Permanent Residency (PR) in Singapore: A-Z Detailed Process (2025)

Updated on January 10

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Settling in Singapore - the lion island in Asia is one of the desires of many individuals/businesses. Singapore is a financial and economic center market, where famous global companies and corporations gather, possessing a favorable geographical location, developed infrastructure, and developed education, science and technology, and healthcare, making it an ideal place to live. Therefore, whether you are an expert or a business owner, an individual in any field interested in settling in Singapore needs to clearly understand the information about Permanent Residence (PR) in Singapore.

In this article, GLA will provide information:

What is Permanent Residency (PR) in Singapore?
What are the conditions for applying for permanent residency (PR) in Singapore?
Singapore Permanent Residency (PR) Application Process.

1. What is Permanent Residence in Singapore?

Permanent residency (PR) in Singapore is a form of long-term residence that allows foreigners to live, work and study in the lion island nation. Unlike a visa, a PR card offers more benefits such as:

Permanent residency: No length of stay restrictions.
Right to work: Freedom to choose your job and employer.
Right to education: Children are given priority in public schools.
Right to social benefits: Access to health services, social housing, and other welfare policies.

2. Conditions for applying for permanent residency (PR) in Singapore

The requirements for obtaining PR in Singapore are quite strict and change over time. However, some of the factors that are often considered include:

Academic level: Advanced degree, professional work experience.
Skill: Special skills are in high demand in Singapore.
Income: Stable income and ability to contribute to the economy.
Contribution to society: Volunteer activities, participate in social organizations.
Relationship with Singapore: Have relatives who are Singapore citizens or have lived here.

3. Comparison between permanent residents (PR) and citizens in Singapore

	Singapore Permanent Resident (PR)	Singaporean Citizen
Tax liability	Permanent residents are subject to tax on income earned in Singapore and certain income from abroad, depending on their tax residence status.	Similar to PR, but citizens may enjoy certain tax incentives and reductions, particularly regarding property tax and inheritance tax.
Voting rights	Permanent residents do not have the right to vote.	Citizens have the right to vote in elections.
Housing benefits	Permanent residents can buy public housing for resale (HDB flats) but enjoy fewer subsidies and allowances than citizens.	Residents receive more housing subsidies and grants and can apply for new HDB flats.
Hire a worker	Permanent residents are eligible for most jobs in the private sector, but some public sector jobs are available only to citizens.	Citizens are eligible to work in the public sector and have more job opportunities in the government and related agencies.
Travel documents	Permanent residents use a re-entry permit to travel and must ensure the permit remains valid to maintain their permanent resident status.	Citizens holding a Singapore passport, which allows visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to many countries, enhance global mobility.
National Service	Male permanent residents must serve in the National Guard, with exemptions related to the specific permanent resident program.	Male citizens are required to serve in the Army without exemption under socio-economic regimes.
Ability to revoke permanent residency	Permanent resident status can be revoked for reasons such as criminal convictions or failure to renew an entry permit.	Citizenship is a right of permanent residence and cannot be revoked for reasons that would affect permanent resident status.
Opportunity to become a Singapore citizen	Permanent residents can apply for citizenship after meeting residency requirements, which often include a rigorous assessment of their contributions.	Not applicable as this is the final state.
Social Security Benefits	Permanent residents contribute to and benefit from the Central Provident Fund (CPF) but have some restrictions compared to citizens.	Citizens are entitled to enjoy full CPF benefits, including more favourable withdrawal conditions and rates.
Education	PR children are given priority in school after citizen children, facing more competition to get into the schools of their choice.	Children of citizens are given top priority in school placement and access to educational resources and scholarships.
Health care	Permanent residents have access to public health care but at higher costs than citizens.	People enjoy subsidized rates at public health care facilities, giving them more affordable health care options.
Property ownership	Permanent residents can buy HDB flats for resale and private properties but are restricted from buying new HDB flats.	Residents can buy both new and resale HDB flats and are subject to fewer restrictions on property purchases.
Right to political participation	PR officials cannot participate in political processes such as elections or hold public office.	Citizens can participate fully in the political process, including running for public office.

3. Eligible applicants for permanent residency (PR) in Singapore

Because the number of immigrants in Singapore is too high in the total population of Singapore, this has affected many problems in Singapore. One of which is that Singapore is the smallest country in Southeast Asia with a limited area of only about 719 km2, increasing the number of immigrants will cause difficulties in solving housing problems, environment, etc.

Previously, Singapore was considered a country that encouraged immigration, but many problems arose due to the high immigration rate, so the Singapore government is now tightening its immigration policy. Applying for PR used to be easy in Singapore, but now up to 70% of EP applications will be rejected.

Only the following four groups of foreigners will have the opportunity to apply for PR (Permanent Residence) to settle permanently in Singapore:

Spouse of Singapore citizen or Singapore permanent resident (foreigner who already owns PR).
Unmarried children under 21 years of age (legally recognized) of Singapore citizens or Singapore permanent residents (foreigners holding PR).
International students in Singapore (with Student Pass).
Foreigners who already possess work permits in Singapore such as Employment Pass and S Pass.

For cases 1 and 2 MOM (Immigration Authority of Singapore) will carefully consider the family relationship of the visa applicant with the Singapore citizen/permanent resident in Singapore. There are also other factors such as economic contribution, qualifications, age, family profile and length of stay, commitments to assess the ability to contribute and integrate into society of the applicant for permanent residence in Singapore.

In case you do not have relatives in Singapore and therefore do not meet the requirements of cases 1 and 2 above, you can consider cases 3 and 4.

For case 3 GLA will not mention this as this is a case specific to international students in Singapore.

The final case Foreigners who own a work permit in Singapore Employment Pass or S Pass, many readers will be interested here. So how to apply for Employment Pass or S Pass and then apply for PR?

3.1 Conditions to apply for Employment Pass (EP):

Owned Company incorporated in Singapore, therefore want to settle in Singapore to manage and operate the company they own; or
Receive a job offer from a company in Singapore (in this case, the company in Singapore will support you to apply for an EP card with MOM) with a minimum salary of 3,600 SGD/month.
Refer to the article for details. Employment Pass (“EP”).

3.2 Conditions to apply for S Pass:

Receive a job offer from a company in Singapore (similar to above, the company in Singapore will support you to apply for an S Pass card with MOM) with a minimum salary of 2,200 SGD/month.
Refer to the article now Singapore work visa for detailed information on types of work permits in Singapore.
After owning a work permit in Singapore EP or S Pass, see the link below to know the information needed to prepare for applying for PR, access Singapore Immigration & Checkpoints Authority website.

4. Permanent Resident (PR) Application Process in Singapore

Before applying for permanent residency (PR) in Singapore, you need to prepare the following information:

Proof of employment: contracts, evaluation reports, letters of recommendation.
Permanent resident registration letter from Singapore company: contact details of the recruiting company, working.
Education level, degrees, certificates from high school.
Proof of income: demonstrate financial solvency through salary and other sources of income.
Resume: prepare a resume about yourself.
Proof of property ownership: Documents proving your ownership of property in Singapore.
Documents for your spouse and children if they are applying with you.

Both originals and copies of the above documents are required. All foreign language documents require official translations to be considered when applying for permanent residence (PR) in Singapore. GLA is a unit that supports translation and notarization of foreign documents and records for permanent residence registration in Singapore. Contact GLA for detailed advice.

Individuals/Businesses access the website of the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (“ICA”).
Submit application through Singapore Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA)
In addition to registering through the Singapore Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA), Individuals/Enterprises can submit applications through the Embassy or the Global Investor Programme (GIP) in the following cases:

Case 1: Spouse/unmarried children of Singapore Citizens/Permanent Residents

You can apply for Singapore Permanent Resident (PR) and supporting documents through the Singapore Embassy. Once the PR application is approved, the successful applicant will need to complete the Singapore PR application process in person at the ICA Building in Singapore.

Case 2: Global Investor Programme (GIP) for Investors/Entrepreneurs

The GIP facilitates foreign investors, entrepreneurs and business executives to set up and operate businesses in Singapore. The Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) will help connect foreign entrepreneurs and investors with local business networks, thus opening up more business opportunities. Through the GIP, you can easily avail of a range of immigration facilitation services to enter and stay in Singapore. Investors/entrepreneurs with a track record and who are interested in investing in Singapore can apply for Singapore Permanent Residency (PR). Please see EDB website For details on the Investment Programme, contact the Singapore Economic Development Board or any of its international offices.

The processing time for a Singapore permanent resident application is 3 months. Applicants will be notified of the outcome by mail. Applicants must notify ICA of any changes to their address.

5. How does GLA support permanent residency (PR) applications in Singapore?

GLA, with experience in supporting hundreds of permanent residency applications for Individuals/Businesses settling and working in Singapore, will support:

Advice on the possibility and process of successfully applying for Singapore Permanent Residency (PR).
Assess whether the permanent resident application is eligible to apply for Singapore Permanent Residence (PR).
Prepare documents and procedures for applying for permanent residency in Singapore (PR).
Registration Support Employment Pass, S-Pass in Singapore.

6. What are the frequently asked questions when applying for permanent residency (PR) in Singapore?

1. How long does it take to process an application for permanent residency (PR) in Singapore?

2. How much does it cost to apply for permanent residency (PR) in Singapore?

3. What is the success rate of permanent residency (PR) applications in Singapore?

4. After being granted permanent residency (PR) in Singapore, can an individual sponsor relatives to come to Singapore?

Highlights

Singapore Permanent Residency (PR) is a form of long-term residence in Singapore, with many tax incentives, living opportunities, access to healthcare and technology.
Company formation in Singapore will help Individuals/Businesses register for Employment Pass in Singapore and increase the chances of successfully registering for Permanent Residency (PR) in Singapore.
Applications for Singapore permanent residency (PR) are reviewed and approved by the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority.

The guidance and content are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific guidance and advice on accounting, tax, legal or other professional advice. Readers should consult professional advisors on specific issues.

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Condition	Description of requirements
Authorized capital	From only 1 SGD
Local Director	01 local director
Company Secretary	01 company secretary
Company address	01 registered address in Singapore

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Company Secretary	01 company secretary
Company address	01 registered address in Hong Kong

Condition	Description of requirements
Authorized capital	From only 1 USD
Local Director	Not required
Company Secretary	Not required
Company address	01 registered address in the US