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TopNation Consulting
Empowering Residency and Citizenship by investments

Singapore

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.

Singapore

Residence-by-Investment

Foreign nationals may apply for permanent residence status through the Singapore Global Investor Program. The program is aimed at entrepreneurs or investors who are interested in making substantial financial investments in Singapore and is designed to attract wealthy foreign nationals who wish to make Singapore their home.

Enquiry Factsheet

Investment

SGD 2.5 million into a business, fund, or single family office

Processing time

Nine–twelve months

Key benefit

Eligibility for citizenship after two years of permanent residence

Acquiring Singaporean Residence

It is one of the Singaporean government’s objectives to attract talent to the country for residence and work. The government’s intention is for foreign nationals to make Singapore their home by becoming permanent residents.

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 Singapore residence offers a high quality of life to its residents. Globally, Singapore is rated one of the wealthiest countries when measured by GDP per capita.

Singapore has emerged as a world-class destination with a harmonious multi-racial and multi-cultural community. It has a population of 6 million people, with English and Mandarin as the main languages spoken. Living in Singapore means that residents benefit from the country’s political stability and economic prosperity. Singapore also has a reputable education system and a reliable healthcare system.

The country has a friendly tax regime and over recent years has continued to introduce tax regulations that favor foreign investors. Singapore’s taxation system operates on a territorial basis.

The Singapore Global Investor Program is designed for entrepreneurs or investors who are interested in making substantial financial investments in Singapore and is designed to attract wealthy foreign entrepreneurs and investors who wish to make Singapore their home.

The procedure to gain permanent residence under the Singapore Global Investor Program takes a considerable length of time. 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 within three to four months of submitting the application. If an application meets all the criteria, the applicant will be issued with an approval-in-principle. This approval is valid for six months during which applicants must make the requisite investment under the chosen investment option and submit documentary proof of doing so.

Singapore citizenship is offered on a single citizenship basis. After two years of permanent residence in Singapore, it is possible to apply for Singaporean citizenship. The country does not allow dual citizenship, and this rule is strictly enforced. 

The Singapore Global Investor Program

The Global Investor Program has been designed for investors who are interested in starting a business or investing in Singapore and thereby receiving Singapore permanent residence status.

Investment options

Under the Global Investor Program, the investor can choose one of the following options:

Option A:             

Invest at least SGD 2.5 million in a new business entity or expansion of an existing business operation.

Option B:             

Invest at least SGD 2.5 million in an approved fund that invests in Singapore-based companies plus the implementation of a business plan in Singapore.

Option C (Family Office Option):   

An investment of SGD 2.5 million, used to establish a single family office in Singapore, which is required to have assets under management of at least SGD 200 million (minimum SGD 50 million of assets in Singapore and SGD 150 million in offshore assets).

Eligibility criteria

An investor is eligible to apply for permanent residence under the Global Investor Program if they have a substantial business track record and a successful entrepreneurial background. Each Singapore residence category has a specific application process and a particular set of documentary requirements that must be fulfilled.

The Global Investor Program’s qualifying options are geared towards:

1. Established business owners

The investor must possess at least three years of entrepreneurial and successful business track record. Investors must own at least 30% equity of a company (or a summation of two companies) and must produce audited financial statements of their company for the three years prior to their application. The company’s turnover must be at least SGD 200 million in the preceding 12 months and at least SGD 200 million per annum on average for the previous three years.

2. Next-generation business owners

The investor’s immediate family must own at least 30% equity of a company (or a summation of two companies) and must produce audited financial statements of their company for the three years prior to their application. The company’s turnover must be at least SGD 500 million in the preceding 12 months and at least SGD 500 million per annum on average for the previous three years. The investor needs to be a member of the company’s management board.

3. Founders of fast-growing companies

The investor must be a founder and one of the company’s largest individual shareholders. The company must have a valuation of at least SGD 500 million.

4. Family office principals

The investor must possess at least five years of entrepreneurial, investment or management track record and net investible assets of at least SGD 200 million. This category of applicant is restricted to the Family Office Option.

Family provisions

The spouse of the investor and their children (below 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.

Re-entry permit validity

Upon the formalization of their permanent residence status, the investor will be issued with a re-entry permit (REP) for five years. A valid REP is necessary whenever you wish to travel in and out of Singapore. It enables the investor to retain their permanent residence status while away from Singapore.

After the first five years, the REP can be renewed if the investor fulfills certain conditions that are subject to the chosen option. There are different renewal requirements for the REP at the end of the fifth year, based on business milestones being met, physical time spent in Singapore, or a combination of these.

Acquiring Singaporean citizenship

The Singaporean passport is the second-strongest travel document in the world, according to the TopNation Consulting Passport Index. It provides the holder with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 190 destinations, including Europe's Schengen Area, Canada, China, and the USA.

After two years of permanent residence in Singapore, it is possible to apply for Singaporean citizenship.

Singapore is a single citizenship country, and this condition is strictly enforced. For this reason, Singapore is not the ideal options for individuals who are interested in holding more than one citizenship and passport.

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Should you have any questions, or if you would like a detailed breakdown of the exact costs for your family, kindly contact us and we will be delighted to help you.

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