Who Can Apply for Permanent Residence (PR)
Singapore offers permanent residence (PR) to specific categories of foreigners.
Spouses of Singapore citizens or PRs apply, sponsored by their spouse through the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) e-Service using Singpass.
Unmarried children under 21, born within a lawful marriage or legally adopted by a Singapore citizen or PR, apply under their parent’s sponsorship.
Aged parents of a Singapore citizen (aged 21 and above) apply under the sponsorship of that citizen child.
Holders of an Employment Pass (EP) or S Pass may submit their own application via the ICA e-Service using their Singpass.
Students studying in Singapore who have passed at least one national examination (PSLE, GCE ‘N’/‘O’/‘A’ Levels) or are in the Integrated Programme (IP) may apply. Those aged 15 and above use Singpass; those below 15 use the non-Singpass option.
Foreign investors may apply through the Global Investor Programme (GIP); details are on the Economic Development Board (EDB) website.
ICA assesses applicants on family ties, economic contribution, qualifications, age, family profile and length of residence. PR status is granted to foreigners permitted to reside permanently; PRs aged 15 and above receive a blue Identity Card (IC). PRs leaving and re-entering Singapore require a valid Re-Entry Permit (REP).
ICA is not affiliated with any external immigration agency that calls itself a “Singapore immigration expert/consultant or partner”, and does not support or endorse such commercial advisory services.
Who Can Apply for Singapore Citizenship
Singapore citizenship (SC) requires PR eligibility first, plus meeting one of the following conditions.
PRs for at least 2 years and aged 21 and above may apply together with their PR spouse and unmarried children under 21.
PRs for at least 2 years who have been married to a Singapore citizen for at least 2 years apply under their spouse’s sponsorship.
Unmarried children under 21, born within a lawful marriage or legally adopted by a Singapore citizen, apply under their citizen parent’s sponsorship.
PRs studying in Singapore: resident for more than 3 years (with at least 1 year as a PR) and who have passed at least one national examination or are in the IP.
PRs who are aged parents of a Singapore citizen aged 21 and above apply under that citizen child’s sponsorship.
Citizenship applications are assessed on the same factors as PR: family ties, economic contribution, qualifications, age, family profile and length of residence.
Required Documents
Uploaded documents must be certified true copies of the originals; non-English documents require an official translation.
ICA accepts translations from: the embassy of the issuing country/region; a notary public in Singapore or the issuing country/region; or a private translation endorsed by the embassy or notarised by a notary public in Singapore or the issuing country/region.
ICA does not recognise any private translation company. Incomplete documents may result in the application not being accepted and may require further submissions.
PR and citizenship applications each have a document checklist (see official links at the end); both original documents and official translations must be provided.
Fees (Non-Refundable)
PR application: S$100 per person upon submission; upon completion, Entry Permit S$20, 5-year REP S$50, and Identity Card S$50.
Citizenship applications fall into three categories:
- Adult PRs and PR children: S$100 per person upon submission; upon completion, citizenship certificate S$70 and Identity Card (new citizens aged 15 and above) S$10.
- Children born overseas to a Singapore citizen (mother is a citizen, or father is a citizen and was lawfully married to the mother at the time of birth): S$18 per person upon submission (includes citizenship certificate); Identity Card S$10.
- Other children born overseas or locally: S$100 per person upon submission; citizenship certificate S$70 and Identity Card S$10.
Payment methods: Visa or MasterCard credit/debit card, American Express credit card, internet direct debit (Singapore DBS/POSB, OCBC, UOB, Standard Chartered internet banking accounts) or PayNow. Additional applicable fees may arise after a successful application.
Processing Time
PR applications are processed within 6 months where documents are complete and in order; some applications may take longer.
Citizenship applications are processed within 12 months; applications for children born overseas to Singapore citizens are processed within 1 month. Some applications may take longer.
For PR applications, those submitted before 26 June 2024 are notified of the outcome by email or post; those submitted after are notified by email. PR and citizenship application status can be checked online via MyICA or e-Service.
Singpass Requirements
The application process requires each added applicant to review the form before submission, and to log in to e-Service via Singpass or ICA-issued dedicated credentials to make the declaration.
Singpass account approval takes 2 to 5 working days. All eligible applicants are advised to register for Singpass successfully before starting the application.
National Service (NS) Obligation
The Enlistment Act 1970 requires all male Singapore citizens and permanent residents (except those exempted) to serve National Service (NS).
Upon completion of full-time NS, one becomes an NSman; the obligation ends at age 50 (officers) or 40 (other ranks). All male applicants must first visit www.cmpb.gov.sg to understand NS.
Male applicants granted SC/PR as foreign students or under a parent’s sponsorship must serve NS: register at 16½ and enlist from age 18 as early as possible. The Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) allows study up to ‘A’ Levels, a polytechnic diploma or equivalent pre-tertiary qualification; it does not approve deferment for university studies, and those who have started must interrupt their studies to enlist if they cannot complete before enlistment.
Offences under the Enlistment Act 1970 are punishable on conviction by a fine of up to S$10,000 or imprisonment of up to 3 years, or both.
Renouncing or losing PR/SC status without serving NS will seriously prejudice future applications to work, study or take up any long-term immigration facility in Singapore, and will also affect related applications by family members and REP renewal.
GIP Overview
The GIP is managed by Contact Singapore under the EDB and is one route for foreign investors to obtain PR.
Four applicant categories:
- Established business owners: at least 3 years of entrepreneurship and business track record; company annual turnover of at least S$200 million in the year before application and averaging at least S$200 million per year over the preceding three years; at least 30% private shareholding; company must be in an industry listed in Annex B.
- Next-generation business owners: family shareholding of at least 30% or is the largest shareholder; company annual turnover of at least S$500 million (same average over the preceding three years); applicant must be in management; company in an Annex B industry.
- Founders of fast-growing companies: founder and principal individual shareholder of a non-listed company, with company valuation of at least S$500 million; backed by recognised venture capital/private equity investment; company in an Annex B industry.
- Family office principals: at least 5 years of entrepreneurship, investment or management track record; investable net assets of at least S$200 million (excluding real estate).
Investment options: A — establish or expand a business in Singapore with at least S$10 million; B — invest S$25 million in GIP-selected funds; C — establish a Singapore single-family office (SFO) with at least S$200 million in assets under management, of which at least S$50 million must be moved to Singapore and invested in EDB-specified projects.
Process: submit application → EDB interview → if eligible, ICA issues In-Principle Approval (IPA, valid for 6 months) → complete investment within 6 months → submit proof of investment → ICA issues final approval → complete PR within 12 months. Overall GIP processing takes about 12 months. Upon completion of PR, a 5-year REP is granted; renewal conditions must be met in the 5th year.