Which Industries Are Eligible for Singapore Self-Employed EP?

One of the most common questions from entrepreneurs around the world is: "Can my industry apply for a Self-Employed EP?" Behind this seemingly simple question lies the deep logic of Singapore's industrial policy and talent strategy. In 2025, Singapore has made significant adjustments to the industry access for Self-Employed EP, implementing more refined management measures for specific fields while maintaining overall openness.

I. 2025 Industry Access Panorama

1. Fully Open Industries (No Additional Permits Required)

• Technology & Digital:
• Software Development (including AI, blockchain)
• Cloud Computing Services
• Digital Marketing
• Case Study: A Chinese AI team obtained EP with SaaS product, all clients in Europe and America
• Professional Services:
• Management Consulting
• Architecture Design
• Financial Advisory (non-audit)
• New in 2025: ESG Sustainability Consulting
• Creative Industries:
• Content Creation (copyright registration required)
• Graphic Design
• Film & Video Production
• Special Requirement: Works must demonstrate commercial value

2. Conditional Entry Industries (Additional Qualifications Required)

• Financial Services:
• MAS license required (7 categories)
• Minimum paid-up capital S$500,000
• Tightened in 2025: Cryptocurrency-related business review period extended to 6 months
• Education Services:
• Academic programs need MOE approval
• Vocational training needs WSQ certification
• New Regulation: Online education platforms need IMDA registration
• Healthcare:
• Clinics need Ministry of Health license
• Health consulting needs relevant professional qualifications
• Restriction: TCM clinics limited to graduates from specific certified institutions
• Food & Beverage:
• Must pass SFA hygiene audit
• Foreign chefs need special MOM approval
• Trend: Cloud kitchen model acceptance rising

3. Industries Prohibited for Self-Employed EP

• Real Estate Agency (requires CEA license and limited to citizens/PR)
• Insurance Agency (requires MAS approval and local training)
• Employment Agency (requires special MOM permit)
• Massage parlors and other sensitive industries

II. Industry Selection and COMPASS Score Correlation

In the 2025 COMPASS 2.0 system, industry selection directly affects:

1. Base Score:

• Priority development industries (e.g., AI, biotech): +5 points
• Traditional industries: baseline score
• Restricted industries: -3 points

1. Salary Coefficient Adjustment:

• Fintech: salary threshold increased by 20%
• Green Energy: can be reduced by 15%

1. Renewal Difficulty:

• Digital Economy sectors: 92% approval rate
• Traditional Trade: 68% approval rate

III. 2025 Emerging Opportunity Industries

1. Carbon Trading & Green Finance

• Requires MAS Climate Finance Certification
• Case Study: An Indonesian carbon credit platform obtained EP, serving ASEAN markets

2. Silver Economy Solutions

• Elderly tech product development
• Requires proof of collaboration with local community organizations

3. Cross-border Digital Payments

• Must show MAS payment license application progress
• Minimum registered capital S$300,000

4. AI Ethics Consulting

• Team must include legal professionals
• Government contracts given priority

IV. Three Major Pitfalls in Industry Selection

1. Name-Business Mismatch

• Registered as "tech consulting" but actually doing personal shopping: 37 EP revocation cases in 2025
• Solution: Business scope description needs to be precise to three-level industry codes

1. Qualification Validity Issues

• Educational institution annual certification renewal delays causing EP invalidity
• Response: Set up qualification expiry reminder system

1. Local Market Demand Mismatch

• A Chinese hotpot brand failed to adjust taste for localization
• Recommendation: Submit Singapore market testing data

V. Five Major Principles for Successful Industry Selection

1. Alignment with National Industrial Planning

• Key reference: EDB's "2025 Industry Transformation Map"
• Digital economy, advanced manufacturing, medical tech receive policy tilt

1. Leverage Cross-border Advantages

• Typical case: Utilizing Singapore-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement
• Avoid direct competition with local SMEs

1. Demonstrate Technology/Model Innovation

• Patent priority review channel
• InnovateSG certification adds points

1. Consider Job Creation Potential

• Each local hire: COMPASS +10 points
• Prioritize localization of labor-intensive service segments

1. Controllable Compliance Costs

• Financial industry compliance spending is 3x that of consulting
• Startups advised to choose lightly regulated industries first

VI. Industry Transition Strategies

1. Changing Industries During EP Period

• Need to resubmit business plan
• Major changes require pre-approval (30-day processing)
• Case: A trader successfully transitioned to logistics tech

1. Optimizing Industry Positioning at Renewal

• Upgrade from "clothing trade" to "sustainable fashion platform"
• Must provide proof of business evolution

1. Industry Considerations for PR Application

• National priority sectors see 25% higher approval rates
• Traditional industries need to demonstrate unique value

VII. Industry Recommendations for Special Groups

1. Artists/Creators

• Go through National Arts Council (NAC) channel
• Need to submit international exhibition records

1. Tech Entrepreneurs

• Recommend joining certified incubators (e.g., BLOCK71)
• Can enjoy fast-track approval

1. Family Offices

• Assets under management ≥S$5 million
• Must employ 2 professional investment personnel

Conclusion: Industry Selection is Strategic, Not Just Technical

The 2025 Singapore Self-Employed EP industry access has evolved into a sophisticated industrial guidance mechanism. Those who successfully obtain approval often don't simply choose "allowed" industries, but deeply understand Singapore's economic development needs, creatively combining their professional advantages with national strategic directions. When your business plan can demonstrate value-adding potential to Singapore's industrial ecosystem, not just profit possibilities, industry barriers transform into policy dividends. Remember, in this city-state, every EP holder is a small piece of the economic puzzle—your value lies not in what you do, but in what unique color you contribute to this grand picture.