Singapore’s Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has outlined six categories of foreigners who may apply for permanent residence, including spouses of citizens and some students.
Applicants must meet one of the listed eligibility categories, but that alone does not guarantee approval. The ICA assesses each application individually.
How ICA Assesses Applications
Permanent residence allows a foreign national to live in Singapore on a long-term basis, with residents aged 15 and above receiving a blue identity card.
Those who travel outside the country and wish to return as permanent residents must have a valid re-entry permit.
Meeting the criteria does not secure approval. The ICA says it weighs several factors, including an applicant’s family connections to Singaporeans, economic contributions, qualifications, age, family profile and length of residence in the country.
The authority considers these factors when deciding whether applicants can contribute to Singapore’s society and economy and show a genuine commitment to settling there permanently.
Who Can Apply?
The six categories listed by the ICA are:
- Spouses of Singapore citizens or existing permanent residents.
- Unmarried children under 21 who were born within a legal marriage to, or legally adopted by, a Singapore citizen or permanent resident.
- Aged parents of Singapore citizens who are at least 21 years old.
- Holders of an Employment Pass or S Pass.
- Students studying in Singapore who have passed at least one national examination, such as the PSLE or GCE N, O or A Levels, or who are enrolled in the Integrated Programme.
- Foreign investors based in Singapore.
