Singapore Startup Visa
The Singapore Start-up Visa Program is designed for entrepreneurs with innovative ideas who will spur economic growth and entails consequent commitment from a designated organization. This program requires a financial commitment of at least USD 230,000. Successful applicants are granted a renewable visa and become eligible to apply for permanent residency after 2 years.
Singapore Startup Visa Benefits
Residency and Family Inclusion
Ability to bring dependents after 12 months subject to conditions (spouse, unmarried children under 21, parents).
Travel and Quality of Life
Live and work in Singapore on their venture. After obtaining permanent residency, the applicant is free to take up any employment.
Ease of Access
- Renewable Start-up Visa (SUV) (subject to conditions).
- Singapore permanent Residency (PR) for successful applicants after 2 years of SUV.
- Attractive tax regime: low taxes, no tax on foreign income, capital gains or inheritance.
- No minimum residency requirement for SUV (although over half a year is recommended for PR).
Singapore Startup Visa Requirements
- SUV gives immigrant entrepreneurs who will spur economic growth the right to live and work in Singapore on their venture.
- Intent to establish and own a Singapore private limited company.
- Incubation with an entity recognized by Singapore Authorities.
Conditions for bringing dependents to Singapore:
Company’s latest annual audited accounts showing:
- At least minimum annual spending of SGD 100,000 (Approx USD 77,000) – Calculated by deducting the following from the total operating expenses: (i) Expenses due to purchase of royalties, franchise and technical know-how fees from overseas companies; (ii) expenses due to outsourcing of work overseas; (iii) total remuneration to company’s SUV holders.
- And Employment of 3 LQS – Full time Singaporean or PR earning at least SGD1,400 (Approx USD 1,080) each, or 1 PME – Singaporean or PR professional, manager or executive earning at least SGD 3,900 (USD3,000) per month. (This is for spouse and children under 21. Higher thresholds apply for parents).
Conditions to renew Start Up Visa pending PR:
- SUV may be renewed pending PR or if applicant does not wish to apply for PR, subject to meeting specified minimum annual spending and local employment requirements.
- Male main applicant applying for PR will be exempted from National Service. However, other Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents (for instance, male spouse of main applicant or children) may be required to serve.
Singapore Startup Visa Process
Due Diligence And Application
- Client information intake process.
- Meet incubator to discuss the business.
- Submission of immigration application forms, supporting documents, and fees.
Approval And Investment
- Efficient processing: Typically, 8 weeks for SUV; and 6 months to process PR after 12-18 months of local business activity.
- Within 30 days following approval of SUV, establish a Singapore private limited company.
Residency
- A year after issuance of SUV: renew SUV, and submit applications to bring dependents to Singapore.
- 12-18 months after issuance of SUV: apply for PR (for applicant, legally married spouse and children).
Contact us
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Singapore Startup Visa (SUV)?
The Singapore Startup Visa (SUV) is an entrepreneur visa for foreign nationals with innovative business ideas who wish to establish and grow a startup in Singapore. It requires a financial commitment of at least USD $230,000 and incubation support from a Singapore government-recognised entity. Successful applicants receive a renewable visa granting the right to live and work in Singapore on their venture, with eligibility to apply for permanent residency after 12 to 18 months of local business activity. Singapore's attractive tax regime — including no tax on foreign income, capital gains, or inheritance — makes it one of the most entrepreneur-friendly jurisdictions in Asia.
What are the requirements for the Singapore Startup Visa?
Applicants must: (1) intend to establish and own a Singapore private limited company, incorporated within 30 days of SUV approval, (2) secure incubation with a Singapore government-recognised entity before applying, and (3) commit a minimum of USD $230,000 in funding to the venture. The incubator or accelerator plays a key role in validating the business concept and supporting the application. A visit to Singapore for biometric data collection is required during the process, though full-time residency is not mandatory during the application stage.
What is the role of the incubator in the Singapore Startup Visa process?
A Singapore government-recognised incubator or accelerator is a mandatory requirement for the SUV. The incubator validates the innovativeness and viability of the business idea, provides mentorship and support during the startup's early development, and is a prerequisite for the visa application — applicants must meet with and secure commitment from a recognised incubator before submitting their immigration application. This is similar to the Netherlands Startup Visa model, which also requires an approved facilitator, though Singapore's program leads to a faster PR pathway.
How long does the Singapore Startup Visa process take?
The SUV itself is typically processed within 8 weeks of application submission. After 12 to 18 months of active local business operations, the applicant can apply for Singapore Permanent Residency (PR), which is then processed within approximately 6 months. The full timeline from SUV approval to PR is therefore approximately 18 to 24 months, subject to meeting the business performance conditions.
When and how can I bring my family to Singapore on the Startup Visa?
Dependents can be brought to Singapore after 12 months from the issuance of the SUV, subject to meeting specific business performance conditions. To sponsor a spouse and unmarried children under 21, the company's latest annual audited accounts must show: (1) minimum annual spending of at least SGD 100,000 (approximately USD $77,000), calculated after deducting overseas outsourcing costs, royalties, and remuneration paid to other SUV holders, and (2) employment of at least 3 Local Qualifying Staff (full-time Singaporeans or PRs earning at least SGD 1,400/month each) or 1 Professional, Manager, or Executive (Singaporean or PR earning at least SGD 3,900/month). Higher thresholds apply for sponsoring parents.
What are the conditions to renew the Singapore Startup Visa?
The SUV can be renewed if the applicant does not yet wish to apply for PR or is pending PR approval, provided the company continues to meet the specified minimum annual spending requirements and local employment conditions. These are the same thresholds required to bring dependents: SGD 100,000 in qualifying annual expenditure and employment of at least 3 Local Qualifying Staff or 1 PME.
What are the benefits of Singapore Permanent Residency after the Startup Visa?
After 12 to 18 months of SUV business activity, the applicant, legally married spouse, and children can apply for Singapore PR. PR status grants the right to live and work in Singapore indefinitely, freedom to take up any employment (not limited to the startup), access to public education and healthcare benefits, and a pathway to Singapore citizenship after 2 years of PR. Singapore does not tax foreign-sourced income, capital gains, or inheritance, making PR particularly attractive for internationally active entrepreneurs.
Is there a minimum residency requirement for the Singapore Startup Visa?
There is no formal minimum residency requirement for maintaining the SUV itself. However, spending over half the year (more than 183 days) in Singapore is strongly recommended for those intending to apply for PR, as it demonstrates genuine ties and commitment to Singapore. Applicants who spend fewer than 183 days per year in Singapore do not become Singapore tax residents, which may be advantageous for those with significant overseas income.
Do Singapore Startup Visa holders or their dependents need to serve National Service?
Male main applicants who obtain PR through the Singapore Startup Visa program are exempt from National Service. However, other male Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents obtained through the application — such as a male spouse or male children — may be required to serve National Service. This is an important consideration for families with male dependents when planning the PR application.
What are the tax benefits of the Singapore Startup Visa?
Singapore offers one of the most entrepreneur-friendly tax regimes in the world. There is no tax on foreign-sourced income, no capital gains tax, and no inheritance tax. Corporate tax is capped at 17%, with significant startup incentives and exemptions available for early-stage companies. SUV holders who spend fewer than 183 days in Singapore are not considered tax residents, giving internationally mobile founders flexibility in managing their global tax exposure.
How does the Singapore Startup Visa differ from the Singapore Global Investor Programme (GIP)?
The two programs serve fundamentally different profiles. The Singapore Startup Visa is for entrepreneurs at the early stage of building an innovative business — it requires incubator backing, a USD $230,000 commitment, and active business development, with PR available after 12 to 18 months. The GIP is for established business owners, family office principals, or founders of companies already valued at SGD 500 million or more, with investments starting at SGD 10 million and direct PR granted upon qualifying investment. The SUV suits growth-stage entrepreneurs; the GIP suits already-successful business leaders looking to base their next chapter in Singapore.