Not through a direct property purchase alone. The official Global Investor Programme factsheet published by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) does not list buying residential, commercial, or industrial property as a qualifying investment. A real estate investor can apply only by meeting one of the four GIP qualifying profiles and making an investment under Option A, Option B, or Option C.
The factsheet also does not use the label “Scheme A” for the whole programme. It sets out four investor profiles and three investment options. That distinction matters because the property question turns on which profile you use to qualify and which option you choose.
What the GIP actually is
The Global Investor Programme (GIP) is administered by Contact Singapore, a division of EDB. It advises entrepreneurs and business owners who want to relocate to and invest in Singapore. The programme can lead to Singapore Permanent Residence (PR), but the factsheet states clearly that nothing in it is an undertaking to ensure the continued availability of the GIP, the approval of any GIP application, or the approval of any Re-Entry Permit (REP) renewal.
So the first question is not “Can I buy property?” It is “Do I meet one of the four profiles?” If you do not, the investment option alone will not make you eligible.
Who can apply: the four GIP profiles
The factsheet lists four qualifying profiles.
Established Business Owners. You need at least 3 years of entrepreneurial and business track record. You should currently be running a company with an annual turnover of at least S$200 million in the year immediately preceding your application, and at least S$200 million per annum on average for the three years immediately preceding your application. If the company is privately held, you should have at least 30% shareholding. The company must be engaged in one or more industries listed in Annex B of the factsheet. You may use Option A, Option B, or Option C.
Next Generation Business Owners. Your immediate family should have at least 30% shareholding, or be the largest shareholder, in the company used to qualify. That company’s annual turnover must be at least S$500 million in the year immediately preceding your application, and at least S$500 million per annum on average for the three years immediately preceding your application. You must be part of the management team, such as C-suite or Board of Directors. The company must be in one or more Annex B industries. You may use Option A, Option B, or Option C.
Founders of Fast Growth Companies. You must be a founder and one of the largest individual shareholders of a non-publicly listed company with a valuation of at least S$500 million. Your company must be invested into by reputable Venture Capital or Private Equity firms. It must also be in one or more Annex B industries. You may use Option A, Option B, or Option C.
Family Office Principals. You need at least 5 years of entrepreneurial, investment, or management track record. You must have net investible assets of at least S$200 million. The factsheet defines Net Investible Assets as financial assets such as bank deposits, capital market products, collective investment schemes, premiums paid in respect of life insurance policies, and other investment products, excluding real estate. Family Office Principals may use Option C only.
What you must invest: Option A, B, or C
The factsheet sets out three investment options. They are not property options.
Option A requires an investment of at least S$10 million in a new business entity or in the expansion of an existing business operation in Singapore. You must submit a detailed 5-year business or investment plan with projected employment, expenditure, and financial projections. The plan is assessed on feasibility, your role in growing the company, the business activities, and the creation of local jobs. You should have at least 30% shareholding in the Option A company and be part of its management team. The company must be engaged in one or more Annex B industries.
Option B requires an investment of S$25 million in a GIP-select fund that invests in Singapore-based companies. Applicants may be requested to share other business plans for Singapore apart from the investment in the GIP-select fund. The factsheet notes that investing in a GIP-select fund is a decision made solely by the applicant. Selection of a fund does not serve as an endorsement, and Contact Singapore is not responsible for claims or losses arising from the investment.
Option C requires establishing a Singapore-based Single Family Office with Assets Under Management (AUM) of at least S$200 million. Minimally S$50 million must be transferred into Singapore and deployed in EDB specified investments. Offshore assets can qualify as part of the AUM requirement, provided at least S$50 million in investible assets has been transferred into and held in Singapore upon Approval-in-Principle of your PR. At least S$50 million must be deployed in EDB specified investments no later than 12 months from the Final Approval of your PR, and thereafter maintained throughout the validity of the REP. The factsheet excerpt lists equities listed on Singapore approved exchanges among the EDB specified investments. Applicants should check the current factsheet for the full list.
Can a property purchase satisfy the GIP investment requirement?
The factsheet does not describe a direct property purchase as a qualifying investment under Option A, Option B, or Option C.
For Option A, the qualifying investment is in a new business entity or the expansion of an existing business operation in Singapore. If your business is real estate-related, you would still need to fit one of the four profiles and the company would need to be in an Annex B industry.
For Option B, the qualifying investment is in a GIP-select fund. The factsheet says the fund invests in Singapore-based companies. It does not say an applicant may choose direct property instead.
For Option C, the position is clearer on the Family Office Principal profile: Net Investible Assets exclude real estate. A property portfolio therefore does not count toward the S$200 million net investible assets criterion. In addition, at least S$50 million must be deployed in EDB specified investments, and the factsheet lists equities listed on Singapore approved exchanges among those investments.
A property purchase may be a separate personal investment. But the official GIP factsheet does not make a direct property purchase a GIP qualifying investment on its own.
If you are a real estate investor, what should you check?
Start with the profile, not the asset class. Check whether you meet the track record, turnover, shareholding, valuation, venture capital or private equity backing, or net investible assets requirement that applies to your chosen profile.
Then check the option. If you intend to use Option A, confirm that the business you will invest in is in an Annex B industry and that your 5-year plan shows the required projections. If you intend to use Option B, review the current GIP-select fund list and the fund’s investment mandate. If you intend to use Option C, exclude real estate from the S$200 million net investible assets calculation and verify how the S$50 million will be deployed into EDB specified investments.
Finally, prepare evidence. The factsheet requires applicants to submit information and documents, and applicants are assessed based on what they submit and what they share during the GIP interview.
Step-by-step: from application to PR
- Submit the completed GIP application forms, both online and hardcopy, to EDB.
- If invited, attend an interview with EDB.
- If you meet the assessment criteria, ICA issues an Approval-in-Principle (AIP), valid for 6 months.
- Fulfil the investment condition under your selected option within 6 months from the date of the AIP letter.
- Provide evidence of the investment and submit the Investment Undertaking on the terms and conditions of the investment.
- Once EDB verifies the investment documents, ICA issues the Final Approval letter. Option C applicants must demonstrate that minimally S$50 million has been deployed into the specified investments no later than 12 months from the date of the Final Approval letter.
- Formalise your PR within 12 months from the date of the Final Approval letter.
The factsheet states that a GIP application will take approximately 12 months to process, subject to complete submission of all required supporting documents and due diligence checks.
After PR formalisation, you will be issued a REP valid for 5 years. The REP allows you to maintain PR status when you are out of Singapore. It will be renewed if you meet the renewal criteria by the 5th year of your PR. You are responsible for submitting the REP renewal application through ICA’s Electronic Re-Entry Permit System. The window to apply opens 3 months before the expiry of your REP. The REP will lapse if you apply for renewal after the validity period. Without a valid REP, you will lose your PR once you leave Singapore.
How dependants fit
Your spouse and unmarried children below the age of 21 as at the date of application submission are eligible to be included as dependants under your GIP application. Your parents and unmarried children above the age of 21 as at the date of application submission are not eligible to be included as dependants. They may apply for a Long Term Visit Pass, which is tied to the validity of your REP.
Male children who obtain PR by virtue of being your dependant will be liable for National Service. Male dependants whose spouse is the main applicant may also be liable to serve National Service. The factsheet directs applicants to www.cmpb.gov.sg for more information.
FAQ
Can I buy a condominium and count it as my GIP investment?
The GIP factsheet does not list a direct property purchase as a qualifying investment under Option A, Option B, or Option C. For Family Office Principals, real estate is excluded from Net Investible Assets. A property purchase alone does not satisfy the investment conditions described in the factsheet.
Does being a real estate investor disqualify me from the GIP?
The factsheet does not say that a real estate background disqualifies you. It says you must meet one of the four profiles and choose a qualifying investment option. If your qualifying company is in a real estate-related line, check whether it falls within Annex B of the factsheet.
Does the GIP have a “Scheme A”?
The official factsheet uses four profiles and three investment options: Option A, Option B, and Option C. It does not use “Scheme A” as the name of the programme.
What is the minimum investment for each option?
Option A: at least S$10 million in a new business entity or expansion of an existing business operation in Singapore. Option B: S$25 million in a GIP-select fund. Option C: a Singapore-based Single Family Office with AUM of at least S$200 million, with minimally S$50 million transferred into Singapore and deployed in EDB specified investments.
Where can I verify the current rules?
Use the EDB Global Investor Programme factsheet and the ICA PR pages. The factsheet is updated from time to time, so check the current version before relying on any figure or list.
