Applying for Singapore PR is now a fully online process, but success depends on applying under the right scheme, preparing a complete file, and presenting a strong profile. This guide walks you through how to apply for Singapore PR in 2026, from checking which scheme fits you to submitting through ICA and completing the formalities after approval.
Quick answer: Confirm your scheme (most people apply under the PTS scheme as an EP or S Pass holder), prepare your documents, then apply online through the ICA e-PR portal using Singpass. Complete the form, upload everything within the 7-day window, pay the S$100 fee per applicant, and submit. Processing takes around six months. If approved, you receive an approval letter, complete a medical and the formalities, and collect your PR entry permit, Re-Entry Permit, and blue NRIC.
Step 1: Confirm which scheme you apply under
Singapore PR is assessed under separate schemes. You apply through the one that fits your situation.
| Scheme | Who it is for | Sponsor needed? |
| PTS (Professional, Technical and Skilled Workers) | EP, S Pass, PEP, or EntrePass holders working in Singapore | No |
| Family Ties | Spouse, unmarried child under 21, or aged parent of a citizen or PR | Yes, the citizen/PR sponsors |
| Foreign Student | Studied in Singapore 2+ years and passed a national exam (PSLE, GCE, or IB) | No |
| Global Investor Programme (GIP) | High-net-worth investors making a substantial investment | Programme-based |
| Foreign Artistic Talent (ForArts) | Established artists with a record of contribution to Singapore’s arts scene | No |
The PTS scheme is by far the most common route. If you do not have a job or business presence in Singapore, your realistic options are the family or investor schemes.
For the detail on who qualifies, see our guide on who is eligible to apply for PR.
When should you apply?
There is no fixed minimum, but timing matters. Most successful PTS applicants apply after two to three years of continuous employment in Singapore, which gives ICA enough evidence of stable income, consistent tax, and genuine commitment.
On salary, EP holders should comfortably clear the qualifying bar. The current minimum qualifying salary for new EP holders is S$5,600 a month (S$6,200 in financial services), and from January 2027 these rise to S$6,000 and S$6,600. Salary is not a PR cut-off in itself, but a stronger, progressing income helps. Applying shortly after a promotion or raise puts your best profile forward.
Step 2: Prepare your documents
Get your full set ready before you start, because once you begin the online application you have only seven days to upload everything.
Core documents (all applicants)
| Document | Notes |
| Recent colour photo | Passport style, white background, to ICA’s specifications |
| Passport | Biodata page, six months’ validity; include old passports if any |
| National ID | Where applicable |
| Current work pass | EP, S Pass, PEP, or EntrePass |
| Employer letter | Dated within 3 months, stating job title, start date, basic and gross salary |
| Payslips | Last six months |
| Educational certificates | Degrees, diplomas, transcripts |
| Birth certificate | Confirming personal particulars |
Extra documents by situation
- Family applicants: marriage certificate and children’s birth certificates.
- Self-employed applicants: ACRA business profile plus recent balance sheets and profit and loss statements. See our guide for the self-employed EP route to PR.
- Non-English documents: an official translation, notarised or embassy-attested. ICA does not accept self-translated documents.
2026 update: ICA has streamlined the paperwork. The Annex A employer form and IRAS Notices of Assessment are no longer required, as ICA now accesses MOM, IRAS, and ACRA data directly. Always check the current official ICA checklist for your scheme. For the full list, see our PR application requirements guide.
Step 3: Apply online through ICA
All PR applications go through the ICA e-PR portal. There is no counter submission.
| Step | What you do |
| Get Singpass ready | You log in with Singpass; allow a few working days if you need to set one up |
| Log in to the e-PR portal | Access ICA’s e-Service at eservices.ica.gov.sg |
| Complete the form | Fill every section: personal, family, education, employment |
| Upload documents and photo | Within the 7-day (168-hour) window |
| Pay the fee | S$100 per applicant, non-refundable |
| Submit and save your reference | Keep the acknowledgement and reference number to track your case |
If you apply under a family scheme, your citizen or PR sponsor logs in with their Singpass to start the application. Make sure every detail you enter matches your documents exactly. Our step-by-step walkthrough of the online PR application covers the portal in more detail.
Fees
| Fee | Amount | When |
| Application (processing) | S$100 per applicant | At submission (non-refundable) |
| Entry Permit | Around S$20 | On approval |
| Re-Entry Permit (5-year) | Around S$50 | On approval |
| Singapore identity card | Around S$50 | On approval |
Fees are current 2026 figures and can change. Confirm the latest with ICA.
Step 4: Wait for processing
ICA aims to process applications within about six months when documents are complete, though complex cases take longer and there are no progress updates in between. Applications with multiple dependants, self-employment, or unusual histories generally take more time. For a full breakdown, see our guide on Singapore PR processing time.
You can track your case by logging back in to the e-PR portal with your Singpass and reference number. Our note on checking your PR application status explains each result.
Step 5: After approval, complete the formalities
If approved, you receive an approval (In-Principle Approval) letter through the portal, valid for a limited period. Within that window you complete the final steps:
- Read and verify the letter. It sets out your next steps and deadline. Our guide on checking your IPA status covers this stage.
- Complete the medical examination if required.
- Book your ICA appointment and pay the remaining fees.
- Collect your documents: the Entry Permit confirming PR status, your Re-Entry Permit, and your blue NRIC (issued from age 15).
If the outcome is a rejection, our guide on what to do after a PR rejection explains whether to appeal or reapply.
How ICA assesses your application
ICA judges PR holistically. There is no published points formula; instead it weighs several factors together:
- Economic contribution (salary, progression, tax paid).
- Length and stability of your stay.
- Qualifications and skills.
- Family ties to Singapore.
- Age and long-term potential.
- Genuine integration into society.
A weakness in one area can be offset by strength in another, which is why meeting the minimums does not guarantee approval. For how each factor is judged, see our guide on what ICA really evaluates.
How to maintain your PR
PR is not entirely unconditional. To keep it and travel freely, you must hold a valid Re-Entry Permit (REP), normally issued for up to five years and renewed before it expires. If your REP lapses while you are overseas, you can lose your PR status. Renewing it on time is how you protect the status you worked for.
Tips to strengthen your application
- Apply under the correct scheme so your file is assessed cleanly.
- Submit a complete, consistent file. Matching details across documents prevents delay and doubt.
- Show a stable, progressing career and clean tax records.
- Evidence genuine integration, documented over time.
- Apply with family where relevant, to signal a settled life here.
Our full PR application tips go deeper on each.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Applying too early, before a real track record exists.
- Inconsistent details between the form and documents.
- Starting the online application before documents are ready, then running out of upload time.
- Uncertified translations, which ICA rejects.
- Treating the salary or work-pass minimum as enough on its own.
How First Immigration can help
The portal is the easy part; a competitive application is the hard part. First Immigration helps you:
- Confirm the right scheme and check you are ready to apply.
- Prepare a complete, well-organised document set.
- Present your profile the way ICA assesses most favourably.
- Handle the process from submission to approval, including Employment Pass to PR and self-employed cases.
Speak to our consultants through the contact page before you begin.
Frequently asked questions
How do I apply for Singapore PR?
Confirm your scheme (usually PTS as an EP or S Pass holder), prepare your documents, then apply online through the ICA e-PR portal with Singpass. Complete the form, upload files within the 7-day window, pay the S$100 fee, and submit.
Who can apply for Singapore PR?
EP, S Pass, PEP, or EntrePass holders (PTS scheme); spouses, children, and aged parents of citizens or PRs (Family Ties); eligible foreign students; Global Investor Programme investors; and established artists under ForArts.
How long should I work in Singapore before applying?
Most successful PTS applicants apply after two to three years of continuous employment, which shows stable income and genuine commitment.
Is there a minimum salary to apply for PR?
There is no fixed PR salary cut-off, but EP holders should meet the qualifying salary (currently from S$5,600, or S$6,200 in financial services, rising in January 2027). Salary is weighed alongside your whole profile.
How much does it cost to apply for PR?
S$100 per applicant at submission. On approval, further fees apply, currently around S$20 for the Entry Permit, S$50 for a 5-year Re-Entry Permit, and S$50 for the identity card.
How long does a Singapore PR application take?
Usually around six months when documents are complete, though complex cases can take longer. ICA does not give progress updates.
Do I need a Singpass to apply?
Yes. The e-PR system requires Singpass. If you are not eligible for one, ICA issues unique login credentials. For family schemes, the sponsor logs in.
What happens after my PR is approved?
You receive an approval letter, complete a medical if required, book an ICA appointment, pay the remaining fees, and collect your Entry Permit, Re-Entry Permit, and blue NRIC.
How do I keep my PR status?
Hold a valid Re-Entry Permit (usually up to five years) and renew it before it expires, especially before travelling overseas.
What if my PR application is rejected?
You can appeal within six months or reapply later with a stronger profile. Our rejection guide explains both routes.
