Permanent Residency in Singapore for Indians

According to the Immigration and Checkpoint Authority, Singapore (ICA), a PR or permanent resident in Singapore refers to a foreign national who has been granted legal rights to settle in the country permanently for a pre-specified period.

The PRs over 15 years are issued with the blue Identity Card, which acts as identity proof for a PR status holder.

You can be eligible to apply for Singapore PR if you qualify for the following requirements:

You are married to a Singapore citizen or Singapore PR status holder.

You are an unmarried child, born within a legal marriage, or legally adopted by a Singapore citizen or Singapore PR status holder.

You are an aged/dependent parent of a Singapore citizen or PR status holder.

You are a foreign investor in Singapore and have made an investment of a minimum of $2.5 million in a renowned company in Singapore.

You are a student in Singapore.

You are on an Employment or S Pass and have worked for at least 6 months in the country.

Besides the above-mentioned eligibility criteria, males who are granted a PR status in Singapore are mandated to complete National Service in the Singapore army. No such obligation is there for a female PR.

There are five ways in which you get Singapore permanent resident status. These are as follows:

Via PTS Scheme (Professionals, Technicians, and Skilled Worker Scheme)

The PTS scheme is the most popular way to get PR in Singapore. It is designed for foreign nationals who have been working in the country for at least six months under the specified occupations. Note that your chances of getting Singapore permanent residency will depend highly on your duration of working in the country. It means the longer you work, the better your chances of getting a PR.

Eligibility Criteria

You must be a legal employee in Singapore with a valid S-pass, Employment pass, Personalised Employment pass or Entry Pass.

Your spouse must be a Singapore citizen.

** Via Sponsorship**

This scheme is designed for the legal spouse or child or legally adopted child of a permanent resident or citizen of Singapore. Under this scheme, ICA will evaluate your PR application on the basis of the merits or worthiness of your sponsor. This is because your sponsor will be responsible for supporting you in the country.

Moreover, your chances of getting PR under a sponsorship scheme will be higher if you have a good educational background and employability. So, if you qualify the Eligibility Criteria, you can surely apply under this scheme.

Eligibility Criteria

You are the legal spouse of a PR or citizen of Singapore.

You are a legal and unmarried child (below 21 years of age) or a legally adopted child of a Singapore citizen or PR.

As a Foreign Student

Singapore is one of the most popular study-abroad countries in the world. If you are studying in Singapore and planning to settle permanently there, then you can opt for this PR route. Your chances of getting PR as a student will depend on your merit list.

Eligibility Criteria

You must have stayed for at least two years in Singapore.

You must have a pass certificate for any specified national examination such as PLSE, GCE N/O/A, etc.

Via GIP Scheme (Global Investor Program Scheme)

The Global Investor Program is designed for foreign investors who are willing to invest a minimum capital of $2.5 million in a start-up, established business or GIP-approved company in Singapore. Besides, the PR applicants under the GIP scheme should also have an excellent business record, entrepreneurial skills and pre-planned investments.

Eligibility Criteria

You must have a proven business record and background.

Foreign Artistic Talent Scheme (ForARTS)

This scheme is designed for well-recognised artists and sportspersons. Under this scheme, your PR application will be assessed on the basis of your special skills and talents.

Eligibility Criteria

You must have a strong leadership background.

You must be a recognised artist.

You must have significant contributions to the arts and culture of Singapore.

You must have plans to continue contributing to the culture and arts sector of Singapore.

Following are the documents required for being a Singapore permanent resident for Indian:

Valid Immigration Pass

Valid travel document

Passport-size photographs of each applicant

Employment pass (if applicable)

Educational certificates

Identity Cards

Pay slips for the last six months

Business registration certificate (for self-employed individuals)

Identity documents for sponsor

Reference letters from previous employers

Birth certificate

These are the common documents required for the Singapore PR application. It is important to note that the exact requirements will vary depending on the scheme under which you are applying. Hence, it is advisable to refer to the official website or consult a PR advisor for accurate requirements.

The process of applying for Singapore permanent residency is simple and straightforward. Here is everything you need to do:

Step 1: Visit the official e-Service Portal of ICA.

Step 2: Select the appropriate status from the given options: Employment Pass Holder, Singapore Citizen, Singapore PR and Foreign Student.

Step 3: Log in using your SingPass ID and password.

Step 4: Select for who you are applying for Self, Spouse, Children, or Aged Parents.

Step 5: Download the application form.

Step 6: Complete the form and submit it online along with the required document. Note that you must upload the documents within 7 working days. So, make sure to do it within the stipulated time frame.

Step 7: Make the payment.

Step 8: Once the application is successfully submitted and payment is made, you will be called for an interview with ICA for a background check and document verification at a given date.

After your interview is done, you need to wait for at least 4 to 6 months to receive your blue card or PR card. Moreover, if your document verification fails, you may need to wait a lot more as you will be asked to submit the correct document all over again.

Singapore PR application takes months to complete. Depending on the nature of your application, you can expect it to be completed within 4 to 6 months. It means if everything goes right, you will receive your PR card within this period.

Coming to the cost, you have to pay S$100 (~₹8330) as a non-refundable application processing fee. You need to pay this amount at the time of submitting your application on the e-Service portal.

Apart from this fee, there are some other charges you have to pay based on your application type. For accurate information on such charges, consult a PR advisor.

If you want to explore Singapore before deciding whether or not it is worth settling in permanently, you can plan a short trip to this beautiful country.

If you have already planned a temporary visit to Singapore, then don’t forget to carry travel insurance.

At Tata AIG, we can provide you with a reliable international travel policy that will financially safeguard you against any unforeseen event during your stay in a foreign land.

So, ensure a safe trip to Singapore by purchasing a suitable travel insurance plan.

Not sure which policy to buy? Visit Tata AIG, and our experts will help you compare travel insurance plans and select the one as per your requirements.

Getting a Singapore PR is surely a good idea, looking at the various benefits provided to the permanent residents in the country. Besides, if you are already studying or working in Singapore, you will not need to renew your visas and permits again and again if you have a PR.

We have discussed everything you need to get started with your Singapore PR process. We hope it helps!