GIP

Singapore GIP: Eligibility, Investment Options & Process

EDB factsheet and ICA PR page: GIP's four applicant profiles, three options from S$10 million, application steps, post-approval terms, dependant rules and fees.

Pass & Permit Desk 8 min read

Programme Overview and Positioning

The Global Investor Programme (GIP) is managed by Contact Singapore, under the Economic Development Board (EDB). It offers a route to Singapore permanent resident (PR) status for investors who wish to start a business or invest in Singapore. EDB states that the document does not constitute a commitment that GIP will remain available, that any application will be approved, or that a Re-Entry Permit (REP) will be renewed.

Four Applicant Eligibility Profiles

An applicant must meet all the conditions of one of the following four profiles:

Established Business Owners

  • At least 3 years of entrepreneurial and business track record.
  • The company currently operated must have an annual turnover of at least S$200 million in the year immediately before the application, and an average annual turnover of at least S$200 million across the three years before that.
  • If the company is privately held, the applicant must hold at least 30% of the shares.
  • The company must be in one of the sectors listed in Annex B.
  • The turnover of up to 2 companies may be combined, provided all such companies operate only in the sectors listed in Annex B.

Next-Generation Business Owners

  • The immediate family must hold at least 30% of the shares in, or be the largest shareholder of, the company used by the applicant to qualify.
  • That company must have an annual turnover of at least S$500 million in the year immediately before the application, and an average annual turnover of at least S$500 million across the three years before that.
  • The applicant must be a member of the company’s management team (e.g. C-suite or board member).
  • The company must be in one of the sectors listed in Annex B.

Founders of Fast-Growing Companies

  • A founder of a non-listed company who is one of its largest individual shareholders, with a company valuation of at least S$500 million.
  • The company is backed by reputable venture capital / private equity firms.
  • The company must be in one of the sectors listed in Annex B.

Single-Family Office Principals

  • At least 5 years of entrepreneurial, investment or management track record.
  • Net investable assets of at least S$200 million. Net investable assets include bank deposits, capital market products, collective investment schemes, paid life insurance premiums and other investment products, excluding real estate. EDB reserves the right to determine the suitability of assets.

Three Investment Options

An applicant meeting any of the above profiles must choose one of the following three options to make the investment:

Option A: Invest in a New or Expanding Business

  • Set up a new business entity in Singapore or expand an existing one, with an investment of at least S$10 million.
  • Submit a detailed 5-year business/investment plan (covering projected employment, expenditure and financial forecasts). EDB assesses it on feasibility, the applicant’s role, business activities and local job creation.
  • The applicant must hold at least 30% of the shares in the Option A company and be a member of its management team.
  • The Option A company must be in a sector listed in Annex B.

Option B: Invest in GIP-Designated Funds

  • Invest S$25 million in a GIP-designated fund that invests in Singapore-based companies.
  • The investment decision is made by the applicant. EDB does not endorse the fund’s performance and accepts no liability for losses.
  • The applicant may be required to provide additional Singapore business plans beyond the fund investment.

Option C: Establish a Single-Family Office (SFO)

  • Establish a single-family office (SFO) in Singapore with assets under management (AUM) of at least S$200 million.
  • Of this, at least S$50 million must be transferred to Singapore and deployed in EDB-designated investment instruments (such as stocks listed on the Singapore Exchange).
  • Submit a detailed 5-year business plan (covering projected employment and annual financial forecasts). EDB assesses it on the applicant’s role, the family office’s functions, intended investment sectors/asset types/geographic spread and philanthropic intentions.
  • Overseas assets may count towards AUM, but at least S$50 million of investable assets must have been transferred to and held in Singapore by the time of In-Principle Approval (IPA).
  • The applicant must complete the deployment of at least S$50 million in designated instruments within 12 months from the date the Final Approval letter is issued, and maintain it throughout the validity of the REP.

Application Process and Timeline

  1. The applicant submits a complete GIP application form to EDB (online and hard copy).
  2. EDB invites the applicant for an interview.
  3. If the assessment criteria are met, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) issues an In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter, valid for 6 months.
  4. The applicant fulfils the investment conditions of the chosen option within 6 months from the date of the IPA letter.
  5. The applicant submits evidence of investment and signs an investment undertaking (terms and conditions).
  6. After EDB verifies the investment documents, ICA issues a Final Approval letter (Option C applicants must show that the S$50 million designated deployment is completed no later than 12 months from the Final Approval letter).
  7. The applicant must complete the PR formalities within 12 months from the date of the Final Approval letter.

EDB guidance: with all documents submitted in full, processing takes about 12 months, and is subject to due diligence.

Post-Approval Requirements and REP

  • After PR formalities are completed, ICA issues a REP valid for 5 years. The REP allows PR status to be retained while abroad.
  • Renewal standards must be met before the end of year 5 to obtain a 5-year renewal:
    • Option A: investment conditions met, and the Option A company…
    • Option B: investment conditions met, and…
    • Option C: investment conditions met, and…
    • (Note: The renewal standards table in Section 7 of the EDB factsheet is truncated in the source document. Please refer to the latest official version for the full conditions.)
  • Renewal applications open 3 months before the REP expires and are submitted via ICA’s electronic REP system. Late applications will cause the REP to lapse; once the holder leaves Singapore, PR status is lost.
  • Any change of mailing address must be notified to EDB by email at any time (contactsingapore@edb.gov.sg).

Dependant Arrangements

  • The applicant’s spouse and unmarried children under 21 as at the date of application may apply for PR as dependants. Male children who obtain PR as dependants are liable for National Service (NS); where the spouse is the main applicant, male dependants may also bear NS obligations. See www.cmpb.gov.sg for details.
  • The applicant’s parents, and unmarried children aged 21 or above as at the date of application, may not be included as dependants in the GIP application. They may apply for a Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP), the validity of which is tied to the main applicant’s REP.

Fees and Official Statements

Based on ICA’s permanent residence application page, the PR application fees are:

  • Upon submission: S$100 per application.
  • Upon completion of formalities: S$20 entry permit, S$50 for the 5-year REP, and S$50 for the identity card.
  • All fees are non-refundable. Payment methods: Visa/Mastercard, Amex, local bank internet banking transfer, and PayNow.

ICA reiterates that it has no association with any external agency or commercial entity that claims to be a Singapore immigration expert/adviser or partner, and does not support or endorse such services.

Official Reference Pages

Briefs filed under the same topic.