The Global Investor Programme eases the way for foreigners to set up and operate businesses in Singapore.  For more information on the Global Investor Programme and application process, please refer to the following links:

Important Note:

Please take note of the impending changes to the GIP, as follows:    

(i)  Assessment Criteria for GIP Application

The following changes will take effect from 1 October 2010:

For Applicants with entrepreneurial and business track record, the turnover of your company must be:
-    At least S$30 million per annum in the most recent year; and
-    At least S$30 million per annum on average for the last 3 years. 

(II)  Inverstment Options

The following changes in investment options will take effect from 1 January 2011:

Under the programme, applicants can choose one of the following investment options:

Option A:  Invest at least S$2.5 million in a new business entity or expansion of an existing business operation.

Option B: Invest at least S$2.5 million in a GIP-approved fund.

The option of partial investment in residential property for owner occupancy would no longer be available. 

(III)  Provisions for Applicant's Family

The following change will take effect from 1 January 2011:

Parents and parents-in-law are not eligible to be included in the main applicant’s GIP application for PR status. Instead, they can apply for a 5-year Long Term Visit Pass (LTVP), which is renewable and tied to the validity of the main applicant’s re-entry permit.

1.        GIP E-Application Forms
2.        Form 4 - Application for an Entry Permit to enter Singapore
3.        Global Investor Programme (GIP) Factsheet
4.        GIP Assessment Criteria
5.        List of Supporting Documents for GIP Application
6.        List of GIP-approved Funds
7.        Timeline for GIP Application Processing
8.        System Requirements for GIP E-application

 Documents Required

ACRA is implementing the "Shortening of Extension of Time" initiative from 7pm, 9 September 2010. Under the initiative, the maximum extension period allowed for a company to hold its Annual General Meeting (AGM) and lay its financial statements at its AGM will be reduced from three to two months. 

With effect from 1 March 2009, the age at which most contracts are binding and enforceable against minor, and the minimum age to be a director of a company or a manager of a limited liability partnership, will be lowered from 21 to 18 years old.

With the change, persons 18 years old and above can register a business name, be a company director, and form companies or limited liability partnerships

if you have further questions, please do not hesitate to call Ms Peggy @ 6533 7393 Ext. 115 or email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Updated February 2009
Extracted From ACRA

What is XBRL ?

XBRL means eXtensible Business Reporting Language.

A company is required to files its financial statements in XBRL format on or after 1 November 2007 only if the financial period concerned ends on or after 30 April 2007 for insolvent company.

Important Points To The Directors Of The Companies

Ensuring the correctness and accuracy of the financial statement in XBRL format filed by the company’s appointed officer with ACRA will be the responsibility of the directors of the Companies.

Directors should ensure that the preparers of the financial statements possess the requisite accounting knowledge to prepare the financial statements to be submitted to ACRA through the FS manager.

Directors are therefore advised to check the information to be filed before authorizing their company filers.  There are no changes to the legislation in regards to the directors’ responsibility towards the accounts to be filed with ACRA.

Exemption for Audit

Your company may be exempted for audit requirement if :

1.             It is a Private Exempt Company ("EPC"), EPC means no corporate shareholder in the company and the number of shareholders in the company is not more than 20.

2.             Annual revenue of the company does not exceed $5 million for financing years starting on and after 1 June 2004

3.             Shareholders who represent 5% or more of a company's ordinary shares does not request for audit, or

4.             Banks or other creditors/financial Companies does not require auditing.

Compilation of Financial Statement Requirement

Company that is exempt from audit and filing requirement is still required to prepare a full set of financial statements (compilation report) including explanatory notes and must accompanied by the Directors' Report and the Statement by Directors, and must be prepared in compliance with the Financial Reporting Standards ("FRS").