Singapore Global Investor Programme (GIP)

Programme Overview

Singapore's Global Investor Programme (GIP) is one of the most prestigious and demanding investment migration programmes in the world. Administered by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), the GIP grants Permanent Resident (PR) status to high-net-worth entrepreneurs and investors who commit substantial capital to Singapore's economy and demonstrate a compelling business track record.

Singapore is consistently ranked among the world's top destinations for ease of doing business, financial services, and quality of life. Its strategic position as the gateway to Southeast Asia — a region home to nearly 700 million people and some of the world's fastest-growing economies — makes it an indispensable hub for global investors and business families. Singapore's financial sector, legal infrastructure, educational institutions, and healthcare system are internationally recognised as among Asia's finest.

The GIP is not a passive investment programme. Singapore EDB actively curates the applicant pool, assessing investment credentials, business track record, and genuine entrepreneurial intent. Applications from passive investors or those without substantive business backgrounds are unlikely to succeed.

Investment Options

The GIP currently offers two primary investment options (as revised in 2023):

Option A — Business investment:

• Minimum investment: S$10,000,000 in a new or existing Singapore-registered business
• Business must operate in qualifying sectors (manufacturing, technology, financial services, professional services, etc.) and meet EDB hiring requirements
• Applicant must actively manage the business and demonstrate a substantive role
• The business plan must show credible projections and significant Singapore economic linkage

Option B — Fund investment:

• Minimum investment: S$25,000,000
• Fund must be a GIP-select fund that invests in Singapore-based companies
• The EDB maintains a list of approved GIP-select funds; investment must be directed to a fund on this list
• Suitable for investors seeking a portfolio-managed approach

Option C — Family office (GIP-FO) sub-scheme:

• Minimum AUM: S$200,000,000 in assets under management globally, with at least S$50,000,000 in Singapore-based assets
• Establishes a qualifying family office under the MAS Variable Capital Company (VCC) or other structure
• Requires minimum five full-time investment professionals in Singapore
• Substantial compliance infrastructure required; suitable only for very large family offices

All GIP investments must be in Singapore dollars (SGD) and must be maintained throughout the holding period. The investment must be retained for at least five years from the date PR is granted; early disposal triggers programme non-compliance.

Eligibility Requirements

The GIP has among the most stringent eligibility criteria of any investor residency programme globally:

Business track record:

• Main applicant must be a substantial business owner with a demonstrable track record
• Minimum three years' business management experience in a senior role
• Business turnover of at least S$200 million per annum in the most recently completed year (for entrepreneurs applying under the business investment route)

Investment history:

• Applicants under the fund route must demonstrate credible investment experience and genuine understanding of fund investment

Financial standing:

• Net personal assets well in excess of the investment threshold are expected
• EDB does not publish a formal minimum net worth figure, but applicants with net assets below S$50 million will typically find it difficult to satisfy the assessment panel

Clean record:

• No criminal convictions for serious offences
• No adverse regulatory findings in financial services or related fields
• No material adverse media

Age: No formal minimum age, but the business track record requirement effectively restricts the programme to established mid-career investors and above.

Dependants: Spouse and unmarried children under 21 may be included in the PR application.

Processing Timeline

• Pre-application advisory and document assembly: 4–8 weeks
• EDB initial review and screening: 2–4 months
• Assessment Panel interview (for many applicants): a face-to-face or virtual interview with EDB officials is common
• PR in-Principle Approval (IPA) issued: following panel assessment
• Investment completion and entry into Singapore: within six months of IPA
• Formal PR granted: upon investment completion and registration

Total elapsed time: 3–6 months from complete application submission for typical cases, though complex cases may take longer. The EDB does not guarantee processing timelines.

Benefits

Permanent Residency: GIP grants full Singapore PR status, giving holders the right to reside, work, and conduct business in Singapore indefinitely (subject to re-entry permit renewal every five or ten years).

Singapore Citizenship pathway: After holding PR for approximately two years (and satisfying citizenship criteria including minimum physical presence), GIP holders may apply for Singapore citizenship. Singapore citizenship carries one of the world's most powerful passports — Singapore passport holders have visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 190 countries as of 2026.

No capital gains tax: Singapore does not levy capital gains tax. Gains on disposal of shares, real estate, or other capital assets held by individuals are not taxable, making Singapore exceptionally attractive for asset-holding families and investors.

No inheritance or wealth tax: Singapore abolished estate duty in 2008 and levies no wealth tax on individuals. This is a significant advantage for multi-generational wealth planning.

Sophisticated financial centre: Singapore is home to branches of most major global banks, a deep private banking sector (managing trillions in Asian private wealth), a growing family office ecosystem, and MAS-regulated investment managers offering access to global and Asian markets.

World-class education: Singapore's public and international school system is among Asia's best. The city-state hosts international campuses of leading UK and US universities, as well as top local institutions (NUS, NTU).

Healthcare: Singapore's private healthcare system is internationally recognised. Public hospitals operate to a high standard.

Low corporate tax: Singapore's corporate tax rate is 17%, with a range of exemptions and incentives for qualifying companies. The city-state has an extensive tax treaty network covering 90+ countries.

Rule of law: Singapore's legal system, based on English common law, is internationally respected. Contract enforcement is efficient and independent.

Limitations

• The investment thresholds are among the highest of any residency programme globally: S$10 million minimum (approximately $7.4 million USD as of 2026) for the fund route. This limits the GIP to genuinely ultra-high-net-worth applicants.
• The EDB assessment is rigorous and merit-based. Passive investors without substantive business backgrounds are unlikely to succeed. EDB can and does reject applications that do not meet its economic-contribution criteria.
• Singapore citizenship requires the applicant to renounce prior citizenship(s) in most cases. Singapore does not officially recognise dual citizenship for adults, which is a significant consideration for applicants holding other desirable passports.
• The cost of living in Singapore is among the highest in Asia. Property prices in prime districts (Orchard, River Valley, Sentosa Cove) are comparable with London and Hong Kong.
• Five-year investment lock-in means the committed capital is not freely redeployable during the holding period.
• Singapore has no residency-by-real-estate-purchase route for non-citizens; direct property investment does not qualify for the GIP.

Due Diligence Notes

Singapore EDB and MAS apply thorough AML/CFT due diligence. Applicants should expect source-of-wealth and source-of-funds documentation requirements, including audited accounts for business interests, and be prepared to explain the origins of their investment capital clearly and with supporting evidence.

Singapore is a FATF member and implements its recommendations fully. Applications involving funds from or through higher-risk jurisdictions will receive close scrutiny.

The GIP requires engagement with EDB through the official application process. Preparatory advisory services are commonly used but no agent or intermediary can guarantee a GIP outcome; EDB retains full discretion over approval decisions.

Programme details, investment thresholds, and eligibility criteria are subject to change. This page reflects the position as understood at the date of publication. Professional legal, tax, and investment advice must be sought before making any decision.

How Global Investments can help

Global Investments advises ultra-high-net-worth families on Singapore as a wealth hub and the GIP as a residency vehicle. We work with a curated network of EDB-approved fund managers, Singapore-licensed lawyers, and private banking relationships to support clients through the full GIP process.

Our advisory covers: pre-application eligibility assessment, business plan structuring (Option A), fund selection and due diligence (Option B), Singapore family office establishment (Option C), source-of-wealth documentation preparation, and post-PR tax and estate planning.

We also help clients understand the broader Singapore planning context — corporate structuring, real estate, international school options, and the citizenship pathway — so that the GIP is embedded in a coherent, long-term Singapore strategy rather than treated as a standalone immigration exercise.

Contact us for a confidential discussion. Investment thresholds and programme terms are subject to change; professional advice must always be sought before commitment.