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Entrepreneur Visas in Asia Compared Side by Side

The EntrePass in Singapore, MTEP in Malaysia, Hong Kong's entrepreneur route — or the Thailand DTV for founders whose company sits abroad. Requirements, duration, family inclusion and the path to residency at a glance.

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Last updated: 08/2026

Most innovation-driven

Singapore's EntrePass targets founders with demonstrable innovation — funding, accelerator backing or own IP count more than capital.

Built for tech & digital

Malaysia's MTEP under MDEC is the programme for tech and digital founders — with a dedicated track for established entrepreneurs.

No fixed minimum capital

Hong Kong's entrepreneur route assesses the business plan rather than a fixed capital threshold — substance decides.

Company abroad, life in Asia

The Thailand DTV: 5 years, 180 days per stay — for founders whose company sits in Hong Kong or Singapore.

Family included

All four routes offer dependant options — the DTV with its own category for spouses and children under 20.

Path to residency

Hong Kong typically leads to permanent residency after seven years, Singapore accepts PR applications — the DTV deliberately does not.

Criterion	SG EntrePass	MY MTEP	HK Entrepreneur	TH DTV
What it is	Founder visa with local company	Founder visa with local Sdn Bhd	Residence as entrepreneur with HK company	Long-stay visa — company stays abroad
Authority	Ministry of Manpower (MOM)	MDEC	Immigration Department	Thai e-Visa (embassy)
Who it is for	Innovative founders with a business plan	Tech & digital founders, two tracks	Founders with a solid business plan	Remote workers, freelancers, founders with a foreign company
Local company	Yes — ACRA company is part of the application	Yes — Sdn Bhd part of the setup	Yes — part of the application	No — local work not permitted
Minimum capital	No fixed minimum — innovation criteria	Proof depends on track	No fixed minimum — substance of the plan	THB 500,000 funds, held 3+ months
Validity	1 year, renewable if criteria met	Two tracks: shorter or longer initial term	Typically 2 years, then extensions	5 years, 180 days per stay (+180)
Working locally	Yes, in your own company	Yes, in your own company	Yes, in your own company	Remote only, for foreign clients
Family	Possible, tied to business criteria	Yes, dependant passes	Yes, dependant visas	Yes — spouse & children under 20
Path to PR	PR application possible later	No direct PR path	Customary after 7 years	No PR path
Government fee	Moderate (SGD)	Moderate (MYR)	Moderate (HKD)	THB 10,000

What it isFounder visa with local company

AuthorityMinistry of Manpower (MOM)

Who it is forInnovative founders with a business plan

Local companyYes — ACRA company is part of the application

Minimum capitalNo fixed minimum — innovation criteria

Validity1 year, renewable if criteria met

Working locallyYes, in your own company

FamilyPossible, tied to business criteria

Path to PRPR application possible later

Government feeModerate (SGD)

1 / 4

Data as of 08/2026. All information subject to change.

Not sure which option fits?

Use the Strasia Pathfinder to get a guided first direction based on your goals, country preferences and business or residence plans.

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Which founder are you?

"I'm building a scalable startup"

Backed by investors, an accelerator or your own IP? Then the EntrePass speaks your language — Singapore assesses exactly that.

"I'm founding digital and cost-conscious"

E-commerce, software, digital services — with lower entry hurdles and Sdn Bhd incorporation bundled, MTEP is the pragmatic route.

"I want the China gateway"

Trading and finance hub with territorial taxation: Hong Kong's entrepreneur route combines company and residence.

"My company is running — I want Thailand"

Company in Hong Kong or Singapore, life on the beach: the DTV carries exactly this setup — for five years.

Three misconceptions that cost applications

"The DTV lets me found a company in Thailand"

No. The DTV explicitly prohibits local work — it carries founders whose company and clients sit abroad. Operating in Thailand itself requires a different route.

"No chance in Singapore without big capital"

The EntrePass has no fixed minimum capital. What counts is evidence of innovation: funding, accelerator participation, IP or relevant partnerships.

"Visa first, company someday"

With the EntrePass, MTEP and the HK route, company and application belong together. The order of steps drives the timeline — we sequence both.

In Detail

The Key Options

Singapore EntrePass

Founder visa for innovative entrepreneurs with their own Singapore company. Assessed on innovation, not on capital.

Malaysia MTEP

The Tech Entrepreneur Programme under MDEC targets digital and technology founders — with two tracks by experience level.

Hong Kong Startup Visa

Residence for entrepreneurs with their own Hong Kong company. No fixed minimum capital — the business plan decides.

Thailand DTV

Five-year visa for remote work with 180 days per stay. The company remains abroad — local work is not permitted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Thailand DTV an entrepreneur visa?

Strictly speaking no — it does not permit local business activity. In practice it is the best residence option for many founders: company in Hong Kong or Singapore, work done remotely, life in Thailand — five years, 180 days per stay.

Which entrepreneur visa is easiest to get?

That depends on your profile, not the programme. With innovation evidence the EntrePass is within reach, with a digital business model the MTEP, with a solid plan the HK route. The initial consultation clarifies which profile you bring.

Can I apply for the visa before founding the company?

With all three founder routes, company and application belong together — the exact order differs by country. We handle both in one sequence so no waiting time arises.

Which route leads to permanent residency fastest?

Hong Kong: after seven years of ordinary residence, permanent residency is customary. Singapore accepts PR applications without a fixed timeline. MTEP and DTV are not designed for PR.

What exactly does the DTV require?

Funds of at least THB 500,000 (held for three months or more), proof of remote work for foreign clients, and an application from outside Thailand via the official e-visa system. The government fee is THB 10,000.

Can I switch from one route to another later?

Yes — the programmes are not mutually exclusive. A common pattern: company in Singapore or Hong Kong, residence initially via the DTV, later a switch to the founder route of the company's home base.

Are spouses and children covered?

MTEP and Hong Kong offer dependant passes, the DTV has its own dependent category for spouses and children under 20. EntrePass dependant passes are tied to business criteria.

What does Strasia's support cost?

That depends on route, company structure and scope. The free initial consultation clarifies your case — followed by a binding fixed-price offer with no surprises.

Which entrepreneur visa fits?

Free initial consultation — 60 minutes, no obligation.

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SG EntrePass MY MTEP HK Startup Visa Thailand DTV

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