Singapore recently came first in the 2025 Global Talent Competitiveness Index, reflecting the success of its deliberate policy design. Work passes, fund domiciliation, and tax incentives operate in tandem to position Singapore as a preferred jurisdiction for global founders and asset management. Singapore has notoriously strident immigration policies, and this article shares some ways by which foreign talent may find purchase in their immigration needs.
Founder-oriented immigration pathways
EntrePass targets early stage, venture-backed, or tech entrepreneurs. Applicants must hold over 30% equity and meet one of the following criteria:
- Raise SGD 100,000 or more in funding;
- Secure recognised incubator backing;
- Have previously founded and exited a tech business;
- Hold a registered IP; or
- Have active research collaboration with a higher learning institute.
Tech.Pass suits established tech entrepreneurs, leaders, and technical experts from firms valued at more than USD 500 million, or which have raised over USD 30 million. Applicants are assessed on track record and product development leadership experience. This programme is available until December 2026.
The Overseas Network & Expertise Pass (ONE Pass) is intended for top-tier global talent across all sectors. Applicants must earn SGD 30,000 or more monthly, or be employed by firms with over USD 500 million in market capitalisation or more than USD 300 million in annual revenue. The pass is valid for five years.
The Global Founder Programme (GFP) supports established founders, unicorn senior tech talent, and deep-tech entrepreneurs building high-impact ventures from Singapore. The Economic Development Board (EDB) offers curated access to Singapore’s ecosystem for venture growth and regional expansion.
The Global Investor Programme (GIP) grants permanent residency to high-net-worth individuals, via three options:
- Invest SGD 10 million (or more) in a Singapore business with a five-year economic contribution plan, and hiring locals.
- Invest SGD 25 million or more in a GIP-Select fund; or
- Establish a family office with SGD 200 million (or more) assets under management (AUM), and invest SGD 50 million or more in Singapore-listed equities.
Tax incentive for family office structures
Singapore imposes no capital gains tax. The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS)’s 13O and 13U schemes grant tax exemptions on specified investment income for resident fund vehicles, subject to conditions on AUM, local expenditure, and hiring of investment professionals.
For large family offices, compounding tax-exempt returns enhances long-term capital yield.
More pathways to realise value
Singapore’s venture capital and private equity hub status has been constrained by limited exit options. Regulatory reforms focus on strengthening liquidity and market attractiveness.
The Equity Market Development Programme channels institutional capital into Singapore-listed equities, lowers mainboard profit thresholds, and shifts to a disclosure-based listing regime. The SGX–Nasdaq dual listing bridge enables access to US liquidity while maintaining a Singapore presence. Early positive results show 16 new SGX listings in 2025.
In private markets, Temasek Holdings (Singapore’s state-owned investment company) and GIC (Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund that manages the country’s foreign reserves) co-invest alongside private capital to support growth-stage companies. The MAS family office regime has expanded the pool of sophisticated private capital for late-stage and pre-IPO transactions. Tax-incentivised family offices grew from approximately 400 in 2020 to over 2,000 by 2024.
Informally, the EDB works with regional and international groups interested in re-establishing their headquarters in Singapore, often granting concessionary tax rates for qualifying entities.
Singapore is building not only companies, but an integrated ecosystem for financing, scaling, valuing, and exit within a single jurisdiction.