Singapore
Global Investor Program (GIP)
Under this program, foreign-nationals who invest at least S$2,500,000 setting up a new business entity or in the expansion of an existing business operation or in an investment fund, may be eligible for permanent residency.
investment
Investment fund
You must invest S$2,500,000 in one of the following qualifying investment funds: The Enterprise Fund V Ltd, Evia Growth Opportunities IV Ltd, F & H Singhome Fund III Ltd, Phillip Ventures Enterprise Fund 5 Ltd. and UVM 3 Venture Investments LP.Apart from the investment, to be eligible for Permanent Residency under the GIP, you must have a substantial business track record and a successful entrepreneurial background. Investment must be made within 6 months after your permanent residency approval-in-principle.
Once you get your Permanent Residence permit, a 5-year Re-entry permit (REP) will be issued. This permit allows you to maintain your Singaporean immigration status when you are abroad.
For a three-year renewal:
- You or at least one of your dependents must have resided in Singapore for more than half the time in the previous 5 years; OR
- You have set up a business in Singapore which employs at least 5 Singapore citizens and has had an annual business expenditure of at least S$1,000,000, or in the case you have invested in an existing business, employment and expenditure increments have been at least 5 Singaporean citizens and S$1,000,000, respectively.
For a five-year renewal:
- You or at least one of your dependents have resided in Singapore for more than half the time in the previous 5 years; AND
- You have fulfilled investment conditions; AND
- You have set up a business in Singapore which employs at least 5 Singapore citizens and has had an annual business expenditure of at least S$1,000,000, or in the case you have invested in an existing business, employment and expenditure increments have been at least 5 Singaporean citizens and S$ 1,000,000, respectively.
Your spouse and unmarried children below 21 y.o. may be included in your Permanent Residency application. Note that your male children who become Permanent Residents may be liable for National Service. If you wish to bring your parents and unmarried children 21 y.o. and above, they may apply for a 5-year Long-term Visit Pass (LTVP), which will be tied to your REP.
Citizenship
After two years of Permanent Residence, you may be eligible for citizenship under the economic scheme, based on your own merits. You will need to show exceptional economic merits and/or family ties with a citizen to get the application approved. The final decision is at the sole discretion of the Government of Singapore.
It is important to note that Singapore does not recognize dual citizenship. Therefore, to become a Singaporean citizen, you must renounce your previous nationality.
Requirements
- You must have at least 3 years of an entrepreneurial and business track record and must show evidence of it, with an audited financial statement of your company for the last 3 years by an accredited audit firm.
- Your company’s turnover must be at least S$50 million in the year preceding your application, and at least S$50 million per annum on average for the three years preceding your application. You may consolidate your businesses to meet the minimum turnover criteria, all of which must only be engaged in one or more of a list of defined industries.
- If your company is privately-held, you should have at least 30% shareholding in the company. Your role in the company, as well as the growth and profitability of your company, will be taken into consideration.
- After making the required investment, you must submit the documentary evidence of it via a certified copy of the investment documents, a bank statement showing that the investment was made from your personal bank account opened solely in your name with a Singaporean registered bank, and the original signed undertaking on the Terms and Conditions of the investment made.
Restricted Nationalities
No nationality is officially restricted
dual citizenship
Dual citizenship is not recognized in Singapore. To become a citizen of Singapore, you must renounce your previous nationality.
Documents Required
- Certified copy of passport
- Original or Certified copy of Birth Certificate (if applicable)
- Notarised copy of Family Census/Household Registry
- Evidence of Business Background
- Family members background
- Original or Certified copy of Marriage Certificate (if applicable)
- Two passport-size photos
- Audited accounts of the company (3 years) (if applicable)
- Certificate of shareholders by the Registrar of Companies (if applicable)
- Certified copy of Business License or Incorporation documents (if applicable)
- Curriculum Vitae
- Copy of ACRA (Accounting & Corporate Regulatory Authority) (if applicable)
- Business Plan
- Receipt of payment of fees
- Undertaking on the Terms and Conditions of the Program
- dual citizenship No
- Family members included Yes
- land ownership No
- Physical residence required No
- Personal visit required Yes
- Language skills required No
- Interview required Yes
- Investment Single S$25,000,000
- Investment Family 4 S$25,000,000
- Minimum annual income -
- Time to citizenship 24
- Time to permanent residency
- Visa-free countries 194
- Financing available No
Benefits
citizenship benefits
permanent residency benefits
Country details
Visa Free Travel
Taxes
Singapore stands out as a low tax jurisdiction. Residents and non-residents are subject to personal income tax on their income derived from Singapore. Foreign-source income is only taxable if it is received in the country by a resident through a partnership in Singapore. Usually, an individual is tax resident in Singapore if he or she spends more than 183 days in a year in the country, or engages in regular employment there.
Residents are subject to a personal income tax at progressive rates up to 22% on annual income exceeding S$320,000. Non-residents income is subject to a flat tax rate of 22%. Capital gains, dividends and interests are not usually subject to taxation.
Permanent Residents and citizens must contribute 20% of their monthly wage to the Central Provident Fund (CPF); contribution is capped at S$1,200. There is also a voluntary contribution under the Supplementary Retirement Scheme.
Property tax is levied on the annual value of houses, land, buildings, or tenements. Non-owner occupied residential property is taxed at graduated rates from 10% to 20%, owner-occupied residential property from 0% to 10%, and land and non-residential properties at 10%.
Stamp duties are levied on certain transactions. Transfer of stocks and shares are subject to stamp duty of 0.2% on the purchase price or market value of the shares transferred, whichever is higher. For conveyance of immovable property there is a stamp duty of 3% on the purchase price or market value, whichever is higher. There are additional stamp duties of up to 16%, depending on the type and use of the property and residency status of the owner. Leases are subject to a duty of 0.4% on the total rent.
There are excise duties on certain good and services such as intoxicating liquors, tobacco products, motor vehicles, petroleum products and gambling. There are no inheritance, gift and net wealth taxes in Singapore. The V.A.T. standard rate is 7%.
Regarding corporate taxation, Singapore taxes companies on a territorial basis. Usually foreign-source income is not taxed, provided that it is not remitted to Singapore. Foreign dividends, foreign branch profits, and foreign service fee income remitted to the country may be tax-exempt if it fulfills certain conditions.
The corporate tax standard rate is 17%. There is an exemption of 75% of the first S$10,000 of taxable income and 50% of the next S$290,000. Certain qualified start-ups may be three-year tax exempt on their first S$100,000 taxable income and 50% tax exempted on the next S$200,000. Capital Gains are not usually subject to taxation. Dividends paid to non-residents are tax-exempt, whereas interests and royalties are subject to a withholding tax of 15% and 10% respectively.
Learn more about Singapore's corporate taxation, legal framework and tax treaties at incorporations.io/singapore.
This should not be construed as tax advice. We have access to a global network of qualified attorneys and accountants who can give you the proper advice for your particular circumstances. Contact us for further information.
- Property tax Yes
- Transfer tax Yes
- Inheritance tax No
- Net worth tax No
- CFC law No
- Tax residency days 183
- Personal income tax rate 22%
- Capital Gains tax rate 0%
- Investment income tax rate 0%
- Territorial taxation Yes