---
title: "Singapore EntrePass vs Hong Kong Entrepreneur visa (GEP)"
url: https://settleanywhere.com/compare/singapore-entrepass-vs-hong-kong-investment-entrepreneur/
lang: en
updated: 2026-10-11
---

Head to head

# Singapore EntrePass vs Hong Kong Entrepreneur visa (GEP)

Two business routes side by side: money, stay, family, fees and tax, from the official sources. The official authority decides every application.

## Key differences

- **First stay** The first stay is 1 yr on Singapore EntrePass and 3 yrs on Hong Kong Entrepreneur visa (GEP).
- **Renewal** Renewable on both.
- **Family** Singapore EntrePass: spouse needs a permit. Hong Kong Entrepreneur visa (GEP): spouse can work.
- **Work** Limited on both.
- **Government fees** The first government fee listed is SGD 105 ≈ $82 for Singapore EntrePass and HKD 600 ≈ $76 for Hong Kong Entrepreneur visa (GEP); the table lists every fee.
- **Tax residence** Singapore: at least 183 days (preceding\_calendar\_year). Hong Kong: more than 60 days (year of assessment (aggregated visits to Hong Kong)).
- **Foreign-source income** Foreign-source income: territorial in both countries.

## Side by side

|   | Singapore [EntrePass](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/singapore/entrepass/) | Hong Kong [Entrepreneur visa (GEP)](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/hong-kong/investment-entrepreneur/) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Country:** | *1* EntrePass [Singapore](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/singapore/) | *2* Entrepreneur visa (GEP) [Hong Kong](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/hong-kong/) |
| **Type:** | *1* EntrePass Business / Startup | *2* Entrepreneur visa (GEP) Business / Startup |
| **Money needed:** | *1* EntrePass **Needs an investment of SGD 100k+ ≈ $78k** | *2* Entrepreneur visa (GEP) |
| **First stay:** | *1* EntrePass **1 yr** | *2* Entrepreneur visa (GEP) **3 yrs** |
| **Renewal:** | *1* EntrePass **Renewable** Details The pass can be renewed; the first renewal is up to 1 year and later renewals are up to 2 years. [Ministry of Manpower, Singapore](https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/entrepass/key-facts) | *2* Entrepreneur visa (GEP) **Renewable** Details Extensions normally follow a 3-2 year pattern on employment condition. [Immigration Department, Hong Kong SAR Government](https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/visas/investment.html) |
| **Spouse can work:** | *1* EntrePass **Needs a permit** | *2* Entrepreneur visa (GEP) **Can work** |
| **Work:** | *1* EntrePass **Limited** Details Permission to start and operate the approved business; this does not itself establish permission for unrelated employment. | *2* Entrepreneur visa (GEP) **Limited** Details Admitted on employment condition to establish or join the approved business; any other business needs prior approval from the Director of Immigration. |
| **Government fees:** | *1* EntrePass **SGD 105 ≈ $82 · SGD 225 ≈ $180 · +1 more** Details SGD 105 ≈ $82 Application fee per pass, paid when the application is submitted. SGD 225 ≈ $180 Issuance fee per pass, paid when the pass is issued. SGD 30 ≈ $23 Multiple Journey Visa fee per visa, where applicable. | *2* Entrepreneur visa (GEP) **HKD 600 ≈ $76 · HKD 1,300 ≈ $170** Details HKD 600 ≈ $76 Non-refundable application fee, charged to the principal applicant and each dependant. HKD 1,300 ≈ $170 Visa issuance fee when the relevant period of stay is more than 180 days (HK$600 for 180 days or less). |
| **Permanent residence:** | *1* EntrePass | *2* Entrepreneur visa (GEP) **After 7 years of residence** Details After a continuous period of not less than 7 years of ordinary residence you may apply for the right of abode (permanent resident status), and you must take Hong Kong as your place of permanent residence. Time as a foreign domestic helper, an imported-labour contract worker or a refugee, or spent unlawfully or in breach of a condition of stay, does not count. [Immigration Department, Hong Kong SAR Government](https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/visas/investment.html) |
| **Citizenship:** | *1* EntrePass **Time here doesn't count** Details Citizenship needs at least 2 years as a permanent resident (aged 21 or over); time on this pass is not counted. [Immigration and Checkpoints Authority, Singapore](https://www.ica.gov.sg/reside/citizenship) | *2* Entrepreneur visa (GEP) |
| **Processing:** | *1* EntrePass **6 weeks** Details MOM says applications take within 6 weeks for most cases. [Ministry of Manpower, Singapore](https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/entrepass/apply-for-a-pass) | *2* Entrepreneur visa (GEP) **Up to 28 days** Details Normally takes four weeks once all documents and the fee are received; extensions normally take two to three weeks. [Immigration Department, Hong Kong SAR Government](https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/visas/investment.html) |
| **Employer needed:** | *1* EntrePass **No** | *2* Entrepreneur visa (GEP) **No** |
| **Tax residence test:** | *1* EntrePass **At least 183 days (preceding\_calendar\_year)** Details At least 183 days (previous calendar year) | *2* Entrepreneur visa (GEP) **More than 60 days (year of assessment (aggregated visits to Hong Kong))** |
| **Foreign-source income:** | *1* EntrePass **Territorial** Details Singapore taxes income arising in or derived from Singapore, including employment exercised there; foreign-sourced income received in Singapore by resident individuals is generally exempt. | *2* Entrepreneur visa (GEP) **Territorial** Details Hong Kong taxes under the territorial concept: salaries tax, property tax and profits tax apply to income arising in or derived from Hong Kong, whether the person is resident or not. |
| **Tax note:** | *1* EntrePass [Territorial](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/singapore/tax/) | *2* Entrepreneur visa (GEP) [Territorial](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/hong-kong/tax/) |
| **Official source:** | *1* EntrePass [Ministry of Manpower, Singapore](https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/entrepass) | *2* Entrepreneur visa (GEP) [Immigration Department, Hong Kong SAR Government](https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/visas/investment.html) |
| **Checked against official sources:** | *1* EntrePass First checked 11 Oct 2026 | *2* Entrepreneur visa (GEP) First checked 11 Oct 2026 |

≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.

**Official sources**

### Singapore EntrePass

1. [EntrePass eligibility and renewal criteria](https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/entrepass/eligibility) · Ministry of Manpower, Singapore · checked 2026-10-10
2. [EntrePass key facts, duration, renewal, family passes](https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/entrepass/key-facts) · Ministry of Manpower, Singapore · checked 2026-10-10
3. [Apply for an EntrePass](https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/entrepass/apply-for-a-pass) · Ministry of Manpower, Singapore · checked 2026-10-11
4. [Passes for families of EntrePass holders](https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/entrepass/passes-for-family) · Ministry of Manpower, Singapore · checked 2026-10-12
5. [Working in Singapore for Dependant's Pass holders](https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/dependants-pass/working-in-singapore) · Ministry of Manpower, Singapore · checked 2026-10-12
6. [Eligibility for a Letter of Consent for Dependant's Pass holders who are business owners](https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/loc-for-dependants-pass-business-owners/eligibility) · Ministry of Manpower, Singapore · checked 2026-10-12
7. [Becoming a Singapore Citizen](https://www.ica.gov.sg/reside/citizenship) · Immigration and Checkpoints Authority, Singapore · checked 2026-10-11

### Hong Kong Entrepreneur visa (GEP)

1. [Investment as Entrepreneurs under General Employment Policy](https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/visas/investment.html) · Immigration Department, Hong Kong SAR Government · checked 2026-10-10
2. [New Fee Structure for Visa Applications under Specified Schemes](https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/specifiedschemes.html) · Immigration Department, Hong Kong · checked 2026-10-11
3. [Guidebook for Entry for Residence as Dependants in Hong Kong, ID(E) 998 (04/2026)](https://www.immd.gov.hk/pdforms/ID(E)998.pdf) · Immigration Department, Hong Kong SAR · checked 2026-10-12
4. [The Position of Non-Chinese Citizens (right of abode)](https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/residents/immigration/roa/eligible-position-non-chinese.html) · Immigration Department, Hong Kong SAR Government · checked 2026-10-11
5. [Notes for Guidance: Application for a Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card](https://www.immd.gov.hk/pdforms/ROP(E)149_o.pdf) · Immigration Department, Hong Kong SAR Government · checked 2026-10-11