Tech@SG Programme
Administered by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) and Enterprise Singapore, Tech@SG has an aim to assist rapidly growing businesses across the globe by setting up in Singapore. It offers access of significant talent to companies which can help them grow and succeed.
Key Features
After checking the eligibility of companies, the Tech@SG Programme offers professional-level authorization to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), which helps to reduce the risk level of refusals for their Employment Pass (EP) applications to MOM.
In case your company is eligible, you can get:
– In two years approximately 10 new EPS for overseas employees who will get a job in your company in Singapore
– Under each new programme they can obtain a new renewal for each EP. The renewal for each EP is valid up to 3 years.
Eligibility Criteria
Requirements for Companies
In order to qualify for the Tech@SG Programme, the company must meet all the following criteria:
- Incorporated a business entity in Singapore along the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA)
- Your core business commodity should fall under the technology or digital industry
That may comprise business models or software such as analytics, big data, artificial intelligence or cybersecurity.
These may include companies like e-commerce, digital media firms, digital gaming, software as a service, biotech, Medtech as well as Fintech company.
Night clubs, hawker centers, coffee shops, massage salons, acupuncture, foot reflexology, karaoke lounges, herbal dispensing businesses, food courts and employment agencies are few examples of business activities which do not qualify for this.
- In the past 36 months, the company must have secured above US$10 million in investment funding.
- In the past 36 months they must receive funding from a programme recognized investment firm. There is no minimum requirement.
For businesses with 30% or above local shareholding, they should submit applications to Startup SG which is an entity controlled by Enterprise Singapore.
Requirements for individuals
MOM will issue EPs If the company is eligible for the Tech@SG programme. The company should also confirm that whether the applicant applying meets all the following requirements or not:
- The individual’s monthly salary must meet MOM’s minimum principal EP salary conditions, which is S$4,500*, effective 1 September 2020.
- Applicant must pass MOM’s background as well as industry checks
- We must consider applicant as a team member whose role and designation are in line with the requirements mentioned below:
1. Functional role: The Applicants must be in roles that come under one of the following criteria:
- Core business functions, for example business development, HR, general management, finance, partnerships and strategy,
- Technical functions, for example. Product management, product development, product design, data science, software engineering and solution architecting.
2. Seniority: Individuals must be in roles which are Manager-level or above
Those members would not be eligible who are analyst-, associate-, executive-, as well as representative-level roles individuals.
*Updated at April 2020. Visit the MOM website for the latest EP salary criteria.
*In relation to other EP applications, MOM has the right to and will initiate background checks on your EP candidates. All documents that are submitted will also be verified.
Frequently Asked Questions
What information is required to apply for Tech@SG?
In order for candidates to apply for the Tech@SG, you must log in with a CorpPass account. This account is configured so that applicants can access the “EDB Form SG e-service”.
The estimated time that it will take to fill the form is 15-20 minutes. However, applicants must complete the form in one go as there is no save to draft option. The following details are required to complete the form.
- Company Details:
- Parent company name
- Official company website
- Complete company headquarters address
- Local entity name
- An overview of primary business activity
- A 200-word description of your Singapore company business plan
- Details of up to 10 core employees, including”
- Designation
- Annual salary & benefits
- Years of experience
- In order to prove to the government body that your company meets all the criteria, supporting document (not more than 7MB in JPEG, PDF or PNG formats) need to be uploaded.
Can Tech@SG support EP visa renewal of existing employees?
The purpose of the Tech@SG is to help companies build a core team for business growth. Therefore, this programme only supports new recruits.
Also, the Tech@SG programme supports the first renewal, which can be up to 3 years. Candidates will still have to apply through MOM for renewals. However, applicants will be evaluated according to the criteria of the Tech@SG Programme.
To be clear, under this programme employees can get support for their EP for up to 5 years. After that, standard EP guidelines will be followed in the approval/refusal process.
Any conditions that need to be known for company owners applying for the Tech@SG Programme?
The core purpose of this programme is to assist businesses form innovative and productive teams for business growth. Therefore, no such conditions are tied to this programme for companies up till now.
Businesses are encourage to opt for fair hiring processes under this programme. Also. It is advised to organize training sessions to build teams through local resources.
Can a company that has raised less than US$10 million of funding still qualify for the Tech@SG?
The Tech@SG Programme is introduced to encourage businesses in building better teams and work in full potential. Therefore, the purpose is for the betterment of businesses in local market. If your company hasn’t managed to raise US$10 million of funding, the Enterprise Singapore and EDB may offer other forms of support to help you set up and progress your business in Singapore.