Singapore to launch ONE Pass AI and Tech visa in January 2027 to attract global pinnacle talent

Singapore to launch ONE Pass AI and Tech visa in January 2027 to attract global pinnacle talent

Singapore will introduce a new visa track for “pinnacle talent” in artificial intelligence and technology under the Overseas Networks and Expertise Pass from January 2027.

The new ONE Pass (AI and Tech) will replace the existing Tech.Pass and offer more attractive terms to leading global professionals in critical and emerging technologies.

Manpower Minister Dr Tan See Leng announced the move in parliament on 3 March 2026 while outlining the Ministry of Manpower’s spending plans.

He said the initiative aims to strengthen Singapore’s position as a global hub for advanced technologies such as AI and quantum computing.

New AI and Tech track under ONE Pass

The ONE Pass (AI and Tech) will retain the existing ONE Pass salary requirement of at least S$30,000 per month earned in the past year.

This replaces the Tech.Pass threshold of a fixed monthly salary of at least S$22,500 in the past year, where non-cash components were assessed case by case.

Under the new track, applicants may meet the salary requirement through a combination of fixed monthly pay of at least S$22,500 and vested non-cash components, including employee stock option plans and share ownership schemes.

The Ministry of Manpower said this reflects how top AI and technology professionals are often remunerated through equity-based compensation.

Applicants must also have at least five cumulative years of experience within the past 10 years in a founder or C-suite position, or in a technical role such as senior software engineer.

Their current or most recent employment must be with a technology company, a technology division within a company, or a technology venture capital firm.

The firm must have a valuation or market capitalisation of at least US$500 million, annual revenue of at least US$200 million, or at least US$500 million in assets under management.

Technology companies that have raised at least US$30 million in funding will also qualify.

Replacing Tech.Pass

The Tech.Pass was introduced in 2021 to attract accomplished global technology entrepreneurs, business leaders and technical experts.

As of end-July 2022, about 250 unique Tech.Pass applications had been approved by the Economic Development Board.

The Tech.Pass is valid for two years and renewable once for another two years.

In contrast, the ONE Pass is valid for five years and may be renewed for five-year periods each time, offering greater certainty for top-tier professionals.

Introduced in 2023, the ONE Pass targets exceptional talent across sectors including business, arts and culture, sports, academia and research.

Tan said more than 8,000 individuals are currently on the ONE Pass.

They include Dr Anders Skanderup, assistant director at A*STAR’s Genome Institute of Singapore, who developed an AI-based method to monitor cancer progression through blood tests.

Another example is Oliver Jay, managing director of international strategy and operations at OpenAI, who has supported Singapore’s ambition to be a leading AI hub.

Balancing openness and local workforce priorities

Tan emphasised that attracting global talent must complement, not displace, local workers.

“We will continue to remain globally connected and open to talent that can complement our skilled local workforce, while reducing reliance on foreign labour where there’s scope to raise productivity,” he said.

At a briefing on 27 February 2026, a Ministry spokesperson said ONE Pass (AI and Tech) holders are expected to generate new economic activities and jobs for Singaporeans.

No target number of visas has been set, and approvals are not expected to be large due to the high eligibility thresholds.

MQS for Employment Pass applications to raise to S$6,000

Responding to questions from Yeo Wan Ling and Patrick Tay, Tan outlined broader adjustments to foreign workforce policies.

He said thriving businesses are “the engine of good jobs” and must continuously transform their models and invest in workers to remain competitive in a resource-constrained environment.

The minimum qualifying salary for new Employment Pass applications will be raised from S$5,600 to S$6,000 from 1 January 2027.

Renewals will be subject to the new threshold from 1 January 2028, allowing employers time to adjust.

Tan said the benchmark aligns with wages of the top one-third of local professionals, managers, executives and technicians.

Beyond salary, Employment Pass applicants must pass the Complementarity Assessment Framework, or COMPASS.

About two-thirds of current Employment Pass holders have passed through COMPASS since its implementation around two and a half years ago.

The share of firms highly dependent on foreigners of a single nationality has fallen by 20 per cent, while firms with higher overall foreign workforce dependence have decreased by 37 per cent.

For S Pass holders, the minimum qualifying salary will rise from S$3,300 to S$3,600 for new applications from 1 January 2027, and for renewals from 1 January 2028.

By around 2030, the S Pass threshold is projected to reach between S$4,000 and S$4,500, subject to prevailing local wages and economic conditions.

Tan noted that with an ageing workforce, work permit holders remain essential in sectors such as construction, where permit numbers have grown by 36 per cent over the past five years as projects catch up.