Afterthe tightening of the Global Investor Program (GIP) policy inSingapore, it has become much more difficult to obtain permanent resident status through the investment route.
In the last two days before the policy change, a Chinese entrepreneur successfully submitted his application, and after two years of review, assessment and repeated communication, he was finallyapproved bythe EDBand stepped into a new life in Singapore with his family. This is not only a personal victory, but also an example of teamwork and professional control.
1. Seizing the policy window: “life and death” before the cut-off of the old policy
InFebruary2023, Singapore announced that it wouldformally tightenthe GI investment thresholdfromMarch1 ofthe same year,raising theoriginalminimum investment of S$2.5million tomore than S$10 million. Under the new policy,GIP Option A,the threshold forobtainingPRby investing in a Singaporean companyis now “unattainable”.
Just in the last two days before the policy switch, this client, a deep-rooted entrepreneur, finally completed the preparation of all documents and submitted theGIPapplication materials. Despite the time constraints, the client insisted on presenting his personal background and company strengths in high quality content. This decision proved to be crucial later on.
At that moment, the customer was so excited that he burst into tears: “This is a key step for me and my family in the next ten years, thanks to the team for not giving up!” The application also started a two-year-long “protracted battle”.
2, two years of attack: with the strength to impressevery assessment node ofthe EDB
The GIPprogram is difficult not only because of the high monetary threshold, but also becauseEDBis extraordinarily rigorous in screening applicants, with particularly high standards for sustainability, innovation, and local impact.
During the two-year-long process,EDBorganized several rounds of detailed due diligence and audits, including verification of business data, assessment of business expansion plans, and explanation of future operation plans in Singapore. Our team never waited for notice, but always took the initiative:
①Systematize the financial structure and core competitiveness of client companies;
②Submitted supplementary materialstoEDBon several occasions, including the company’s strategic layout in the Southeast Asian market and its recruitment plan for local talents;
③Develop a detailed operational blueprint for the feasibility of expansion in Singapore over the next five years;
④Assist clients in applying for headquarters programs at the same time to enhance the overall persuasiveness of the application.
It is worth mentioning that throughout the process,EDBhas always demonstrated a high degree of contractual spirit and processed applications in strict accordance with the standards of the old policy, which not only reflects the consistency of Singapore’s policy implementation, but also gives customers great confidence.
3、Family layout and local integration: not just applying forPR, but the beginning of a new life
Although theGIPprogram is based on investment, Singapore values the applicant’s willingness and ability to put down roots for the long term. In order to fully demonstrate this, we work with our clients to develop a detailed10-yearfamily development plan, including:
①Children’s education arrangements have been planned in advance to enter local international schools and integrate into the Singapore education system;
② Family Residence Program, a residential area suitable for long term residence has been selected;
③Customers’ individual career expansion paths, with plans to establish a regional headquarters in Singapore as a hub for Southeast Asian operations;
④ Cooperate with local professional teams to gradually build a local business ecosystem.
The family plan not only impressedEDB, but also demonstrated the client’s strong will to make Singapore his second home, which helped make the application more convincing.
4. Successful approval: the “last train” of the old regime arrives successfully
InJuly2025, the client finally received the official approval from the Singapore Economic Development Board:the GIPapplication was approved and the permanent resident status was officially confirmed. The client was touched to the core: “From the moment I gritted my teeth and submitted the documents, to today’sPR, it’s worth it.”
This success is not just a personal victory for the client, but also proves two important facts:
①The old political window is short, but as long as the method is right, the pace is steady, and the material is solid, there is still a chance for success.
GIPis not a “money can get on the bus” program, but a comprehensive project that requires corporate strength, local commitment, and strategic planning to be fully in place.
We also sincerely admirethe rigor and transparency demonstrated by theEDBteam in these two years. Even in the face of the complex environment of alternating old and new policies, they have always adhered to the spirit of contract and ensured that professional and fair assessments are made within the scope of the old policies.
Picture/GIP client successfully got PR, stolen picture must be punished!
The only way to success is to make a firm choice and move forward.
TheSingaporeGIPprogram, a bridge to Singapore for high net worth individuals, is not an easy bridge to walk. It requires more than just money; it requires boldness in decision-making, thorough preparation, and a genuine identification with Singapore’s future development.
This client’s story tells us:
Seizing the window of opportunity is the first step, the real success also lies in the ability to persevere and not give up, and constantly optimize every detail, so that the decision makers can see the sincerity and value of your “stay”. In the end, this is no longer just an immigration application, but a dream journey for the whole family to land in Singapore and embrace a new life in the future.
Note:References are fromEDBSingapore,ICA, synthesized from customers’ oral collation, reproduced with attribution.
