Singapore permanent residence (PR) applications are processed by the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA). The official pages state clearly who may apply, what ICA assesses, the fees, and the processing time. This article sets out the current ICA and Ministry of Manpower (MOM) pages, without adding any figures not published by the authorities.
Who may submit a PR application
ICA lists six categories of applicants:
| Applicant status | How to apply |
|---|---|
| Spouse of a Singapore citizen or PR | The spouse logs in to ICA e-Service with their own Singpass to sponsor your application |
| Legally married child under 21 of a Singapore citizen or PR (including legally adopted children) | A parent sponsors with their own Singpass |
| Aged parent above 21 of a Singapore citizen | The citizen child sponsors with their own Singpass |
| Employment Pass (EP) or S Pass holder | Submit personally with your own Singpass |
| Student studying in Singapore who has passed at least one national examination (PSLE, GCE N/O/A levels) or is in the Integrated Programme | Aged 15 and above: submit with Singpass. Below 15: use the non-Singpass channel |
| Foreign investor in Singapore | Visit the Economic Development Board (EDB) website for the Global Investor Programme (GIP) assessment criteria and application process |
ICA’s eligibility table lists the EP and S Pass as the qualifying passes. EntrePass holders are not included. The pass is applied for by the candidate personally, and MOM sets no minimum monthly salary requirement. Whether holders of other passes may apply under this route is determined by the ICA page.
Everyone named as an applicant in the form must log in to ICA e-Service to review the form and make a declaration. Singpass account approval may take 2 to 5 working days. Register all relevant persons successfully before starting the application.
What ICA assesses
ICA states it considers these factors: family ties with Singapore citizens, economic contribution, qualifications, age, family profile, and length of residence. These assess the applicant’s ability to contribute to Singapore, their integration, and their commitment to settling in Singapore.
The specific weightings, scoring details and quotas are not published. Any claim to know the internal scoring criteria has no official basis.
After approval, PRs aged 15 and above receive the blue Singapore NRIC. A PR leaving and re-entering Singapore requires a valid Re-Entry Permit (REP).
Fees and refunds
| Stage | Fee |
|---|---|
| On submission | S$100 per application |
| On completion of formalities | Entry Permit: S$20; 5-year Re-Entry Permit: S$50; Singapore NRIC: S$50 |
All fees are non-refundable. Online payment accepts Visa/MasterCard credit or debit cards, American Express credit cards, PayNow, and direct internet banking from DBS/POSB, OCBC, UOB and Standard Chartered in Singapore. Successful applicants will later be notified of other applicable fees.
Processing time
Complete and accurate applications are processed within 6 months; some take longer. Outcomes are notified by email or post. Progress can also be checked on MyICA or ICA e-Service. Approved applicants first receive In-Principle Approval (IPA); PR status is granted only after the required formalities are completed.
Documents and translation
When uploading documents, you must provide a certified copy of the original and an official translation of any non-English document. ICA accepts three types of translation: a translation from the embassy of the issuing country, a translation from a notary public in Singapore or the issuing country, or a private translation certified by an embassy or notarised.
ICA does not recognise any private translation company or agency. Insufficient documents may lead to the application being rejected and a request for more documents. See ICA’s PR document list for the full checklist.
National Service obligations for male applicants
Under the Enlistment Act 1970, all male Singapore citizens and PRs must serve National Service (NS) unless exempted. Male applicants granted Singapore citizen or PR status as students or under a parent’s sponsorship must serve: they register at 16½ and enlist at the first opportunity from age 18. The Ministry of Defence does not grant deferment for university studies — those unable to complete their studies before enlistment must interrupt their studies to enlist. Conviction for an offence can bring a fine of up to S$10,000, imprisonment of up to 3 years, or both.
Giving up or losing PR status before serving or completing full NS has serious adverse effects on future work, study or any long-term stay application in Singapore. It also affects family members’ similar applications, sponsorship eligibility, REP renewal and citizenship applications. For queries, contact the Central Manpower Base (CMPB): 1800-3676767 (local) / 65-65676767 (overseas), or email contact@ns.gov.sg.
What EP route applicants must clear first
The EP application is a two-stage eligibility framework. Stage one is meeting the EP qualifying salary: non-financial sectors start at S$5,600 and rise with age, reaching S$10,700 at 45 and above; financial services start at S$6,200, reaching S$11,800 at 45 and above. From 1 January 2027, new applications (and renewals expiring from 1 January 2028) will be adjusted to S$6,000 start and S$11,500 at 45 and above for non-financial, and S$6,600 start and S$12,700 at 45 and above for financial.
Stage two is passing the points-based COMPASS (Complementarity Assessment Framework), requiring 40 points. Three groups are exempt from COMPASS: those with a fixed monthly salary of at least S$22,500, intra-corporate transferees, and those employed for one month or less. Applicants who do not meet the qualifying salary are not eligible regardless of COMPASS points. Employers and employment agencies can use the Self-Assessment Tool before submitting.
An EP is first granted for up to 2 years and renewed for up to 3 years. Senior tech professionals with specific shortage skills may get up to 5 years.
Pass thresholds for accompanying family
An EP or S Pass holder with a fixed monthly salary of at least S$6,000 (based on their own income, not combined household income) may apply for passes for the following family members, sponsored by a locally registered company, usually the employer:
- Lawful spouse, and unmarried children under 21 (including legally adopted): Dependant’s Pass (DP)
- Common-law spouse, unmarried disabled children above 21, and unmarried stepchildren under 21: Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP)
- Parents: Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP), requiring a monthly salary of at least S$12,000
Each family member submits a separate application. It can be filed together with the EP application or separately.
Pre-submission self-check suggestions
The following are operational suggestions, not official rules: confirm that everyone who will appear in the application form has registered and can log in to Singpass; check documents against the ICA list and arrange ICA-compliant translations for non-English files in advance; male applicants should read CMPB’s NS guidance before starting; those planning the EP route should first verify eligibility with MOM’s self-assessment tool. GIP investment amounts, options and assessment criteria are as published on the EDB website; the ICA and MOM pages this article relies on do not cover them.
Official pages this article relies on
- ICA: Becoming a Permanent Resident
- MOM: Eligibility for Employment Pass
- MOM: Key facts on Employment Pass
- MOM: Passes for families of Employment Pass holders
- MOM: Eligibility for Dependant’s Pass
- MOM: Eligibility for Long-Term Visit Pass
- MOM: Key facts on Long-Term Visit Pass
- MOM: Eligibility for EntrePass
- MOM: Key facts for EntrePass