Naturalization & Global Investor Program (GIP) in SingaporeGlobal finance hub, swiftprocess, strong stability

Residence and Citizenship in Singapore

Why people seek residence and citizenship in Singapore

Singapore’s strategic location at the heart of Southeast Asia, combined with its political stability, robust legal framework based on English common law, and pro-business policies, makes it an attractive destination for individuals seeking a residence permit in Singapore and eventual citizenship. As a global financial center and trade hub, Singapore hosts the headquarters of multinational banks, investment funds, and trading companies. The city-state’s GDP per capita ranks among the highest in the world, supported by diversified sectors including finance, technology, logistics, biotech, and professional services. With one of the world’s busiest airports—Changi—and one of its top container ports, Singapore offers unparalleled connectivity, enabling easy travel across Asia, to Europe, and beyond. The government’s efficient immigration procedures—via employment passes, investor programs, and family visas—provide clear pathways to permanent residency and, after years of contribution, to eventual citizenship. In addition, Singapore’s strict law enforcement, low crime rates, and emphasis on multicultural harmony ensure a safe environment for families. High-quality healthcare, world-class international schools, and extensive green spaces further enhance the city’s liveability. These factors collectively drive demand for detailed guidance on how to get Singapore visa, permanent residence Singapore, and citizenship by investment in Singapore.

Types of residence permits and citizenship pathways

Singapore offers multiple immigration routes tailored to different profiles—skilled professionals, investors, entrepreneurs, and family members—each leading toward long-term residency and, ultimately, citizenship:

• Employment Pass (EP): For foreign professionals, managers, and executives with job offers in Singapore. Salary and qualification thresholds apply, with EP holders able to bring eligible dependents on Dependant’s Passes and Long-Term Visit Passes.
• S Pass: For mid-level technical staff earning at least SGD 3,000/month. Employers must meet quotas and levy requirements; S Pass holders may sponsor dependents under certain conditions.
• EntrePass: For startup founders and innovators establishing a qualifying business in Singapore. Applicants submit detailed business plans, innovation evidence, and commit to local economic contribution.
• Personalised Employment Pass (PEP): A high-flexibility pass for top-earning professionals currently employed overseas or EP holders in Singapore, offering no in-country employer restriction and a 6-month unemployment grace period.
• Global Investor Programme (GIP): For high-net-worth individuals investing at least SGD 2.5 million in qualifying Singapore-based funds or enterprises, leading directly to Permanent Residence status.
• Permanent Residence (PR) Schemes:
  • PR for Professionals/Technical Personnel & Skilled Workers Scheme (PTS): For EP and S Pass holders after at least six months of employment.
  • GIP Investors PR Scheme: Immediate PR upon investment under GIP criteria.
  • Family Ties Scheme: For spouses and unmarried children under 21 of PR or citizens; and aged parents of citizens under the Parents’ PR scheme.
• Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP): For common-law spouses, unmarried handicapped children above 21, and holders of Letter of Consent (LOC) for foreign spouses of EP holders, enabling longer stays without employment rights.

Requirements and application process

Each immigration pathway entails specific eligibility criteria, documentation, and submission channels through Singapore’s Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) or Ministry of Manpower (MOM):

• Employment Pass/S Pass/PEP: Employers or applicants apply via MOM’s EP Online portal, providing educational qualifications, proof of experience, employment contracts, and salary details. Approvals typically take 1–4 weeks.
• EntrePass: Application through EntrePass eService, requiring a detailed business plan, innovation evidence, capital injection proof, and commitment to job creation and economic contribution targets. Processing within 8–12 weeks.
• Global Investor Programme: Submit GIP application to Economic Development Board (EDB), including business track record, investment proposal, net-worth statements, and due diligence reports. GIP approval leads to PR application via ICA.
• Permanent Residence: PR applications under PTS, GIP, or Family Ties submit via ICA’s e-PR portal, including passport copies, educational certificates, income tax assessments, marriage/birth certificates, and employer testimonials. Processing can take 6–12 months.
• Long-Term Visit Pass: Apply via LTVP eService on ICA’s website with sponsor support letters, marriage certificates, and medical insurance proof. Approval within 4–8 weeks.

Legal framework and government policies

Singapore’s immigration system operates under robust legislation, policy directives, and periodic adjustments to balance economic needs with social integration:

• Immigration Act & Regulations: Provide statutory basis for entry passes, PR, and citizenship applications, defining eligibility, grounds for refusal, and appeal mechanisms.
• Ministry of Manpower (MOM) Policies: Govern employment passes, S Pass, and EntrePass criteria, including salary minima, quota settings, and fair consideration frameworks to prioritize local hiring.
• Economic Development Board (EDB) Guidelines: Administer GIP, setting investment benchmarks, sector eligibility, and performance evaluation metrics for investor contributions.
• Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) Procedures: Manage PR and citizenship applications, implementing points systems for PR under PTS, document verification, and integration requirements for new citizens.
• Family Reunification Policies: Facilitate LTVP issuance, spouse and parent PR categories, and provisions for special humanitarian cases.

Lifestyle, mobility, and long-term benefits

Securing legal residency or citizenship in Singapore unlocks wide-ranging advantages that enhance personal, professional, and family life:

• Global Mobility: Singapore citizens enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 190 countries—the world’s strongest passport—while PR holders gain simplified travel within the ASEAN region and long-stay privileges in key markets.
• Economic Opportunities: PR and citizens access public housing eligibility under the Housing & Development Board (HDB) and CPF social security savings scheme; citizenship adds political rights, public service access, and educational scholarships.
• High-Quality Public Services: Citizens and PRs benefit from subsidized healthcare at public hospitals, world-class education from primary through tertiary institutions, and extensive urban green spaces and community centers.
• Stable Governance & Safety: Singapore consistently ranks among the safest and least corrupt nations, with strong rule of law and transparent public administration underpinning social cohesion.
• Multicultural Society: English-medium official environment, diverse expatriate communities, and cohesive multicultural policies foster seamless integration and rich cultural exchange.

How VelesClub International helps

VelesClub International offers end-to-end, bespoke services for clients pursuing residence permit in Singapore and citizenship by investment in Singapore:

• Strategic Assessment: We evaluate your professional background, investment capacity, and family goals to recommend the optimal pass or PR route—EP, EntrePass, PEP, GIP, or PR schemes.
• Application Management: Our experts prepare and submit all required documents via MOM and ICA portals, coordinate employer sponsorships, and liaise with EDB for GIP cases—ensuring streamlined processing.
• Due Diligence & Compliance: We handle background checks, income verification, and policy updates, aligning submissions with evolving MOM and ICA criteria to maximize approval odds.
• Post-Approval Support: We assist with relocation logistics—housing search, school enrolment, healthcare registration—and guide clients on CPF contributions, HDB applications, and local integration programs.
• Citizenship Transition: For eligible PRs, we advise on citizenship application timing, Oath ceremonies, and compliance with residency requirements, ensuring timely attainment of full Singaporean citizenship.