Learn More About Singapore Permanent Resident

There are two different investment programs available for wealthy foreigners who are eligible for Permanent Residence (PR) status in Singapore: the Global Investor Programme or GIP and the Financial Investor Scheme or FIS. These programs may not be available for everyone but anybody who has lots of assets interested in establishing a permanent residence in Singapore and willing to invest in Singapore may find one of these programs useful.

Global Investor Programme

Global Investor Programme permanent residency applications are assessed by the Economic Development Board (EDB) and Contact Singapore. Investors are required to be any of the following in order to be considered for GIP PR status:

Have at least 3 years of documented entrepreneurial or business experience and currently own a company grossing at least S$30 million in sales in the most recent year or an average of S$30 million over the last 3 years, or
Holding position as senior corporate manager with at least 10 years of corporate management experience and currently employed as a senior manager in a company earning at least S$100 million in gross annual sales.

Starting January 2011, eligible applicants with the required entrepreneurial and business or senior management experience may choose between two GIP investment options:

Option 1: Invest in a startup business with a minimum of S$2.5 million or expansion of an existing Singapore business. Approval by a Singapore incorporated venture capital fund or a Singapore incorporated foundation or another trust focusing on economic development of the initial investment is required.
Option 2: Invest at least S$2.5 million in a GIP approved fund. This initial investment must be approved prior to the investment by the Singapore incorporated venture capital fund or Singapore incorporated foundation or another trust focusing on economic development.

Applicants may include their immediate family in their PR application under the Global Investor Programme. The term immediate family includes the applicant's spouse and unmarried children who are less than 21 years. The applicants Parents or spouse may also apply for a renewable five-year Long Term Visitor Pass.

Financial Investor Scheme

The Financial Investor Scheme applications for PR are reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore known as the MAS. Eligibility is determined by the following: applicant demonstrating a net personal worth of S$20 million and making a deposit of at least S$5 million of assets with a Singapore financial institution regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore for at least five years. Assets may consist of the following: bank deposits, capital assets, and other investment instruments. A S$3 million investment of the S$5 million may be made in land or land and building in Singapore.

Singapore is a modern country offering a stable government and economy and a healthy quality of life for both work and leisure, making Singapore an attractive place to live as well as a good place to invest assets. Once you obtain a PR status, you can easily travel in and out of the country and work without a work Visa. Property can be easily purchased and your children become eligible for entry to Singapore's public education system. These benefits attract many Europeans and North Americans who are currently living in Singapore or considering working and living in Singapore to seek permanent residence status.