Permanent Residency And Citizenship

Many foreigners, after living in Singapore, are attracted to this cosmopolitan, vibrant city.

Over time, you could come to the happy conclusion that this is the place you want to call “home”. When that happens, you may wish to apply to be a Permanent Resident or Singapore Citizen.

Apply for Singapore Permanent Residency (PR) — Singapore EDB

Becoming A Permanent Resident

To become a Permanent Resident (PR), you need to apply for an Entry Permit with the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA). Existing PRs may apply for permanent residence status for their spouse and unmarried children below 21 years of age.

For details on eligibility and application procedures, please visit the ICA's webpage on application for permanent residence.

The Global Investor Programme (GIP) eases the way for global professionals to set up and operate businesses in Singapore. We assist by linking up entrepreneurs and investors with local business networks, as well as facilitating a range of immigration processes for their entry and stay here.

For more information on the Global Investor Programme and application process, please click here.

Singapore PR Application — Singapore EDB

Renewing The Re-Entry Permit

A valid Re-Entry Permit (REP) is necessary whenever a Singapore Permanent Resident (SPR) wishes to travel out of Singapore. This permit will enable the Permanent Resident to retain his/her SPR status while away from Singapore.

A SPR who remains outside Singapore without a valid REP will lose his/her Singapore permanent residence status.

For the renewal, if your REP is still valid, you are required to submit your application online to ICA via the Electronic Re-Entry Permit System (e-REP) no earlier than three (3) months before the expiry date of your current REP.

For the renewal, if your REP has expired, you will need to make an appointment online with ICA and submit your application in person.

Apply for Singapore Citizenship — Singapore EDB

Becoming A Singapore Citizen

A Singapore PR above 21 years old with at least two years of permanent residence may wish to apply for Singapore citizenship. You may proceed to submit your citizenship application electronically to ICA via the e-SC for consideration. Each application made is considered according to the prevailing policies based on the merits of the case. All applications must come with an appointment with ICA.

For any enquiries on immigration matters, you may contact the ICA at:

Citizen Services Centre
6th Storey, ICA Building
10 Kallang Road (Next to Lavender MRT station)
Singapore 208718

National Service

At around the age of 18, all male Singaporeans go through a period of military training called National Service (NS). National Service was introduced in 1967, to provide defence for Singapore and to a foster cohesiveness among male Singaporeans. The two-year stint offers an ideal opportunity for our young men to build strength of character, grow in maturity and develop leadership skills. Spending time training with fellow citizens also forges strong ties among Singaporeans from diverse backgrounds and ethnicities, as they are bound by a common experience, national pride and a greater cause. For many of them, this rite of passage also builds lifelong friendships.

Under the Enlistment Act, all male Singapore Citizens and PRs are required to register for NS at age 16½. They have to serve two years of full-time NS at 18 years old, followed by 40 days of Operationally Ready NS every year until age 50 (for officers) or 40 (for other ranks).

Not fulfilling the NS requirement would adversely impact your Singapore citizenship or PR status, as well as current or future applications to work or study in Singapore.

For more information on NS, please click here.

For further enquiries, you may contact:

Central Manpower Base
CMPB Podium
3 Depot Road
Singapore 109680
Tel: 1800 367 3737 (local)
Tel: 65 657 6767 (overseas)

Central Provident Fund

All working Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents have a Central Provident Fund (CPF) account to which they make contributions from their earnings. The CPF is a social security savings plan to help workers provide financially for their own retirement, healthcare, home ownership, family protection and asset enhancement.

To find out more about CPF contributions and rates, please visit the CPF website.

FAQ

Your spouse may apply for Singapore citizenship if he/she has been a Singapore PR for at least two years and married for at least two years before the date of the application. You may apply for your overseas-born children to become Singapore citizens if either you or your spouse is a Singapore citizen.

Yes, you may sponsor your parents to stay in Singapore using a long-term social visit pass. The pass is valid for five years and is renewable.

Your children will have to apply for SPR on their own merits.

The processing time is at least six months upon complete submission of all the essential documents.

Benefits

From the education and healthcare subsidies to public housing ownership eligibility, there are many benefits that a Singapore Permanent Resident (SPR) can enjoy. A SPR generally enjoy more benefits and privileges than a foreigner on a work pass.

Obligations

One of the key obligations is the serving of National Service for second generation male Permanent Residents. Second generation male permanent residents refer to those who became SPRs under the sponsorship of another person (e.g. their parents or spouse). Upon reaching 16½ years of age, they need to enlist for National Service (NS) and will serve two years of full-time NS at 18 years of age. Thereafter, they will serve intermittent duty as a citizen-soldier for a cycle of 10 years.

To become a Singapore PR, you will need to apply for an Entry Permit with the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA). For details on eligibility and application procedures, please visit the ICA website.

A person who is above 21 years of age is eligible to apply for Singapore Citizenship after having spent two years as a permanent resident in Singapore.

Yes, but the re-application will be considered on its own merits under the prevailing conditions at that time. You will also need to re-instate whatever CPF contributions (with interest) that you have withdrawn.

Reach out to us for information on how we can facilitate your investment journey

Contact EDB

Becoming A Permanent Resident

Renewing The Re-Entry Permit

Becoming A Singapore Citizen

National Service

Central Provident Fund

FAQ

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