The Singapore government officials do not prevent foreigners from acquiring residential properties in the country.

Mainly, Singapore’s Residential Property Act aims to let Singapore citizens to acquire, at affordable rates, their own residential properties. In addition, this act supports foreign nationals who are recognized by the Singapore government to have made important contributions to the economy of the city-state in their wish to buy residential properties within Singapore.

Even without any licenses or approval from Singapore government officials, a foreigner may buy non-restricted residential properties. Non-restricted residential properties are identified as any of the following:

- apartment units within a structure that is not higher than 6 levels – condo units in approved condominium development sites stipulated in the Planning Act – a lease contract on a restricted property; the term should not exceed seven years

Official sanction from Singapore’s Minister of Law is required of expats who wish to own all units in an apartment or condominium in an accredited development property.

Furthermore, a foreign national who wishes to buy residential properties that are categorized as restricted cannot do so without prior official sanction from Singapore’s Minister of Law.

The following are categorized as restricted residential properties by the Residential Property Act of Singapore:

- an empty residential lot – town houses, separate or semi-detached houses, or terraced houses built on residential lands – properties not approved for condominium development under the Planning Act

If a foreign national wishes to buy a restricted residential property, the foreign national is obliged to fill out a request form and submit this, along with supporting documents, to the Singapore Land Authority. The Singapore Land Authority is responsible for evaluating and approving the qualifications of an expatriate whether he or she will be eligible to own a restricted residential property.

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