Employment Pass (EP) and S Pass holders are eligible to apply for Singapore Permanent Residence (PR). The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) assesses each application based on family ties, economic contributions, qualifications, age, family profile, and length of residency.
Who Can Apply
EP holders and S Pass holders may apply for PR in their own right. They do not require a Singapore citizen or PR sponsor. The application is submitted via the ICA e-Service using the applicant’s Singpass. Applicants aged 15 and above use Singpass; those below 15 use the non-Singpass option.
Application Process
- Ensure all applicants have a valid Singpass account. Approval for a new Singpass account may take 2 to 5 working days.
- Log in to the ICA e-Service for PR application.
- Complete the application form. All persons added as applicants must review the form before submission.
- Upload certified true copies of original documents and official translations for non-English documents.
- Pay the submission fee of S$100 per application online via Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Internet Direct Debit (DBS/POSB, OCBC, UOB, Standard Chartered), or PayNow.
- Submit the application.
Required Documents
ICA requires certified true copies of original documents. Official translations are mandatory for documents not in English. Accepted translations include those from the issuing country’s embassy, a notary public in Singapore or the issuing country, or privately translated documents attested by the embassy or notarised by a notary public. ICA does not endorse private translation companies. Refer to the ICA PR document checklist for the full list. Insufficient documentation may result in non-acceptance; ICA may request additional documents.
Fees
Fees are non-refundable.
| Stage | Fee |
|---|---|
| At submission | S$100 per application |
| At completion of formalities | S$20 for Entry Permit |
| S$50 for 5-year Re-Entry Permit | |
| S$50 for Singapore Identity Card (blue IC for PRs aged 15+) |
Successful applicants will be notified of any other applicable fees.
Processing Time
ICA processes applications within 6 months if all required documents are submitted and in order. Some applications may take longer. Applicants are informed of the outcome via email or post (for applications submitted before 26 June 2024). Status can be checked online at MyICA or the e-Service.
After Approval
Successful applicants receive an In-Principle Approval (IPA). PR status is granted once the applicant completes the necessary formalities. PRs aged 15 and above are issued a blue Identity Card. A valid Re-Entry Permit is required for PRs who wish to travel out of and return to Singapore as a PR.
National Service Liability
All male Singapore citizens and PRs are liable for National Service (NS) under the Enlistment Act 1970, unless exempted. Male applicants granted PR as a foreign student or under parents’ sponsorship must register for NS at 16 and a half years old and enlist at the earliest opportunity after 18. MINDEF does not grant deferment for university studies. Renouncing PR without serving NS has serious adverse consequences for future immigration applications for the applicant and family members.
EP and S Pass Qualifying Salaries (Reference)
PR applicants who are EP or S Pass holders must meet the prevailing qualifying salaries for their passes. These salaries are benchmarks for pass eligibility and may inform ICA’s assessment of economic contribution.
Employment Pass (effective until 31 Dec 2026)
| Age | All sectors (except financial services) | Financial services |
|---|---|---|
| 23 or below | $5,600 | $6,200 |
| 24 | $5,832 | $6,455 |
| 25 | $6,064 | $6,709 |
| 26 | $6,295 | $6,964 |
| 27 | $6,527 | $7,218 |
| 28 | $6,759 | $7,473 |
| 29 | $6,991 | $7,727 |
| 30 | $7,223 | $7,982 |
| 31 | $7,455 | $8,236 |
| 32 | $7,686 | $8,491 |
| 33 | $7,918 | $8,745 |
| 34 | $8,150 | $9,000 |
| 35 | $8,382 | $9,255 |
| 36 | $8,614 | $9,509 |
| 37 | $8,845 | $9,764 |
| 38 | $9,077 | $10,018 |
| 39 | $9,309 | $10,273 |
| 40 | $9,541 | $10,527 |
| 41 | $9,773 | $10,782 |
| 42 | $10,005 | $11,036 |
| 43 | $10,236 | $11,291 |
| 44 | $10,468 | $11,545 |
| 45 or above | $10,700 | $11,800 |
From 1 Jan 2027 (new applications) and 1 Jan 2028 (renewals), EP qualifying salaries increase. For all sectors except financial services, the minimum rises to $6,000 at age 23, up to $11,500 at 45+. For financial services, the minimum rises to $6,600 at age 23, up to $12,700 at 45+.
S Pass (effective until 31 Dec 2026)
| Age | All sectors (except financial services) | Financial services |
|---|---|---|
| 23 or below | $3,300 | $3,800 |
| 24 | $3,368 | $3,884 |
| 25 | $3,436 | $3,968 |
| 26 | $3,505 | $4,052 |
| 27 | $3,573 | $4,136 |
| 28 | $3,641 | $4,220 |
| 29 | $3,709 | $4,305 |
| 30 | $3,777 | $4,389 |
| 31 | $3,845 | $4,473 |
| 32 | $3,914 | $4,557 |
| 33 | $3,982 | $4,641 |
| 34 | $4,050 | $4,725 |
| 35 | $4,118 | $4,809 |
| 36 | $4,186 | $4,893 |
| 37 | $4,255 | $4,977 |
| 38 | $4,323 | $5,061 |
| 39 | $4,391 | $5,145 |
| 40 | $4,459 | $5,230 |
| 41 | $4,527 | $5,314 |
| 42 | $4,595 | $5,398 |
| 43 | $4,664 | $5,482 |
| 44 | $4,732 | $5,566 |
| 45 or above | $4,800 | $5,650 |
From 1 Jan 2027 (new applications) and 1 Jan 2028 (renewals), S Pass qualifying salaries increase. For all sectors except financial services, the minimum rises to $3,600 at age 23, up to $5,100 at 45+. For financial services, the minimum rises to $4,000 at age 23, up to $5,650 at 45+.
S Pass Quota and Levy (Employer Obligations)
Employers of S Pass holders are subject to a Dependency Ratio Ceiling (DRC) and a monthly levy. The DRC limits the ratio of foreign workers (Work Permit + S Pass) to total workforce: Services 35%, Manufacturing 60%, Marine Shipyard 75%, Construction 83.3%, Process 83.3%. Within the DRC, S Pass holders are capped at 10% of total workforce in Services, and 15% in other sectors. Since 1 Sep 2025, the S Pass levy is $650/month across all sectors and tiers. Daily levy is $21.37. Levy liability starts from pass issuance and ends on cancellation or expiry.
EP COMPASS Framework (Stage 2 Eligibility)
EP candidates must also pass the points-based COMPASS (40 points required) unless exempted (fixed monthly salary ≥ $22,500, overseas intra-corporate transferee, or role ≤ 1 month). COMPASS has four foundational criteria (C1–C4) and two bonus criteria (C5, C6). C1 benchmarks salary against local PMET salaries by sector. C2 awards points for qualifications (top-tier institutions 20 pts, other degrees 10 pts). C3 awards points for nationality diversity among the firm’s PMETs. C4 awards points for the firm’s local PMET share relative to its sector. C5 gives up to 20 pts for jobs on the Shortage Occupation List. C6 gives 10 pts for firms in eligible strategic economic programmes.
