Singapore permanent residence by investment

Legal grounds

To get Singapore permanent residence by investment, you need to choose one of three ways to invest your money:

• A new business or the expansion of an existing one in Singapore - from $7.8 million.
• A government-approved fund that invests in Singapore companies - from $20 million.
• A family office in Singapore with assets from $160 million, of which at least $39 million is moved into the country.

Who can apply: investor requirements

The Global Investor Programme is designed for owners of large businesses, not private investors with capital. The main profile requires:

• at least 3 years of entrepreneurial experience;
• a stake of at least 30% in a private company;
• company revenue of at least $160 million (200 million Singapore dollars) in the year before applying and on average over 3 years.

For the next generation of a family business the threshold is higher: the family owns at least 30% of the company, and revenue is at least $390 million (500 million Singapore dollars) a year.

Three investment options

Exchange rate 1.2821 Singapore dollars per US dollar on 18 October 2026.

Timelines and steps

1. Profile check and preparing a business or investment plan.
2. Filing with the Singapore Economic Development Board and an interview.
3. Approval in principle: usually 6-12 months after filing.
4. Meeting the investment condition within the set period.
5. Permanent residence for the applicant and family.

Our manager calculates the cost of our support in the chat and confirms it in writing.

Resident obligations

• Travel abroad requires a re-entry permit, usually for 5 years; renewing it depends on meeting the programme conditions.
• A working resident contributes to the state savings system.
• Sons of permanent residents must do national service.

Resident tax is 0 to 24% of income; more on the Singapore taxes page.

Comparison with other Asian programmes

If you do not own a business with revenue of $160 million (200 million Singapore dollars) or more, Hong Kong or Malaysia is more realistic.

Other paths to permanent residence

The Global Investor Programme is not the only route. Most foreigners get permanent residence after several years of working in Singapore:

• Employment Pass - holders can apply for permanent residence under the professionals scheme; the decision weighs work history, salary, savings scheme contributions, family ties and economic contribution;
• pass for top talent - for those with a fixed salary from $24,000 (30,000 Singapore dollars) a month, or a confirmed equivalent salary with a Singapore employer;
• entrepreneur pass - for the founder of a Singapore company with a stake of at least 30% that meets at least one Ministry of Manpower criterion, such as venture funding, a patent or a government grant.

Holders of all these passes can later apply for permanent residence.

What changed in the programme

Requirements for family offices have risen sharply: the asset threshold was raised from $39 million (50 million Singapore dollars) to $160 million (200 million Singapore dollars), and $39 million of that must now go into approved programme options. A family office must also employ at least 5 new family office professionals, at least 3 of them Singapore citizens.

Taxes for the investor and family

Singapore taxes individual income at 0 to 24%, and the first $16,000 (20,000 Singapore dollars) a year is tax-free. Dividends, capital gains, inheritance and individuals' foreign income are not taxed. Company profit is taxed at 17% with a partial exemption on the first $160,000 (200,000 Singapore dollars). A foreigner's main costs are not taxes but duties on buying a home or a car: an apartment costs more than 60% above its price. More on the Singapore taxes page.

Benefits of Singapore permanent residence

How to get Singapore permanent residence: step by step

FAQ