No POFMA issued to Xiaohongshu user claiming to help Chinese secure Singapore residency in 48 hours
An Xiaohongshu account, seemingly operated by an immigration services provider from China, has made a questionable claim that individuals with 1 million yuan in assets or 5 million yuan in savings could secure Singaporean residency, as fast as within 48 hours. \n \nTOC reached out to ICA and Minister for Home Affairs and Law on 29 November to verify this, but no response or POFMA direction has been issued yet.
SINGAPORE: An account on Xiaohongshu, apparently run by a Chinese immigration services provider, has made a highly questionable claim: that individuals can secure Singapore residency in as little as 48 hours by providing proof of either one million Chinese yuan (approximately S$185,104) in cash or savings worth five million yuan. TOC reached out to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and the Minister for Home Affairs last week on 29 November to verify the claim made by the Xiaohongshu user and to inquire whether any action would be taken against the post. The claim could potentially fall under the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA) if found to be false or misleading. As of now, ICA and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) have not responded to our inquiry, and no POFMA direction has been issued to the Xiaohongshu account. TOC will provide updates once the authorities respond to our queries.
Sensational Claim
The account, "V Sister Immigration Consulting (V姐移民咨询)," with IP address in Guangdong, posted on 21 November, beginning with a sensational claim: "Singapore's biggest crisis in 60 years has completely exploded." The user, who claims to be the founder of an immigration consultancy platform with 13 years of experience, referred to the government's report, which projects that Singapore’s total population will fall "significantly" below 6.9 million by 2030. In the video, the user stated that this would create a talent gap of nearly 1 million people compared to the current population (6.04 million), arguing that, due to accelerated aging and a declining birth rate, the Singapore government is "forced to relax immigration policies" to address the talent shortage. According to the post, anyone with approximately 1 million yuan in liquid assets or 5 million yuan in savings could potentially secure Singaporean residency. "You can also enjoy benefits such as the same education resources, healthcare, and even bring your children and parents along," the video boasts, encouraging interested individuals to consult their services. However, the video did not clarify the status of the residency application, but it included several hashtags in the post, such as "#Singapore EP", "#Singapore self-employed immigrant", "#Singapore startup", and "#Singapore greencard." In the comments section, when some users questioned the authenticity of the claim, the user insisted that the information shared was "true." As of 2 December, "V Sister Immigration Consulting" has garnered over 57,300 followers and received more than 133,000 likes and interactions. Xiaohongshu, a platform with a global reach, boasts over 260 million active users, including a growing audience outside China, such as in Singapore.
User Claims "Singapore Specifically Favours Chinese Nationals"
In another video posted on the same day, the Xiaohongshu user made a similar sensational claim, stating, "Singapore specifically favours Chinese nationals. This time, it's not just offering visa exemptions, but also offering 'green cards' (PR)." She continued, "It’s the perfect time to benefit from the China-Singapore relationship's honeymoon period, as Singapore is offering generous opportunities for our people. Those interested should apply quickly."
The User Claims EP Application as a Cost-Effective Route to Singapore Permanent Residency
A pinned post from last year, seen by TOC on the user's Xiaohongshu account, claimed that Singapore is granting "instant approval" for residency to "almost all company founders globally", as the city-state intensifies its efforts to attract talent. "It doesn’t matter if your company is listed, its size, or the number of employees—none of that matters. Whether you are the CEO, CFO, General Manager, Director, or hold any other senior position, as long as you can provide proof of being a senior executive, you can earn '40 points' and meet the requirements for Singaporean residency," the user claimed. The 40 points refer to a total score of at least 40 points that candidates without degree-equivalent qualifications need to pass under the points-based Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS) for Employment Pass (EP) applications. Upon reviewing the comment section, in response to netizens' queries, the user further clarified that the method actually involves using an EP application as a pathway to apply for Singapore’s permanent residency. She described this as a 'more cost-effective approach' to obtaining Singapore residency.
Alleged Service Fee of 180,000 RMB
The user also claimed that as long as the applicant meets the eligibility criteria, they can apply with a fees of 180,000 RMB (approx. S$33,318).
Another user asked, "Is it sufficient to open a company?" The user responded, "Yes, simply opening a company is enough to apply."
