You can apply for Singapore permanent residency through investment, entrepreneurship, employment, or family ties. The immigration requirements vary depending on the type of visa.
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Singapore Immigration
Singapore Self-Employed Immigration
Establish a company in Singapore and employ yourself with an Employment Pass (EP). With fast approval and no turnover requirements, applicants can move to Singapore without having to find a local employer, giving them greater autonomy.
Advantages of Self-Employed Immigration in Singapore
- Apply for PR in as little as 6-9 months
- Low capital requirements
Singapore Self-Employed Immigration Conditions
- Must be a mid-level manager or company boss
- Need to set up a company in Singapore
Application time for self-employed immigrants in Singapore
About 6 months
Singapore Self-employed Immigration Process
Free consultation with a registered immigration consultant ➤ Signing a contract ➤ Opening a Singapore company ➤ Submitting an Employment Pass application ➤ Landing in Singapore, increasing community participation, public welfare affairs, etc. ➤ Submitting a PR application
Singapore GIP Investment Immigration
Singapore’s Global Investor Program (GIP) is the only immigration program that offers direct access to Singapore permanent residency. Individuals with extensive business, investment, or management experience can apply for Singapore permanent residency through the GIP.
Advantages of Singapore Investment Immigration
- No academic requirements
- Short application time
- One-step immigration for the whole family
- 3 investment options for applicants to choose flexibly
Singapore Investment Immigration Conditions
- Investing not less than S$10 million to establish a new business or expand an existing business; or
- Investing not less than S$25 million in a Singaporean company’s approved GIP fund; or
- Invest at least S$50 million in a new or existing single-family office in Singapore and manage at least S$200 million in assets
Singapore Investment Immigration Application Time
About 9-12 months
Singapore Investment Immigration Process
Free consultation with a registered immigration consultant ➤ Signing a contract ➤ Submitting an application ➤ Interview ➤ Obtaining an approval-in-principle letter ➤ Making an investment ➤ Obtaining a formal approval letter
Singapore Skilled Migration
Applicants who are hired by a Singaporean company can initially work and live in Singapore through two types of work visas: the Employment Pass (EP) and the S Pass. Besides personal qualifications and professional achievements, obtaining local recommendations and actively participating in community activities can also help increase the chances of obtaining Singapore permanent residency.
- Employment Pass (EP): Designed for highly skilled foreign professionals working in management or professional positions, this is the highest level of work permit. The minimum monthly salary requirement is SGD 5,000 (approximately HKD 30,000), though the actual salary depends on industry and age. *Points will be assessed starting September 2023.
- S Pass: Designed for mid-level skilled workers, such as technicians. Minimum monthly salary requirement: SGD 3,000 (approximately HKD 18,000). *Starting in September 2023, the monthly salary requirement will increase slightly.
Singapore Skilled Immigration Process
Get a job offer from a Singapore company ➤ Free consultation with a registered immigration consultant ➤ Sign a contract ➤ Submit a visa application ➤ Land in Singapore
Required Qualifications for Applying for Singapore Employment Pass
If the investment immigration requirements are too high for you, you can choose to pursue Singapore’s technical immigration, which has lower thresholds. However, all foreign individuals need to apply for a work visa to work in Singapore, and the Employment Pass (EP) is one of the common work visas.
Employment Pass (EP) Application Qualifications
- The monthly salary must not be lower than SGD 3,000 (approximately HKD 18,000).
- Possess a university degree, professional qualification, or special skills recognized by the Singapore government.
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM), the government agency that approves the Employment Pass applications, will assess a range of qualifications and backgrounds of applicants when processing any Employment Pass application, including:
- The ranking of the university attended by the applicant in independent academic evaluation bodies, such as QS World University Rankings and Academic Rankings of World Universities.
- The employment situation of graduates from the university attended by the applicant.
- The admission standards of the university attended by the applicant.
However, even if the applicant holds a degree or professional qualification from a recognized university, it does not guarantee approval of their application. Besides educational background, applicants also need to meet other criteria, such as work experience or professional skills. Similarly, even if an applicant does not hold a degree from a recognized university, it does not mean their application will be rejected. If the applicant excels in other aspects, it may compensate for a less favorable educational background.
Why Choose to Immigrate to Singapore?
Education: Singapore follows an elite education system similar to the British system, using English as the medium of instruction alongside various language subjects. After completing 10-11 years of primary and secondary education, students can choose to attend junior colleges, high schools, or polytechnics, with over half of the former being able to enroll in local universities. Singapore has five polytechnics and three universities, with the National University of Singapore and Nanyang Technological University being highly renowned institutions in Asia.
Culture and Language: Singapore is a hub for English and Southeast Asian cultures. Mandarin, Malay, and Tamil are also widely spoken in Singapore.
Cost of Living and Environment: Singapore has a Goods and Services Tax (GST) and its cost of living is slightly higher than that of Hong Kong. However, Singapore boasts a modern and green urban environment, with many open spaces such as parks and nature reserves.
Business Opportunities: Singapore’s strategic location in Asia and its use of English to connect with the world, along with comprehensive government measures—including the ability to establish a company in just a few days and a series of low tax rates and favorable tax policies—make Singapore one of the countries with the lowest tax rates, successfully attracting a number of foreign entrepreneurs to invest in Singapore.
Social Welfare Policies: Singapore offers comprehensive social welfare policies that attract many Hong Kong residents to immigrate. Its social welfare policies include a comprehensive Central Provident Fund system that protects all employed citizens and permanent residents in various important areas of life, including elderly care, healthcare, housing, and family protection. Additionally, Singapore is well-known for its housing policy, where the government sells public housing (similar to Hong Kong’s public housing) at prices lower than market rates, ensuring that citizens do not have to compromise on their housing needs due to economic issues.
FAQs
- How to Obtain Permanent Residency in Singapore?
- What Factors Are Considered for Permanent Residency Approval When Entering Singapore on an Employment Pass?
The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority of Singapore will consider various factors based on the individual's background, such as education level, professional qualifications, type of industry, unique talents, as well as the applicant's duration of stay in Singapore, community involvement, donations, and recommendations from Singapore citizens.
- After Completing the EP Application, Are Additional Documents Required?
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) may request applicants to submit additional supporting documents, including:
- The employment contract between the applicant and the Singapore company, detailing the applicant's salary, including any portions paid by an overseas employer (if applicable);
- The lease agreement for the Singapore office;
- If the company has already commenced operations, relevant documents such as bank statements and contracts signed with other clients to prove that the company is generating profit and has the ability to pay the applicant's salary for the next 12 months;
- Any other documents required by MOM.
Applicants may need to prepare these in advance. Please note that if the documents are not in English, arrangements must be made for a professional translator, notary, or embassy to translate them into English.