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Those with family ties to Singapore as well as those working and studying in Singapore may be eligible for permanent residence visas in Singapore. Some investors and those who qualify as a talented foreign artist may also qualify.
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Are you hoping to move to Singapore long term? Are you wondering what steps to take to make your move to Singapore simple?
While it’s possible for foreigners and Americans to live in Singapore on a temporary visa, a PR brings many benefits for those looking to stay long-term. In this Pacific Prime article, we detail how to become a permanent resident of Singapore and what you can do to protect your health there.
Eligibility For Permanent Residence (PR) In Singapore
Singapore’s Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) designates that spouses of Singapore citizens, investors, and more are eligible for permanent residence in Singapore.
It should be noted that spouses and unmarried children under 21 of the main applicant can also apply for permanent residence. However, eligibility for applying doesn’t guarantee that the application will be successful.
Beyond having family ties in Singapore, individuals may be eligible for permanent residence in Singapore if they:
- Work in Singapore
- Study in Singapore
- Invest in Singapore
- Qualify as a Talented Foreign Artist
Establishing Permanent Residence in Singapore as a Worker
One of the simplest ways to get a Singaporean PR is by legally working there. Expats in Singapore must apply under the Professionals/Technical Personnel & Skilled Worker (PTS) scheme and, at the time of application, be working in Singapore on a work visa.
Those applying for permanent residence in Singapore as a worker must hold the following work passes:
You will need to log in to ICA e-Service using your Singpass to submit the application.
Singpass is Singapore’s National Digital Identity (NDI) and ensures a secure means for residents to access government and private sector services digitally, and it also serves as a digital identity for Singapore permanent residents.
Establishing Permanent Residence in Singapore as a Student
Students in the local educational system who have lived in Singapore for at least two years and who have passed at least one national exam or who are in the Integrated Programme (IP) program are eligible to apply for permanent residence. Students studying at international schools are not.
If you are 15 or older, you can submit the application using your Singpass at ICA e-Service.
If you are younger than 15, you can submit the application via the non-Singpass option at ICA e-Service.
Establishing Permanent Residence in Singapore as an Investor
Investors and their dependents can apply for permanent residence in Singapore under the Global Investor Programme (GIP) if you meet the following criteria:
| Profile | Established Business Owners | Next Generation Business Owners | Founders of Fast Growth Companies | Family Office Principals |
| Requirements |
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| Financial Thresholds | Annual turnover of at least SGD 200 million in the year before application and an average of SGD 200 million per year for 3 years prior | Company’s annual turnover of at least SGD 500 million in the year before application and an average of SGD 500 million per year for three years prior | Company valuation of at least SGD 500 million | Net investable assets of at least SGD 200 million |
| Industry Engagement | Must be engaged in one or more of the approved industries | Must be engaged in one or more of the approved industries | Must be engaged in one or more of the approved industries | Not specified |
| Investment Options | Option A, B, or C | Option A, B, or C | Option A, B, or C | Option C |
Investment Options:
Option A: Invest a minimum of SGD 10 million (about USD 7.5 million) in a new business entity or in the expansion of an existing business operation in Singapore.
Option B: Invest SGD 25 million (about USD 18.64 million) in a GIP-approved fund in Singapore-based companies.
Option C: Establish a Singapore-based Single Family Office with Assets Under Management (AUM) of at least SGD 200 million (about USD 150 million), where at least SGD 50 million (about USD 37.29 million) must be deployed in EDP-specified investments listed here.
You can find the list of approved industries for Option A, B, C and further information on the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB)’s official website.
Establishing Permanent Residence in Singapore as a Talented Foreign Artist
If you’re a talented individual in arts, photography, dance, music, theater, literature, or the film industry, you can apply for permanent residence in Singapore via the Foreign Artistic Talent scheme.
To qualify for the Foreign Artistic Talent scheme, you must meet all the following criteria:
- Have a relevant professional experience with outstanding achievements in the field of performing arts, visual arts, literary arts, design, and/or media
- Have relevant training and education in your field of practice
- Have contributed to Singapore’s arts and cultural scene, including local engagements at the leadership level
- Plan to be involved in the Singapore arts and cultural scene in the future
For more information, please refer to ForArts FAQ.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Singpass?
Singpass is Singapore’s national digital identity, which allows residents to access various government and private sector services online using a safe, single-time-use login.
Can foreigners use Singpass?
Eligible foreigners can apply for a Singpass Foreign User Account (SFA) to access selected government and private sector digital services in Singapore.
Is it hard to obtain permanent residence (PR) in Singapore?
Singapore’s immigration policy tends to be obscure and selective, which often makes it harder to obtain permanent residence (PR) compared to other countries that have a clear, point-based system for PR applications.
How long is a Singapore Permanent Residence (PR) status valid for?
A Singapore permanent residence (PR) status is valid indefinitely as it doesn’t expire. With that said, the PR status can be revoked if the PR holder leaves the country without a valid re-entry permit (REP).
Will an expired passport affect my Permanent Residence (PR) status?
If your passport expires, you can still live in Singapore as a permanent residence (PR) holder. The only difference is that you won’t be able to travel outside of the country. As such, it’s advisable to get a new passport and either renew your re-entry permit or transfer your valid REP online.
Can a Singaporean Permanent Resident (PR) apply for citizenship?
A Singaporean permanent resident (PR) can apply for citizenship as long as he or she is above the age of 21 and has at least two years of permanent residence in the city-state. Applications for citizenship can be made electronically to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA).
Conclusion
Individuals planning for their move to Singapore can establish permanent residence through work, family ties, study, investment, or specific talent experience.
While you will be eligible for government subsidies like Medishield Life once you establish permanent residence,, you should purchase private health insurance for comprehensive medical coverage while you wait for your PR approval.
Not sure where to shop for Singapore health insurance? With over 25 years of experience, Pacific Prime can help you find and compare the best plan for your needs within your budget. We also provide many value-added services to support you throughout your insurance journey.
Contact us to get started today!
With over 5 years of experience in the field, Suphanida spends the majority of her day synthesizing complex pieces of insurance-related information and translating this into easy-to-understand, engaging, and effective content across a variety of media such as articles, infographics, whitepapers, videos, and more.
Suphanida is also responsible for planning and publishing three whitepapers released annually by Pacific Prime: The State of Health Insurance Report, The Cost of Health Insurance Report, and The Global Employee Benefits Trends Report. Additionally, she handles the LinkedIn profiles of Pacific Prime’s Founder and CEO, as well as Global HR Lead.
Suphanida’s strengths lie in her strong research and analytical skills, which she has gained from her BA in Politics from the University of Warwick and Erasmus Mundus Joint MA in Journalism from Aarhus University and City, University of London.
Being of Thai-Indian origin and having lived, studied, and worked in Thailand, the UK, and Denmark, Suphanida also has a unique, multicultural perspective that helps her understand the struggles of expats and globetrotters.
Outside of work, she enjoys traveling to new places and immersing herself in different cultures.
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