A Singapore PR refers to a foreigner who has been granted permanent residence status, which allows the individual to reside in Singapore permanently.
To become a Permanent Resident (PR), you need to apply for an Entry Permit with the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA). A person who is above 21 years of age is eligible to apply for Singapore Citizenship after having spent two years as a permanent resident in Singapore.
Existing PRs may apply for permanent residence status for their spouse and unmarried children below 21 years of age.
As a foreigner, you may be eligible to apply for permanent residence if you are a spouse of a Singapore citizen or Singapore permanent resident or a holder of an Employment Pass or S Pass or a student studying in Singapore and have passed at least one national exam. Even foreign investors are allowed to apply for a PR in Singapore.
Singapore Permanent Resident
A PR refers to a foreigner who has been granted permanent residence status, which allows one to reside in Singapore on permanent basis.
PRs aged 15 years and above will be issued the Singapore blue Identity Card (IC). A PR is required to have a valid Re-Entry Permit if the foreigner wishes to travel out and return to Singapore as a PR.
The Global Investor Programme (GIP) also grants Singapore Permanent Resident status (PR) to qualified global investors who plan to build their enterprises and investments in Singapore. To qualify, you must have a proven company track record and a successful entrepreneurial background.
Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) is the official authority overseeing the issuance of permanent residency to foreign nationals.
ICA takes into account factors such as the individual’s family ties to Singaporeans, economic contributions, qualifications, age, family profile and length of residency, to assess the applicant’s ability to contribute to Singapore.
Most importantly, ICA has no affiliation with any external migration agency or commercial entity that claims to be the Singapore immigration specialist or consultant or partner. Therefore, one has to log on to the official website of ICA e-Service to apply for a Singapore blue Identity Card.
Sponsors and applicants are required to begin an application only when they have successfully enrolled for a Singpass account and received approval for the same.
Singapore National Service
Under the Enlistment Act, all male Singapore Citizens and PRs are required to register for National Service (NS) at age 16 and half. They have to serve two years of full-time NS at 18 years old, followed by 40 days of Operationally Ready NS every year until age 50 (for officers) or 40 (for other ranks).
All male Singapore citizens and permanent residents, unless exempted, are required to serve National Service (NS). All male applicants who are granted Singapore citizenship (SC) or Singapore permanent residence (PR) status as a foreign student or under their parents’ sponsorship are liable for NS.
Not fulfilling the NS requirement would adversely impact your Singapore citizenship or PR status, as well as current or future applications to work or study in Singapore.
Renewing The Re-Entry Permit
A valid Re-Entry Permit (REP) is necessary whenever a Singapore Permanent Resident (SPR) wishes to travel out of Singapore. This permit will enable the Permanent Resident to retain their SPR status while away from Singapore.
A SPR who remains outside Singapore without a valid REP will lose the Singapore permanent residence status.
For the renewal, if your REP is still valid, you are required to submit your application online to ICA via the Electronic Re-Entry Permit System (e-REP) no earlier than three months before the expiry date of your current REP.
Successful applicants will initially receive an In-Principle approval. They will be granted permanent residence status once they have fulfilled the necessary conditions. Applications will be processed within 6 months, provided all the required documents are submitted and are in order.