Investor Visa in Singapore: Global Investor Programme

Currently, foreign investors can acquire the investor visa in Singapore, under the Global Investor Program. Below, our team of lawyers in Singapore has prepared a short presentation on this subject and, if you need legal advice on how to apply for any of the investment programs presented in this article, you can always rely on our team for legal assistance or representation.

Quick Facts
Nationalities accepted (EU/Non-EU)	Both EU and non-EU investors can apply for the investor visa in Singapore.
Business investment option (YES/NO)	Yes
Real estate investment option (YES/NO)	No
Other investment options (if available)	– investments in existing Singaporean companies, – investments in new or existing companies that hire at least 30 employees (out of which, 15 are Singapoarean citizens), – investments in investment funds approved by the Singaporean authorities, – investments in single family office with assets under management of at least SGD 200 million.
Living requirement in Singapore	Foreign investors who apply for an investor visa in Singapore (known as the Global Investor program) are required to live in Singapore.
Residence or direct citizenship option	Through the program, foreign investors can acquire permanent residency (for citizenship, other procedures, unrelated to the investment immigration program, must be completed).
Direct immigration with family members	Applicants can relocate with the close family members.
Family members allowed to join the program	Under the investor visa in Singapore, family of a foreign investor is defined as the spouse and the children with an age below 21 years old.
Residence visa/citizenship processing time (approx.)	9-12 months.
Additional financial requirements for family members	Not specified.
Timeframe for obtaining citizenship/residency by investment	– permanent residency by investment under this program can be obtained in 1 year, – citizenship can be granted to those who have acquired permanent residency for minimum 2 years, provided that they meet all the basic conditions for citizenship, according to the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).
Dual citizenship permitted	No
Reasons to choose Singapore	– access to more than 90 double tax treaties, – the top economy in its region, – one of the leading financial centers at a global level, – wealthy global economy (US $82,794 GDP per capita in 2022), – business opportunities in the services and manufacturing sectors, the largest business activities, – there are around 300,000 busineses in Singapore (around 20% of them are foreign owned).
Personal income tax rate	Progressive system, charged based on the income (the tax rates are 0%, 2%, 3.5%, 7%, 11.5%, 15%, 18%, 19%, 19.5%, 20%, 22%, 23%, 24%).
Visa free travel to other countries (approx. number of countries)	More than 190 countries.

How can foreign investors apply for the Global Investor Program in Singapore in 2026?

Below, our law firm in Singapore has prepared a short presentation on the basic requirements of the program:

invest minimum S$10 million in one of the 3 programs (there are different capital requirements for each);
have at least 3 years of proven business experience or entrepreneurial activity;
as an applicant, you must have at least 30% of the shares of the said company, if the company is a private one;
if you already have a company elsewhere, the turnover must be at least S$200 million.

What are the minimum financial thresholds for each program?

The Global Investor Program has three main pathways, that can be selected by foreign investors if they meet, among many, the minimum financial thresholds. As such, the following apply:

investors who will apply under Option 1 will be required to invest S$10 million and hire at least 30 employees (out of these, 15 have to be Singaporean citizens and 10 must be new employees);
for those who will apply in 2026 for the Option 2, the minimum capital requirement will be of S$25 million, which will be invested in certain types of funds;
Option 3 requires setting up a single family office with assets under management of at least S$200 million (of which S$50 million must be deployed in Singapore).

What are the requirements for the Option 3 visa program?

For the Singapore Global Investor Program – Option 3, the investors must complete the following:

invest S$200 million in assets under management (AUM);
S$50 million from the S$200 million can be invested in 4 categories of investments;
the 1st refers to listed businesses that operate on exchange markets regulated by the Singapore Monetary Authority (MAS);
the 2nd category refers to various types of debt instruments, such as bonds or certificates of deposit that are listed on the MAS official list (Qualified Debt Securities Inquiry System);
the 3rd category aims at investment funds that are approved by MAS and can be found on the Financial Institutions Directory list (the funds must be managed by managers licensed in Singapore);
the 4th category refers to private equity – the investments must be made in unlisted companies registered in Singapore.

What is the main authority involved in the visa processing?

The visa is processed by the main institution handling immigration matters, theImmigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA), but the approval of the Economic Development Board is also necessary, as this institution will approve the investment application file.

What are some of the mandatory documents necessary for the application for the investor visa in Singapore in 2026?

The program comprises numerous steps, documents and forms that have to be prepared. The investor must complete:

Form A, which is necessary for permanent residence application;
Form B, in which the businessman will detail the business plan for the investment in Singapore;
the papers and documents that can be used as evidence for being qualified for this program;
any other documents and forms that can be required by the immigration officials.

Below, we invite you to watch a short video on the investor visa in Singapore:

Do I need to provide a business plan?

Yes, regardless of the investment pathway businessmen will select under the Global Investor Program, it is necessary to present a business plan. It must be noted that the business plan must contain details for the first 5 years of business activity.

Do I need to invest in specific industries?

Yes. For all available options, the investment must be made in approved industries.

What are some of the approved industries?

Under the definition of the Global Investor Program, an approved industry can refer to some of the following (the list is extensive, which is why we recommend you address our lawyers in Singapore):

electronics;
chemicals;
aerospace engineering;
energy;
healthcare;
logistics;
media and entertainment;
shipping;
pharmaceuticals;
precision engineering, etc.

Do I need to pay a processing fee in 2026?

Yes, for the processing of the investor visa you must pay a fee of S$20,000 (regardless of the investment option selected).

Do the visa formalities require to participate in an interview?

Yes. This will happen provided that the initial application is approved by the Economic Development Board. Following the interview, if the investor meets the demand of this institution, he/she will receive an approval in principle, during which the investments are verified. Once this step is completed, ICA will issue the final approval letter for the investor visa.

Can investors bring their family members in Singapore?

Under the above-mentioned program, one can bring his or her spouse in Singapore, as well as the couple’s children with an age below 21 years old.

Can I renew the investor visa?

Yes, renewal is possible provided that the investment requirements are maintained during the validity of the document. Renewal must be initiated after 3 or 5 years of residency in Singapore. Our lawyers in Singapore can offer more information on the renewal process.

Are there other ways to relocate to Singapore for business purposes?

Yes, there is the possibility of obtaining residency in Singapore for business purposes by applying for the EntrePass. Investors can also apply for the Employment Pass.

Is there an investment requirement for the EntrePass/Employment Pass?

Yes, for these 2 permits, there is no fixed minimum investment (for the EntrePass, one option is to have raised at least S$100,000 from investors) and each permit imposes different criteria.

In our infographic below, you can find out the basic steps you must follow if you want to apply for a Singapore investor visa in 2026:

How long does it take to process an investor visa in 2026?

It depends on the selected visa. For instance, a visa application for the Entrepass can be processed within 8 to 12 weeks, while the Employment Pass can be processed in a shorter amount of time, of 3 to 10 weeks. On the opposite side, the Singapore Global Investor Program visa has a long processing period, of 9 to 12 months.

For more details, do not hesitate to contact our team of lawyers in Singapore, who are qualified to assist you in the process of obtaining a visa for investment purposes.