PR Through a Family Office: The GIP Track
How to get Singapore permanent residence via the Global Investor Programme family-office route — the thresholds, the fee, and how it differs from simply running an office.
You can obtain Singapore permanent residence (PR) through a family office via the Global Investor Programme (GIP), specifically its family-office track, Option C. The deal is straightforward but demanding: set up and run a Singapore single family office with at least S$200 million of assets under management, of which at least S$50 million is deployed into Singapore-based investment categories. A non-refundable application fee of S$20,000 applies from 5 May 2025. GIP is administered by the Economic Development Board (EDB), and Option C sits alongside the programme's company and fund routes. Note the contrast with simply operating a tax-incentivised office: the 13O/13U thresholds (S$5M / S$50M) are far lower than the GIP bar.
How do you get PR through a family office in Singapore?
Through GIP Option C. You establish a Singapore single family office, meet the AUM and deployment thresholds, and apply to the EDB. A successful application leads to permanent residence for the principal (and typically the immediate family). The family office itself is structured the way any other would be — usually a VCC managed under the s99(1)(b) exemption or by an appointed licensed manager — but at a much larger scale than the minimum needed merely to qualify for a tax incentive.
What is GIP Option C?
GIP Option C is the family-office route of the Global Investor Programme. It is aimed at established investors and business owners who set up a single family office in Singapore with at least S$200 million in AUM and deploy at least S$50 million into Singapore-based categories (such as Singapore-listed equities, qualifying funds, or direct investment into local businesses). It is one of several GIP tracks; the other options target those who run a substantial company or invest through an approved fund.
GIP family-office route vs an Employment Pass
You do not need PR to run a Singapore family office. Many principals operate perfectly well on an Employment Pass (EP). The GIP route is for families that want PR and can clear the S$200M / S$50M bar. The trade-off:
| Factor | GIP Option C (family office) | Employment Pass (EP) |
|---|---|---|
| Outcome | Permanent residence | Work pass, renewable |
| AUM required | S$200M (S$50M deployed in SG) | None beyond operating the office |
| Application fee | S$20,000 (from 5 May 2025) | Standard EP fees |
| Who it suits | UHNW families wanting PR | Principals running the office without PR |
| Tax incentive link | Office still uses 13O/13U | Office still uses 13O/13U |
| Family coverage | Principal + immediate family | Principal; dependants via passes |
How much money do I need for the GIP family office route?
At least S$200 million of assets under management, of which at least S$50 million must be deployed in Singapore-based categories. This is well above the S$5M (13O) or S$50M (13U) AUM needed merely to operate a tax-incentivised office — GIP is genuinely an ultra-high-net-worth path to residence, not a shortcut for mid-sized families. Families below this level still get the full benefit of a Singapore family office; they simply use an EP rather than the GIP PR route.
How does the family office structure support a GIP application?
The same VCC structure that holds a family's wealth supports the GIP deployment requirement: the S$50M deployed in Singapore can sit in sub-funds holding qualifying Singapore assets, while the office maintains the substance and governance MAS and the EDB expect. Building the office, the tax incentive and the GIP case as one coherent structure — rather than three separate exercises — is where good structuring pays off.
Exploring PR through a Singapore family office?
If you can meet the GIP family-office thresholds, tell us your AUM and goals and we'll connect you with a vetted partner to structure the office and prepare the application.
Speak to a specialist →Frequently asked questions
How do you get PR through a family office in Singapore?
Through the Global Investor Programme, Option C: run a Singapore single family office with at least S$200 million AUM, of which at least S$50 million is deployed in Singapore-based categories. A S$20,000 application fee applies from 5 May 2025.
What is GIP Option C?
The family-office track of the Global Investor Programme, administered by the EDB, for investors who establish a single family office in Singapore with S$200M+ AUM and deploy at least S$50M into Singapore-based categories.
Do I need PR to run a Singapore family office?
No. You can run one on an Employment Pass. The GIP family-office route is for families who want PR as well and can meet the S$200M AUM and S$50M deployment thresholds.
How much money do I need for the GIP family office route?
A single family office with at least S$200 million AUM, of which at least S$50 million is deployed in Singapore — far above the S$5M (13O) or S$50M (13U) needed merely to operate a tax-incentivised office.
VCC Singapore is an independent informational resource and is not a regulator, law firm or immigration adviser. GIP criteria are set by the Economic Development Board and change periodically — confirm the current requirements before applying. This page is general information, not legal, tax, immigration or financial advice.