Againstthe backdropof Singapore’s announcement that thethreshold forthe Global Investor Program (GIP) will soon be raised, a Chinese entrepreneur successfully submitted his application two days before the policy change andwas awarded Singapore Permanent Resident (PR) statusinSeptember2025after a rigorous two-year vetting process.
1. pinpointing the last window of the old policy
In early2023, Singapore’s Economic Development Board (EDB) announced thatfromMarch15,2023, theinvestment thresholds for theGIPwould be significantly raised.
For example, the investment amount for the Senior Business Owner option willrise toS$10millionfrom the previousS$2.5million.Faced with a tight window, the account manager teamworked efficiently and systematicallywithin48hoursto complete the preparation and notarization of all application materials, including:
Sort outthe audit reports ofthe business for the past3years to ensure that the turnover meetsthe requirement of theSenior Entrepreneurcategory, which requiresa turnover of not less thanS$200 millionfor the past year.
Assisting clients in signing investment commitment letters with a clear choice ofOptionA(investing in the establishment of a new business entity).
We guided the client to fill in the Singapore Entry Pass Application Form (Form 4) and the Background Details of Family Members form to ensure that the information is accurate.
The clientsuccessfully submitted the application2 daysbefore the cut-off date of the old policy, locking in the original threshold and laying the foundation for subsequent success.
Photo/GIP client successfully approved for PR, stolen image must be punished!
2. Two years of professional auditing and proactive communication
The approval cycle ofGIPis usually9to12months or even longer, while the auditing of this case took about two years due to the complexity of the enterprise structure involved. During the process,EDBorganized several rounds of due diligence and focused assessment:
Legitimacy and sustainability of the source of investment funds.
Whether the business plan would create local employment in Singapore, particularly with respect tothe commitment to“employ at least10additional local employees“inScenarioA. Theclient team took the lead in submitting additional materials to EDB, including thefollowing.
The Account Manager team took the lead throughout the process andproactivelysubmitted additional materialstoEDB, including:
Description of the fit ofthe client’s business (chemical industry) with Singapore’sAppendixBlist of priority industries.
The plan to set up the regional headquartersin the next5years andthe detailed plan torecruit3-5Singaporean citizensper year.
Assisted clients withEDBinterview coaching to ensure clear communication of long-term intention to set up roots in Singapore.
3. In-depth Family Roots andREPRenewal Strategy
Apart from investment, Singapore places special emphasis onfamily integration and long-term contribution. We assist our clients with comprehensive family planning:
Educational Connections: Clients’ children have successfully enrolled in local international schools in Singapore and participated in extra-curricular activities (CCA), with transcripts and activity certificates serving as evidence of the family’s dedication.
Residence and social integration: Families signed long-term rental agreements and participated in community environmental volunteer activities.
REP(Re-entry Permit) Renewal Planning: We make it clear to our clients thatrenewal of a5-yearREPupon its expiration is subject to therequirements ofcontinued investment, achievement of employee hiring goals, andlength of residency of family members.
At the same time, customers are remindedthat startingDecember1,2025,the REPpolicy has been adjusted: if you are outside of the country andthe REPhas lapsed, you mustsubmit an application within the180-day grace period, otherwise you will lose yourPRstatus.
Picture/GIP client successfully got PR, stolen picture must be punished!
4. Successful Approval, Starting a New Chapter
InSeptember2025, the client formally obtained theGIPPrinciple Approval Letter, and aftercompleting the investment capitalization and submitting the proof within6months, the whole family successfully obtained thePRstatus.
The client exclaimed,“At the critical juncture of the policy change, the professional team‘s precise controlofthe EDBrequirements and timing was the key to the success of the entire application.“
This case corroborates:
The GIPis not simply a gateway to investment, buta comprehensive assessmentof an applicant‘s business background, investment sustainability and family’s willingness to put down roots.
EDBadheres tothe spirit of contract inthe implementation of the policyand will review it according to the original criteria as long as it was submitted during the old policy period.
The professional team‘s deep understanding of policy details (e.g.GIPrenewal conditions,new REP regulations) andproactive communicationare the core safeguards against complex applications.
If you are planning to go to sea, please contact us and an account manager will assess your situation and work out a solution accordingly.
*Reference sources:EDBSingapore,ICA, Lianhe Zaobao, synthesized from customer testimonials, reproduced with attribution.
