Holding an Employment Pass (EP) or S Pass does not grant permanent residence by itself. It makes you eligible to apply. This article sets out who can apply, what ICA requires, the fees, processing time, and the factors ICA says it weighs. All points come from ICA and MOM official pages.
Who Can Apply as an EP or S Pass Holder
ICA grants permanent residence through several eligibility routes. A current holder of an Employment Pass or S Pass is eligible to apply.
The full list is:
- Spouse of a Singapore citizen or PR.
- Unmarried child below 21, born in a legal marriage to, or adopted by, a Singapore citizen or PR.
- Aged parent of a Singapore citizen who is at least 21.
- Holder of an Employment Pass or S Pass.
- Student in Singapore who passed at least one national exam (PSLE, GCE ‘N’/‘O’/‘A’ levels) or is in the Integrated Programme.
- Foreign investor, assessed under the Global Investor Programme (GIP) run by the Economic Development Board (EDB).
You submit the application by logging in to the ICA e-Service with your Singpass. Family-based routes need a sponsor who logs in with their own Singpass.
What ICA Considers — and What It Does Not Publish
ICA states the factors it weighs. These are family ties to Singaporeans, economic contributions, qualifications, age, family profile, and length of residency. ICA uses them to judge the applicant’s ability to contribute, integrate, and commit to sinking roots in Singapore.
ICA has not published the weighting of these factors. ICA has not published any nationality-based quota for PR grants. The eligibility route for EP and S Pass holders is open by rule; the assessment is factors-based, not a published scorecard.
ICA also states it has no affiliation with any external migration agency or commercial entity that presents itself as a Singapore immigration specialist. ICA does not endorse such services.
Documents and Certified Translations
You must upload certified true copies of original documents. Documents not in English need official translations.
ICA accepts translations that are:
- Provided by the embassy of the country that issued the document.
- Provided by a notary public in Singapore or in the issuing country.
- Privately translated, then attested by that embassy or notarised by a notary public in Singapore or the issuing country.
ICA does not endorse any private translation company. Incomplete documentation can lead to non-acceptance, and ICA may ask for more documents. ICA publishes a document checklist (linked in the final section).
Prepare early. Gather your pass, identity, and family documents first. Flag every document not in English so you can arrange certified translations before submitting. This is practical advice, not an additional ICA rule.
Fees
The fees are fixed by ICA.
- At submission: S$100 for each application.
- At completion: S$20 for the Entry Permit, S$50 for a 5-year Re-Entry Permit, and S$50 for the Singapore Identity Card.
All fees are non-refundable. Pay online by Visa, MasterCard, or American Express, by internet direct debit from major Singapore bank accounts, or by PayNow.
Processing Time
ICA processes applications within 6 months when all documents are submitted and in order. Some applications take longer.
ICA notifies the outcome by email. Applications submitted before 26 June 2024 are notified by post. You can also check status online through MyICA or the e-Service.
Singpass and National Service Notes
Every applicant must review the form before submission. They log in with Singpass or the credentials ICA provides. A Singpass account application can take 2 to 5 working days, so register before you start if you are not yet eligible.
Male applicants must note National Service (NS) liability. Under the Enlistment Act 1970, all male citizens and PRs serve NS unless exempted. Male foreigners granted PR as a student or under parents’ sponsorship are liable; they register at 16 and a half and enlist at 18 at the earliest. Renouncing or losing PR without serving or completing full-time NS adversely affects future work, study, and long-term immigration applications in Singapore.
Your EP or S Pass as the Pathway
Most professionals reach PR through an EP or S Pass, so the pass thresholds matter. They are set by MOM and are separate from PR.
EP qualifying salary starts at S$5,600 for most sectors and S$6,200 for financial services. It rises with age to S$10,700 (most sectors) or S$11,800 (financial services) at age 45 and above. From 1 January 2027, new EP applications need at least S$6,000 (most sectors) or S$6,600 (financial services), rising to S$11,500 or S$12,700 at age 45 and above. EP candidates also pass COMPASS, earning 40 points across salary, qualifications, diversity, local employment, and bonus criteria.
S Pass qualifying salary starts at S$3,300 for most sectors and S$3,800 for financial services, rising to S$4,800 or S$5,650 at age 45 and above. From 1 January 2027, new S Pass applications need at least S$3,600 or S$4,000. S Pass holders are subject to a quota and a monthly levy of S$650 (since 1 September 2025). An S Pass holder earning at least S$6,000 a month can apply for a Dependant’s Pass.
Meeting the pass threshold establishes eligibility to apply for PR. It does not determine the PR outcome.
Official Sources
This article is based on the following official pages:
