The Global Investor Programme: Singapore PR by investment.
The GIP is the one route that grants permanent residence on the strength of a major investment rather than years of building a profile. The thresholds are high, the assessment is strict, and for most founders the conventional path to PR is the better fit. Here is how it actually works.
By Travis Tay, Immigration Expert · Updated June 2026. The EDB sets and revises GIP criteria; we confirm the current thresholds for your case.
The Global Investor Programme (GIP) is run by the Economic Development Board and grants Singapore permanent residence to investors who make a substantial qualifying investment. As of 2026 there are three routes: invest at least SGD 10 million in a new or existing Singapore business, invest at least SGD 25 million in a GIP-select fund, or run a Single Family Office in Singapore with at least SGD 200 million in assets under management, of which SGD 50 million is deployed locally. It is selective and demands a strong business or investment track record, so it suits genuine large investors. For most founders, building toward PR through a real company and an Employment Pass is more realistic.
What the GIP is, and what it is not
The GIP is not a passive golden visa where money alone buys a passport. It is an economic-development tool: Singapore grants PR to investors and business leaders it expects to contribute real capital, jobs and activity. Applicants are assessed on their business and investment record, not just their bank balance, and the investment must be made and maintained, not simply pledged. It is administered by the EDB rather than the Ministry of Manpower, which tells you everything about its purpose: attracting substantial, productive investment into the economy.
The three investment routes
| Option | What you invest | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|
| A. Business | At least SGD 10 million in a new business or the expansion of an existing Singapore business operation, including paid-up capital, with genuine local employment created | Established business owners growing operations in Singapore |
| B. GIP-select fund | At least SGD 25 million in a fund approved by the EDB that invests in Singapore-based companies | Investors who prefer a managed, fund-based route |
| C. Single Family Office | Set up or run a Single Family Office in Singapore with at least SGD 200 million in assets under management, with SGD 50 million deployed into EDB-approved Singapore investment categories | Family office principals relocating wealth management to Singapore |
Who qualifies
Beyond the money, the GIP is built around the applicant's track record, and the EDB recognises several profiles. The most common is the established business owner, who is generally expected to run a company with substantial annual revenue, with benchmarks that have historically sat around SGD 200 million in the most recent year and an average over the prior three years, in a supported industry. Other profiles include next-generation owners of a family business, founders of fast-growth companies, and principals of family offices and investment funds with a strong record of managing capital. Each profile has its own criteria, and the EDB revises them, so the right starting point is to confirm which profile fits you and whether you clear its current bar.
What happens after approval
GIP permanent residence comes with a Re-Entry Permit, initially valid for five years, which lets you travel in and out as a PR. Renewal is not automatic: it depends on having made and kept the investment, met the business or employment conditions attached to your route, and shown a real connection to Singapore, including time spent here. In other words, the obligations continue past approval. The GIP can also extend PR to your immediate family, which is often a large part of why investors choose it.
Is the GIP right for you?
For most of the founders we work with, it is not, and we will tell you so plainly. If you are setting up a company and will build it up over time, the conventional route, a real business, an Employment Pass, a track record and then a PR application, is more realistic and far less capital-intensive. The GIP earns its place for a specific person: an investor or business owner ready to commit eight figures and who wants PR for the whole family on a faster, investment-led basis. If that is you, the preparation is detailed and the margin for error is small, so it pays to get the route and the documentation right the first time. If it is not, we will point you to the path that actually fits, rather than sell you the grandest one.
Questions people ask
How much do I need to invest for the GIP? +
As of 2026, at least SGD 10 million in a new or existing Singapore business, SGD 25 million in a GIP-select fund, or a Single Family Office with at least SGD 200 million in assets under management, of which SGD 50 million is deployed locally. The EDB sets and revises these thresholds.
Does the GIP give me PR straight away? +
If approved, the GIP grants permanent residence with a five-year Re-Entry Permit. But it is selective, the investment must be made and maintained, and renewal depends on meeting the ongoing conditions of your route. It is not a passive purchase of status.
Can I include my family? +
Yes. The GIP can extend permanent residence to your immediate family, which is often a major reason investors choose it over other routes.
Do I need a business track record, or just the money? +
Both. The EDB assesses your business or investment record against the profile you apply under, such as an established business owner or a family office principal, not just your ability to fund the investment. A strong, verifiable track record is central to approval.
Is the GIP my best route to PR? +
Only if you are a substantial investor. For most founders, building a real company, securing an Employment Pass and applying for PR on a strong profile is more realistic and far less capital-intensive. We assess which route genuinely fits before you commit.
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Investing at this level, or building toward PR?
Book a consultation and we will tell you plainly whether the GIP fits, or map the conventional route that does.