Best 5 Pathways of Immigrating to Singapore (2024 Latest Version)

Singapore is known for its welcoming approach towards immigrants, and it has a diverse and multicultural population. As a migrant from Malaysia to Singapore, I did my holistic research before making this big decision. You may refer to my sharing on “Top 5 Reasons of Immigrating to Singapore” and “Singapore vs. Malaysia: Comparing 10 Key Aspects of Life”.

Here are 5 pathways suggested for those who plan to migrate to Singapore!

1ST WAY: Professional / Skilled Migration to Singapore

Singapore’s skilled migration primarily targets professionals or those with a university degree or higher. Eligible individuals who are employed by a local company and hold a work visa (or work permit) can apply for permanent residency with the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority of Singapore. Some main types of work visas in Singapore are:

1. Employment Pass (EP)

• For high-skilled professionals, managers, and executives
• Minimum salary requirement of SGD 5,000 per month for all sectors except financial services
• Minimum salary requirement of SGD 5,500 per month for financial services
• Pass the Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS), starting 1 September 2024 (only employers can check for candidates). 
• Bachelor’s degree or higher, professional certificate, or special skills
• Monthly salary of SGD 6,000 or more can apply for family passes (spouse and unmarried children under 21)
• Monthly salary of SGD 12,000 or more can apply for long-term visit passes for parents
• Applied by employers with no quota limit

2. S Pass (SP)

• For skilled workers
• Minimum salary requirement of SGD 3,150 per month for all sectors except for financial services
• Minimum salary requirement of SGD3,650 per month in financial services
• Diploma, undergraduate degree, or at least one year of technical course
• Monthly salary of SGD 6,000 or more can apply for family passes (spouse and unmarried children under 21)
• Applied by employers, with company quota limits
• Employers can use Self-Assessment Tool (SAT) to check candidates’ eligibility. 

2ND WAY: Student Visa in Singapore

Student migration applies to foreign students studying in Singapore who meet certain conditions to apply for permanent residency:

• Reside in Singapore for 2 years or more
• Study in Singapore (public or private schools)
• Pass a national-level examination in Singapore (PSLE/O Level/A Level) or is in the Integrated Programme (IP). 

3RD WAY: Entrepreneur Immigration to Singapore

Entrepreneur immigration requires the following info:

• Register a company with ACRA (Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority) in Singapore
• Apply for EntrePass as an entrepreneur, innovator, or investor
• The applicant must be at least 21 years old, hold at least 30% of the company’s shares. 
• The company must be newly registered for less than 6 months. 
• The applicant must meet one of the following minimum criteria:

If you are an entrepreneur,

•  The company has received at least SGD 100,000 from government investment agencies, Singapore government-recognised venture capitalists or angel investors.
• The company must be a participant at a government-recognised startup incubator or accelerator project.
• Outstanding entrepreneurial experience or successful track record of business growth and network.

If you are an innovator,

• The company is collaborating on research with the Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR).
• The company has intellectual property from recognised institutions and cannot be easily replicated.
• Outstanding technical knowledge and skills in the relevant industry.

If you are an investor,

• Plans for large-scale investments in Singapore companies.
• Experience in establishing large-scale companies or holding senior positions in large companies for over 8 years.
• Rich investment track record.

4TH WAY: Investment Immigration to Singapore

The Global Investor Programme (GIP) allows global individuals to invest and obtain permanent residency in Singapore. Applicants can apply for permanent residency for their spouses and unmarried children under 21 years old; and long-term visit passes for their parents.

There are two ways to be eligible under this GIP, 

(A) Business Owners (4 options)

There are four options with specific criteria which include but not limited to:

1. Established business owners
   • At least 3 years of business track record or an annual turnover of at least SGD200million in the year after application
2. Next generation business owners
   • Your immediate family must hold at least 30% shares or be the largest shareholder in the company
3. Founders of fast growth companies
   • You must be a founder and one of the largest individual shareholders of a non-publicly listed company with a valuation of at least SG$500million
4. Family office principals
   • At least 5 years of entrepreneurial, investment or management track record and must have net investible assets of at least SGD200million.

(B) Investment (3 options)

1. Invest at least SGD 10million to set up a new company or expand an existing business
2. Invest at least SGD 25million in a GIP-approved fund that also invests in Singapore-based corporations.
3. Establish a Singapore-based Single Family Office (SFO) with AUM of at least SGD 200million. Out of this, at least SGD 50million must be allocated to any of the following four investment categories within 12 months from the date of the Final Approval letter.
   • Companies listed on MAS-licensed exchanges;
   • Qualifying debt securities;
   • Funds distributed Singapore-licensed/registered managers; or
   • Private equity injection into non-listed Singapore-based businesses.

5TH WAY: Technology Pass Immigration to Singapore

Applicants do not need to be employed by any enterprise. They need to meet at least two conditions to start a business or work, invest, hold directorships, or serve as lecturers at higher education institutions in Singapore.

Technology Pass applicants should fulfil any two of the following requirements:

1. Fixed monthly salary of at least SGD 22,500 or equivalent in foreign currency in the past year.
2. Held a leadership position in a technology company with a market value of at least USD 500million (about SGD 672million) or with at least USD 30million (about SGD 40million) fund raised for at least 5 cumulative years.
3. Led the development of technological products for at least 5 cumulative years, with active users of at least 100,000 monthly or a revenue of at least USD 100million (about SGD 135million).

Singapore authority will access the application and consider other sources of income on a case-by-case basis. 

After settling in Singapore, you can apply for Singapore Permanent Residency to gain additional benefits. These benefits are accessible to you whether you plan to continue living in Singapore or return to your hometown. Permanent Residency in Singapore offers advantages not available to foreigners with valid work passes.

After living in Singapore for at least 2 years as a Singapore Permanent Resident, you are eligible to apply for Singapore Citizenship. Whether you are considering or deciding to convert and become a Singapore citizen, you may read “4 MAIN Things You Must Know Before Applying for Singapore Permanent Residency and Citizenship”. for more insights.