiary: when a head office employee is seconded, the Singapore subsidiary applies for the Employment Pass, and intra-corporate transferees may be exempt from the COMPASS assessment.
• If you are an individual founder: after incorporation, the company applies for the director's own Employment Pass, and the review considers salary as well as education, work experience and the business.
• If your spouse holds an Employment Pass and you hold a DP: you can consider running the business with a separate permission (LOC).

Lee Kim Alliance provides an Employment Pass application service.

As of November 2026, source: MOM