Global Investor Programme (GIP)

The Global Investor Programme (GIP) grants Singapore Permanent Resident status to eligible global investors who intend to drive business and investment growth from Singapore. Administered jointly by the Economic Development Board (EDB) and the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA), the programme was launched in 2004 to attract high-net-worth entrepreneurs and investors. It was significantly enhanced in March 2023, with investment thresholds substantially increased and a new family office option introduced. Between 2015 and 2025, around 450 individuals were granted PR through the GIP, with cumulative investments of approximately S$930 million.

The GIP is Singapore's only investor-based pathway to permanent residence. Unlike employment-based PR, no job offer or employer sponsorship is needed.

Three investment pathways are available:

• Option A — Invest at least SGD 10 million (including paid-up capital) in a new business entity or expansion of an existing business operation in Singapore
• Option B — Invest at least SGD 25 million in a GIP-select fund 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, with a minimum of SGD 50 million deployed in specified investment categories (listed equities, qualifying debt securities, funds by Singapore-licensed managers, or private equity in Singapore companies)

Four investor profiles are eligible, each with specific thresholds:

• Established business owners — Minimum 3-year entrepreneurial track record, company annual turnover of at least SGD 200 million (averaged over 3 years), at least 30% shareholding if privately held
• Next-generation business owners — At least 30% shareholding or largest shareholder (with immediate family), company turnover of at least SGD 500 million averaged over 3 years
• Founders of fast-growth companies — Founder and one of the largest individual shareholders of a private company valued at minimum SGD 500 million, backed by reputable VC/PE firms
• Family office principals — Minimum 5 years of entrepreneurial, investment, or management experience, net investable assets of at least SGD 200 million

All applicants' companies must operate in EDB-approved qualifying industries, which include aerospace, clean technology, healthcare, biotech, fintech, media, and many others.

• Completed GIP application form
• Passport copy
• Proof of business ownership (share certificates, ACRA registration)
• Audited financial statements (3 years)
• Proof of company turnover and personal net worth
• Investment plan or business proposal
• Signed Investment Undertaking and Statutory Declaration
• Additional documents per EDB's Annex A checklist

The GIP grants permanent residence directly. An initial 5-year Re-Entry Permit (REP) is issued, which must be renewed to maintain PR status when travelling.

For a 5-year REP renewal, applicants must have met full economic contribution requirements and either the main applicant or all PR dependants must have resided in Singapore for at least 2.5 of the last 5 years. For a 3-year renewal, lower thresholds apply (e.g. for Option A: at least 5 Singaporean employees and SGD 1 million annual business expenditure). Option A specifically requires hiring at least 30 employees (at least 15 Singaporean citizens) for the initial 5-year renewal.

From 1 December 2025, a PR who is outside Singapore without a valid REP retains PR status for 180 days, during which they may apply for REP renewal or request a Permanent Resident's Single-Entry Pass (PRSEP) to re-enter. If no application is made within 180 days, PR status is lost.

Spouse and unmarried children under 21 may be sponsored for PR under the same GIP application. Male dependants who obtain PR are subject to mandatory National Service at age 18 (approximately 2 years of service). Parents are not eligible under the GIP but may apply separately if the main applicant later obtains Singapore citizenship.

Singapore permanent residents who are tax residents (183+ days in a calendar year) pay progressive individual income tax from 0% to 24% on Singapore-sourced income. There is no capital gains tax and no inheritance tax (estate duty was abolished in 2008). Foreign-sourced income is generally not taxed unless received in Singapore.

The GIP follows a two-stage process. First, the applicant submits a GIP application through the online portal with all supporting documents and pays the non-refundable SGD 20,000 application fee. EDB conducts a thorough assessment taking approximately 12 months. If approved in principle, the applicant must deploy the required investment within a specified timeframe. Once verified, ICA processes the formal PR issuance (SGD 100 application fee, SGD 20 Entry Permit, SGD 50 REP, SGD 50 Identity Card).

Approval is entirely discretionary — meeting the minimum eligibility criteria does not guarantee PR status.

Permanent residents may apply for Singapore citizenship after a minimum of 2 years as a PR, subject to ICA's assessment.