Singapore Global Investor Programme 2026: How Does It Work?

Last reviewed: August 2026

TLDR: The Singapore Global Investor Programme (GIP) lets approved investors apply for Singapore permanent residence (PR) by making a large investment in Singapore. It is run by the Economic Development Board (EDB), through its arm Contact Singapore, with permanent residence decided by the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA). The application fee is S$20,000 and is not refunded. This amount applies from 5 May 2025 (it was S$10,000 before). There are three investment routes: Option A – at least S$10 million into a Singapore business; Option B – at least S$25 million into an EDB-approved GIP-select fund; Option C – set up a Singapore Single Family Office with at least S$200 million in assets and move at least S$50 million into Singapore investments. Processing takes about 12 months from a complete submission. Your spouse and unmarried children under 21 can be included for PR. Parents and unmarried children aged 21 or older cannot, but they may apply for a Long Term Visit Pass (LTVP). As of August 2026 the GIP is still open. No closure has been announced. Approval is never automatic. Paying the fee or making the investment does not guarantee PR.

The Singapore Global Investor Programme (GIP) is Singapore’s permanent residence route for approved high-net-worth investors and business owners. Since 5 May 2025 the application fee has been S$20,000, and it is not refunded. This guide explains who qualifies, what each investment option costs, how long the process takes, and what you must keep doing after PR is granted.

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What is the Singapore Global Investor Programme (GIP) in 2026?

The GIP gives approved investors a path to Singapore permanent residence by making a large qualifying investment under Option A, Option B, or Option C.

The scheme is run by the Economic Development Board (EDB), a Singapore government agency that promotes investment. Contact Singapore, a division of the EDB, handles the programme. The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA), Singapore’s immigration agency, makes the permanent residence decisions.

Many people search for a “Singapore investor visa”. The GIP is not a temporary visa. If you are approved, the result is permanent residence (PR).

As of August 2026 the GIP is still open and no closure has been announced. The 2026 rules matter for three reasons:

• The application fee rose from S$10,000 to S$20,000 with effect from 5 May 2025.
• Option C has its own deadline: at least S$50 million must be moved to Singapore and invested no later than 12 months from the Final Approval date.
• Family members get different results. Some get PR, some can only apply for a Long Term Visit Pass (LTVP).

E&H Immigration’s Global Investor Programme service helps applicants check whether the GIP fits their wealth structure, business history, family needs, and long-term plans before they commit money or file forms.

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Short glossary: what do the acronyms mean?

Term	What it means
EDB	Economic Development Board, the Singapore agency that runs the GIP
ICA	Immigration & Checkpoints Authority, which decides on permanent residence
PR	Permanent residence or permanent resident
AIP	Approval-in-Principle, a conditional approval that is valid for 6 months
REP	Re-Entry Permit, the pass a permanent resident needs to keep PR status while travelling
LTVP	Long Term Visit Pass, a long-stay pass that is not PR
SFO	Single Family Office, a company set up to manage one family’s wealth
AUM	Assets under management, the total value of money and assets being managed
MAS	Monetary Authority of Singapore, the central bank and financial regulator
REIT	Real Estate Investment Trust, a listed fund that owns property
Annex B	The EDB list of industries that the GIP accepts
National Service (NS)	Compulsory military or uniformed service for male citizens and certain male permanent residents

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Who is eligible for the Singapore Global Investor Programme (GIP)?

There are four applicant types. You must fit one of them before you choose an investment option. For a broader view of who gets Singapore PR, see our guide to Singapore PR eligibility.

Applicant type	What you need	Investment route
Established business owners	At least 3 years of business experience. Company turnover of at least S$200 million in the latest year and an average of at least S$200 million over 3 years. You own at least 30% if the company is private, or you are a major shareholder if it is listed. The company must be in an Annex B industry.	Option A, B, or C
Next generation business owners	Your immediate family holds at least a 30% stake. Company turnover of at least S$500 million in the latest year and a 3-year average of at least S$500 million. You hold a top management or board role. The company must be in an Annex B industry.	Option A, B, or C
Founders of fast-growing companies	You are the main founder and one of the largest individual shareholders. The private company is valued at S$500 million or more. It is backed by venture capital (VC) or private equity (PE) investors. It must be in an Annex B industry.	Option A, B, or C
Family office principals	At least 5 years of track record in business, investment, or management. At least S$200 million of money you can invest, not counting property.	Option C only

Your applicant type also decides what proof you must show:

• A business owner usually needs audited accounts, company registration papers, shareholding proof, proof of a senior role, and evidence that the company is in an Annex B industry.
• A family office principal usually needs proof of their business, investment, or management track record, plus proof of investable assets that do not include property.

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What are the GIP investment options A, B, and C?

Option A is an investment in a Singapore business, Option B is an investment in an approved fund, and Option C is a Singapore family office.

Option	What it requires	Best suited for
Option A	Invest at least S$10 million in a new or existing Singapore business. Provide a 5-year business plan. Hold at least 30% of the shares. Take a hands-on top management or board role. The business must be in an Annex B industry.	Owners who want to run or grow a Singapore business themselves
Option B	Invest at least S$25 million in a GIP-select fund. These are funds already approved by the EDB that invest in Singapore companies. The list is on the EDB website.	Investors who prefer a fund rather than running a business
Option C	Set up a Singapore Single Family Office (SFO) with at least S$200 million in assets under management. Move at least S$50 million into Singapore and invest it in EDB-approved investments. These include shares, Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and business trusts listed on approved exchanges, and qualifying debt securities recognised by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). This must be done no later than 12 months from the Final Approval date, and the S$50 million must stay invested for as long as your Re-Entry Permit is valid.	Family office principals and families building a wealth base in Singapore

A quick way to compare them:

• Option A asks for the most hands-on work, because you must own 30% and help run the company.
• Option B asks mainly for money in an approved fund.
• Option C asks you to build a family office and keep S$50 million invested in Singapore.

E&H Immigration usually reviews where your wealth came from, what business you already run, your succession plans, and how much time you plan to spend in Singapore before suggesting an option.

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How much does the Singapore Global Investor Programme (GIP) cost?

The government application fee is S$20,000, and the ICA charges a further S$100 for each person in the application.

Cost item	Amount and rule	When you pay
GIP application fee	S$20,000, not refundable. This amount applies from 5 May 2025. It was S$10,000 before that date.	Before you submit the application forms
How the fee is paid	By telegraphic transfer or local interbank transfer, before you submit the forms. Any bank charges along the way are paid by you.	Before submission
ICA processing fee	S$100 per person, not refundable, for Form 4 or Entry Permit processing.	After the EDB receives your GIP application, when you are told to pay
Option A investment	At least S$10 million in a Singapore business	Within 6 months of Approval-in-Principle (AIP)
Option B investment	At least S$25 million in a GIP-select fund	Within 6 months of Approval-in-Principle (AIP)
Option C investment	Family office with at least S$200 million in assets, plus at least S$50 million moved to Singapore and invested	No later than 12 months from the Final Approval date

Note that the deadlines differ. Options A and B are tied to the 6-month AIP window. The Option C S$50 million deployment is tied to a 12-month window that starts at Final Approval.

Government fees are only part of the cost. You should also budget for legal fees, company set-up costs, tax advice, fund fees, and the running cost of a family office. None of these are refunded if the application fails.

Important: the S$20,000 application fee is not returned if your application is rejected or withdrawn. This is why we recommend a full eligibility check before you pay it.

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Which family members can be included in a GIP application?

You can include your spouse and unmarried children under 21 for PR. Parents and unmarried children aged 21 or older cannot get PR through the GIP, but they may apply for a Long Term Visit Pass (LTVP).

Family member	GIP outcome
Spouse	Can be included for permanent residence
Unmarried children under 21	Can be included for permanent residence
Unmarried children aged 21 or older	Not eligible for PR under the GIP. May apply for an LTVP
Parents	Not eligible for PR under the GIP. May apply for an LTVP

One point deserves special attention. Male children who become permanent residents are liable for National Service. This means that as second-generation permanent residents they are generally required to serve full-time military or uniformed service in Singapore at around age 18. Families with sons should plan for this before filing, not after.

E&H Immigration advises applicants to decide what status each family member should hold before the application is filed, especially where adult children, elderly parents, or young sons are involved.

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How does the GIP application process work?

You file with the EDB, attend an interview, receive Approval-in-Principle, complete your investment, and then complete the PR formalities after Final Approval.

The official route is:

1. Submit the GIP e-application forms, Form 4, and the family member details spreadsheet to the EDB.
2. Attend an EDB interview.
3. The ICA issues Approval-in-Principle (AIP). This is valid for 6 months.
4. Meet the investment conditions within 6 months of the AIP.
5. Send proof of the investment to the EDB.
6. The ICA issues Final Approval.
7. Complete the PR formalities within 12 months of Final Approval.

In practice, here is how to work through it:

1. Confirm your applicant type. Decide whether you are applying as an established business owner, a next generation business owner, a founder of a fast-growing company, or a family office principal.
2. Choose Option A, B, or C. Your choice should match your applicant type, how quickly you can free up cash, how much control you want, and what you can keep up at renewal time.
3. Prepare the forms. The GIP e-application, Form 4, and family details must all tell the same story about your business, your family, and where your money came from.
4. Pay the S$20,000 fee before you submit. Pay by telegraphic transfer or local interbank transfer. You cover any bank charges.
5. Attend the EDB interview. Expect questions about your business background, why you are investing, your plans for Singapore, and how you will meet your chosen option.
6. Complete the investment. For Options A and B this must be done within 6 months of the AIP.
7. Send in the proof. Give the EDB the documents that show the investment is done.
8. Complete the PR formalities. After Final Approval you have 12 months to finish the PR steps.

E&H Immigration keeps the immigration file in line with the work done by your corporate, fund, tax, and family office advisers, so all the paperwork tells one consistent story.

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How long does GIP processing take in 2026?

Processing takes about 12 months from a complete submission, subject to everything being submitted correctly.

Plan the 12 months alongside three other deadlines:

• Approval-in-Principle is valid for 6 months.
• Investment conditions must be met within 6 months of the AIP.
• PR must be completed within 12 months of Final Approval.

Option C needs extra care, because its S$50 million must be moved to Singapore and invested no later than 12 months from the Final Approval date, and must then stay invested for as long as the Re-Entry Permit is valid.

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What documents should a GIP applicant prepare?

You should prepare identity papers, family details, proof of business ownership, financial records, investment documents, and a clear plan for Singapore.

Personal and family documents

• Passports
• Marriage or civil status records
• Birth certificates for children
• Family member details
• Form 4 information

Business documents (for the three business-owner categories)

• Audited financial statements
• Company registration records
• Proof of shareholding
• Organisation charts and proof of your senior role
• Evidence that the company is in an Annex B industry

By investment option

• Option A: a 5-year business plan covering the Singapore business, how the S$10 million will be used, hiring plans, market strategy, and your management role.
• Option B: evidence of the investment of at least S$25 million into a GIP-select fund from the EDB list.
• Option C: family office set-up plans, proof of assets, transfer plans, the investment mandate, and staffing plans.

You should also expect detailed source-of-wealth checks. Be ready to show, with documents, how your wealth was built and how the investment money will reach Singapore.

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What are the GIP renewal requirements for the Re-Entry Permit?

Your Re-Entry Permit (REP) can be renewed for five years or three years, depending on whether you meet the investment, jobs, and residence conditions.

A Re-Entry Permit is the pass that lets a permanent resident keep PR status while travelling. If it lapses, PR can be lost.

For a 5-year renewal

Option	What you must keep doing
Option A	Keep the investment in place. The company must employ at least 30 staff, at least half of whom are Singapore citizens, including at least 10 extra new employees. You and your dependants must have lived in Singapore for more than half the time.
Option B	Keep the S$25 million invested in the GIP-select fund. You and your dependants must have lived in Singapore for more than half the time.
Option C	Employ at least 5 extra new family office professionals, at least 3 of whom are Singapore citizens. Keep S$50 million invested in EDB-approved investments. You and your dependants must have lived in Singapore for more than half the time.

For a 3-year renewal

The rule is the same for all three options. You must have met your original investment condition, and meet either the business and jobs conditions above or the residence condition of living in Singapore more than half the time.

Renewal is central to GIP planning. Design the investment with renewal in mind from day one, rather than treating renewal as paperwork to worry about later.

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How should investors choose between Option A, Option B, and Option C?

Choose Option A to build a business, Option B for a fund route, and Option C to build a family office platform.

• Option A suits people who want control and are willing to help run a Singapore company. Renewal depends on hiring, including Singapore citizen hiring, so you must be confident you can grow the team.
• Option B suits people who prefer exposure through an approved fund instead of daily management. You still have to keep the investment in place and meet the renewal condition.
• Option C suits family office principals who want Singapore as their wealth base. It requires a Singapore Single Family Office, at least S$200 million in assets under management, and at least S$50 million moved to Singapore and invested within 12 months of Final Approval.

E&H Immigration checks each option against three questions:

1. Do you qualify on paper?
2. Can the investment be completed inside the deadline?
3. Can the renewal conditions be met year after year, after PR is granted?

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What else should investors know before applying?

Approval is never guaranteed, fees are not refunded, and PR brings tax and residence considerations.

• The S$20,000 application fee and the S$100 ICA fee are not refundable, whether the application is rejected or withdrawn. Professional fees already spent are also not recoverable.
• Annex B is the EDB’s list of accepted industries. If your company is not in an accepted industry, the application is unlikely to succeed, so check this early.
• Source of wealth is examined closely. Weak or incomplete evidence of how your money was earned is a common reason for problems.
• Time in Singapore matters. The stronger renewal outcomes require you and your family to live in Singapore more than half the time.
• Tax should be planned separately. Becoming a Singapore permanent resident can change your tax position here and in your home country. Take specialist tax advice.
• Other routes exist. What Minister Gan’s 2026 population speech means for PR applicants is worth reading for context. Some people are better served by an Employment Pass, the ONE Pass, or an ordinary PR application after working in Singapore. These cost far less than the GIP. The GIP is aimed at investors who can meet the large investment thresholds.

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What are the most common reasons GIP applications weaken?

Applications weaken when the applicant type, source of wealth, shareholding proof, business plan, family details, or investment timing are unclear.

• Wrong applicant type. Each category has its own turnover, valuation, shareholding, management, investor-backing, asset, and track record tests. Do not force yourself into a category the evidence does not support.
• Wrong option. Options A, B, and C create different investment and renewal duties. A strong application explains why the chosen option fits your background and your plans for Singapore.
• Family misunderstandings. Parents and unmarried children aged 21 or older cannot get PR through the GIP, and male children who become PRs face National Service. Both surprise families who did not plan ahead.
• Timing problems. Processing takes about 12 months, the AIP is valid for only 6 months, and investment conditions must be met inside that window. Money that cannot be freed up in time causes real problems.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Sources: Singapore Economic Development Board (GIP scheme details and fee revision effective 5 May 2025) and the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (Form 4 and Entry Permit fees). Figures and rules can change without notice. This guide is general information as at August 2026 and is not legal or tax advice.