Singapore PR Application: How to Apply and What to Prepare

To apply for Singapore permanent residence, you must submit an online application through the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) e-Service. There is no downloadable PDF form; the application is completed and submitted digitally. Your eligibility route determines who sponsors the application and how you log in, and the process requires certified documents, a non-refundable fee of S$100 at submission, and further fees at the completion of formalities. The key to a successful application is submitting complete, accurate documentation and meeting the specific conditions attached to your permit category.

Eligibility Routes and Sponsorship

ICA sets out several categories under which a foreigner may apply for permanent residence. Each category has a specific submission method, and some require a sponsor who is a Singapore citizen or PR.

Eligibility Category	Who Submits the Application
Spouse of a Singapore citizen or PR	Your spouse logs in with Singpass to sponsor
Unmarried child under 21, born in a legal marriage or legally adopted by a citizen or PR	Your parent logs in with Singpass to sponsor
Aged parent of a Singapore citizen aged 21 or above	Your citizen child logs in with Singpass to sponsor
Employment Pass or S Pass holder	You log in with your own Singpass
Student who has passed at least one national exam (PSLE, GCE N/O/A levels) or is in the Integrated Programme	If aged 15 and above, you use your Singpass; if below 15, use the non-Singpass option
Foreign investor	Visit the EDB website for the Global Investor Programme

If you are applying under a family route, your sponsor must initiate the application on your behalf. If you are applying as an Employment Pass or S Pass holder, you submit the application yourself. Students aged 15 and above use their own Singpass; those below 15 use a non-Singpass option provided by ICA.

The Application Process and Singpass

The application is done entirely online via the ICA e-Service. There is no paper form to download or submit. Every person added as an applicant must review the application form before submission. To do this, each applicant needs to log in to the ICA e-Service using their Singpass or unique login credentials that ICA provides for those not eligible for Singpass.

Approval for a Singpass account application can take 2 to 5 working days. ICA recommends that sponsors and applicants start an application only after all applicants have successfully registered for a Singpass account, where eligible. If you are applying as a family member, your sponsor must log in first, and you will then be required to review and declare your part of the form.

Documents You Must Prepare

When uploading documents, you must provide certified true copies of original documents and official translations for documents in languages other than English. ICA accepts translations provided by the embassy of the country or place that issued the document; translations provided by a notary public in Singapore or the issuing country; or privately translated documents that are attested by the embassy or notarised by a notary public. ICA does not endorse any private translation companies.

Insufficient documentation may result in non-acceptance of your application, and ICA may require additional documents to support your application. You should refer to the checklist on the ICA website for the specific documents required for your eligibility category. It is your responsibility to ensure that every document is complete, certified, and translated where necessary before you submit.

Fees

There are two stages of fees for a PR application. All fees are non-refundable.

Stage	Fee
At submission	S$100 for each application
At completion of formalities	S$20 for Entry Permit
At completion of formalities	S$50 for a 5-year Re-Entry Permit
At completion of formalities	S$50 for Singapore Identity Card

The S$100 submission fee applies to every application. The formalities fees are payable only if your application is approved and you proceed to complete the formalities for PR status.

National Service Obligations for Male Applicants

Under the Enlistment Act 1970, all male Singapore citizens and permanent residents, unless exempted, are required to serve National Service (NS). Male applicants granted PR status as foreign students or under their parents’ sponsorship are liable for NS. They must register for NS upon reaching 16 and a half years old and will be scheduled for enlistment into full-time NS at the earliest opportunity upon reaching 18 years old.

MINDEF allows students to attain educational qualifications up to the A Levels certificate, the polytechnic diploma, or an equivalent pre-tertiary qualification before serving NS. There is no deferment for university studies. Those granted PR in the midst of university studies must disrupt their studies to enlist if they cannot complete before their enlistment date. Defaulting on NS obligations is an offence under the Enlistment Act, and renouncing or losing PR status without serving or completing full-time NS will have a serious adverse impact on future applications to work or study in Singapore, or for any long-term immigration facilities, and can affect your family members’ applications and Re-Entry Permit renewals.

Conditions Attached to PR Status

If you are granted PR, your Entry Permit and Re-Entry Permit carry conditions you must respect. From 1 December 2025, all Entry Permits and Re-Entry Permits are imposed with conditions that allow the permit to be cancelled if the holder breaches any condition, is found by a court or other competent authority to have contravened any law, or behaves in an undesirable manner in the opinion of the Controller of Immigration. Undesirable conduct includes interfering in Singapore’s domestic politics, importing foreign politics into Singapore, engaging in activities that undermine social harmony, or committing criminal offences including unauthorised consumption of controlled drugs.

A breach of these conditions leads to a review of your PR status by ICA, which can result in cancellation of the Entry Permit and Re-Entry Permit and revocation of PR status. As a PR, you must also maintain a valid Re-Entry Permit to re-enter Singapore. If you depart without a valid Re-Entry Permit, or if your permit expires while you are overseas, you must apply for a new one within 180 days from the date of departure or expiry. Failure to do so results in loss of PR status, and an unsuccessful application also results in loss of PR status.

What to Do Next

Before you apply, confirm your eligibility route and identify who will sponsor you, if applicable. Ensure every applicant has a Singpass account, or arrange for the non-Singpass option if you are under 15. Gather certified true copies of all required documents and arrange official translations for any non-English documents. Check the ICA website for the current document checklist for your category. Then submit the application online through the ICA e-Service and pay the S$100 fee. After submission, monitor your application status through the same portal. If your application is approved, you will need to pay the formalities fees and complete the formalities to receive your Entry Permit, Re-Entry Permit, and Identity Card. Always verify the latest requirements, fees, and forms on the official ICA page for becoming a permanent resident before submitting.