How does permanent residence work in Singapore?
Permanent residence is granted by ICA under published schemes, mainly for pass holders, spouses and children of citizens or residents, and certain investors. It is a discretionary decision, and meeting the criteria makes an application possible rather than successful.
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How it works
Applications are filed online with supporting documents on employment, income, family ties and time spent in Singapore. Permanent residents come into the CPF system and gain housing and schooling access that pass holders do not have, and male residents and their sons take on national service liability.
Commonly mixed up with
Permanent residence and citizenship are often described interchangeably. They are separate statuses with different rights, and residence must be maintained with a re-entry permit.
How does permanent residence work in Singapore?
| Knowledge, Singapore | Legal, visa and entry |
|---|---|
| Short answer | Permanent residence is granted by ICA under published schemes, mainly for pass holders, spouses and children of citizens or residents, and certain investors. It is a discretionary decision, and meeting the criteria makes an application possible rather than successful. |
| How it works | Applications are filed online with supporting documents on employment, income, family ties and time spent in Singapore. Permanent residents come into the CPF system and gain housing and schooling access that pass holders do not have, and male residents and their sons take on national service liability. |
| Commonly mixed up with | Permanent residence and citizenship are often described interchangeably. They are separate statuses with different rights, and residence must be maintained with a re-entry permit. |
| Last reviewed | 2026-08-08 |
Short questions
- Is there a points system?
- ICA assesses applications holistically under published schemes.
- Does PR expire?
- Residence is maintained with a re-entry permit that is renewed.
- Does PR mean citizenship?
- No, citizenship is a separate application.
- Does national service apply?
- Male residents and their sons are liable, as published by the authorities.
- Where do I apply?
- ICA publishes the schemes and the online application channel.
Sources
More in this track
- Do you need a visa to enter Singapore?
- What passport validity does Singapore require?
- What is the difference between an Employment Pass and an S Pass?
- Can family join a work pass holder in Singapore?
- Can you work in Singapore while on a visit pass?
- What can you bring into Singapore, and what is prohibited?
- How strict is Singapore law on serious offences?
- How does Singapore's data protection law affect a business?
- How are commercial disputes resolved in Singapore?
These pages explain how the rules work and link the authority that owns them. They are not legal, tax or immigration advice, and amounts and thresholds change, so open the source before you act.
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