Singapore Permanent Residence (Singapore PR Application)

Apply for Singapore PR Permanent Residence in Singapore

If you’re seeking a seamless Singapore PR application process that maximizes your chances of first-time approval, you’ve found the right partner. 3E Accounting, as Singapore’s leading immigration consultant agency, we hold numerous accolades, including the Best Immigration Consultant in Singapore Award. As a licensed employment agency with over 10 years of experience, we are deeply familiar with government requirements. Our status as one of the oldest agencies in the market enables us to provide comprehensive support through a dedicated team of professionals. Renowned for our extensive media coverage, we invite you to learn more about how we can expertly guide you from every perspective.

3E Accounting is delighted and privileged to be featured in major media.

Watch the video below to learn how 3E Accounting can assist you in obtaining approval for your Singapore PR application.

Package Fee for Singapore Permanent Residence application | Singapore PR application

Packages Available	Fee (SGD)
Application of Singapore Permanent Residence (Singapore PR) (main applicant)	$2,000 (W/GST $2,180)
Application of Singapore Permanent Residence (Singapore PR) (for accompanying spouse/children under 21 years old)	$1,000 (W/GST $1,090) per accompanying applicant
Renewal of Singapore Permanent Residence (Singapore PR)	from $500 (W/GST $545)

Our Singapore PR Application Services include the followings:

• Assessment and Consultation on Singapore PR Application
• Preparation of the Singapore PR application submission
• Review and check of the Singapore PR application supporting documents
• Assist on e-Filing of Singapore PR application using the main applicant’s SingPass
• Liaising with translator on the translation of non-English documents
• Preparation of cover letter
• monitoring of Singapore PR application status

The fee quoted above are excluding out-of-pocket expenses or reimbursement fees such as translation fee, and any other fees payable to ICA and etc.

Singapore PR Application Services or not? Yes, it is possible. If you are thinking of putting down your roots in Singapore, becoming a Singapore permanent resident could be your next step in achieving your dream by applying ICA PR application. We can help you in your journey to becoming a Singapore permanent resident, understand on Singapore PR requirement, and update on Singapore PR status. As a foreigner, you may be eligible to apply for Singapore permanent residence if you are a/an spouse of a Singapore citizen (SC) or Singapore permanent resident (PR Singapore), unmarried child aged below 21 born within the context of a legal marriage to, or have been legally adopted by, a SC or PR, aged parent of a SC, holder of an Employment Pass or S Pass, student studying in Singapore or a foreign investor in Singapore. See below for more information about Singapore PR renewal, Singapore PR benefits, and Singapore PR criteria.

What are the Pros and Cons to Become Singapore Permanent Residence

As a permanent resident of Singapore, you and your family are free to live, work and buy property in the country and be a part of Singapore society. As a Singapore PR, you are eligible for a range of perks such as the ability to travel in and out of the country freely and priority entry to Singapore’s public education system for your school-going children. In the workplace, your employer is required to make monthly contributions to the Central Provident Fund (CPF) scheme, and you do not need to acquire fresh working visas when changing jobs. There are other financial benefits from being a Singapore PR in that you more easily borrow various loans such as a housing loan if you want to buy a property. Besides, permanent residents are allowed to buy second-hand units of government HDB flats (only citizens can purchase new ones).

While you are given many rights as a Singapore PR, the government also has rights upon you. One of them is military service, which is compulsory on your sons (if they are also PRs) once they reach 18. Under the Enlistment Act, all male Singapore citizens and permanent residents are liable to register for national service upon reaching 16 and a half years of age. They must serve two years when they are 18. This is followed by 40 days of Operationally Ready National Service every year until they are 50, for officers, and 40, for other ranks. On average, 500 young men who obtain permanent residence through their parents enter compulsory national service each year.

A Singapore permanent resident’s ICA PR application takes approximately 3-6 months to process and is open to those under 50 who had been living and working in Singapore for at least six months and, in certain cases, foreigners who are not physically residing in the island-state.

The permanent residence also opens the door to full Singapore citizenship, should you wish one day to take on Singapore nationality. It may take two or more years after ICA PR application, but it is the only path to obtaining a Singapore passport apart from being born to a Singapore citizen.

How to Become Singapore Permanent Residence

There are two options to become a Singapore Permanent Resident: the Global Investor Program (GIP Scheme) or Professionals/Technical Personnel & Skilled Worker Scheme (PTS Scheme).

Quick links

Global Investor Program (GIP Scheme)
Professionals/Technical Personnel & Skilled Worker Scheme (PTS Scheme)
Renewal of Singapore PR

Global Investor Program (GIP Scheme)

Foreign individuals who wish to set up and operate a business in Singapore will find it easier with the Global Investor Program (GIP Scheme). This particular scheme is often referred to as the Investor Scheme and requires you to invest at least S$2.5 million in order to qualify under the scheme.

Investment Options under GIP Scheme
At present, under the Investor Scheme, you can choose either of the following investment options:

1. Option A: Invest at least S$2.5 million in a new business startup or expansion of an existing business operation.
2. Option B: Invest at least S$2.5 million in a GIP-approved fund that invests in Singapore-based companies.
3. Option C: Invest S$2.5 million in a new or existing Singapore-based single family office having Assets-Under-Management (AUM*) of at least S$200 million.

Qualifying Criteria for GIP

In order to qualify for the GIP Scheme you must meet the following qualifying criteria:

 

Assessment Criteria for Investment Option

 

Industries listed for GIP

• Aerospace Engineering
• Alternative Energy/ Clean Technology
• Automotive
• Chemicals
• Consumer Business (e.g. flavors and fragrances, food ingredients, nutrition, home and personal care)
• Electronics
• Energy
• Engineering Services
• Healthcare
• Infocomm Products & Services
• Logistics & Supply Chain Management
• Marine & Offshore Engineering
• Media & Entertainment
• Medical Technology
• Nanotechnology
• Natural Resources (e.g. metals, mining, agri-commodities)
• Safety & Security
• Space
• Shipping
• Pharmaceuticals & Biotechnology
• Precision Engineering
• Professional Services e.g. consulting, design
• Arts Businesses
  • Visual arts businesses, e.g. auction houses, art logistics/storage
  • Performing arts businesses
• Sports Businesses
• Family Office & Financial Services

 

Procedures for Processing of GIP application

Step 1 –  To complete and submit GIP application forms to EDB

Step 2 –  To attend for an interview with EDB

Step 3 –  If the assessment criteria are met, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority ICA will issue an Approval-in-Principle (AIP) status to you which is valid for 6 months.

Step 4 – To proceed with the necessary investment under the selected investment option, within 6 months from the date of the AIP letter

Step 5 – To provide document proof of the investment made (e.g. Certified true copy of share certificates, bank statements and other legal documents) and submit the Investment Undertaking on the Terms and Conditions of the investment made upon making the investment

Step 6 – Once investment documents are verified by EDB, ICA will issue the Final Approval letter

Step 7 – To formalise Permanent Residence status in Singapore within 12 months from the date of the Final Approval letter

For more information, you may refer to EDB website.

If you qualify for the GIP scheme based on the above information, please email us at 3e@3ecpa.com.sg your profile and Profit & Loss Statement for the past three years for a quick evaluation. Upon evaluation, we will contact you on the necessary GIP application proceedings.

Professionals/Technical Personnel & Skilled Worker Scheme (PTS Scheme)

Singapore Permanent Residence Application Filing for Individuals Holding a Work Pass.

Specifically, the scheme is known as Professionals/Technical Personnel & Skilled Worker Scheme (or simply as PTS Scheme). Among the available PR schemes, more than 90 percent of families gain Singapore PR through the PTS Scheme.

In order to apply for permanent residence under the PTS Scheme, you must be a Work Pass holder of Employment Pass or S Pass. You should also be under 50 years old, although exceptions can be made on a case by case basis. The PTS Scheme allows you to include your spouse and unmarried children under-21 years of age in your application as well. The procedure to acquire Singapore permanent residence through PTS Scheme is straightforward though it requires research, leg-work and attention to detail.

The following step-by-step guide will help you to better manage the Singapore PR application process with much ease and confidence.

Step 1: Decide when to apply for PR
The first question that typically comes to the mind of the majority of the work pass holders: when can I apply for my Singapore PR? Theoretically, you can apply for Singapore permanent residence the day you start working in the country as an EP holder. However, one of the Singapore PR requirements is to provide salary slips that go back six months from your Singapore employer which means should wait at least six months.

In practical terms, how soon you can apply for Singapore PR status also depends on the type of work pass you are holding and the unofficial annual quota set by the government. Also, make sure you are in good terms with your employer at the time of filing your PR application. One of the sections in the application form is to be completed by the employer.

Step 2: Think about your chances of approval
Besides the type of work pass you hold and how soon you apply for PR, there are few other factors that are to be taken into consideration by the authorities when deciding on your PR application. They include:

• Your educational background. Singapore authorities give a lot of weight to your degree and the institute from which you graduated.
• Your physical stay in Singapore. The shorter your physical stay in Singapore, the lesser the authorities will be convinced that you plan to reside in Singapore permanently.
• Your employment background and the stability of your job
• Credentials of your employer (the more established the company, the better)
• Your salary and financial well-being
• Your character (such as whether or not you are a law-abiding citizen)
• Your family ties in Singapore. If you have family ties, it’s considered a positive factor.
• Your charitable contributions to society such as volunteering, donations, etc.

Bottom line – the government wants to ensure that you are a law abiding resident, positively contributing to the local economy and society should you be granted a Singapore permanent residence status.

Step 3: Decide on Singapore PR filing for your children
If you are married and have children, one of the important decisions you’d have to make is whether you’d want to apply for Singapore PR for your male children.

As per Singapore laws, the main applicant (i.e. you) who is granted Singapore PR under the first generation PTS Scheme is exempted from National Service. However, all healthy male children that are granted PR status through their parents must register for National Military Service when they reach the age of 16 and a half. They will be required to serve two years of full-time National Service followed by 40 days of Operationally Ready National Service per year until the age of 50 (for officers) or 40 years (for other ranks).

Different parents look at the National Service requirement differently. Some of them don’t mind it, thinking that the child will be stronger and more mature after the two-year service. Others are horrified at the thought of having their child go through any kind of military service. You will need to think where you stand on this issue and decide the PR application filing for your male children accordingly.

Step 4: Register for a SingPass Account
Once your eligibility is established and you have decided to proceed with PR application filing, the first and foremost step is to ensure that you have a valid SingPass account.

In the past, all documents are to be filed in hard copies for direct submission over the counter at ICA. Compilation of stacks of documents can be a long and daunting process and the good news is that in recent years, to improve the efficiency of the application process, the Electronic Permanent Residence (e-PR) system has been introduced, so that documents could be conveniently uploaded online to complete the application.

To access to this e-PR service, however, you will require a valid SingPass account. If you have yet obtained a SingPass account, you may register at Singpass. Upon completion of registration, your SingPass password will be mailed to your registered address within 5 working days (for local Singapore address).

Step 5: Download documents and review filing Singapore PR requirement
The next step is to obtain the relevant application forms and review submission Singapore PR requirement.

The following forms are to be downloaded from your respective selected application choice at the e-PR system. Our team will guide and assist in the completion of these forms:

1) Declaration form of Applicant(s)
2) Declaration form of Sponsor
3) IRAS/CPF Consent Form
4) PR Application Form

Step 6: Prepare supporting documents
After downloading and reading the necessary documents, the next step is to get the supporting documents ready. Here are some additional helpful guidelines that you should take into account:

• For the main application form which is the PR Application form, bulk of the fields asks for a comprehensive profile of not only yourself but also your family members. This includes an extensive information covering the background of individuals’ ranging from personal information to educational and professional history.
• If you have any document that’s not in English, you must produce an official English translation of the document. The safest approach is to get it translated and stamped through your embassy. Make sure to take originals and copies of both non-English and English translated versions of the document for your visit to ICA office.
• Previous employment appointment letters, performance evaluation reports, recommendation letters are also useful. Contact your previous employer(s) if necessary.
• Providing existing employer’s information explaining nature of the business is also critically important to the application.
• If you have purchased a property in Singapore, include the documents provide the necessary proof. This will be considered a positive factor both in terms of your financial position as well as your longer-term intention of staying in Singapore.
• Make sure you also attach a most recent copy of your CV/Resume.
• -It’s also a good idea to prepare a cover letter articulating your love for Singapore, your financial and family stability, your decision to become Singapore PR, and the list of supporting documents you are attaching with the application.

Bottom line: Documentation of academic and professional credentials are critically important information to be filed in the application. A complete set of comprehensive information on-hand will also help in the smooth completion of the application process.

Our team will provide you with a checklist and sample documents for your working reference in compiling the documents required for the application. If you’d need help in liaising with translator on translation of non-English documents and the preparation of cover letter, 3E is able to provide service on the same at separate charges.

Step 7: Completing the PR application form
With the provision of the relevant documents, our team will proceed to assist in the completion of the PR Application Form. We will then forward it back to you for perusal before you proceed with your online submission.

Step 8: Submit PR application
Please note all the required documents are to be submitted within 7 days/ 168 hours from the time online application starts. Incomplete submission will result in non-acceptance of the application during e-PR submission

Upon completion of the submission of application and document uploading, you will be required to pay for the processing fee of S$100 for each applicant.

Step 9: Wait for results
It will take approximately up to six months before you receive a letter from ICA notifying you on the outcome of your PR application. Sometimes it may take longer processing time should ICA require more inputs during the assessment of application. If you would like to check on the Singapore PR status of application, you may login to the e-PR system by using your SingPass to do so.

Step 10: Upon Approval
Once your application has been approved (congratulations!), you will be notified by ICA with an approval letter.

Please follow the steps stated in the approval letter for the completion of necessary formalities for obtaining your PR NRIC. The following payment will be required from you;
– S$20 for Entry Permit
– S$50 for a 5-year Re-Entry Permit
– S$50 for Identity Card
– S$30 per Entry Visa (foreigners requiring a visa)

Should you have any queries with regards to the approval letter received, feel free to forward a copy to our team for review, and we will help to advise accordingly.

Once you have completed the above PR formalities, you are a full-fledged Singapore permanent resident! With your new Singapore PR status, you can enjoy many of the Singapore PR benefits given to full citizens, including the freedom to live and work in Singapore without visa restrictions, priority government schooling for your children and compulsory participation in the Central Provident Fund (CPF) Scheme, which grows your pension fund. Don’t forget to:

• Inform your employer of your new Singapore PR status. Your employer will require a copy of your PR card to update HR records and will also need to start making contributions to your CPF fund.
• Inform banks so they can update your bank account personal details.

Step 11: Handling PR Rejection
Although receiving a PR rejection letter can be a very disheartening experience at first, remember that it’s not end of the world or the end of your pursuit to obtain permanent residence in Singapore. There are no restrictions on how many times you can apply for Singapore PR. However, practically, you should wait at least six months before submitting a new PR application.

For unsuccessful application, you may proceed with the appeal within 6 months from the date of rejection. Each appeal will be considered on case to case basis. If the ICA accept the request for appeal, it will take another 6 months to 1 year for processing. The outcome will be sent to you via mail.

Professional Help
Should you engage a professional firm to assist you with your Singapore PR application filing? The answer is that it depends. Amidst your hectic schedule, 3E could help to expedite on compiling relevant documents as well as to complete the lengthy application forms. If you feel that could use an experienced set of eyes to review your application and give you recommendations to maximize your chances of success, you can seek professional help from us. Email us at 3e@3ecpa.com.sg for more information and for further assistance.

Renewal of Singapore PR

On 24 April 2012, TODAY Paper has published an article on the uncertainty surrounding the rejection of Singapore Employment Pass and Singapore permanent resident (PR) renewal applications. The article cited that the lack of clarity as to why the Singapore PR renewals were rejected have puzzled many expats, compelling them to rethink of their decision to work in Singapore. Employment Passes or PR re-entry permits which were not renewed had expats either appealing to the authorities for a second chance or packing their bags ready to relocate. Those whose passes have been approved for the first or second times have a feeling of uncertainty lingering too as it may be the last time they are renewed.

However, although no written guideline is given by ICA, there are always few criteria is considered for renewal of your Singapore PR.
1)      Whether you are working in Singapore and received salary in Singapore
2)      How much the income tax you are paying every year
3)      How many days you are staying in Singapore

Documents required
If you are an employee, you may submit any of the following documents Singapore PR renewal:

• A letter (issued not more than one month ago) from the employer addressed to the Controller of Immigration, stating the date of employment, position held and monthly salary; or
• Statement from the CPF Board showing the CPF Contribution History for the last 12 months; or
• Income Tax Notice of Assessment for the last one year.

If you are self-employed (e.g. company director, sole proprietor, business partner), you may submit any of the following documents for Singapore PR renewal:

• Income Tax Notice of Assessment for the last one year; or
• Business Registration Certificate (showing the names of all the Directors and partners) from the Instant Information Service, Accounting & Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA).

Steps for renewal of Singapore PR
1)      Visit Singapore PR Renewal of Re-entry Permit
2)      Submit your application online via Electronic Re-Entry Permit System (e-REP) with a SingPass account before the expiry date of your current REP.
3)      It will take about five working days for processing the renewal of the Singapore PR.
4)      Should your Singapore PR renewal application be rejected, you can always file the appeal by visiting the ICA office.

Thinking of Renouncing Your Singapore PR?

You can cancel your Singapore permanent residence (PR) if your re-entry permit is still valid and you have decided to renounce your PR status for whatever reason.
The following documents will be required for renounce your Singapore PR:
– Your passport
– Your PR card (ie NRIC)
– The certificate of permanent residence (that was given to you at the time of issuance of permanent residence status)
– A letter addressed to Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) of Singapore stating your desire to cancel the Singapore PR status

If you are in Singapore, you can visit ICA office and renounce your PR. If you are overseas, you can usually visit the nearest Singapore embassy/consulate or courier them the required documents for processing.

After your permanent residence status has been cancelled, you may withdraw your CPF balance in full.