Country Profile:

Singapore, situated as a city-state on an island at the southernmost tip of the Malay Peninsula, is separated by the Singapore Strait to the south from Indonesia, while to the north, it is demarcated by the Johor Strait with Malaysia.

Boasting a diverse population, Singapore is predominantly Chinese. The nation is globally recognized for its high per capita gross domestic product and Human Development Index, consistently placing it among the world’s leading economies and societies in terms of prosperity and well-being.

Capital:  Singapore (city-state)

Population: 5,917,600 (as of 2023, 113rd)

Ethic Group: 74.3% Chinese, 13.5% Malay, 9.0% Indian

Area: 734.3 km²  (176th)

Offical Language: English, Malay, Mandarin, Tamil

Currency: Singapore dollar (S$) (SGD)

GDP per Captial: $133,107 (3rd)

How To Immigrate To Signapore:

The city-state is also recognized as a prime destination for immigrants. Typically, foreigners seeking to live in Singapore for an extended period must first secure a long-term residence visa. After living in the city-state for 1 to 2 years and becoming a tax-paying resident, they are eligible to apply for permanent residency.

After two years of living as permanent residents, individuals can then apply for Singaporean citizenship.

Please note that the specific requirements and procedures for immigrating to Singapore vary significantly from year to year. At present, there are six main avenues for ordinary individuals to pursue immigration to Singapore: through familial ties, as students, via investment, through work visas, and through entrepreneurial or self-employed routes.

Global Investor Programme:

The Global Investor Programme (GIP) offers a pathway for international investors aiming to stimulate business and investment growth from Singapore to apply for permanent residencya. Notably, the GIP stands as the only immigration process in Singapore allowing direct attainment of permanent residency.

The GIP provides foreign investors with three investment options:

Option A: Demonstrate an investment of minimally S$10million (almost 7.5 million US dollars) in a new business entity or in the expansion of an existing business operationin Singapore.

Option B: Invest S$25 million in a GIP-select fund that also invests in Singapore-based companies.

Option C: Establish a Singapore-based Single-Family Office with Assets-Under-Management of at least S$200 million, where minimally S$50 million must be deployed in any of the 4 investment categories of:(i)equities, REITS or business trusts listed on Singapore-approved exchanges; (ii) qualifying debt securities listed on MAS’ enquiry system; (iii) funds distributed by Singapore-licensed/registered managers or financial institutions; and (iv) private equity investments in non-listed, Singapore-based operating companies.

The GIP stipulates certain prerequisites regarding applicants’ business and management experience, along with their company’s historical performance. The specific requirements are as follows:

The entire GIP application process can be divided into 7 steps:

1. Application Submission: Applicants need to provide a complete GIP application form (both electronic and hard copies) to the Singapore Economic Development Board.

2. Interview: Applicants are invited for an interview by the Singapore Economic Development Board.

3. Approval-In-Principle Letter: Upon meeting the assessment standards, applicants will receive an approval-in-principle letter from the Singapore Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA), which remains valid for six months.

4. Investment: Applicants are required to fulfill the investment commitment mentioned in the application form within the validity of the approval-in-principle letter.

5. Submission of Proof: After the investment, applicants need to submit relevant documents (such as verified copies of equity certificates, bank statements, and other legal documents), along with a letter of assurance of investment terms and conditions to the Singapore Economic Development Board.

6. Final Approval Letter: Upon verification of the provided documents, the ICA will issue a final approval letter for the GIP to the applicant. (For Option C, applicants need to demonstrate within twelve months from the issuance date of the final approval letter that they’ve invested at least 50 million Singapore dollars in the specified investment category.)

7. Finalization of Visa: Upon receiving the final GIP approval letter, applicants are required to complete the necessary formalities within twelve months to officially become a permanent resident of Singapore.

For further details on the GIP, please visit the official website of the Singapore Economic Development Board, the link to which can be found on our website.

EntrePass:

The Singapore Entrepreneur Pass, also known as EntrePass, caters specifically to entrepreneurs, innovators, and investors. It’s granted to innovative talents or entrepreneurs with technical patents, who can dedicate ample time and effort to personally manage their businesses in Singapore and who possess the ability to attract investments. Once the entrepreneur visa is granted, the holder is then expected to inject capital for business operations. The EntrePass has an initial validity of one year, and it’s renewable. Following the renewal, the visa holder’s family can apply to accompany them to Singapore.

The essential criteria for the EntrePass include:

1. Be 21 years old and above, with relevant qualifications and experience

2. Have a business proposal that is entrepreneurial and innovative in nature, and able to create local employment

3. Be willing to relocate to Singapore to run your new business

4. Register your business in Singapore as a private limited company

5. Have a company that is either not yet incorporated or not more than six months old at the time of your EntrePass application

6. Hold at least 30% of shares in your proposed business

In addition to the above, you must also meet the following minimum eligibility criteria under one of the three categories below: 

1. Entrepreneur:

Your company is receiving at least S$100,000 in funding or investment from a third-party venture capitalist (VC) or angel investor duly accredited by a Singapore government agency.

And, your company is incubated by an incubator or accelerator recognised by the Singapore government

And, you have an established business network and entrepreneurial track record

2. Innovator

You possess intellectual property

And, you have research collaborations with a Singapore-based institute of higher learning or credible research institute

And, you have a record of extraordinary achievements in your key area(s) of expertise

3. Investors, you have a track record of solid investments

For more detailed information about the Entrepreneur Pass, you can visit the official website through the link we’ve provided.

Work Visa:

Singapore offers up to 21 different work visas, with the most universally applicable being the S-Pass for general workers, the Employment Pass (EP) backed by an employer, and the Personalised Employment Pass (PEP) for high-income workers.

The Personalised Employment Pass (PEP) caters to high-income individuals wishing to work in Singapore. PEP holders enjoy the freedom to change jobs, as the visa isn’t tied to any specific employer.

PEP requirements include: For foreign applicants, a minimum salary of 18,000 Singapore dollars per month; for domestic EP holders, a minimum salary of 12,000 Singapore dollars per month.

The visa holder’s legal spouse and unmarried children under 21 years of age can live in Singapore under this visa.

The Employment Pass/EP, backed by a local employer, is valid for two years. If the visa applicant changes jobs in Singapore, the new employer must apply for a new EP. An EP can be renewed for up to three years at a time.

The minimum requirements to apply for an EP include:

A minimum salary of at least 4,500 Singapore dollars per month (for applicants in the financial sector, the minimum requirement is 5,000 per month, and for those over 40, it’s 9,000 Singapore dollars per month). Applicants must have an educational background and relevant work experience corresponding to the job offered by the employer.

If an EP holder’s monthly income in Singapore exceeds 6,000 Singapore dollars, their spouse and dependent children under 21 can apply for a dependent visa. If an EP holder’s monthly income exceeds 12,000 Singapore dollars, their parents can also apply for a dependent visa.

The S-PASS is designed for ordinary workers. The quota for issuing S-Passes in a company is restricted, typically not surpassing 15% to 20% of the company’s entire workforce.

The criteria for an S-Pass application include: The applicant’s monthly wage stipulated in the employment contract must be at least 2,500 Singapore dollars; and the employer should provide health insurance benefits for the applicant.

The S-PASS is valid for two years. If the visa holder continues to work with the same employer after two years, it can be extended for another three years. When an S-Pass holder’s monthly salary goes beyond 4,000 Singapore dollars, they may apply to bring their spouse and children to live in Singapore.

Self-employment Pass:

The Self-Employment Pass in Singapore is a type of work permit intended for individuals who wish to establish their own company in the city-state. This pass allows these business owners and operators to run their companies while also being eligible to apply for permanent residency upon successful business operation.

To qualify for this self-employment pass, applicants must meet several criteria: They should be at least 21 years old, possess a degree from a higher education institution, and have a minimum of one year’s experience in business or corporate management. Moreover, they should own a functioning private limited company in Singapore. Additional requirements for the company include having a designated business location with a valid lease agreement, carrying out significant business transactions, employing local staff, and ensuring the strict payment of the compulsory Singaporean provident fund.

Securing the self-employment pass is contingent on demonstrating the operational efficiency of the applicant’s company and presenting a viable business plan. Employing local staff is a key determinant in securing visa renewal and, ultimately, achieving permanent residency status.

Foreign Artistic Talent Scheme:

The Singapore National Academy of Arts has designed theForeign Artistic Talent scheme with the aim of inviting global artists to cultivate their talents in Singapore. This opportunity is open to professionals in the fields of performing arts, visual arts, literary arts, design, and media who have undergone specialized training and demonstrated exceptional success in their artistic endeavors. If they are eager to advance their artistic career in Singapore, they can utilize this scheme to immigrate.

Student Scheme:

Foreign individuals residing in Singapore for at least two years and fulfilling any one of the following three conditions: passing the Primary School Leaving Examination(PSLE), or passing the GCE ‘N’/’O’/’A’ Levels, or completing an Integrated Program, can apply for permanent residency in Singapore. This scheme is primarily designed for foreign students who are studying and graduating in Singapore, and it is not suitable for adults to return to school.

Naturalization:

Typically, across all classifications of visas in Singapore, the primary applicant’s spouse and children under 21 can also apply as dependent applicants.

There isn’t explicit guidance on how long a foreign national needs to reside in Singapore before they can apply for permanent residence. Nonetheless, for those holding work and entrepreneur visas, you can generally apply for permanent residence status after 1 to 2 years of local employment and after submitting your first tax return.

Singapore Permanent Residents wishing to leave the country must apply for a Re-entry Permit, which essentially serves as a limited-term entry and exit permit. The initial permit is valid for 5 years, after which governmental authorities will review factors like the duration of the holder’s stay in Singapore, their real residence, work status, and tax payments in Singapore to decide on the approval.

After living in Singapore for 2 years as a Permanent Resident, one can apply to become a Singapore citizen. Alternatively, foreigners who have legally resided in the country for more than 10 years can also apply for Singapore citizenship.

It’s important to note that all new Singaporean citizens aged between 18 and 50 are obligated to complete national service duties.

Passport Power:

Singapore disallows dual nationality, with its passport standing at the top of global rankings. The Singaporean passport offers its holders visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 189 countries and territories globally, including most countries in Europe, the Americas, and the Southern Hemisphere.

Useful Links:

The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA)：www.ica.gov.sg

Singapore Ministry Of Manpower：www.mom.gov.sg

Singapore Work Visa：https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits

Singapore GIP：https://www.edb.gov.sg/cn/how-we-help/global-investor-programme.html

Singapore EntrePass：https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/entrepas