Singapore Global Investor Residency

The Global Investor Programme (GIP), available since 2004, allows eligible investors to obtain Singapore permanent residency through investment in a new or existing business or a GIP-approved fund.

Foreigners have to invest at least SG$10 million in Singapore, gaining access to permanent residency immediately upon approval, which typically takes six months.

The program comes with a physical presence requirement of only one day a year.

After two years of continued residency in the country, applicants can apply for citizenship but must be prepared to renounce their original nationality as Singapore doesn’t recognize dual nationality.

To qualify for the Singapore Permanent Residence (PR) status through the Global Investor Programme (GIP), applicants must choose one of the following investment options:

Option A:

Demonstrate an investment of minimally SG$10 million in a new business entity or in the expansion of an existing business operation in Singapore.

Option B:

Invest SG$25 million in a GIP-select fund that also invests in Singapore-based companies.

Option C:

Establish a Singapore-based Single-Family Office with Assets-Under-Management (AUM) of at least SG$200 million, where applicants must deploy a minimum of SG$50 million) in any of the following four investment categories:

• Equities, REITs, or business trusts listed on Singapore-approved exchanges
• Qualifying debt securities listed on the Monetary Authority of Singapore’s enquiry system
• Funds distributed by Singapore-licensed/registered managers or financial institutions
• Private equity investments in non-listed, Singapore-based operating companies

Important Considerations for GIP Applicants:

• Discretionary Approval Process: Unlike most countries, meeting all GIP requirements does not guarantee approval. Singapore maintains full discretion in the approval process and may reject applications without providing specific reasons.
• Permanent Residence Renewal Requirements: Singapore PR status requires a valid Re-Entry Permit (REP), which must be renewed every 5 years. Without a valid REP, PR status effectively lapses, making the “permanent” residence status conditional on continued compliance with Singapore’s requirements.
• National Service Requirements: Male children of PR holders are required to serve two years of National Service in Singapore’s military. Failure to fulfill this obligation results in a de facto lifelong ban from Singapore residency for the individual.

• Low taxes
• High safety
• Mild climate
• English widely spoken
• Short processing time
• Path to citizenship
• Enhanced access to large economies

Applicants can obtain PR status within six months, and are eligible to apply to citizenship typically within 2-3 years.

However, approval remains discretionary. Meeting all eligibility criteria does not guarantee citizenship approval, and Singapore does not publish approval or rejection statistics.

Also, while processing can be as quick as 2 years, longer periods are common.

Browse 195 countries’ paths to citizenship in the hyper-detailed IMI Citizenship Catalog.

Applications for this program may be directed to Economic Development Board (EDB) of Singapore.