Case studies
Case Studies
Anonymized engagement studies across cross-border restructuring, family office relocation, and Singapore market entry.
C11
Scenario timeline: 12-18 months from initial rejection to PR approval on resubmission
Singapore PR via PTS: Rejection Decision-Tree and Resubmission Strategy
Scenario analysis: a senior Employment Pass holder whose initial Professionals, Technical Personnel and Skilled Workers (PTS) PR application was rejected by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA), and the systematic decision-tree we applied to identify the rejection drivers and prepare a strengthened resubmission. (Scenario based on common engagement patterns; not a specific client case.)
Senior Professional / Cross-Sector · East Asia
C9
Scenario timeline: 4-6 months from VCC incorporation to operational
Thai Real Estate Developer: Single-Investor VCC for Capital Aggregation
Scenario analysis: a Thai real estate developer using a Singapore Variable Capital Company (VCC) as a single-investor capital aggregation vehicle for ASEAN-wide property investment. The case maps the VCC structure, the appointment of the permissible fund manager, the IRAS VCC tax framework integration, and the redomiciliation consideration for an existing offshore vehicle. (Scenario based on common engagement patterns; not a specific client case.)
Real Estate / Property Development · Southeast Asia (Thailand)
C13
Scenario timeline: 9-12 months from initial engagement to sandbox-live operating
UK Fintech: Singapore Pte Ltd with MAS Fintech Regulatory Sandbox Entry
Scenario analysis: a UK-based fintech expanding into Singapore through a Singapore Pte Ltd subsidiary and applying for entry to the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) Fintech Regulatory Sandbox to test a regulated product before full licensing. The case maps the corporate setup, the sandbox eligibility evaluation, and the parallel MAS engagement on full licensing post-sandbox. (Scenario based on common engagement patterns; not a specific client case.)
Fintech / Payments · Europe (United Kingdom)
C10
Scenario timeline: 9-12 months for GIP final approval and PR formalisation
Vietnam Manufacturing Founder: Global Investor Programme Pathway
Scenario analysis: a Vietnamese manufacturing founder pursuing the Global Investor Programme (GIP) entrepreneur route with EDB / Contact Singapore for permanent residency, combined with a Singapore holding company restructure for the Vietnam operating business. The case maps the GIP eligibility evaluation, capital deployment commitment, and the integration with the Section 13O option for any qualifying fund-vehicle activity. (Scenario based on common engagement patterns; not a specific client case.)
Manufacturing · Southeast Asia (Vietnam)
C7
Scenario timeline: 9-12 months for both 13O award and CMSL licensing
Hong Kong Crypto Fund: 13O Path with MAS CMSL Sister Entity
Scenario analysis: a Hong Kong-based crypto-focused fund manager restructuring into Singapore under Section 13O with a sister Capital Markets Services Licence (CMSL) entity for the regulated activity. The case maps MAS engagement on both the 13O fund and the CMSL licensing, the Designated Investments scope question for crypto assets, and the substance build for both entities. (Scenario based on common engagement patterns; not a specific client case.)
Digital Asset / Crypto Fund Management · Greater China (Hong Kong)
C8
Scenario timeline: 6-9 months from engagement through PEP issuance and SMC registration
Indian Specialist Doctor: PEP Relocation with Family Dependant Pass
Scenario analysis: an Indian-trained specialist doctor relocating to Singapore via Personalised Employment Pass (PEP) for clinical employment flexibility, plus Dependant Pass for spouse and children. The case maps the PEP eligibility evaluation, the Singapore Medical Council (SMC) registration sequencing, and the family relocation timeline including school placements. (Scenario based on common engagement patterns; not a specific client case.)
Healthcare / Specialist Medicine · South Asia (India)
C12
Scenario timeline: 6-9 months from engagement to IP holdco operational
Korean Cosmetics Brand: Singapore IP Holdco for ASEAN Licensing
Scenario analysis: a Korean cosmetics brand establishing a Singapore intellectual property (IP) holding company to license trademarks and formulations into ASEAN markets, with attention to withholding tax efficiency under the Singapore-ASEAN treaty network and the IRAS royalty WHT framework currently transitioning under the YA 2027 phase-out. (Scenario based on common engagement patterns; not a specific client case.)
Beauty / Cosmetics Brand · East Asia (Korea)
C6
Scenario timeline: 6 months end-to-end from engagement to full operational consolidation
Malaysian Trading Company: ASEAN Holdco Restructure
Scenario analysis: a Malaysian trading company restructuring under a Singapore holding company to consolidate ASEAN operations and improve tax efficiency on cross-border supplier and customer flows. The case maps the Singapore Pte Ltd setup, Malaysian-side tax planning for the share transfer, IRAS Certificate of Residence acquisition, and DTA-supported withholding tax positions. (Scenario based on common engagement patterns; not a specific client case.)
B2B Trading / Distribution · Southeast Asia (Malaysia)
C5
Scenario timeline: 120 days from engagement to Section 13U operational
China PE Fund Manager: 13U Relocation in 120 Days
Scenario analysis: a China-based private equity fund manager relocating the family office investment vehicle to Singapore under Section 13U with a 120-day operational target. The case maps the MAS Section 13U application package, investment professional hiring, MAS-licensed bank onboarding, and integration with the principal's personal Singapore residency planning. (Scenario based on common engagement patterns; not a specific client case.)
Private Equity / Investment Management · Greater China
C4
Scenario timeline: 6-9 months from initial engagement to operational Singapore base
Indonesian SaaS Founder: Tech.Pass + Singapore Holdco Path
Scenario analysis: an Indonesian SaaS founder relocating to Singapore via Tech.Pass while restructuring the operating business under a Singapore holding company. The case maps the sequencing of EDB Tech.Pass application, ACRA incorporation, IRAS tax residency planning, and ICA Dependant Pass for family. (Scenario based on common engagement patterns; not a specific client case.)
B2B SaaS · Southeast Asia (Indonesia)
C1
2023-2024
Singapore SME with ESOP Restructuring: Cross-Border Compliance Across Four Jurisdictions
A Singapore-headquartered software firm with employees and contractors across four jurisdictions had grown its ESOP organically over three years. By the time of Series B preparation, the plan structure created tax-residence mismatches, withholding gaps, and unclear vesting administration. We re-structured the plan to be tax-clean across all four jurisdictions before the financing round.
B2B Software / SaaS · Singapore HQ; employees across Southeast Asia and Greater China
C2
2024
HK Family Office: Relocating a 13O Structure to Singapore Within 90 Days
A Hong Kong-based family office holding multi-generational wealth chose to relocate its primary investment vehicle to Singapore for a Section 13O structure. The principals had a defined 90-day window before a major family event. We compressed the typical Singapore family office setup timeline by parallel-tracking the MAS application, the local hire, and the corporate banking introduction.
Single Family Office · Greater China
C3
2023-2024
Indonesian Manufacturer: Setting Up a Singapore Holding for ASEAN Expansion
An Indonesia-based manufacturer with operating businesses across two ASEAN countries decided to consolidate ownership under a Singapore holding company before raising regional growth capital. The Singapore holding had to clean up legacy Indonesian shareholding structures, set up a regional treasury function, and prepare for the eventual financing round — all within the founders' calendar window.
Consumer goods manufacturing · Southeast Asia