Can Foreigners Buy Landed Property in Singapore

A “Foreigner” is totally restricted from owning landed property unless approval is obtained from the Controller of Residential Property and the Singapore Land Authority.

Foreign Ownership of Properties

Since 1973, the Singapore Government has imposed restrictions on foreign ownership of private residential property in Singapore. Such ownership is governed by the Residential Property Act.

The Act seeks to strike a balance between giving Singaporeans a stake in the country by being able to buy and own residential properties at affordable prices, while attracting foreign talent by allowing permanent residents, foreign companies and limited liability partnerships that make an economic contribution to Singapore to purchase such properties for their occupation.

Unrestricted Residential Property

The property that can be purchased by a “Foreigner” without any approval required are:

• Residential properties which contains six or more storeys including the ground floor, or
• Any flat or dwelling-house shown as a unit in an approved plan bearing the title condominium.

In this case, there is no limit as to the number of units that a foreigner may purchase within the development.

Restricted Residential Property

A foreigner cannot acquire the following restricted residential property unless he obtains the prior approval of the Minister for Law:

• Vacant residential land;
• Landed property [i.e detached house, semi-detached house, terrace house (including linked house or townhouse)]; and
• Landed property in strata developments which are not approved condominium developments under the Planning Act.

Foreigners who may apply

• Permanent residents of Singapore;
• Foreigners who are of economic benefit to Singapore or who are able to economic contributions to Singapore; and
• Foreigners who possess professional or other qualifications or experience which are of value or benefit to Singapore.

Application For Restricted Residential Property

If you are a foreign person and are interested in purchasing a restricted residential property, you may apply to the Controller of Residential Property for a written approval.

You are required to submit an application form together with the relevant supporting documents. The Residential Property Advisory Committee will consider the application and thereafter make its recommendations to the Minister for Law.

If approval is granted, the foreigner is required to give an undertaking to the government that the property is to be used only for the purpose of residence and not for investment and any other income-generating purposes.

The application takes approximately 3 months to process.