Quick Legalization Guide for PR Application in Singapore (2025)
Executive Summary
Singapore Permanent Residence (PR) status grants foreigners the right to reside in Singapore indefinitely, subject to meeting eligibility criteria, fulfilling documentation and financial obligations, and adhering to national service requirements for male applicants. Eligible categories include family members of citizens and PRs, employment and student pass holders, and global investors. Applications are submitted online via ICA’s e-Service using Singpass, incur non-refundable fees, and are typically processed within six months. Overseas applicants may lodge documents at Singapore missions abroad before completing formalities in Singapore, and all non-English documents must be accompanied by notarized / official translations.
Eligibility
Foreigners may apply for PR under the following categories:
Family ties: Spouses of Singapore citizens or PRs, unmarried children under 21, and aged parents sponsored by a child citizen [1].
Employment: Holders of Employment or S Passes.
Education: Students who have passed at least one national exam (PSLE, GCE 'N'/'O'/'A' levels) or are in the Integrated Programme.
Investment: Foreign investors under the Global Investor Programme (visit EDB website for details) [2].
ICA assesses factors such as family ties, economic contributions, qualifications, age, family profile, and length of residency to determine an applicant’s ability to integrate and commit to Singapore [3].
Singpass Requirement
All applicants and sponsors must log in to the ICA e-Service using Singpass or unique ICA-provided credentials to review and declare their application details [4]. Account approval may take 2–5 working days, so prospective applicants should register for Singpass before initiating their application [5].
Documents Required
Applicants must upload certified true copies of original documents along with notarized translations for non-English materials [6]. The comprehensive checklist includes:
Passport-sized photograph (400 × 514 px, white background);
Passport or travel document (if not issued by ICA);
Birth, marriage, adoption, divorce certificates (if not registered in Singapore);
Educational certificates, employment letters (dated within 3 months), payslips (last 6 months), and tax assessments;
Business registration, financial statements for self-employed applicants; and
Additional documents requested at ICA’s discretion [7].
Fees
Applicants pay S$100 upon submission and S$20 upon completion of PR formalities [8]. Additional fees include:
S$50 for a 5-year Re-Entry Permit; and
S$50 for the Singapore Identity Card.
Applicants applying for multiple immigration products in one go pay a consolidated fee of S$130 [9]. All payments are non-refundable and accepted via major credit/debit cards, internet banking, or PayNow.
Processing Time
Standard PR applications are processed within six months, provided all documents are in order [10]. Applicants will be notified by email or post; status can be tracked online at MyICA or via the ICA e-Service.
National Service Obligation
Under the Enlistment Act 1970, all male citizens and PRs are liable for National Service (NS). Male PR applicants and their dependents must register for NS at 16½ years old and enlist at 18 or upon completing pre-tertiary education, with NS obligations ending at ages 40–50 depending on rank [11]. Defaulting on NS duties carries fines up to S$10,000 or imprisonment up to three years, and loss of PR without completing NS can adversely affect future immigration applications for the individual and their family [12].
No Direct Application via MY High Commission
Applicants may submit their application and supporting documents through the Singapore Embassy. The Mission will not need to collect any processing fees on behalf of ICA. Upon approval of PR application, the successful applicant will have to complete the PR formalities in person at the ICA Building in Singapore. ICA itself does not collect processing fees and only collects certain fees for issuance of documents (fees to be paid directly to ICA at ICA itself will be clearly stated in the approval letter) [13].
Notarized / Official Translations
All non-English documents must be accompanied by official translations, which may be provided by the issuing embassy, notarized by a notary public, or attested by a relevant authority. ICA does not endorse private translation agencies, and insufficient translation quality may lead to application rejection [14]
References:
[1]-[5], [8]-[9], [10]-[12] Immigration & Checkpoints Authority 2024. Becoming a Permanent Resident. Available at: https://www.ica.gov.sg/reside/PR.
[6]-[7] Immigration & Checkpoints Authority 2024. Document Checklist for Permanent Residence. Available at: https://www.ica.gov.sg/docs/default-source/ica/ipses/pr-document-checklist.pdf.
[13] Ministry of Foreign Affairs Singapore 2025. Permanent Resident Application. Available at: https://www.mfa.gov.sg/Overseas-Mission/Doha/Consular-Services/Permanent-Resident-Application.
[14] Immigration & Checkpoints Authority 2024. Do I need to translate my documents that are not in English? Available at: https://ask.gov.sg/ica/questions/clqety23o002t3k36sgka69f8.