As Singapore’s fitness industry booms like never before, understanding the EntrePass requirements has become more important than ever for aspiring fitness entrepreneurs. As Singapore’s fitness equipment market races toward an estimated USD 119.28 million by 2032, with growth showing no signs of slowing at a 10.57% annual rate. Foreign fitness entrepreneurs are taking notice of the huge opportunities this booming sector has to offer. Still, plenty of gym owners and studio founders don’t realize that starting a fitness business in Singapore isn’t as simple as just opening the doors, you’ll need the right visa in place. For foreign entrepreneurs hoping to set up shop and run things themselves, that usually means securing an EntrePass.
Why the EntrePass Is a Game Changer for Singapore’s Surging Fitness Industry
Over the past decade, Singapore’s fitness scene has undergone a remarkable makeover, fueled by a growing focus on healthy living and a surge of boutique studios and niche training centers popping up all over the city. In 2023, Singapore’s gyms and health clubs pulled in a combined $0.8 billion in revenue, a figure that reflects an impressive 12% compound annual growth rate over the past five years. The booming industry has opened major doors for fitness entrepreneurs from abroad, but getting it right means you’ll need to wrap your head around the immigration rules from the very start. The fitness industry’s evolution toward specialized offerings, from HIIT studios to wellness-focused spaces, has attracted foreign entrepreneurs with innovative concepts. But unlike in more conventional industries, fitness entrepreneurs tend to gloss over the visa side of things, zeroing in on finding the right location, buying equipment, and hiring staff, often just assuming a regular employment pass will do the trick.Getting to Grips with the EntrePass: Your Ticket to Starting Up in Singapore
If you’re a foreign entrepreneur aiming to launch and run an innovative business in Singapore, the EntrePass is the main visa designed just for that. Introduced by the Ministry of Manpower, this program is designed for serial entrepreneurs, top-tier innovators, and seasoned investors who want to build businesses that genuinely make a difference in Singapore’s economy. If you’re in the fitness business, the EntrePass stands out from other visas by giving you some clear advantages. While Employment Passes tie you to an employer, the EntrePass gives you full freedom to own and run your business from day one. This kind of flexibility is a game changer for fitness studio owners, who are constantly juggling last-minute changes to class schedules, hiring new instructors, or tweaking the space. These are often all in response to what their members want and what the market demands.
What You Need to Qualify for the EntrePass
Note:The information in this section is based on a combination of official sources including the Ministry of Manpower and Enterprise Singapore as well as our firsthand experience supporting fitness entrepreneurs through the EntrePass process. That said, policies do evolve over time. We recommend cross-checking with the latest government guidelines to ensure you’re working with the most current information. The EntrePass has a two-part eligibility system: you’ll need to meet some basic business requirements, as well as show that your venture is genuinely innovative. Foreign fitness entrepreneurs must first establish or intend to establish a private limited company registered with Singapore’s Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA). At the time you apply, your company needs to be no more than six months old, and you’ll also have to own at least 30% of its shares. But ticking off the basics isn’t enough, fitness entrepreneurs also need to show that their business hits at least one of seven innovation benchmarks, which fall under three categories: Entrepreneur, Innovator, or Investor. These requirements are in place to make sure approval goes only to businesses that truly have room to grow and can make a real impact on the economy.What You’ll Need to Qualify as an:
1. Entrepreneur
- Secured funding of at least SGD 100,000 from government-recognized venture capitalists or business angels in a single funding round
- Participation in government-recognized incubators or accelerators in Singapore
- Demonstrated business network and entrepreneurial track record with highly scalable ventures
2. Innovator
- Ownership of registered intellectual property providing significant competitive advantage
- Active research collaboration with Singapore institutions of higher learning or A*STAR research institutes
- Extraordinary achievements in relevant expertise areas
3. Investor
- Proven track record of successful business investments and contributions to business growth
Step-by-Step EntrePass Application Strategy for Fitness Entrepreneurs
Phase 1: Shaping Your Business Idea and Putting It on Paper
Before you even start your EntrePass application, you’ll need to put together a solid business plan that clearly shows how your fitness venture is both innovative and built to grow. Keep your business plan under 10 pages, and be sure to cover the essentials: a thorough market analysis, your operational blueprint, financial forecasts, and an overview of your management team. For fitness businesses, innovation might show up as cutting-edge technology, creative training methods, or fresh takes on wellness that set them apart from the crowd. The most successful fitness EntrePass applications tend to highlight things like data-driven training plans, unique fitness tech, or wellness methods grounded in solid research, all of which help set them apart from the typical gym down the street.Phase 2: Getting Your Funding and Paperwork in Order
Fitness entrepreneurs need to show they have enough funds by keeping at least SGD 50,000 in a Singapore business bank account. This rule is there to make sure you’ve got enough funds to actually get your business up and running and cover those first few bills. You’ll need to make sure the money is actually sitting in your account and that you can prove it with official bank statements. You can register your company with ACRA before you apply for the EntrePass or wait until after you’ve submitted your application, giving you some breathing room if you’re still ironing out your business setup. But if you register your company before applying, make sure it’s no more than six months old, otherwise, you won’t qualify for the EntrePass.Phase 3: Sending In Your Application and What Happens Next
On average, it takes about eight weeks for your EntrePass application to be reviewed. During this time, the Ministry of Manpower teams up with Enterprise Singapore to take a close look at how viable and innovative your business idea really is. You’ll need to submit a full set of documents with your application, a business plan, financial statements, proof of your education, and anything else that backs up how your business meets the innovation requirements. Once you’re approved, you’ll get an In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter that’s good for six months. Which is plenty of time to make the move to Singapore and wrap up the final steps to get your pass issued. The EntrePass is initially valid for one year, and if your business meets the required performance targets, you can renew it for two years at a time after that.EntrePass Mistakes to Avoid!
Not Taking Innovation Requirements Seriously Enough
A lot of fitness entrepreneurs mistakenly believe that simply being passionate about health and wellness is enough to count as innovation for the EntrePass. But the reality is, this scheme is designed for businesses that can actually prove they’re doing something innovative—be it with new technology, creative methods, or partnering up on research. Just setting up another yoga studio or a run-of-the-mill gym usually isn’t enough—you’ll need something genuinely innovative to stand out and meet these requirements.Falling Short on Financial Planning and Paperwork
Not showing you have enough capital is one of the main reasons EntrePass applications get rejected. Many fitness entrepreneurs dive into thinking equipment and rent are the main expenses, only to be blindsided later by overlooked costs like licenses, insurance, marketing, and the working capital needed to actually keep things running. A solid financial plan is one that is complete with clear, realistic cash flow projections that can go a long way in making your application stand out.Overlooking Renewal Rules Right from the Start
Renewing your EntrePass isn’t as simple as ticking a box, the requirements for local hiring and business spending actually get tougher every time you renew. For your first renewal, you’ll need to have created two local jobs and spent at least SGD 100,000 in annual business expenses. The bar gets higher after that: later renewals call for four local hires and SGD 150,000 in yearly spending, and by your fifth renewal, you’re looking at a hefty requirement of ten local jobs and SGD 400,000 in annual expenses. Fitness entrepreneurs who don’t think ahead about these requirements often find themselves scrambling at renewal time and risk losing their foothold in Singapore for good.Other Ways Fitness Entrepreneurs Can Get Started in Singapore
Setting Up with an Employment Pass and a Local Director
If you’re a foreign fitness entrepreneur who doesn’t quite meet the EntrePass innovation requirements, you might want to look into starting your business with an Employment Pass and a local director instead. With this route, you’ll need to appoint at least one Singaporean citizen or permanent resident as a company director, while you, as the foreign entrepreneur, apply for an Employment Pass sponsored by your own company. This option lets you stay in charge of operations without having to meet the EntrePass requirements, but keep in mind, you’ll need to share decision-making power and may face some tricky profit-sharing setups. To qualify for an Employment Pass, you’ll need to earn at least SGD 5,000 a month and show that you have the right experience and credentials.Teaming Up with Local Business Owners
Teaming up with local partners in Singapore is another way for foreign fitness entrepreneurs to break into the market without having to navigate the hurdles of the EntrePass. Local partners typically take care of navigating regulations and sharing their knowledge of the local market, while foreign entrepreneurs bring in their know-how, investment, and hands-on business management. But if you’re going into a partnership, you’ll need to get the legal details right, otherwise, it’s all too easy for interests to clash and for things to go off the rails. In the most effective fitness partnerships, everyone knows their lane. Foreign partners usually dive into program development and building the brand, while local partners take charge of regulations and the day-to-day admin.Questions People Often Ask
Q: Is it possible for fitness businesses to get an EntrePass even if they don’t use any tech?
A: Absolutely, fitness businesses can still qualify if they team up with Singapore research institutions, show outstanding accomplishments in a specialized fitness field, or manage to land venture capital funding. Innovation can show up in all sorts of ways. Maybe it’s a science-backed training method, a wellness program tailored to a specific need, or even a creative way of building a fitness community that helps your business stand out from the typical gym.Q: What should I do if my EntrePass application doesn’t get approved?
A: If your application gets rejected, you can file an appeal but you’ll need to do it within the given timeframe and make sure you address the specific issues pointed out in your rejection notice. If you decide to appeal, be prepared to submit extra paperwork. Usually to show how your business is truly innovative or to clear up any confusion about your concept. Most appeals are reviewed within about eight weeks, but if your case is more complicated, you might be waiting a bit longer for a decision.Q: How do the rules for renewing an EntrePass shape the way fitness studios plan for growth?
A: The rules for renewing an EntrePass have a real effect on how fitness businesses hire staff and manage their budgets, since each renewal demands that you hire more locals and ramp up your business spending. Fitness entrepreneurs need to think ahead about how they’ll grow, since meeting these requirements often means opening more locations or branching out with new services just to make sense of hiring more people and ramping up their spending.Q: Can family members accompany EntrePass holders to Singapore?
A: Family members cannot be included in initial EntrePass applications but may be eligible for Dependent Passes or Long Term Visit Passes after the first renewal, subject to meeting business performance criteria. Spouse and children eligibility requires four local jobs created and annual spending of at least SGD 150,000, while parents require eight local jobs and SGD 300,000 spending.
How to Nail Your EntrePass Application: The Steps That Really Matter
Before You Apply (Months 1 – 2):
- Put together a detailed business plan that highlights exactly what makes your idea innovative.
- Make sure you have at least SGD 50,000 sitting in a Singapore bank account.
- Pinpoint exactly what makes your business innovative, and make sure you clearly document those details.
- Look into possible incubators, partners for research, or places you could secure funding.
- Gather everything you’ll need, like your educational certificates and references from past employers.
Application stage (Months 3 – 4):
- Send in your full EntrePass application, making sure to include all the necessary supporting documents.
- Keep in touch with MOM to stay updated on your application status.
- Be ready in case someone from MOM wants to chat or asks you to clear up any details.
- Start scoping out the market and checking out potential locations.
After You’re Approved (Months 5 – 6):
- If you haven’t already, go ahead and register your company with ACRA.
- Find a suitable location for your business and make sure you have all the required licenses in place.
- Start hiring, with a focus on bringing local talent on board—this will help you meet those renewal requirements down the line.
- Set up tools to keep tabs on your business expenses and staff numbers.
Getting Down to Business (Months 7 – 12):
- Kick off your fitness business and put your energy into attracting new members—and keeping them coming back.
- Keep a close eye on your finances to make sure you’re meeting the requirements for renewing your EntrePass.
- Keep a detailed record of your business’s progress, you’ll need it when it’s time to apply for your first renewal.
- Get to know people in the local fitness scene and start connecting with possible business partners.