On arrival in Singapore a tourist visa is issued, usually for two to four weeks. To stay for longer some form of official pass will be required. It is a serious offence to remain in Singapore without an appropriate pass.

This page covers applying for Permanent Residency.

• For information on all passes and permits connected with working in Singapore see AngloINFO INFOrmation Page Employment-Related Passes

Permanent Residency (SPR)

The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) handles all applications for Permanent Residence in Singapore.

For more information see:

• Visitor Services: Click here
• Permanent Resident Services: Click here

Non-Singaporeans may become Singapore Permanent Residents (SPRs) by obtaining an Entry Permit.

Eligibility

Spouses, unmarried children under 21 years of age and aged parents of Singapore Citizens (SCs) may apply for permanent residency, as may certain categories of work pass holders and entrepreneurs.

Parents of PRs may apply for PR on their own merits if they are employed in Singapore. Otherwise, their applications have to be sponsored by their child who must be an SC. PRs cannot sponsor their parents for PR, but they can apply for a Long Term Visit Pass for aged parents. 

• For Frequently Asked Questions on the subject of PR: Click here
• See the Permanent Resident Services website for full details: Click here

How to Apply

Details of both the applicant and the sponsor (the SC or SPR) will be required.

Submit the completed application form personally to:

• The Permanent Resident Services Centre
  At: 5th Storey, ICA Building 10 Kallang Road (Next to Lavender MRT station) Singapore 208718
  Tel: 6391 6100,
  Fax: 6298 0843 or 6298 0837
  e-mail
  Website

There is a small fee, and processing time is three months.

The documents required depend on the applicant's situation, but all applications require the originals and a photocopy of each of:

• The applicant's valid travel document
• The sponsor's Singapore Citizenship Certificate (if any)
• A passport-style photograph of the applicant
• Work Pass (if any) of the applicant
• Identity cards of both applicant and sponsor
• Applicant's Birth Certificate and household census list
• Educational certificates of both applicant and sponsor
• Letter from sponsor's and applicant's (if applicable) employer with details of employment
• Statement from the Central Provident Fund (CPF) Board showing the sponsor's monthly CPF contributions
• Notices of Assessment of Income Tax for the past three years for the sponsor and the applicant (if any)
• Sponsor's Business Registration Certificate (if any)

Spouses and children

In addition to the above documents the spouses and unmarried children under 21 years of age of Singapore citizens and Singapore Permanent Residents will need to provide:

• Official Marriage Certificate
• Official birth certificates of children showing both parents' names and child's name and adoption paper (if any)
• Death or divorce certificate and custody papers in respect of the applicant or spouse's previous marriages (if any)
• Further information from the ICA: Click here (PDF)

Aged parents of SCs and SPRs

Parents must provide the relevant items from the list above plus:

• Evidence of the applicant's relationship to the sponsor
• Identity card/Travel document or death certificate of the applicant's spouse

Renewal of Re-Entry Permit for Permanent Residents

Overseas Permanent Residents applying for a renewal of their Re-Entry Permit must submit their application at least two months before the expiry of their current Re-Entry Permit. A Singapore Permanent Resident (SPR) will lose their PR status if they remain outside Singapore without a valid Re-Entry Permit. Papers must be collected in person.

Work Pass Holders

Work pass holders must provide the originals and a photocopy of each of the following. If not in English they must be translated:

• Applicant's valid travel document
• Passport-style photograph of applicant
• Identity cards of both applicant and sponsor (if applicable)
• Work/Employment Pass of sponsor
• Educational certificates of both applicant and sponsor
• Birth Certificate of applicant and household census list
• Testimonials from previous employer with details of employment
• Payslips for the past six months
• Income Tax Notices of Assessment for the past three years
• Spouse's identity card, and birth and education certificates (if applicable)
• Official birth certificates of children showing both parent's names and child's name and adoption paper, if any

Entrepreneurs and Investors

The Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) runs a scheme to attract foreign investors and businesses to Singapore. Investors who have substantial capital investment in the country and entrepreneurs with a proven track record may apply for PR status.

Contact:

• The Singapore Economic Development Board,
  At: 250 North Bridge Road #28-00, Raffles City Tower Singapore 179101
  Tel: 6832 6832
  Website

Family of Applicants

If the government grants permanent residence, it may be extended to the spouse and children. For spouses this means they will be able to work without restrictions and will not need an Employment Pass.

Female children will not be affected by the change of status but male children will be eligible for National Service (NS).

If the children do not have permanent residency, provided they are schooling in Singapore, they can apply for a student pass. Otherwise visiting children or relatives come in and out of the country on a regular social visit pass.

National Identity: The NRIC or IC Card

All citizens and Permanent Residents over the age of 15 all have an Identity Card (IC) card also know as a National Registration Identity Card (NRIC).

Information on the IC card is clearly communicated during the application for PR status. 

Citizens and PRs are sent a reminder to get an IC card for their children once they reach the age of 15. 

National Service (NS)

Under the Enlistment Act, all male Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents must register for National Service (NS) on reaching 16½ years of age. They must serve two years of full-time NS from 18 years, followed by 40 days of Operationally Ready National Service per year till the age of 50 years (for officers) or 40 years (for other ranks).

Deferment may be applied for (to continue studies) and it may be done online. If the deferment guidelines are met, the application to defer NS will be approved.

When applying for deferment, the following documents have to be provided:

• Documentary proof of study status
• Parents' income tax return

It is an offence to evade NS (Section 32 of the Enlistment Act). Anyone trying to may be imprisoned for up to three years, fined or both. 

• For more details see the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) website: Click here

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