Foreigner Buyers of Singapore Properties
A foreign person is defined under the Residential Property Act to be:
(a) any person who is not a citizen,
(b) any permanent resident,
(c) any foreign company or any converted foreign company,
(d) any society or converted society.
Hence, even a permanent resident is categorised as a foreigner unlike in the case of purchasing a Housing and Development Board flat, whereby a permanent resident could be the applicant or the authorised occupant of the said flat. However, it does not necessarily mean that all foreigners are restricted from purchasing residential properties in Singapore. A foreign person can still buy residential property caught under the Act if he / she had obtained explicit approval from the Land Dealings Approval Unit (Controller of Residential Property; Section 25 of Residential Property Act). The approval will be looked upon favourably if:
- the individual is a permanent resident
- an individual who can provide economic benefits to Singapore or makes adequate contribution in Singapore; and
- one who possesses professional or other qualifications or experience which are of benefits or advantageous to Singapore.
Any foreigners who attained ownership of residential properties in Singapore prior to the commencement of the Act can have the right to retain it. In the event the said foreigners are desirous to sell their properties, it shall have to be sold only to any Singapore citizen or approved purchasers as stipulated by the Act.
Foreigners can still attain interest in Singapore residential properties with a written approval from the Controller of Residential Property Land Dealings:
- A unit in an approved condominium development.
- Any non-residential, commercial or industrial property.
- You are buying the property for owner-occupation.
For restricted property such as vacant land, landed properties such as bungalows, semi-detached and terrace houses, foreigners need to apply for approval from Singapore Land Authority before buying. For more details on application, visit the Singapore Land Authority website.
For HDB flats, HDB shop-houses and executive condominiums, eligibility is subjected to the Housing and Development Board.
To buy a flat directly from HDB, you must be a Singapore citizen, must include another Singapore citizen or Singapore permanent resident to form a family nucleus. To buy a flat from the resale market, you must be a Singapore citizen or Singapore permanent resident. Include at least one listed occupier who is a Singapore permanent resident or Singapore citizen.
Are there any restrictions on home loans for foreigners?
Foreigners and permanent residents can borrow loans up to a specified sum of the purchase price of the property subjected to different banks criteria and based on their eligibility. See Summary of Cooling Measures Affecting Purchasers as at 28th June 2013
Non-Singapore companies cannot be granted Singapore dollar loans to purchase residential properties.
(a) any person who is not a citizen,
(b) any permanent resident,
(c) any foreign company or any converted foreign company,
(d) any society or converted society.
Hence, even a permanent resident is categorised as a foreigner unlike in the case of purchasing a Housing and Development Board flat, whereby a permanent resident could be the applicant or the authorised occupant of the said flat. However, it does not necessarily mean that all foreigners are restricted from purchasing residential properties in Singapore. A foreign person can still buy residential property caught under the Act if he / she had obtained explicit approval from the Land Dealings Approval Unit (Controller of Residential Property; Section 25 of Residential Property Act). The approval will be looked upon favourably if:
- the individual is a permanent resident
- an individual who can provide economic benefits to Singapore or makes adequate contribution in Singapore; and
- one who possesses professional or other qualifications or experience which are of benefits or advantageous to Singapore.
Any foreigners who attained ownership of residential properties in Singapore prior to the commencement of the Act can have the right to retain it. In the event the said foreigners are desirous to sell their properties, it shall have to be sold only to any Singapore citizen or approved purchasers as stipulated by the Act.
Foreigners can still attain interest in Singapore residential properties with a written approval from the Controller of Residential Property Land Dealings:
- A unit in an approved condominium development.
- Any non-residential, commercial or industrial property.
- You are buying the property for owner-occupation.
For restricted property such as vacant land, landed properties such as bungalows, semi-detached and terrace houses, foreigners need to apply for approval from Singapore Land Authority before buying. For more details on application, visit the Singapore Land Authority website.
For HDB flats, HDB shop-houses and executive condominiums, eligibility is subjected to the Housing and Development Board.
To buy a flat directly from HDB, you must be a Singapore citizen, must include another Singapore citizen or Singapore permanent resident to form a family nucleus. To buy a flat from the resale market, you must be a Singapore citizen or Singapore permanent resident. Include at least one listed occupier who is a Singapore permanent resident or Singapore citizen.
Are there any restrictions on home loans for foreigners?
Foreigners and permanent residents can borrow loans up to a specified sum of the purchase price of the property subjected to different banks criteria and based on their eligibility. See Summary of Cooling Measures Affecting Purchasers as at 28th June 2013
Non-Singapore companies cannot be granted Singapore dollar loans to purchase residential properties.
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