GIP

GIP Option A: S$10 Million Direct Investment for Singapore Permanent Residence

Explains the Global Investor Programme Option A requirements, investment conditions, application steps, and renewal criteria for Singapore permanent residence.

Pass & Permit Desk 8 min read

The Global Investor Programme (GIP) Option A allows eligible investors to obtain Singapore permanent residence by investing a minimum of S$10 million in a new or existing Singapore business. The programme is administered by Contact Singapore, a division of the Economic Development Board (EDB). This article sets out the eligibility criteria, investment conditions, application steps, post‑approval requirements, and renewal rules based on the current EDB factsheet and ICA published information.

Eligibility Profiles That Can Access Option A

Four investor profiles may apply for permanent residence through the GIP. Each profile has distinct qualifying criteria. Only applicants who meet the criteria for Established Business Owners, Next Generation Business Owners, or Founders of Fast Growth Companies may proceed to select Option A.

Established Business Owners must have at least three years of entrepreneurial track record. They must currently run a company with annual turnover of at least S$200 million in the year immediately preceding the application and an average of at least S$200 million per annum over the three preceding years. If the company is privately held, the applicant must hold at least 30% shareholding. The company must operate in one or more industries listed in Annex B of the GIP factsheet.

Next Generation Business Owners must belong to a family that holds at least 30% shareholding or is the largest shareholder in the qualifying company. That company must have annual turnover of at least S$500 million in the year immediately preceding the application and an average of at least S$500 million per annum over the three preceding years. The applicant must be part of the management team (e.g., C‑suite or Board). The company must operate in Annex B industries.

Founders of Fast Growth Companies must be a founder and one of the largest individual shareholders of a non‑publicly listed company valued at least S$500 million. The company must be backed by reputable venture capital or private equity firms and operate in Annex B industries.

Family Office Principals must have at least five years of entrepreneurial, investment, or management track record and net investible assets of at least S$200 million. Net investible assets include financial assets such as bank deposits, capital market products, collective investment schemes, life insurance premiums paid, and other investment products, excluding real estate. Contact Singapore reserves judgement on asset suitability.

Spouses and unmarried children below 21 at the date of application may be included as dependants. Male dependants are liable for National Service. Parents and unmarried children above 21 are not eligible as dependants but may apply for a Long Term Visit Pass tied to the main applicant’s Re‑Entry Permit validity.

Option A Investment Requirements

Option A requires a minimum investment of S$10 million in a new business entity or in the expansion of an existing business operation in Singapore. The investment must be made in a Singapore‑incorporated company where the applicant holds at least 30% shareholding and is part of the management team (e.g., C‑suite or Board). The Option A company must operate in an industry listed in Annex B.

Applicants must submit a detailed five‑year business or investment plan with projected employment, expenditure, and financial projections for the Option A company. The plan is assessed on feasibility, the applicant’s role in growing the company, the business activities, and the creation of local jobs. Retrospective investments (i.e., paid‑up capital) in the Option A company can be considered toward fulfilling the investment condition.

Application Process Steps

  1. Submit completed GIP application forms (both online and hardcopy) to EDB.
  2. Attend an interview with EDB.
  3. If the applicant meets the assessment criteria, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) issues an Approval‑in‑Principle (AIP) valid for six months.
  4. Fulfill the investment condition under Option A within six months from the date of the AIP letter.
  5. Provide evidence of the investment and submit the signed Investment Undertaking on the Terms and Conditions of the investment.
  6. Once EDB verifies the investment documents, ICA issues the Final Approval letter.
  7. Formalise permanent residence in Singapore within 12 months from the date of the Final Approval letter.

The EDB factsheet states that a GIP application takes approximately 12 months to process, subject to complete submission of all required supporting documents and due‑diligence checks.

Post‑Approval‑in‑Principle Documentation

After receiving the AIP, the applicant receives an email from EDB stating the required investment and the full list of documents for submission. For Option A, the generally required documents include:

  • Original signed Investment Undertaking for the investment in the Option A company.
  • Original signed Statutory Declaration on the information and documents provided to fulfil post‑AIP investment obligations.
  • Latest ACRA Bizfile record of the Option A company in Singapore.
  • Certified true copy of ordinary share certificate(s) of the Option A company, certified by the company’s corporate secretary.
  • Original bank reference letter certifying that the Option A company’s corporate bank account in Singapore has been satisfactorily conducted. The letter must include the full name of the account holder, UEN number, account type, and account number.

The applicant must submit these documents within the six‑month AIP validity period.

Formalisation and Re‑Entry Permit

Upon receipt of the signed Investment Undertaking and verified investment evidence, ICA issues the Final Approval of permanent residence. The applicant must formalise PR status within 12 months from the date of the Final Approval letter.

Upon formalisation, a Re‑Entry Permit (REP) valid for five years is issued. The REP allows the holder to maintain PR status while outside Singapore. The REP must be renewed before expiry via ICA’s Electronic Re‑Entry Permit System. The renewal window opens three months before expiry. If the REP lapses, the holder loses PR status upon leaving Singapore.

Renewal Criteria at the Fifth Year

At the fifth year of PR, the REP will be renewed for five years if the Option A applicant meets the following conditions:

  • The investment conditions under Option A have been fulfilled. The Option A company must satisfy the renewal conditions set by ICA for a five-year REP renewal.

If these conditions are not met, the REP may be renewed for a shorter period or not renewed, which would result in loss of PR status upon departure from Singapore.

Fees and Payment

ICA publishes the following fees for PR applications (applicable to GIP applicants upon formalisation):

  • At submission: S$100 per application.
  • At completion of formalities: S$20 for Entry Permit, S$50 for a five‑year Re‑Entry Permit, S$50 for Singapore Identity Card.

All fees are non‑refundable. Payment must be made online using Visa or MasterCard credit/debit card, American Express (AMEX) credit card, Internet Direct Debit (DBS/POSB, OCBC, UOB, Standard Chartered Bank internet banking accounts in Singapore), or PayNow. Successful applicants will be notified of any other applicable fees subsequently.

Official References

Briefs filed under the same topic.