Singapore investor immigration runs mainly through the Global Investor Programme (GIP). The programme is administered by Contact Singapore, under the Economic Development Board (EDB), and grants permanent resident (PR) status to qualifying global investors. The family office (SFO) is one of its routes (GIP Option C) and is governed by separate rules from the family office tax framework of the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS).
What GIP is and who can obtain permanent residence (PR) directly
GIP grants Singapore permanent resident (PR) status to qualifying global investors who intend to use Singapore as a base to drive business and investment growth. Applicants must have a solid business track record and a successful entrepreneurship background. The programme is administered by Contact Singapore, under the Economic Development Board (EDB).
GIP is not an ordinary Work Permit. It obtains permanent residence (PR) through a one-off investment. Approval is handled jointly by the Economic Development Board (EDB) and the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA).
Each applicant must pay a non-refundable processing fee of S$100 directly to the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) (per applicant); the payment timing will be notified separately after the GIP application is received (per applicant). The form takes about 30 minutes to complete; the family background Excel sheet takes about 15 minutes.
Eligibility comparison across the four applicant categories
GIP sets out four applicant categories, each with different thresholds. The first three can choose investment Option A, B or C; Family Office Principals can only choose Option C.
| Applicant type | Key eligibility (published by EDB) |
|---|---|
| Established Business Owners | At least 3 years of entrepreneurship and business track record; company’s most recent financial year revenue of at least S$200 million, and average annual revenue of at least S$200 million for each of the 3 consecutive years before application; private shareholding must be at least 30%; company must operate in an Annex B industry |
| Next Generation Business Owners | Immediate family holds at least 30% or is a majority shareholder in the qualifying company; the company’s most recent financial year revenue of at least S$500 million, and average annual revenue of at least S$500 million for each of the 3 consecutive years before application; must hold a management position; company must operate in an Annex B industry |
| Founders of Fast Growth Companies | Must be a founder and one of the largest individual shareholders of a non-listed company, with company valuation of at least S$500 million; backed by a recognised VC or PE investor; company must operate in an Annex B industry |
| Family Office Principals | At least 5 years of entrepreneurship, investment or management track record; investable net assets of at least S$200 million |
Established Business Owners may combine up to 2 companies to meet the revenue threshold, and all companies must operate in an Annex B industry. If the company is listed, the applicant must be one of the largest individual shareholders.
Next Generation Business Owners must hold a management position (e.g. C-suite or board). The annual revenue threshold for their qualifying company is S$500 million, higher than the S$200 million for Established Business Owners.
Founders of Fast Growth Companies must be backed by a recognised VC or private equity firm. Their company must operate in one of the Annex B industries.
How to choose among the three investment routes: Options A, B, C
The first three applicant categories may choose one of three investment options. The option chosen determines where the funds go and the subsequent obligations.
| Investment option | Investment threshold (published by EDB) | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|
| Option A | Set up or expand a business in Singapore, with a minimum investment of S$10 million | Applicants who want to operate an actual business |
| Option B | Invest S$25 million in a GIP-select fund that invests in Singapore-based companies | Applicants who prefer financial investment |
| Option C | Establish a Singapore single-family office (SFO) with assets under management of at least S$200 million, of which at least S$50 million must be transferred to Singapore and allocated to EDB-approved investments | Family Office Principals and those who wish to obtain PR through an SFO |
Option A requires submission of a 5-year business or investment plan covering employment, expenditure and financial projections. The applicant must hold at least 30% of the Option A company and hold a management position; the company must operate in an Annex B industry.
Option B investment must be remitted from an account held in the applicant’s own name at a bank incorporated in Singapore. The investor may be asked to provide other Singapore business plans besides the GIP-select fund.
EDB’s published GIP-select fund list comprises 7 firms: B Capital Group Singapore Pte Ltd, East Ventures Advisory Pte Ltd, Granite Asia Capital Pte Ltd, HHLR Management Pte Ltd, Insignia Ventures Partners Pte Ltd, Jungle Ventures Pte Ltd, and Vertex Venture Management Pte Ltd. Investment in a GIP-select fund is not capital-guaranteed; its value may fall with market conditions, and EDB accepts no liability.
Option C requires submission of a 5-year business plan covering employment and annual financial projections. At least S$50 million of investable assets must be transferred to and retained in Singapore after the Approval-in-Principle (AIP); at least S$50 million must be allocated to EDB-approved investments within 12 months after Final Approval, and maintained throughout the validity of the Re-Entry Permit (REP).
Specific thresholds for the family office route (Option C)
Option C obtains permanent residence (PR) by establishing a Singapore single-family office (SFO). Assets under management (AUM) must be at least S$200 million; of this, at least S$50 million must be transferred to Singapore after the Approval-in-Principle (AIP).
EDB-approved investments include, among others, equities listed on a recognised Singapore exchange. Overseas assets may count towards assets under management, provided at least S$50 million of investable assets has been transferred to and retained in Singapore at the time of the Approval-in-Principle (AIP).
Within 12 months after Final Approval, it must be demonstrated that at least S$50 million has been allocated to approved investments. This requirement must be maintained throughout the validity of the Re-Entry Permit (REP).
GIP Option C and the MAS tax framework are run by different agencies for different purposes. The former is administered by the Economic Development Board (EDB) to obtain permanent residence (PR); the latter is administered by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and, under Sections 13O, 13OA and 13U of the Income Tax Act 1947, provides tax exemption to fund vehicles (including family offices) managed by Singapore-based fund managers, but does not itself grant permanent residence (PR).
Seven steps and timeline from application to permanent residence (PR)
A GIP application takes about 12 months overall from submission to final approval (subject to complete submission of all supporting documents at the time of application and to due diligence). The steps are:
- The applicant submits the completed GIP application form (online and paper) to the Economic Development Board (EDB).
- The applicant is invited for an interview with the Economic Development Board (EDB).
- If the assessment criteria are met, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) issues the Approval-in-Principle (AIP), valid for 6 months.
- The applicant fulfils the conditions of the chosen investment option within 6 months from the date of the AIP letter.
- After completing the investment, the applicant provides proof of investment and submits an investment undertaking.
- After the documents are verified by the Economic Development Board (EDB), the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) issues the Final Approval letter (Option C must show that at least S$50 million has been allocated within 12 months after Final Approval).
- The applicant must complete the formalities for Singapore permanent residence (PR) within 12 months from the date of the Final Approval letter.
At the AIP stage, the applicant receives an email from the Economic Development Board (EDB) listing the investments to be made and the documents to be submitted. The investment conditions must be fulfilled within 6 months from the date of the AIP letter.
Option A must show an investment of S$10 million in the Option A company; retrospective investments (e.g. paid-up capital) may be counted. Option B must show an investment of S$25 million in a GIP-select fund, remitted from an account in the applicant’s own name at a bank incorporated in Singapore.
Dependants, Re-Entry Permit (REP) and National Service (NS)
Spouses and unmarried children under 21 may be included as dependants in the GIP application. Male children who obtain permanent residence (PR) as dependants must fulfil National Service (NS); a male dependant who is the spouse of the main applicant may be required to fulfil National Service (NS). See www.cmpb.gov.sg for details.
Parents and unmarried children above 21 cannot be included as GIP dependants. They may instead apply for a Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP), whose validity is tied to your Re-Entry Permit (REP).
The Re-Entry Permit (REP) is required for a permanent resident (PR) to travel out of Singapore. Leaving or staying overseas without a valid Re-Entry Permit (REP) results in loss of permanent resident (PR) status. Renewal can be done via ICA e-Service using Singpass (Singapore’s digital identity) within 3 months before expiry; those overseas without Singpass may apply at the nearest Singapore mission.
If the Re-Entry Permit (REP) has expired, an application must be made within 180 days from the first day the applicant was outside Singapore without a valid REP, to retain permanent resident (PR) status; approvals are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Naturalisation requires holding permanent resident (PR) status for at least 2 years and being at least 21 years old, and is assessed by ICA on a case-by-case basis under current policy.
Under the Enlistment Act 1970, all male citizens and permanent residents (unless exempted) must serve National Service (NS). Registration must be done at 16½ years old, with enlistment as soon as possible at 18; the obligation lasts until age 50 (officers) or 40 (other ranks). Renouncing or losing permanent resident (PR) status without having served will seriously affect future applications to work, study or reside long-term in Singapore.
The family office tax framework (13O/13OA/13U)
The 13O, 13OA and 13U fund tax incentives of the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) provide tax exemption to fund vehicles (including family offices) managed by Singapore-based fund managers, subject to meeting various conditions.
AUM threshold: 13O/13OA requires at least S$20 million in designated investments (DI); 13U requires at least S$50 million in designated investments (DI). When AUM in DI falls below S$20 million (13O/OA) or S$50 million (13U) at the end of the financial year, the fund vehicle cannot enjoy the tax exemption in that basis period; if it meets the threshold and other conditions in a subsequent basis period, the exemption can be reinstated.
Investment professional (IP) requirement: 13O/13OA requires 2 qualified IPs, of which at least 1 must be a non-family member; 13U requires 3 qualified IPs, of which at least 1 must be a non-family member. A qualified IP must earn a monthly salary above S$3,500, spend more than 50% of working time on qualifying activities, and be a Singapore tax resident throughout the incentive period.
Local spending requirement (tiered): AUM in DI below S$250 million is S$200,000; S$250 million to below S$2 billion is S$500,000; AUM in DI of S$2 billion and above is S$1,000,000. Local spending may be met by local business expenditure (minimum S$200,000 / S$300,000 / S$500,000), qualifying donations, or grants to blended finance instruments distributed by Singapore-licensed financial institutions (counted at 2 times).
Capital deployment requirement (CDR): the lower of 10% or S$10 million of AUM in DI must be invested in designated investments, including securities listed on a recognised exchange, those distributed by MAS-licensed institutions (excluding overseas-listed equities), or non-listed companies incorporated in Singapore with substantive business and presence. The fund must hold a private bank account with a MAS-licensed financial institution.
Qualified IPs primarily serve as portfolio managers, research analysts or traders; they must have relevant experience (investment or formally employed in investment management, research, trading, M&A) or relevant qualifications (a degree in accounting, finance, economics, business administration, financial engineering, etc., or professional certifications such as CFA/CMFAS). An operating company with substantive Singapore presence must be incorporated in Singapore, with at least 25% local shareholding, at least 3 Singapore-based employees, and a Singapore business premises.
GIP Option C and the MAS tax framework are run by different agencies for different purposes: the former is administered by the Economic Development Board (EDB) to obtain permanent residence (PR), the latter by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) to obtain tax incentives. Applicants should compare their position against both sets of conditions before deciding whether to apply via the family office route.
What to read next
- Singapore immigration complete guide — See the routes into Singapore immigration, their respective conditions, and approximate cost.
- Singapore immigration conditions 2026 — Official positions across four routes: work, family, investment and study.
- How much it costs to immigrate to Singapore — Official fees, investment thresholds and daily expenses.
- GIP family office route: 2026 entry costs and compliance thresholds — Costs and compliance details of the GIP family office route.
- Permanent resident (PR) conditions and application approach — Who can apply for PR, the documents and processing time.
- Singapore personal income tax and tax residency — How tax residency is determined and the tax rate table.
Official sources
- Global Investor Programme (EDB) — EDB’s page on the GIP administering agency and application entry point.
- GIP Factsheet (EDB, updated 2025-05-05) — Details on the four eligibility categories, three option thresholds, seven steps and REP renewal.
- GIP-select funds (EDB) — The GIP-select fund list and the disclaimer that investments are not capital-guaranteed.
- Permanent Residency and Citizenship (EDB) — Notes on PR, REP, naturalisation and National Service (NS).
- Fund Tax Schemes for Family Offices (MAS) — The AUM, IP, expenditure and CDR conditions for 13O/13OA/13U.
- FAQs on the Schemes for Single Family Offices (MAS) — Q&As on SFO change reporting, exemption thresholds and qualified IPs.
Data pack captured on: 2026-10-07. The above rules may change; verify on the relevant agency’s page before proceeding. This site is not an immigration agency, does not process applications, does not represent anyone, and does not constitute immigration or legal advice; it provides general information only.