Clause 18

Where any foreign person is the owner of any immovable property other than residential property prior to the date of the coming into operation of this Act, or has after the date of the coming into operation thereof acquired or purchased any such immovable property, such foreign person shall be required to make application to the Minister (through the Controller) for the grant of approval to change the existing use of such immovable property (whether it is land, a house, a building or other premises or part thereof) to use for residential purposes, prior to his making an application to the competent authority, appointed under the Planning Act (Cap. 279), for such change; and such foreign person shall not be granted permission under that Act for such change of use unless he has been granted approval by the Minister for such change.