Following Singapore’s tightening of its Global Investor Programme (GIP) policy, obtaining permanent resident status through investment has become increasingly challenging.
However, in the final two days before the policy change, a Chinese entrepreneur successfully submitted his application. After two years of review, assessment, and repeated communication, he finally received approval from the Economic Development Board (EDB) and moved to Singapore with his family to start a new life. This was not only a personal victory but also a model of teamwork and professional expertise.
1. Seizing the Policy Window: A Race Against Time Before the Old Policy Expired
In February 2023, Singapore announced that it would officially tighten the GIP investment threshold starting March 1 of that year, significantly increasing the minimum investment amount from 2.5 million Singapore dollars to over 10 million Singapore dollars. Under the new policy, the threshold for GIP Option A—obtaining PR through investment in Singaporean companies—became “unattainably high.”
Just two days before the policy change, this client, a seasoned entrepreneur, finally completed all the necessary documentation and submitted the GIP application materials. Despite the tight deadline, the client insisted on presenting high-quality content to showcase their personal background and company strength. This decision later proved to be crucial.
At that moment, the client was moved to tears: This is a crucial step for my family and me over the next decade. Thank you to the team for never giving up!“ This application marked the beginning of a two-year ”marathon.”
2. Two Years of Perseverance: Impressing EDB at Every Evaluation Stage
The GIP program is challenging not only due to the high financial threshold but also because EDB conducts rigorous screening of applicants, particularly focusing on the sustainability, innovation capabilities, and local influence of the company.
Over the course of two years, EDB conducted multiple rounds of detailed due diligence and reviews, including verification of business operations data, assessment of business expansion plans, and explanations of future operational plans in Singapore. Our team never waited for notifications but always took the initiative:
① Systematically analyzing the client company’s financial structure and core competencies;
② Submitting supplementary materials to EDB multiple times, including the company’s strategic布局 in the Southeast Asian market and plans for hiring local talent;
③Developing a detailed operational blueprint for the feasibility of expanding in Singapore over the next five years;
④Assisting the client in applying for the headquarters program to enhance the overall persuasiveness of the application.
It is worth noting that throughout the process, the EDB consistently demonstrated a high degree of contractual integrity, strictly adhering to the standards of the previous policy in processing the application. This not only reflects Singapore’s consistency in policy implementation but also instills great confidence in the client.
3. Family Planning and Local Integration: More Than Just Applying for Permanent Residency, It’s the Beginning of a New Life
While the GIP program uses investment as an entry point, Singapore places greater emphasis on the applicant’s willingness and ability to “settle long-term.” To fully demonstrate this, we collaborated with the client to develop a detailed 10-year family development plan, including:
① Educational arrangements for the children, with prior planning for enrollment in local international schools to integrate into Singapore’s education system;
② Family residence plans, with a suitable residential area selected for long-term living;
③ The client’s personal career expansion path, planning to establish a regional headquarters in Singapore as the hub for Southeast Asian operations;
④ Collaboration with local professional teams to gradually build a local business ecosystem.
This family plan not only impressed the EDB but also demonstrated the client’s firm resolve to make Singapore their second home, enhancing the persuasiveness of the entire application.
4. Successful Approval: The Last Chance Under the Old Policy
In July 2025, the client finally received the official approval from the Singapore Economic Development Board: the GIP application was approved, and permanent resident status was officially confirmed. The client was deeply moved: “From the moment I submitted the application with determination to today when I received the PR, it was all worth it.”
This success is not only the client’s personal victory but also proves two important facts:
① Although the window for the old policy was short, as long as the approach is correct, the pace is steady, and the materials are solid, there is still a chance for success.
② The GIP is not a project where “money can buy you in”; it is a comprehensive evaluation that requires the company’s strength, local commitment, and strategic planning to be fully in place.
We also sincerely admire the EDB team for their rigor and transparency over the past two years. Even in the face of the complex transition between old and new policies, they have consistently upheld the spirit of contract, ensuring professional and impartial evaluations within the scope of the old policy.
Photo: GIP client successfully obtaining PR. Unauthorized use of this image will be prosecuted!
△Making a firm choice and moving forward steadily is the only path to success.
The Singapore GIP program is a bridge for high-net-worth individuals to enter Singapore, but this bridge is not easy to cross. It requires not only money, but also bold decision-making, thorough preparation, and a genuine belief in Singapore’s future development.
This client’s story tells us:
Seizing the opportunity window is the first step, but true success lies in whether one can persist without giving up, continuously optimizing every detail, and demonstrating to decision-makers the sincerity and value of staying. Ultimately, this is no longer just an immigration application but a journey to realize the dream of settling in Singapore as a family and embracing a new future.