Flag of Singapore For foreigners planning to build a long-term future in Singapore, Permanent Residency (PR) and Citizenship are two different pathways. While both offer a stronger connection to Singapore, they provide different rights, responsibilities, and long-term benefits. Key Differences Between Singapore PR and Citizenship Singapore PR Singapore Citizen Residency Can live and work in Singapore on a permanent basis Full right to reside in Singapore Voting rights ❌ No ✅

Singapore's buildings For foreign business owners looking to expand into Asia, choosing the right location for their business can be an important strategic decision. Beyond the cost of setting up a company, entrepreneurs often consider factors such as market access, business regulations, taxation, infrastructure, talent, and long-term growth opportunities. Singapore has become a popular choice for international entrepreneurs and companies looking to establish a presence in As

As Singapore looks ahead to its 100th year in 2065, a recent survey offers an interesting glimpse into how younger generations envision the country's future. Reported by The Straits Times, the survey found that young Singaporeans and permanent residents continue to have strong confidence in Singapore, while also placing greater emphasis on quality of life, fairness and work-life balance. A Future Built on Stability and Opportunity The survey found that 95% of respondents said

Navigating Singapore’s immigration system can be challenging, especially when it comes to understanding the different passes available for family members of foreigners working or residing in the country. Two common passes that often cause confusion are the Singapore Dependant Pass and the Long-Term Visit Pass. Both allow family members to stay in Singapore, but they serve different purposes and come with distinct conditions. This article breaks down the key differences betwee

Holders of a visa for top global talent have more than doubled in number since the Overseas Networks and Expertise Pass (One Pass) was unveiled in 2023, numbers from Acting Manpower Minister Jasmin Lau showed on Wednesday (Aug 5). There were some 8,500 One Pass holders in December 2025, up from 6,300 in end-2024 and 3,600 in end-2023. Seven in 10 of these pass holders worked in just three sectors, namely financial and insurance services, information and communication, and pro

Relocating your family to a new country can be both exciting and challenging. Singapore, known for its safety, cleanliness, and excellent education system, attracts many families from around the world. However, moving to a new environment requires careful planning and preparation to ensure a smooth transition. This guide offers practical advice to help families settle comfortably in Singapore, covering everything from housing and schooling to cultural adaptation and healthcar

SINGAPORE’S economic success has been underpinned by our ability to anticipate change and adapt responsively with purpose. From developing into a global trading hub to becoming a leading centre for advanced manufacturing, financial services and innovation, we have consistently evolved to meet the demands of the changing world order. Today, we stand at another inflection point. The recommendations of the Economic Strategy Review (ESR) Final Report – released in June this year

Singapore stands out as one of the most attractive destinations for business in Asia. Its strategic location, stable political environment, and business-friendly regulations draw entrepreneurs and investors from around the world. A common question among foreign investors is whether they can own 100% of a company in Singapore. This post explores the rules, opportunities, and practical considerations for foreigners looking to establish full ownership of a Singapore company. Sin

Singapore is a vibrant city known for its strong economy, excellent infrastructure, and high quality of life. Many people consider making Singapore their long-term home. One way to do this is by obtaining Permanent Residence (PR) status. In this post, I will share the key benefits of becoming a Singapore Permanent Resident and explain why it is a valuable step for individuals and families planning to settle in the country. What Does Singapore Permanent Residence Mean? Permane

Starting a business in Singapore is a popular choice for many entrepreneurs and companies worldwide. The city-state offers a stable economy, strategic location, and a business-friendly environment. However, understanding the process of business incorporation in Singapore is essential to make the journey smooth and successful. In this post, I will walk you through the key steps and important considerations for incorporating a business in Singapore. I will also share examples o

Shares of Singapore’s three local banks have surged to record levels over the past week, helping lift the Straits Times Index (STI) to a fresh high and pushing DBS above $200 billion in market capitalisation on July 13 – making it the first Singapore-listed company to cross that threshold. Analysts told The Business Times that the rally could have more room to run, buoyed by increasing investor optimism ahead of the lenders’ second-quarter results due in early August. A clear

Singapore and China can continue to deepen and expand collaboration in various areas, which could yield solutions with benefits for the wider world, said Minister for National Development Chee Hong Tat on July 6. He highlighted three areas – sustainable energy, artificial intelligence and eldercare – in a speech at the Lianhe Zaobao Singapore-China Forum 2026. No country has all the answers or the capacity and resources to act alone in handling the challenges thrown up by cli

Singapore is now among the top five finance hubs in the world after steadily attracting foreign bank assets and direct investment, according to London-based think tank New Financial. The city state has jumped from ninth place in 2015, overtaking the likes of China and investment fund centre Luxembourg, the think tank’s researchers found. The US, UK and Hong Kong cemented their positions in the top three, based on signs of international activity such as assets under management

Amity Group, a South-east Asian enterprise artificial intelligence technology firm founded in Thailand, announced on Monday (Jun 29) the launch of its Singapore office and AI Research & Application Center (ARAC). Founder and executive chairman Korawad Chearavanont said at a briefing in Singapore that the city-state will be the global home of Amity’s AI research capabilities as it targets US$200 million in annualised revenue by the end of this year. The group surpassed US$100

Singapore has returned to first place in the 2026 IMD World Competitiveness Ranking, rebounding from second place in 2025, displacing Switzerland at the top of the global leader board. The annual index of 70 economies was published on Thursday (Jun 18) by the Institute for Management Development (IMD), a Lausanne-headquartered, independent business school with hubs in Singapore, Shenzhen and Cape Town. The ranking is based on 92 survey questions and 172 pieces of data drawn f

The Republic is strengthening its place as Asia-Pacific’s leading wealth hub as assets under management (AUM) in the region are set to reach US$34.5 trillion by 2030. In its Asset and Wealth Management Revolution: Asia Pacific 2026 report, PwC said the region’s AUM will grow at a 6.8 per cent compound annual growth rate (CAGR), outpacing North America (6.2 per cent) and Europe counterparts (5.6 per cent). Total client assets are forecast to rise from US$107.2 trillion in 2024

The revised framework for single family offices (SFOs) will take effect on Jun 15, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) said in a news release on Friday (Jun 12). Existing SFOs have a transition period of one year – until Jun 15, 2027 – to comply, the authority said. The revised framework is meant to simplify the process for SFOs to establish operations in Singapore. It will also streamline their documentation and reporting requirements. Read more at: https://www.busines

Singapore’s first-quarter growth was solid and reflects the diversity and strength of its economy, but the global outlook remains uncertain, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on June 8. The country is making broad adjustments in areas like economic planning to deal with the uncertainty and technological change, but what is most important is its ability to maintain solidarity and unity, he said. “We cannot fully control how the world changes, but we can choose how we respond

ChatGPT creator OpenAI has committed more than $300 million to build Singapore’s applied artificial intelligence sector, a burgeoning field focused on integrating AI models into everyday workflows for productivity gains. Central to its plan is the opening of the OpenAI Singapore Applied AI Lab, its first outside the US. The lab will focus on advancing AI missions in public services, finance and healthcare sectors and digital infrastructure here. No timeframe was given for the

The UK’s partnership with Singapore is one of Britain’s “most strategically important” in the world, with the Republic serving as a key hub and gateway to South-east Asia, said the UK’s Investment Minister Jason Stockwood. Today, Singapore accounts for nearly 60 per cent of the UK’s exports to South-east Asia, directly or indirectly, he said in an interview with The Business Times during his recent three-nation tour of the Asia-Pacific that included stops in Malaysia, Singapo