What “green card” means in Singapore
The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) calls a “long-term stay” status permanent resident (PR) — a foreigner granted the right to live in Singapore indefinitely.
Two documents come with the status. A PR aged 15 or above receives a Singapore blue identity card (IC). The Entry Permit issued by ICA lets the PR enter and remain in Singapore. On its pages, ICA shortens Entry Permit to “EP” — which is not the same as the Employment Pass (EP).
A third item is the Re-Entry Permit (REP). A PR who leaves and wishes to return as a PR must hold a valid REP. ICA issues the REP together with the PR approval.
Who can apply for permanent resident (PR) status
ICA lists six groups eligible to apply. Spouses, children and parents are sponsored by a sponsor logging into ICA e-Service with Singpass (Singapore’s digital identity). Employment Pass (EP) or S Pass holders apply on their own. Investors follow a separate route.
| Applicant | How to apply |
|---|---|
| Spouse of a Singapore citizen or permanent resident (PR) | Spouse sponsors via Singpass at ICA e-Service |
| Unmarried child under 21 (born within a valid marriage or legally adopted) | Parents sponsor via Singpass |
| Parent of a Singapore citizen aged 21 or above | That Singapore citizen child sponsors via Singpass |
| Employment Pass (EP) or S Pass holder | Applicant submits via Singpass at ICA e-Service |
| Student studying in Singapore who has passed at least one national exam (PSLE, GCE N/O/A levels) or is in the Integrated Programme (IP) | Aged 15 and above: via Singpass. Under 15: via the non-Singpass option |
| Foreign investor in Singapore | Visit the Economic Development Board (EDB) website for the Global Investor Programme (GIP) assessment criteria and process |
For the Global Investor Programme (GIP) assessment criteria and application process, refer to the EDB page.
What ICA considers, fees and waiting time
ICA considers the applicant’s family ties to Singaporeans, economic contribution, qualifications, age, family profile and length of residence. These assess the applicant’s willingness and ability to contribute, integrate and put down roots in Singapore.
Apply in this order:
- Wait until all applicants have registered for Singpass before starting the application.
- Log in to ICA e-Service with Singpass and fill in the form.
- Review the form with Singpass or the dedicated login credentials issued by ICA.
- Each person listed as an applicant makes a declaration.
- Upload certified true copies of original documents; non-English documents need an official translation.
- Pay the application fee online, then check progress on MyICA or e-Service.
Singpass account approval takes 2 to 5 working days. ICA advises starting only after all applicants have registered. Those not eligible for Singpass are given dedicated login credentials by ICA.
| Stage | Item | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| At submission | Each application | S$100 |
| On completion | Entry Permit | S$20 |
| On completion | 5-year Re-Entry Permit (REP) | S$50 |
| On completion | Singapore identity card | S$50 |
All fees are non-refundable. Payment can be made by Visa or MasterCard credit/debit card, American Express credit card, direct debit from a local Singapore bank (DBS/POSB, OCBC, UOB, Standard Chartered) or PayNow. Successful applicants will be told of other applicable fees separately.
On translations, ICA accepts those provided by the embassy of the issuing country/territory, those made by a notary public in Singapore or the issuing place, and private translations authenticated by an embassy or notarised by a notary public. ICA does not endorse any private translation company or agency. Insufficient documents may lead to the application not being accepted.
Processing takes up to 6 months, provided the required documents are complete and in order; some applications take longer. Outcomes are notified by email. Applications submitted before 26 June 2024 are notified by post. Successful applicants first receive In-Principle Approval (IPA), then obtain PR status after meeting the necessary conditions.
ICA states it is not affiliated with any external immigration agency or commercial body that calls itself a Singapore immigration expert, adviser or partner, and does not support or endorse so-called professional immigration advisory services. ICA also says it does not regulate the advertising or immigration-advisory industry; firms that place false or misleading advertisements are referred to the Advertising Standards Authority of Singapore (ASAS).
Re-Entry Permit (REP): it protects your status
A PR must hold a valid REP to leave Singapore. Leaving without a valid REP, or staying overseas, forfeits PR status; any later entry is assessed under the current rules for foreign visitors.
From 1 December 2025, under the Immigration Act 1959, the following result in loss of PR status:
| Situation | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Left without a valid REP and did not apply for one within 180 days | Loss of PR status |
| Left without a valid REP, applied within 180 days but was refused | Loss of PR status even if the applicant was in Singapore when refused |
| REP lapsed overseas and no application made within 180 days of lapse | Loss of PR status |
| REP lapsed overseas, application within 180 days but refused | Loss of PR status even if the applicant was in Singapore when refused |
In short, applying within 180 days is not enough; the REP must be granted. This rule is set out on ICA’s Entry Permit and Re-Entry Permit conditions page.
To apply for or renew a REP, you must be a PR and hold a travel document valid for at least three months. Renewal must be done online via e-Service within the three months before expiry; no documents are needed unless ICA asks.
If you change to a new passport of the same nationality, use the REP transfer function to update passport details. ICA only admits you as a PR at entry when the REP carries the updated passport details. If the REP is incomplete, tell the immigration officer of your PR status.
Those overseas without Singpass may submit through the nearest Singapore overseas mission, and must do so at least two months before the current REP expires.
Fees: REP charges S$10 per approved year (part of a year counts as a year), charged separately for each permit. A new REP is not an extension of the old one; its validity runs from the issue date after successful payment. Online applications must be paid within 14 days of approval, or the application is withdrawn.
Processing is generally within one week (excluding the day of submission); some take longer. Results can be checked on e-Service; those who gave an email address at application receive email notification. Online payment accepts Visa/MasterCard, AMEX, direct debit or PayNow; counter payment accepts NETS, Visa/MasterCard or mobile payment.
Men must note National Service (NS) first
Under the Enlistment Act 1970, all male Singapore citizens and permanent residents must serve National Service (NS) unless exempted. After full-time NS, they become Operationally Ready National Servicemen (NSmen), with liability ending at age 50 (officers) or 40 (other ranks).
All male applicants must visit www.cmpb.gov.sg to learn about NS before submitting a PR application. Males who obtain citizenship or PR as students or through parent sponsorship must register for NS at 16½ and enlist as soon as possible after turning 18.
MINDEF allows students to complete their A-Level certificate, polytechnic diploma or equivalent pre-university qualification before serving. University studies are never deferred; those who gain status during university and cannot finish before enlistment must interrupt their studies to enlist.
Giving up or losing PR status without serving or completing full-time NS seriously affects the person’s future work, study or any long-term immigration facility in Singapore. It also affects the family’s long-term immigration applications, sponsorship eligibility, REP renewal or citizenship application. A male citizen who fails NS duties may have his renunciation of citizenship put on hold by the Government.
The penalty is set in law: a person convicted of an offence under the Enlistment Act 1970 is liable to a fine not exceeding S$10,000, or imprisonment not exceeding three years, or both. For enquiries, contact the Central Manpower Base at 1800-3676767 (local), 65-65676767 (overseas) or email contact@ns.gov.sg.
When PR status can be cancelled
From 1 December 2025, all Entry Permits and REPs carry added or revised conditions. The permit may be cancelled if the holder breaches its conditions, is found by a court or other authority to have broken the law, or is judged by an immigration control officer to be of bad character.
“Bad character” includes, but is not limited to, acts against national or public interest, threats to the peace, or harm to public order or welfare. Cancellation of the permit results in revocation of PR status.
The good-character condition has further specifics. A PR should not interfere in Singapore’s domestic politics, import foreign politics into Singapore, take part in activities that harm social harmony, or commit crimes — including unauthorised consumption of controlled drugs. A PR convicted or found to be of bad character will have their status reviewed by ICA.
After PR: CPF contribution rates by year
In the CPF contribution rate table from 1 January 2026, PRs use graduated rates for the first two years, then the same table as citizens from the third year. The table below takes employees aged 55 and below earning more than S$750 a month, calculated on Ordinary Wages (OW).
| Status stage | Total contribution (OW cap) | Employee share (OW cap) |
|---|---|---|
| PR Year 1 (graduated/graduated) | 9%, cap S$720 | 5%, cap S$400 |
| PR Year 2 (graduated/graduated) | 24%, cap S$1,920 | 15%, cap S$1,200 |
| PR Year 1 (full employer / graduated employee) | 22%, cap S$1,760 | 5%, cap S$400 |
| From Year 3 (same as citizens) | 37%, cap S$2,960 | 20%, cap S$1,600 |
The Ordinary Wages (OW) cap is S$8,000. The graduated employer and employee rates have not changed since 1 January 2016.
PR employees and employers in Years 1 and 2 also fall under the 37% tier once CPF approves their joint application to contribute at the full employer–full employee rate. For monthly amounts, refer to CPF’s contribution rate table and calculator.
Further reading
- Singapore immigration complete guide: the routes, requirements and rough costs — compares the thresholds and costs of the PR, citizenship and investment routes.
- Singapore PR conditions and application approach: who can apply, documents and processing time — expands on the eligibility, document checklist and processing pace mentioned here.
- Singapore immigration conditions 2026: by work, family, investment and study routes — see the conditions and pain points for your own route.
- Singapore work visa types: how Employment Pass, S Pass and Work Permit differ — identify your pass type first, then judge whether the PR route is open.
- PR via spouse or parent sponsorship: 2026 application practice and pitfalls — for family-sponsored applicants: submission order and common gaps.
- Singapore investment immigration: choosing the Global Investor Programme (GIP) and family office — for investors: the EDB route versus the family office.
Official sources
- ICA: Becoming a Permanent Resident — eligibility, assessment factors, fee table and 6-month processing time.
- ICA: Apply for / renew a Re-Entry Permit — REP fee S$10/year, renewal window, 180-day rule and one-week processing.
- ICA: Entry Permit and Re-Entry Permit conditions for Singapore permanent residents — permit conditions from 1 December 2025 and the consequences of cancellation.
- CPF: CPF contribution rates from 1 January 2026 — annual contribution rates and caps for citizens and PRs.
- ICA: Applying for long-term immigration facilities through commercial entities or advisers — ICA’s position on immigration advisory services.
The pages above were retrieved and checked by this site on 7 October 2026. Rules, fees and processing times change; re-confirm on the agency’s page before applying. This site is not an immigration agency, does not file applications or represent anyone, and this article provides general information only — it is not immigration or legal advice.