In today’s intensifying global talent competition, Singapore has once again taken the lead. Since the launch of the ONE Pass top talent pass in January 2023, this “ace passport” has rapidly captured the attention of global elites.
In just two years, 7,200 individuals have been approved—nearly 4,200 in 2023 alone, with an additional 3,000 slots added for 2024.
So the question arises: Who exactly secures this highly coveted pass? What advantages does ONE Pass offer, and why is it hailed as Singapore’s “ace” for attracting global top talent? If you’re an international elite looking to settle and thrive in Singapore, how do you apply?
Today, we delve into the details.
I. 7,200 ONE Passes Issued:
Financial, Tech, and Cultural Elites Gather in Singapore
Singapore’s Minister for Manpower, Chan Chun Sing, revealed in Parliament that since the ONE Pass’s launch, applications have been enthusiastic and the response overwhelming. By the end of 2024, the total had reached 7,200. These holders come from five core sectors.
Additionally, Minister Chan stated: “In 2024, 3,000 Top Talent Passes were issued, with one-sixth being new applicants. If a Top Talent Pass holder remains unemployed for an extended period without valid reasons or violates Singaporean laws, authorities may revoke their pass. To date, only one Top Talent Pass has been revoked—due to a conviction for drink driving.”
Based on currently published data, over 90% of ONE Passes remain active, with revocation cases being extremely rare.
Photo: Dr. Chan Chun Sing, Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Trade and Industry, Source: Lianhe Zaobao
1. Top 5 Talent Categories Favored by ONE Pass
① Financial and Insurance Services: The largest share, attracting foreign investment banking elites, private equity fund managers, and quantitative trading experts to settle in Singapore.
② Information and Communications Technology: Including AI scientists, cloud computing engineers, and cybersecurity specialists.
③ Professional Services: High-end professionals such as lawyers, accountants, and consultants.
④ Academic and Research: Top university professors and leading figures in research institutions.
⑤ Culture, Sports, and Arts: Renowned artists, musicians, and professional athletes also feature prominently.
Image source: MOM
2. Who’s Most Sought After?
According to data released by Singapore’s Lianhe Zaobao and the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), over 60% of approved applicants are concentrated in the finance and information and communications sectors.
This comes as no surprise: Finance is Singapore’s pillar industry, with its position as a global wealth management hub firmly established; digital technology represents a key breakthrough area for Singapore’s future economy.
For instance, an AI research director from Silicon Valley, who previously served as an executive at a tech unicorn valued at over US$1 billion, earned a monthly salary equivalent to more than S$40,000.
This background fully meets the ONE Pass criteria. Not only did he successfully obtain the pass, but he also plans to establish an AI startup lab in Singapore to recruit local young researchers.
Another case comes from the cultural sphere: an internationally renowned conductor from Europe, though falling short of the S$30,000 monthly salary threshold, received special approval due to his outstanding achievements in the arts.
This demonstrates the flexibility of the ONE Pass—it does not solely prioritize salary but evaluates talent value through multiple dimensions.
Image and data sources: MOM, Lianhe Zaobao
3. Is the approval process stringent?
On the surface, the ONE Pass appears highly exclusive: applicants must earn at least S$360,000 (approximately RMB 2 million) annually or demonstrate extraordinary achievements in academia, sports, arts, or other fields.
In practice, however, authorities prioritize “quality over quantity.” To date, only a handful of approved holders have had their passes revoked due to legal violations or prolonged absence from Singapore (e.g., one holder convicted of drunk driving).
In other words, this is a pass genuinely reserved for the “cream of the crop.”
Source: Lianhe Zaobao
II. Singapore’s Talent Philosophy:
Small Nation, Big Wisdom: Attracting Global Elites
To grasp the significance of the ONE Pass, it must be viewed within Singapore’s broader talent strategy.
With a land area of just 1,041 square kilometers and a population of approximately 6.04 million, Singapore is often called the “Little Red Dot on the Equator.” On its limited land, Singapore understands that while resources are finite, talent is boundless. Thus, it has long embraced an “open approach to talent.”
Source: Population Briefing, Lianhe Zaobao
Historical Lessons: Chu Talent in Jin, Qin Recruits Scholars from Six Kingdoms
From the Warring States period’s “Chu talents serving Jin” to Qin’s recruitment of scholars from six states, history has long demonstrated that true prosperity arises when talent is harnessed regardless of nationality or background.
Singapore’s global talent policy embodies this philosophy in modern form. As Fudan University scholar Chen Zhiqiang summarizes: Singapore does not build walls to retain talent but forges itself into a global hub for talent value exchange.
1. Mechanism Design: The COMPASS Framework and Diverse Scoring
Beyond the ONE Pass, Singapore introduced the COMPASS framework to provide clearer standards for general work pass applications.
A key feature is the “Employee Diversity Score”: companies with less than 5% foreign employees receive the maximum 20 points. Additional points are awarded if employees are in “Shortage Occupation List” roles. Data from 2024 shows the weighting of diversity scores in employment pass applications increased by 17%.
This signals Singapore’s commitment not only to “attracting talent” but also to “optimizing talent,” driving enterprises to refine their workforce structures and foster a diverse ecosystem for global talent.
Photo/Singapore SkillsFuture event, Source: Lianhe Zaobao
2. Talent Ecosystem: More Than Just Work, It’s About Life
Attracting talent requires more than offering a job—it demands cultivating an ecosystem conducive to long-term development.
Education: Institutions like the National University of Singapore and Nanyang Technological University rank among the world’s best, backed by abundant research resources.
Housing & Environment: Stable public housing, efficient urban planning, and globally leading livability.
Skill Development: The SkillsFuture initiative encourages lifelong learning, providing continuous professional development opportunities.
Community Support: The Singapore Global Network (SGN) connects over 80,000 overseas professionals and entrepreneurs, building global networks.
No wonder scholars describe Singapore’s talent policies as creating a “superconducting circuit” that enables the most efficient flow of global elites’ energy.
Source: Lianhe Zaobao
III. Advantages and Application Guide for the ONE Pass:
Why is it the “Ace Permit”?
Now, let’s decode the “appeal formula” of the ONE Pass.
1. Key Advantages of the ONE Pass
5-year validity: Both initial applications and renewals are granted for 5-year periods.
No quota restrictions: Unlike certain passes subject to foreign worker quotas or foreign worker levies, the ONE Pass imposes no such constraints.
High Flexibility: Holders may work for multiple companies simultaneously or pursue entrepreneurship alongside employment, unrestricted to a single employer.
Job Change Without Reapplication: This offers significant convenience compared to the traditional Employment Pass (EP).
Spousal Work Privileges: Spouses require only a Letter of Consent (LOC) to work legally.
Exempt from Advertising & COMPASS: No need to advertise positions on the MOM website or undergo COMPASS scoring assessments.
In a nutshell: The ONE Pass enables top talent to work in Singapore without “worries.”
Source: Lianhe Zaobao
2. Who is eligible to apply?
There are two application pathways:
High-Salary Pathway: A monthly salary of at least SGD 30,000 in the past 12 months, or a future employer offering equivalent remuneration in Singapore.
Outstanding Achievement Pathway: Internationally recognized achievements in academia, sports, culture, arts, etc. Even if salary requirements aren’t met, MOM may approve applications on a case-by-case basis in collaboration with relevant authorities.
Source: MOM
3. How to Apply?
Individual Application: Eligible applicants may submit directly via the MOM website.
Agency Submission: Registered recruitment agencies or prospective employers in Singapore may submit applications on behalf of applicants. Remember to engage licensed agencies and agents; otherwise, you risk wasting both money and time, making it not worth the effort.
Processing Time: Applications typically take 8–10 weeks to process.
Renewal Requirements: Applicants must maintain their salary level or demonstrate continued international influence in their field.
Source: MOM
4. Recommendations
Entrepreneurs may consider combining this with the EDB Global Founder Programme (GFP) for financing and visa advantages.
Those seeking community integration can join the Singapore Leaders Network to engage with local future leaders.
Most importantly: Do not neglect annual reporting. Since September 2023, MOM requires ONE Pass holders to submit annual activity reports to assess their contributions to Singapore.
Closing Remarks: The ONE Pass—Singapore’s “Global Talent Calling Card”
At Elon Musk’s AI launch earlier this year, two Chinese scientists occupied central positions—evoking the ancient tale of “Chu talents serving Jin.” Today, Singapore is writing its own “global talent recruitment chapter” through the ONE Pass.
From 4,200 holders in 2023 to 3,000 in 2024, with future expansions into more sectors, the ONE Pass transcends a mere permit—it embodies Singapore’s posture as a “global talent hub” to the world.
For top-tier professionals, it serves as a “trump card” to enter Singapore and maximize their value; for Singapore, it is a key weapon in building an innovative economy and solidifying its global standing.
In this fiercely competitive global talent arena, winning hearts means securing the future. The ONE Pass is Singapore’s trump card invitation.