If you want to apply for permanent residence in Singapore and you are not sure on what the process may entail, our team of lawyers can help. Our law firm in Singapore can present the immigration rules that are imposed to foreigners relocating here and can offer advice on any other inquiry that you may have concerning residency in Singapore.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Temporary residence permit types |
Foreigners can obtain a residence permit in Singapore for work purposes, for business and investment or for family reunification purposes.
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| Time needed to obtain the temporary residence permit (approx.) | It depends on the type of document the person needs. The issuance formalities can take 3-8 weeks. . |
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Temporary residence permit validity |
It depends on the visa program, but in general, the validity is of 1-2 years. However, under certain programs, one can obtain a residence permit in Singapore for only 6 months (such as the Work Training Permit). |
| Documents for obtaining temporary residence |
As a general rule, the following are necessary: |
| Mandatory registrations with state authorities (i.e. with the population/municipality register) | It depends on the program – the Global Investor Program directly grants permanent residency to successful applicants. |
| Residency for individuals married to a citizen of the country |
It depends on the visa that the spouse first obtained when arriving here. |
| Documents for obtaining permanent residence |
– Passport photo; – information on the educational background; – the qualifications of the applicant; – travel documents; – previous visas obtained in Singapore (for work visas holders) and other papers as per the requirements of each visa type.
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| Naturalization requirements |
– the applicant has been a permanent resident for at least 2 years; – the person is married with a Singaporean citizen and has been living in Singapore as a permanent resident for 2 years; – the person is the child or the aged parent of a Singapore citizen. |
| Citizenship after permanent residence | Minimum 2 years of permanent residency are required. |
| Dual citizenship permitted in Singapore (Yes/No) | No, but there is one exemption – children born abroad from Singaporean parents can have the Singaporean citizenship and the citizenship of the other country until the age of 21. |
| Parties that must apply for a residence permit | All foreign nationals are required to apply for a suitable permit when relocating here on a short/long-term basis or permanent. |
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When is a person required to apply for a residence permit |
The residence permit is required for any stay longer than 90 days at a time. |
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Where to collect the permanent residence permit? |
Persons who acquired permanent residence in Singapore must collect their permit from the Permanent Residence Services Centre. |
| Renewal possible (yes/no) | Yes |
| Deadline to apply for the renewal of permit |
3 months prior to the expiry date of the document. |
| Apply for a tax number (yes/no) |
Yes |
| When it is required to have a tax number |
The tax number is necessary for opening a bank account, for credit cards, for dealing with local institutions, applying for loans, employment, etc. There are 2 types of tax numbers – Tax Identification Number (TIN) for citizens and permanent residents, and Foreign Identification Number (FIN) for foreigners who are not permanent residents. |
| Fees charged for the issuance of the residence card |
S$100 |
| Fees charged for the issuance of the residence renewal |
S$50 |
| Law regulating the issuance of residence permits in Singapore | Immigration Act 1959 |
| Does Singapore apply penalties for expired permits? (yes/no) |
Yes |
| When can Singapore apply penalties for expired documents? |
At any moment after the expiry of a residency document that has not been renewed, provided that the permit holder did not take any measures (such as addressing the institutions for providing a temporary legal solution). |
| Application requirements for minors |
Minors are persons with an age below 21 years old. They can apply for permanent residence in Singapore if they are the children of a Singapore permanent resident and if they are unmarried at the date of the application. |
| Health insurance requirements |
For visitors is not mandatory to sign a health insurance policy, but it is highly recommended. For workers in Singapore, the health insurance must have a value of minimum S$15,000 per year (the thresholds vary based on the visa the foreign has). |
| What is the fee for an identity card in Singapore? | Persons who acquire permanent residence in Singapore can obtain a Singapore identity card, which costs S$50. |
Table of Contents
How can your team of lawyers help me in obtaining residency in Singapore in 2026?
Our team of lawyers in Singapore offers full immigration services designed for all categories of foreign clients. Concerning residency, we can:
- offer information on the current law and procedures;
- present the visa options for temporary and permanent residency;
- assist in submitting the residency application file;
- maintain the connection with the responsible institution, etc.
What is the main institution in charge with immigration in Singapore?
All immigration matters in Singapore fall under the responsibility of the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA).
What types of residencies are available in Singapore?
In Singapore, foreigners can obtain:
- long-term residency;
- permanent residency.
On what grounds can I apply for long-term residency?
There are many circumstances which allow foreigners to apply for long-term residency. In the list below, our lawyers in Singapore present the main options prescribed by the local law:
- the applicant is the spouse of a Singapore citizen or of a Singapore permanent resident;
- the applicant is the unmarried child (under 21 years old) of Singapore citizen/permanent resident and the child was born in a legal marriage or has been adopted;
- the applicant is the parent of a Singapore citizen/permanent resident;
- the applicant is a graduate of an institute/higher education institution and wants to become employed in Singapore;
- the applicant is the parent/grandparent of a person holding a Student Pass;
- the applicant is a visitor who wants to give birth in Singapore.
Who is eligible for permanent residence in Singapore?
The eligibility for permanent residence (PR) in Singapore is extended to various categories of foreign citizens, in accordance with the regulations of the local law. In the list below, our lawyers in Singapore outline the main scenarios:
- foreigners are entitled to apply for permanent residency provided that they are the spouse of a person who is a Singapore citizen or of a foreigner who has the Singapore PR;
- children aged below 21 years old are also eligible to apply for permanent residency, provided that they meet a set of requirements;
- this right is also extended to other family members of Singapore citizens, such as parents;
- one can become eligible for permanent residency in the case in which the person has arrived in this country for study purposes;
- the same is applicable for foreigners who want to enter a business partnership or invest in the local economy.
How long does it take to process my residency application in 2026?
The time frame for obtaining a residence permit in Singapore in 2026 is approximately 6 months.
Do I need to pay any processing fees in 2026?
Yes, individuals who apply for a residence permit (issued on a permanent basis) must also pay state processing fees. In 2026, the fees are:
- S$100 – the standard application fee;
- S$20 – the Entry Permit;
- S$50 – the Entry Permit valid for a period of 5 years.
In the infographic below, you can learn the main steps in obtaining residency in Singapore in 2026:
What are the rights of persons with permanent residence in Singapore?
They can enter the social security system, the health care system, benefit from pension rights, obtain loans for purchasing property or apply for Singaporean citizenship after a given amount of time. Permanent residents do not have full rights prescribed by the local law for the citizens of the country – they can’t vote or have a Singapore passport, for instance.
What are the residence options for foreigners working in Singapore?
Foreigners who arrive here for work purposes can obtain residency, following the residence scheme that was created for this category of immigrants. The Professionals or Technical Personnel and Skilled Worker Scheme (PTS Scheme), as it is referred to, represents one of the options that allows foreign professionals working in Singapore to obtain permanent residence.
Is there a Singapore permanent residence scheme for investors?
Foreign investors benefit from a dedicated Singapore residence scheme. They can apply for a residence permit through the Global Investor Programme (GIP Scheme) which will allow them to start a business in Singapore or make other investments in the country.
Do I need to invest a certain amount of money in order to participate in the residency by investment program?
Yes. There are several financial thresholds that investors need to meet, depending on the investment pathway selected. The lowest investment threshold is S$10 million.
Below, you can watch a short video on the residence permit in Singapore:
Can you provide legal services in other countries?
Yes, through our local partners, we can facilitate obtaining legal services, including immigration services, as follows:.
- for instance, if you need immigration assistance in European countries, such as Italy, you can rely on local lawyers, who can help you get the Italian residency;
- if you want to apply for permanent residency in Taiwan, our partners from CompanyFormationTaiwan.com have a dedicated team of immigration specialists and can assist you.
For complete information about eligibility criteria for the residence permits, please contact our lawyers in Singapore.