Global Investor Programme: Requirements, Process & Common Mistakes

The Global Investor Programme (GIP) is Singapore’s premier residency-by-investment scheme, granting Permanent Residency (PR) to high-net-worth investors and entrepreneurs who commit to investing substantially in Singapore’s economy. Administered by the Economic Development Board (EDB), the GIP is designed to attract established business leaders and investors who can contribute meaningfully to Singapore’s growth.

This guide covers the full picture: who qualifies, the three investment options, the application process, timelines, common mistakes, and how the GIP compares to other immigration pathways. If you are considering relocating to Singapore as a high-net-worth individual, this is the guide you need.

Who Can Apply for the GIP?

The GIP targets established entrepreneurs, business owners, and investors — not passive investors or retirees. Applicants must demonstrate:

• At least three years of entrepreneurial or business experience as a key decision-maker (founder, CEO, MD, or substantial shareholder) of a company with a substantial track record
• For business owners: the company must have an annual turnover of at least S$200 million in the most recent year (or at least S$500 million average over the last three years)
• For applicants from private equity or venture capital: at least S$200 million in assets under management
• A credible investment plan that will create and sustain employment in Singapore

GIP is not open to passive investors who simply wish to park capital in Singapore. The EDB expects applicants to be genuinely involved in managing and growing their business or investment interests in Singapore.

The Three GIP Investment Options

Option A: Business Investment (S$10 Million)

Invest at least S$10 million in a new or existing Singapore-based business entity. The applicant must:

• Hold at least 30% of the equity in the business
• Be actively involved in the management of the business
• Ensure the business has at least 30 employees in Singapore, with at least half being Singapore Citizens or PRs
• Create at least 10 new local jobs within five years of investment

Option A is the most common route for business owners who wish to establish or expand operating businesses in Singapore. It is particularly well-suited to founders of manufacturing, technology, financial services, or professional services firms. Note that companies in the retail, food and beverage, and coffee shop sectors do not qualify.

Option B: GIP-Approved Fund Investment (S$25 Million)

Invest at least S$25 million into a GIP-approved fund that invests in Singapore-based companies. The fund must:

• Be incorporated and based in Singapore
• Have a minimum fund size of S$200 million
• Commit to investing at least 50% of GIP subscriptions in Singapore-based companies within EDB’s approved sectors

Option B suits investors who prefer a more passive investment posture, delegating stock selection to a professional fund manager while still meeting the EDB’s requirement that capital flows into Singapore’s productive economy.

Option C: Family Office (S$50 Million)

Establish or invest at least S$50 million in a new or existing Singapore-based Single Family Office (SFO) with assets under management of at least S$200 million. The family office must:

• Deploy at least 50% of the GIP investment amount into EDB-approved investment categories within Singapore (including Singapore-listed equities, qualifying venture capital funds, Singapore private companies, and non-residential properties)
• Employ at least five investment professionals, at least three of whom are Singapore Citizens or PRs

Option C is designed for ultra-high-net-worth families who wish to establish Singapore as the hub for their global wealth management operations, often in conjunction with MAS Section 13O or 13U tax incentives for the fund vehicle.

Application Process: Step by Step

Step 1: Prepare a Comprehensive Business Profile

The GIP application is heavily document-intensive. EDB requires a detailed Business Profile covering your company’s history, financials (audited accounts for the last three years), ownership structure, headcount, and business activities. For investment vehicle applicants (Options B and C), the profile of the fund or family office is required instead.

Step 2: Submit the Application to EDB

Applications are submitted directly to EDB with a non-refundable application fee of S$20,000 (revised from May 2025). Alongside the Business Profile, applicants must submit a detailed Investment Proposal setting out how the S$10M / S$25M / S$50M will be deployed, job creation plans, and the timeline for achieving key milestones.

Step 3: EDB Assessment and Interview

EDB reviews the application and typically invites shortlisted applicants for an in-person interview in Singapore. The interview assesses the applicant’s business track record, the credibility of the investment plan, and the applicant’s genuine intent to base themselves in Singapore. EDB may engage sector-specific advisers to review proposals in specialised industries.

Step 4: Approval-in-Principle (AIP)

Successful applicants receive an Approval-in-Principle (AIP) valid for six months, during which they must complete the required investment (transfer of funds, incorporation of entities, etc.) and submit evidence to EDB. Upon confirmation, EDB endorses the application to ICA for the issuance of the Entry Permit and Singapore IC.

Step 5: PR Issuance and Ongoing Compliance

Once PR is granted, applicants must comply with ongoing GIP conditions — including maintaining the investment, meeting employment commitments, and reporting annually to EDB. The GIP Re-Entry Permit (REP) is typically granted for five years, compared to the standard two-year REP for other PR holders.

Timeline

The end-to-end GIP timeline typically runs as follows:

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Applying without meeting the turnover threshold. EDB strictly enforces the S$200M annual revenue or S$500M average three-year revenue requirement. Applicants whose companies fall below this threshold are routinely rejected at the screening stage — even if they are successful entrepreneurs by any other measure.

2. Proposing a passive investment structure. EDB expects GIP applicants to be hands-on operators, not passive capital allocators. Business plans that involve simply acquiring property or placing funds in bank deposits will not be approved. Your investment plan must demonstrate active business management and clear job creation outcomes.

3. Underestimating the documentation burden. GIP applications require multiple years of audited financial statements, certified translations (if not in English), and notarised company documents. Many applicants are surprised by the volume of documentation required and underestimate the preparation time.

4. Not engaging professional advisers early. A poorly structured application — even from a genuinely eligible applicant — can result in rejection or significant delays. Engaging experienced advisers (legal, corporate services, and immigration specialists) early in the process pays dividends in application quality and timeline efficiency.

5. Failing to plan the corporate structure before applying. For Option A, the Singapore business entity must be properly structured, with the right shareholding, directorship, and employment arrangements in place. For Option C, the family office setup — including MAS licensing considerations and Section 13O/13U tax incentives — should be planned before the GIP application is submitted, not after. See our guide on setting up a family office in Singapore for the structural requirements.

GIP vs Other Singapore Immigration Pathways

How Raffles Corporate Services Can Help

At Raffles Corporate Services, we assist GIP applicants and their advisers with the full suite of Singapore corporate services required to support a GIP application and ongoing compliance: entity incorporation, corporate secretarial services, director appointments, annual filing with ACRA and IRAS, and coordination with MAS-licensed fund administrators for family office structures.

We can help you get the corporate structure right from day one — a critical foundation for a successful GIP application. Contact us to discuss your requirements.

— The Editorial Team, Raffles Corporate Services