No POFMA issued to Xiaohongshu user claiming to help Chinese secure Singapore residency in 48 hours

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.”

ICA Affirms No Affiliation with External Immigration Agencies or Consultants for PR Applications

According to the ICA website, when granting PR status, ICA considers factors such as an individual’s family ties to Singaporeans, economic contributions, qualifications, age, family profile, and length of residency.

These are assessed to determine the applicant’s potential contribution to Singapore, ability to integrate into society, and commitment to putting down roots here.

The ICA has consistently affirmed that it has no affiliation with any external migration agencies or commercial entities claiming to be specialists or consultants for Singapore immigration.

ICA affirmed they does not support or endorse the services of self-proclaimed immigration consultancy providers for Permanent Residence applications.

In 2023, MHA refuted reports on 3,500 high-net-worth individuals citizenship applicants as misleading

In April 2023, MHA has debunked reports suggesting that 3,500 high-net-worth individuals (HNWIS), predominantly from China, are set to gain Singapore citizenship in 2023.

These claims, published by Lianhe Zaobao, cited New World Wealth’s head of research, Andrew Amoils.

Describing the report as “highly misleading” and lacking a credible foundation, the MHA clarified that a high net worth does not automatically guarantee Singaporean citizenship.

In a May 2023 Parliamentary session, Minister for Home Affairs and Law K Shanmugam clarified that the ICA does not collect information on the wealth or net worth of Singapore Citizenship applicants. He was responding to NCMP Leong Mun Wai’s question about the number of ultra-high net worth individuals granted citizenship.

Shanmugam also revealed that the researcher who made projections about 3,500 high-net-worth individuals obtaining Singapore citizenship clarified that he was misquoted by the media.

Despite the minister’s clarification, Amoils may have provided a more conservative estimate regarding the number of HNWIs interested in relocating to Singapore.

Singapore Added 3,400 HNWIs in 2023, Reaching a Total of 244,800

The “2024 World’s Wealthiest Cities Report” by Henley & Partners revealed that Singapore added 3,400 HNWIs in 2023 alone, bringing the total to 244,800, ranking it fifth among cities with the highest number of millionaires globally.

Multiple reports from international news agencies also highlighted the influx of ultra-wealthy families from overseas, particularly from China, to Singapore.

Altrata’s 2024 Billionaire Census recently ranked Singapore 8th in the world for its billionaire population, with 58 billionaires residing in the city-state.

As a financial hub, Singapore’s appeal lies in its political stability, strategic location, and world-class infrastructure. A key advantage is its tax policies, which are designed to attract investment and retain wealth.

Notably, Singapore does not impose a capital gains tax, making it especially attractive to high-net-worth individuals seeking a stable, tax-efficient environment.

Ten Convicted in S$3 Billion Money Laundering Scandal Held EP and DP

Separately, in a revelation from last year, Singapore authorities uncovered that Wang Baosen, one of the ten individuals involved in the S$3 billion money laundering case, had orchestrated the establishment of his wife’s company to secure her an Employment Pass (EP).

On 18 August 2023, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) confirmed that the ten convicted individuals, aged between 31 and 44, held EP and Dependant Passes (DP).

The arrests, carried out during an islandwide raid on 15 August 2023, involved over 400 officers from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). These individuals, though of various nationalities, all shared a common origin in Fujian.