Applying for Permanent Residency (PR) in Singapore is a long drawn out process that may take several months and involves several steps. Below is a general guideline for an overview of the process.
6 Steps When Applying For Singapore PR
1. Determine Eligibility
Below are the types of people who would be eligible to apply for Singapore PR:
- Employment Pass/S Pass Holders: Must have worked and lived in Singapore for at least two years prior to the application. At least six months’ worth of payslips are required for submission to the ICA. This would generally fall under the PTS scheme.
- Spouse and Unmarried Children (below 21 years) of a Singapore Citizen (SC) or Permanent Resident (PR).
- Aged Parents of a Singapore Citizen.
- Students studying in Singapore: Must have resided in Singapore for more than two years at the point of application, have passed at least one national exam (PSLE, GCE ‘N’, ‘O’, or ‘A’ levels), or are in the Integrated Programme (IP).
- Foreign Investors: Who are interested in the Global Investor Programme (GIP).
There are other types of people that may be eligible for Singapore PR applications such as talented sportsmen via various schemes. For more information on these, visit IASG’s Singapore PR page.
Applicants may find out their profile strength in-depth with IASG’s custom Initial Profile Assessment. This will give a good overview of an applicant’s eligibility and chances of PR approval. IASG’s consultants can give applicants a free consultation to advise on the best application approach and strategy using the assessment results. Otherwise, read up more on evaluating your PR chances.
2. Prepare Necessary Documents
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- Personal Documents: Passport, Employment Pass (EP), birth certificate, marriage certificate, and educational certificates.
- Employment Documents: Latest payslips, income tax statements, CPF contribution history, and employer’s recommendation.
- Family Documents: Birth certificates, educational certificates, and relevant documents for spouse and children if applicable.
Do note that ICA only accepts documents in the English language. All original foreign documents must be translated and notarised before submission. All original documents must be kept on standby for presentation after getting the PR approval.
3. Online Application via ICA’s e-PR System
All PR applications must be done online via the ICA website. ICA has ceased manual applications. Applicants who are not computer-literate may seek the help of an agency such as IASG.
- Sign in with your Singpass login credentials.
- Fill in the required details and upload the necessary documents.
- Pay the non-refundable processing fee of S$100 online.
4. Submit Application
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- Review all the information and ensure all documents are correctly uploaded and complete. By making sure all documents are in perfect order, applicants are already avoiding one of the most common mistakes made in PR applications.
- Submit the application through the e-PR system.
This application process might take several hours to complete. Do get all documents ready beforehand to avoid delays and complications.
5. Await Processing
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- The processing time can vary, typically taking between four to six months, though it may take longer depending on the complexity of the case and the number of applications received.
- During this period, applicants may go through various major life changes such as a change of address. These have to be updated to the ICA.
IASG’s clients may get the help of the team to do this at any time during the waiting process. If unsure, our team can advise on the best course of action.
6. Outcome Notification
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- ICA will notify the applicant of the outcome via mail or the e-PR system.
- Applicants who have been rejected may appeal immediately or submit a new application after six months.
- Upon approval, the applicant must complete the formalities at ICA, including the issuance of the PR card, registering fingerprints, and taking a photograph.
- Each successful applicant will pay a $20 fee for the Entry Permit.
Immigration@SG (IASG) helps all clients with the post-result procedures, regardless of the result.
For other PR application information such as PR benefits, approvals, and more, go to our Singapore PR page where we have detailed everything about Singapore PR application in detail. Alternatively, feel free to Whatsapp us at 8766 1966 or email to: info@iasg.com.sg.
