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Eligibility for PR Application
If your profile fits any of the following, you may be eligible to proceed with your PR application in Singapore:
- Spouse of a Singapore citizen (SC) or Singapore permanent resident (PR)
- Unmarried child (below 21 years old) of an SC or PR
- Aged parent of a Singapore citizen
- Holder of an Employment Pass (EP) or S Pass (SP)
- Student studying in Singapore
- Foreign investor in Singapore
PR Application Online:
Here are 3 popular routes to obtaining your PR status in Singapore.
If you are a holder of an Employment Pass or S Pass:
- Professionals/Technical Personnel & Skilled Worker Scheme (PTS scheme)
If you are a foreign investor, or have plans to invest in Singapore:
- Global Investor Programme scheme (GIP scheme)
If you have an established career in the Arts industry:
- Foreign Artistic Talent scheme (ForArts scheme)
As the PTS scheme is the most commonly used route for obtaining permanent residence in Singapore, this guide will focus on the application process via the PTS scheme.
Overview
To apply for permanent residence under the PTS scheme, you must hold either an Employment Pass (EP) or S Pass (SP).
You can choose to include your spouse, and unmarried children who are below 21 years old in your application.
To apply for PR via the PTS scheme is fairly simple, but can be very tedious and time consuming.
To assess your ability to contribute and integrate into to Singapore, as well as your commitment to planting your roots, the screening process will take into account factors such as your family ties to Singaporeans, economic contributions, qualifications, age, family profile and length of residency.
Step 1: Determine if you are eligible
If you are already an Employment Pass (EP) or S Pass (SP) holder, then you are eligible to apply for permanent residence in Singapore.
However, there is a requirement to provide 6 months of payslips from your current employer.
Therefore, after receiving your EP or SP, you will have to wait for 6 months before you can start your application for Singapore PR.
Step 2: Decide on whether to include your children
This usually arises as an issue of serious consideration only if you have an unmarried son below the age of 21 years old.
First-generation PR holders are exempted from the compulsory National Service in Singapore. However, second-generation PR holders are not. In other words, it is mandatory for male individuals who obtained PR status through their parents to complete 2 years of National Service in Singapore, followed by multiple cycles of reservist thereafter.
While some parents are supportive of the idea, believing that there are benefits to time served in the military, there are others who do not share the same view. There is also your child’s perspective to consider. Therefore, think about this carefully before proceeding to apply.
Step 3: Review application requirements
To review application requirements, you will need to obtain the PR application forms (Form 4A), the document list, and the explanatory notes.
Form 4A consists of two parts: Application Form and Annex A.
Application Form will require you to provide details of yourself and your family – basic information, educational and professional history.
Annex A will require your employer to provide details explaining the nature of the business, and to confirm your employment and salary details.
For your convenience, you can click on the links below to download the respective documents.
Read the explanatory notes and refer to the document list to prepare all your supporting documents.
Step 4: Prepare supporting documents
After downloading the documents in Step 3, you will need to refer to both the Explanatory Notes and the Document list to start preparing your supporting documents. Here are a few tips to help you along the way:
- Make a scanned copy of each supporting document. You will need to upload the scanned copies during submission.
- Be sure to have all non-English documents officially translated by your country’s embassy or a notary public in Singapore.
- Include all past employment appointment letters, performance evaluation reports, and recommendation letters.
- If you own any property in Singapore, include the title deed or any other document that shows proof of ownership. This will come in handy in portraying the intention to stay long-term in Singapore.
- Include your latest CV/Resume. (Not mentioned in document list)1Prepare a cover letter that expresses your desire to stay and integrate in Singapore.
Take note that while some of the above points are not included in the explanatory notes, the above tips will help you increase your chances of becoming a permanent resident.
Step 5: Completing your application online
The entire application will be done online. It is pretty simple and straight-forward.
Here are a few tips to help you along the way:
- List your education and employment history in chronological order.
- For educational history, begin with high school and onward.
- If you have lost an academic certificate, try reaching out to your previous school for a new copy.
- You will need to provide the details of your spouse and children, regardless of whether you are including them in your application. There will be a field to indicate if they are included.
- Annex A is NOT compulsory. If your employer refuses to help you complete it, you can still proceed with your application.
Note that it usually takes about 30 – 60 minutes to complete the entire process. Be sure to check for mistakes.
Step 6: Final Submission
For submission, you should have completed the following:
- PR application form
- Annex A
- Prepared all supporting documents
You will need to submit all your forms and documents via the ePR portal online. Ensure that all documents are up-to-date.
Step 7: Wait for results
After submission, all you will have to do is to sit back and relax.
It will take approximately 4 – 6 months before you are notified of the outcome via letter.
In some cases, the outcome could take a little longer, depending on the discretion of the ICA. If you have not received news of the outcome after 6 months, you can call the ICA or check your PR status online.
Note that the ICA does NOT provide any reasons for the rejection of an application.
Step 8: PR approval status
If your application for Singapore PR was approved, you will receive a letter to notify you of the outcome. You will need to make an appointment to visit the ICA office within 2 months of receiving the letter to complete the formalities. You can make the appointment online via the ICA’s website.
You (and all individuals included in your application) will be required to do a compulsory medical check-up as will be stated in the approval letter. The medical check-up will involve a chest x-ray and a blood test for HIV.
A medical report format will be provided in your approval letter for your doctor to follow. The medical check-up should be dated within 3 months before ICA submission.
During the appointment, an ICA officer will collect all your documents from you to complete the formalities. The approval letter will list all the supporting documents that you will have to prepare. Here are a few items on the list to pay attention to:
- Approval letter
- Travel documents of all individuals in your application
- 2 passport-sized photos of all individuals in your application
- Your Employment Pass (EP) and all valid Dependent Passes (DP) of your family
- Results of the medical check-up for you and your family
- Form EP 152 – must be completed by your employer
- Payment for the identity card registration, re-entry permit and entry permit. The specific amounts would be specified in the approval letter. Payment modes are via NETS or Cashcard only.
The ICA officer will advise you on the date of collection for your National Registration Identity Card (NRIC), which you will need to make another appointment to collect.
After completing the formalities, you (and your family) should have the following items:
- NRIC
- PR certificate
- Re-entry permit stamp in your passport
Note: Each re-entry permit is valid for 5 years. You must remember to renew your re-entry permit at the end of every 5 years.
After you have completed all formalities, you will become a Singapore PR officially.
Your new PR status will allow you to enjoy almost all the benefits of a Singapore citizen. You will be able to live and work in Singapore without visa restrictions, your children will have priority during enrollments for government schools, and you will be required to participate in the Central Provident Scheme (CPF).
Therefore, you will need to inform your employer of your new PR status, so that your HR department can include you into the CPF scheme. You should also update your PR status with the relevant banks and institutions that matter.
Step 9: How to handle PR rejection
If your application was rejected, do not be dismayed. There are no limits to the number of times that you can apply for the Singapore PR.
If there have been significant changes to your profile during the 6 months before receiving the outcome of your application, remember to keep your next application updated with the latest information and supporting documents.
Seeking Professional Help
Need help for your application for Singapore PR?
The problem in most cases is that the ICA does not tell you why your application got rejected, which could be due to a myriad of factors.
Seeking help from an experienced consultant to review your application and supporting documents could help you to reduce any chance of making mistakes, as well as giving advice on how to maximise your chances of getting an approval.
What we can offer
Transparent Pricing. No Hidden Fees.
- FREE Unlimited re-submissions for life. You will only need to cover the ICA fee.
- Immigration & Checkpoint Authority (ICA) fees: S$100 per applicant. Only main applicant's fee will be covered by us when we submit on your behalf.
Reasonable Fees
No Hidden Charges
Hassle-Free Process
100% Transparent
In-depth Knowledge of Immigration Policies
Systematic Methodology
Singapore PR Benefits
By becoming a permanent resident in Singapore, you will be able to live, work, and travel in and out of the country indefinitely. You are no longer required to apply for work permits when changing jobs and as such you will no longer face delays or risk of rejection in employment due to visa.
It is a well known fact that employers in Singapore favour employing permanent residents, compared to foreign candidates. As a Singapore PR, you will experience better job stability and recruitment priority.
Along with career flexibility and stability, you will also be able to enjoy the various perks of your new PR status, such as healthcare and education subsidies, affordable housing, priority for various loans, and other financial benefits provided under Singapore’s Central Provident Fund (CPF) scheme.
In the future your children and spouse will also be able to apply for permanent residency under the family ties scheme with you as their local sponsor.
Eventually, after a few years of being a Singapore PR, you have the option of applying for a Singapore Citizenship to plant your roots as a local with a Singapore passport.
As a Singapore permanent resident, you will be able to:
- Stay in Singapore indefinitely. You will also be able to leave and enter the country without the need to apply for any work or travel visa. You will be given a blue card, which will be your national identity card.
- Apply for permanent resident status for your spouse and unmarried children under 21. If your children are still schooling, they will be placed on the high priority list of any public school that you may choose to enter.
- Apply for the Long Term Visit Pass for your parents to visit you in Singapore.
- Move to another company without having to reapply for a work permit. If you only have a work permit or any other work visa and want to move to another company, you will need to cancel your current work visa and apply for a new one.
- Enjoy the financial and tax benefits of the Central Provident Fund (CPF) scheme. Under the CPF scheme, you will contribute a certain percentage of your monthly salary to your CPF fund, where your employer will also contribute an additional amount monthly.The funds accumulated in your CPF account may be utilized for medical purposes, residential property purchase, family insurance and certain investment opportunities.
- Apply for a myriad of personal loans, property loans and business loans. If you are a PR holder, you will also be eligible to purchase a resale HDB flat.
- Apply for Singapore citizenship after a few years of holding a permanent resident status. If you choose to become a Singapore citizen, you will need to renounce your previous citizenship.You will be issued a Singapore passport, a pink coloured National Registration Identity Card (NRIC), and be able to enjoy the same privileges and rights of a Singaporean.
Singapore PR Disadvantages
When you become a permanent resident of Singapore, there will be certain conditions that you must adhere to.
If you have a son who is under the age of 18 and also a PR holder, he will be required to complete his national service by serving in the military, civil defence or police force for 2 years.
Subsequent to the 2 years of national service, he will need to attend 40 days of Operationally Ready National Service every year until he completes 10 cycles of re-service.
However, if your son chooses to give up his PR status, he will not be required perform the 2 years of national service.
Having said all that, becoming a Singapore permanent resident will give you the chance to live, work and settle down in a safe and stable country that you can call home.
General FAQ
How to apply for PR in Singapore?
You can apply for Singapore PR online via the ePR portal. You will need to prepare all required supporting documents and fill up Form 4A. After that, you may proceed to submit all documents via the ePR online portal.
How long will my PR application take to get processed?
Typically, each application will take around 4 – 6 months before you receive your results. However, some applications may take longer to be processed.
Will my Singapore PR status be permanent?
Your Singapore permanent resident status will be permanent. However, you will need to renew your re-entry pass every 5 years.
How to check my Singapore PR status?
You may check your PR status online. To check on the status of your application, you can visit this link – https://www.ica.gov.sg/check-status-make-appointment