Residency | Singapore
Overview
Singapore is frequently voted the best Asian city in which to live due to its excellent infrastructure and public services. It has one of the lowest crime rates in the world and offers a high quality of life to its residents. Globally, it is rated one of the wealthiest countries when measured by GDP per capita.
Investment: Minimum investment of SGD 10 million
Processing time: Nine–twelve months
Key benefit: Eligibility for citizenship after two years of permanent residence
Benefits of Singapore Residency by Investment:
- Political, social, and economic stability
- Safety, with a high standard of living
- World-class education, healthcare, and transport systems
- Leading international financial center
- State-of-the-art business facilities and telecommunications
- Multicultural environment
- Favorable tax laws
Procedures and time frame of residence by investment in Singapore
The procedure to gain permanent residence under the Singapore Global Investor Program takes nine to twelve months. Applicants who wish to live in Singapore must submit a personal profile and a proposed investment plan using an e-application form with supporting documentation in hard copy. They are required to attend an interview after submitting the application. If an applicant meets all the criteria, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority of Singapore will issue an approval in principle. This approval is valid for six months during which applicants must make the requisite investment under the chosen investment option. Successful applicants must formalize their permanent residence status within one year of receiving their final approval letter.
The spouse of the investor and their children (under 21 years old) are eligible to apply for permanent residence under the investor’s application. Male dependents will be liable for national service.
Parents and unmarried children of the investor who are 21 years old and above are not eligible to be included in the application for permanent residence status, but they may instead apply for a five-year long-term visit pass.
Requirements of the Singapore Permanent Residence Program
Established business owners, next-generation business owners, founders of fast-growing tech companies, and family office principals with substantial entrepreneurial, business, and management experience may select one of the following investment options to acquire Singaporean permanent residence.
Option A:
Demonstrate an investment of SGD 10 million (including paid-up capital) into a new or existing business in Singapore, and hire at least 30 employees to be eligible for the re-entry permit renewal after the initial five-year period. At least half the employees must be Singaporean citizens and 10 must be new hires if the business was already in existence.
Option B:
Invest SGD 25 million into a fund approved by the Singapore Economic Development Board that invests in Singapore-based companies.
Option C:
Establish a Singapore-based single family office with assets under management of at least SGD 200 million. At least SGD 50 million of the assets must be deployed and maintained throughout the five-year residence period in any one of the following investment categories:
- Companies listed on exchanges licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore
- Qualifying debt securities such as bonds, notes, commercial papers, and certificates of deposit
- Funds distributed by Singapore-licensed or -registered managers
- Private equity injections into non-listed Singapore-based businesses
To qualify for the re-entry permit renewal under Option C, hire at least five incremental family office professionals by the end of the five-year period. At least three employees must be Singaporean citizens.