VNIS Investment

Singapore immigration

Singapore Residence 2026: GIP at S$10 million, Employment Pass and ONE Pass

Singapore is Asia's foremost location for a family office and an international business base. It also runs one of the most demanding residence regimes anywhere: permanent residence by investment starts at S$10 million. For most Vietnamese applicants, the realistic path remains employment on an Employment Pass, followed by an application for permanent residence.

Figures updated 08/2026

GIP — business investment
S$10 million (Option A)
GIP fund S$25 million; family office AUM S$200 million
GIP outcome
Direct permanent residence
The only investment route granting permanent residence directly
EP minimum salary
From ~S$5,600 a month
Age-graded; higher in financial services; COMPASS points also apply
ONE Pass
Salary from S$30,000 a month
Five-year pass, freedom to change employer, no COMPASS assessment
GIP application fee
S$20,000
Applies from 05/2025

Overview

The Global Investor Programme, administered by the EDB, is the only route granting permanent residence directly through investment, and it offers three options. Option A: invest S$10 million in a new or expanding business in Singapore, subject to headcount conditions including the creation of at least 10 new jobs. Option B: invest S$25 million in a GIP-approved fund. Option C: establish a family office with assets under management from S$200 million, of which at least S$50 million is transferred into Singapore. Under all three, the applicant must have an assessed business record: company turnover, a founding shareholder role, and comparable factors.

For senior professionals, the Employment Pass requires a minimum salary on an age-graded scale, from roughly S$5,600 a month for younger candidates and higher for the financial sector or older applicants, together with the COMPASS points system assessing qualifications, the nationality diversity of the employer and its contribution to the local workforce. The Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass serves senior talent earning from S$30,000 a month: a five-year pass with freedom to change employer.

The realistic path for most Vietnamese applicants is to study or work in Singapore on an Employment Pass for several years, then apply for permanent residence through the ICA. The ICA assesses economic contribution, length of employment and family ties in the round. No formula guarantees approval.

One note on property: buying a home in Singapore creates no residence right, and foreign buyers pay an additional buyer's stamp duty of 60% on residential property. We invite you to read our Singapore property page before considering a purchase.

Programmes

Routes currently open

Global Investor Programme (GIP)

Source: edb.gov.sg

The EDB's residence-by-investment programme, for entrepreneurs with a substantial record: invest in a business, a GIP fund or a family office in Singapore to obtain permanent residence directly for the whole family.

Investment / cost
Option A: S$10 million in a business; Option B: S$25 million in a GIP fund; Option C: a family office with AUM from S$200 million (at least S$50 million held in Singapore); application fee S$20,000
Estimated timeline
9–12 months of assessment and interview; permanent residence is conditional on a five-year review against the business commitments
Benefits
  • Permanent residence directly for the applicant, spouse and dependent children
  • A competitive tax environment with no capital gains tax
  • Leading education and healthcare in Asia; the Singapore passport (should you later naturalise) is the strongest in the world
Key requirements
  • An assessed business record: depending on the applicant profile, company turnover from tens to hundreds of millions of Singapore dollars a year and a substantial ownership stake
  • A five-year business or investment plan in Singapore, with job creation commitments
  • Re-assessment on Re-Entry Permit renewal: the investment, presence and contribution commitments must be maintained
  • Rigorous background and source of wealth due diligence

Turnover thresholds differ by applicant profile (established entrepreneur, next-generation, owner of a fast-growth company and others) — check against the current EDB criteria table

Employment Pass (EP) → Permanent Residence (PR)

Source: mom.gov.sg

Work in Singapore on an Employment Pass, build up time and contribution, then apply for permanent residence through the ICA. This is the most common route for Vietnamese professionals.

Investment / cost
No investment required; the EP minimum salary starts at roughly S$5,600 a month (younger candidates outside financial services) and rises with age; the COMPASS threshold must also be met
Estimated timeline
EP: a few weeks to assess; PR: commonly after 2–6 years of employment, with 6–12 months to assess and an approval rate that is not published
Benefits
  • No investment capital required; suits technology, finance and engineering professionals
  • A spouse and children may follow on a Dependant's Pass (subject to the salary threshold)
  • Permanent residence opens access to HDB resale purchases, the CPF scheme and long-term residential stability
Key requirements
  • An employer in Singapore offering a salary meeting the age-based threshold
  • At least 40 COMPASS points (salary against the sector benchmark, qualifications, diversity, and the employer's support for the local workforce)
  • For permanent residence: a record of tax contribution, length of residence and family ties — the approval criteria are not published, so keep expectations realistic

EP salary thresholds are updated on the MOM policy cycle — to be reconfirmed before publication

Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass (ONE Pass)

Source: mom.gov.sg

A five-year senior work pass for leading professionals earning a fixed salary from S$30,000 a month, or with outstanding achievement in business, the arts, sport or research.

Investment / cost
No investment required; the salary condition is S$30,000 a month (either received within the last 12 months, or offered by a qualifying employer in Singapore)
Estimated timeline
Around four weeks to assess
Benefits
  • A five-year pass (twice the EP term), permitting work for several organisations and a change of employer without reapplying
  • Exempt from COMPASS and from the job advertising requirement
  • A spouse may work under a Letter of Consent
Key requirements
  • A fixed salary from S$30,000 a month; where the income is earned abroad, the paying company must meet the prescribed market capitalisation or turnover standard
  • Alternatively, outstanding achievement recognised by the MOM in the relevant field

How we work

The Singapore case path

  1. 01

    Assess your eligibility

    1–2 working sessions

  2. 02

    Select the programme

    1–3 weeks

  3. 03

    Prepare the file

    2–6 months, depending on the programme

  4. 04

    File and monitor

    Per the processing schedule of the adjudicating authority

  5. 05

    Settlement and beyond

    A long-term relationship

Further reading

Updates on Singapore

Global Investor Programme: Điều kiện thường trú Singapore cho nhà đầu tư lớn

Employment Pass và ONE Pass: Lộ trình PR Singapore cho chuyên gia Việt

Định cư Singapore 2026: GIP 10 triệu SGD và các lựa chọn thực tế hơn

Answers

Frequently asked questions

How much must you invest for Singapore permanent residence?

The only route granting permanent residence directly through investment is the Global Investor Programme: at least S$10 million in a Singapore business, S$25 million in a GIP fund, or a family office with assets under management from S$200 million. Beyond the capital, the EDB assesses the applicant's business record closely. There is no route in Singapore that exchanges a property purchase for permanent residence.

How long must you work in Singapore before applying for permanent residence?

There is no prescribed period. In practice, most candidates apply after 2–6 years working on an Employment Pass or S Pass. The ICA assesses the whole picture: tax contribution, sector, age, family circumstances in Singapore and length of residence. Approval rates are not published and many applicants must reapply. Please keep expectations realistic, and disregard any promise of a guaranteed outcome.

How does the ONE Pass differ from an Employment Pass?

The ONE Pass requires a fixed salary from S$30,000 a month, more than five times the entry EP threshold. In exchange, the pass runs for five years, permits work for several organisations at once, allows a change of employer without reapplying, and bypasses the COMPASS points system. The EP serves professionals generally; the ONE Pass targets regional executives and founders with an established record.

Does Singapore permit dual citizenship?

No. Singapore does not recognise dual citizenship for adults: naturalising as a Singaporean means giving up Vietnamese citizenship. Many Vietnamese families therefore stop at permanent residence — which still permits residence, employment and most benefits — and consider citizenship only once they have settled on a long-term commitment.

Does sending a child to study in Singapore help the family settle there?

Studying there creates no direct residence right for parents. A student in Singapore may apply for permanent residence under the student scheme once they have resided for two years and passed a national examination under the ICA's conditions, but that entitlement does not extend to parents. The effective approach combines the two: the child studies while the parents build a business presence or work on an Employment Pass or ONE Pass.

This information is provided for reference and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration policy may change at the discretion of each country. Contact VNIS Investment for an assessment based on your actual circumstances.

Beyond Future

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