Residency by Investment in Asia Pacific: Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, and Beyond

Asia Pacific contains the world's strongest passport (Singapore), some of its most commercially significant financial centres, and a growing range of residency by investment programmes targeted at globally mobile HNW individuals. The region is increasingly relevant for international families who are diversifying their residency and citizenship portfolio away from a purely European focus.

This guide covers the principal residency and investor pathway programmes across the region, what each requires, and how the resulting citizenship and passport compares with global alternatives.

Singapore: The Global Investor Programme

Singapore consistently holds the top position in the Henley Passport Index — providing visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to approximately 192 destinations as of 2026. Combined with Singapore's reputation as a leading financial centre, its legal system, quality of life, and political stability, the Singapore residency pathway is arguably the most sought-after in Asia Pacific.

The Global Investor Programme (GIP) is Singapore's principal investment-based residency route. It is administered by the Economic Development Board and Singapore Tourism Board (for hospitality-related investments).

GIP Requirements

Applicants must meet one of three investment options:

Option A: Invest at least SGD 10 million in a new or established Singapore business entity

Option B: Invest at least SGD 25 million in a Singapore-based GIP-approved fund that invests in Singapore-based companies

Option C: Establish or acquire at least SGD 50 million in a Singapore company focused on Singapore-based economic activity; the company must have at least SGD 500 million in annual turnover globally

In addition to the investment threshold, applicants must demonstrate a strong business track record: typically a minimum of five years of substantial entrepreneurial or business experience, with the company achieving an annual turnover of at least SGD 200 million in the year before application (and on average over the preceding three years), or a senior executive role in a larger organisation.

GIP to Citizenship Pathway

Successful GIP applicants receive permanent residency (PR) status immediately. After maintaining the investment and the PR status, Singapore citizenship can be applied for after approximately two years of PR — though Singapore has discretion over citizenship grants and processing is not guaranteed or automatic. Singapore does not generally permit dual citizenship; applicants will typically need to renounce their previous citizenship upon naturalisation.

The Singapore passport's strength — around 192 visa-free destinations, including US, EU, and China — makes the renunciation of a less capable passport a worthwhile trade for many applicants.

Hong Kong: Capital Investment Entrant Scheme

The Hong Kong Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (CIES) was relaunched in March 2024 after being closed in 2015. The revived programme requires:

• A minimum investment of HKD 30 million (approximately USD 3.8 million at current rates)
• At least HKD 27 million must be invested in permissible financial assets: Hong Kong-listed equities, bonds, fixed deposits, non-residential real estate (residential property is excluded from the qualifying investment), and collective investment schemes
• The remaining HKD 3 million must be placed in a dedicated HKD 3 million investment portfolio under the new Investment Portfolio (distinct from the main CIES portfolio)
• Applicants must not have been convicted of any serious crimes

Successful applicants receive a formal approval and can then apply for a Hong Kong entry permit (initially for two years, renewable). After seven years of ordinary residence in Hong Kong, applicants may apply for the Right of Abode.

The strategic context: Hong Kong's BN(O) pathway created by the UK in 2021 means that HK permanent residents who hold BN(O) status have a separate UK residency route. CIES is used principally by international investors seeking Hong Kong-based residency and the associated access to Hong Kong's financial markets, not typically as a primary tool for UK immigration.

Australia: Significant Investor Visa (Now Closed)

Australia's Significant Investor Visa (SIV) — the subclass 188 "golden visa" requiring AUD 5 million in complying investments — was closed to new applications on 22 January 2024. The government concluded that the programme delivered limited economic benefit and carried money-laundering risk. There is currently no investor-specific replacement, and Australia is no longer a residency-by-investment destination, though the SIV's potential revival has been the subject of political debate.

Investors should disregard older marketing that still presents the SIV as available. Migration to Australia for HNW individuals now generally runs through skilled, business innovation, or employer-sponsored pathways rather than a pure capital-investment route.

Australian Citizenship and Passport (Context)

For those who do obtain Australian permanent residence through a surviving pathway, citizenship by conferral generally requires four years of lawful residence in Australia, including at least the final twelve months as a permanent resident, with limits on time spent outside the country. The Australian passport provides visa-free access to approximately 185 countries.

New Zealand: Active Investor Plus

New Zealand's Active Investor Plus visa (AIV+) was overhauled with effect from 1 April 2025, simplifying the structure into two categories:

Growth tier: NZD 5 million invested in higher-growth, more active investments (direct investments and managed funds) held for a minimum of three years.

Balanced tier: NZD 10 million in a broader range of investments — including bonds and certain property investments — held for a minimum of five years.

Both tiers require a minimum stay commitment in New Zealand, with the Growth tier requiring fewer days in New Zealand than the Balanced tier.

New Zealand citizenship follows after five years of permanent residence. The New Zealand passport provides visa-free access to approximately 185 countries and offers Commonwealth advantages including the ability to live and work in Australia under the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement.

Malaysia: MM2H (Malaysia My Second Home)

Malaysia's MM2H programme was historically considered one of the most accessible and affordable long-stay residency programmes globally. Following a major reform in 2021 and further adjustments in 2023, the programme is significantly more demanding than its original form.

Current requirements include a monthly offshore income of at least MYR 40,000 (approximately USD 8,500), a fixed deposit of MYR 1 million, and a liquid asset requirement of MYR 1.5 million. The programme now requires a minimum of 90 days per year in Malaysia.

The revisions have reduced the programme's attractiveness relative to competitors. Malaysia's passport provides visa-free access to approximately 178 countries — including Schengen — which remains a meaningful benefit for applicants from markets with weaker passports.

Japan: Investor and Business Manager Visa

Japan does not operate a traditional CBI programme but has a structured pathway for significant investors and business operators.

The Business Manager Visa allows foreign nationals to establish or manage a business in Japan. Initial capital requirements start at JPY 5 million (approximately USD 33,000 at current rates), with the expectation of genuine business operations and at least two full-time employees or equivalent.

Japan has also created an accelerated path to permanent residency for highly skilled professionals and investors under the Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) points-based system. Accumulating 70 points allows PR application after three years; 80 points allows application after one year.

Japanese naturalization (citizenship) is available after a minimum of five years of continuous legal residence (or three years with particularly strong ties). Japan does not recognise dual citizenship — naturalization requires renunciation of the previous citizenship.

The Japanese passport provides visa-free access to approximately 187 countries (consistently among the very strongest passports, second only to Singapore on the 2026 Henley Passport Index). For investors from markets with weaker passports who are willing to commit genuinely to Japan, the naturalization pathway delivers significant passport value.

Taiwan: Gold Card

Taiwan's Employment Gold Card provides a combined work permit, residence permit, and re-entry permit for a three-year period, renewable. Eligibility is based on professional merit — qualifying under salary (NT$160,000 per month equivalent or above from foreign employment) or by meeting sector-specific criteria in technology, arts, education, finance, or other designated fields.

The Gold Card does not require investment per se but is available to many HNW professionals whose qualifications meet the income or professional criteria. Taiwan has been used as a base by technology entrepreneurs and financial professionals particularly since 2020. The Taiwan passport provides visa-free access to approximately 140 countries.

Asia Pacific Passport Comparison

For perspective on the citizenship value of these pathways:

Country	Visa-Free Access (approx. 2026)	Notable Access
Singapore	192	US, EU, China, India
Japan	187	US, EU, China
Australia	186	US, EU, China
New Zealand	185	US, EU
Malaysia	178	US, EU
Taiwan	140	US (ESTA), EU
Hong Kong SAR	165	Most EU, UK

For investors from emerging markets whose primary passport provides limited visa-free access, the Singapore or Australian citizenship pathway — combined with the trade of the existing citizenship — represents the most transformative passport upgrade available.

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Programme requirements, investment thresholds, and passport rankings in this guide reflect the position as understood at the date of publication. Immigration rules change, investment thresholds are revised, and programme availability may vary. Nothing here constitutes immigration or investment advice; all decisions should be taken in conjunction with licensed immigration advisers and qualified advisers in the relevant jurisdictions. Investment values can fall as well as rise.

How Global Investments Can Help

Global Investments advises internationally mobile families on Asia Pacific residency and investor visa pathways, including the Singapore GIP and New Zealand AIV+. We coordinate with licensed immigration advisers and investment managers in each jurisdiction to ensure that the investment structures qualifying for residency also meet the family's broader wealth planning objectives. Contact our team for a confidential consultation.