Question

Mr Yip Hon Weng: To ask the Minister for Trade and Industry (a) in the past three years, how many individuals have leveraged on the Global Investor Programme and invested at least $2.5 million in a business, fund, or family office in order to qualify for permanent residency; and (b) what steps has the Government taken to facilitate their integration and eventual conversion to Singapore citizenship.

Oral Answer (to be attributed to Minister of State for Trade and Industry Low Yen Ling)

1. Mr Speaker, about 200 individuals were accorded permanent residency through the Global Investor Programme (GIP) from 2020 to 2022.

2. Permanent Residents under the GIP can join other new residents in Singapore in various integration activities organised by the National Integration Council (NIC) and partners. For example, the People’s Association Integration Council conducts the Heartland Orientation Trail to give participants an immersive experience of our heartlands and the Singapore way of life and help them understand and appreciate our local culture and norms. New PRs under the GIP are also able to tap on EDB’s networks to embark on philanthropic activities or contribute to community causes that benefit our society.

3. All applicants for Singapore citizenship, including PRs under the GIP, are assessed independently by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority.