Have you been mulling over applying for Singapore Permanent Residence (PR) for your aged parents and wondering where to begin? Or perhaps you might have once applied it for your parents, only to be met with that dreaded rejection letter, and wanted to know what you could have missed. You have come to the right place.
The PR application process can be tedious and tricky to navigate, compounded by the strict time frame set by the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA). If you are unable to complete the application in time, a proper submission would be impossible and you would have to begin all over again. Thus, it is important to understand how to apply for Singapore PR for your parents — read on for an overview of what you can expect.
Step 1: Verify Your Parents’ Singapore PR Eligibility
Any attempts to apply for PR should begin by verifying the applicant’s eligibility — the same applies to your parents. In their case, their basic eligibility requirement rests on you. As their child, your parents may be eligible for PR if you fulfil the following conditions:
1. You Are a Singapore Citizen
Only the aged parents of a Singapore Citizen are eligible to apply for PR. If you are a Singapore PR, your parents may apply for a Long Term Visit Pass (LTVP), instead, should they wish to reside in Singapore for a longer duration. You may do so via the ICA website.
2. You Sponsor Their Application
As a Singapore Citizen, you must act as the sponsor when your folks apply for PR. Otherwise, they would have to attain the status under the Professionals, Technical Personnel and Skilled Workers Scheme (PTS Scheme) or Global Investor Programme, assuming that they have the right passes or capital. If they are retired, you are their only remaining key.
3. You Can Prove Your Relationship to Them
During the application process, you must be able to provide supporting documents that prove your relationship to your parents. Failing to do so may lead to rejection of their application.
Step 2a: Compile Documents Required for Singapore PR (Parents)
Once you have verified their eligibility, you may compile the documents required for Singapore PR on your folks’ behalf. It is important that you complete this step before moving onto the online application since you would only have seven days (168 hours) to do so. You should also include English translations of any of the required documents if they are not in English. However, the ICA will only accept translations from the following sources:
- The high commission/embassy of the country of issue
- A notary public based in the document’s country of issue or Singapore
- Privately hired translators whose translations are then (a) attested by the high commission/embassy of the country of issue; or (b) notarised by a notary public based either in the country of issue or Singapore
The following are all the documents required from your folks for PR:
1. Personal Particulars (Mandatory)
No documents from this section are to be left out as they are all mandatory. Otherwise, you would need to provide a valid reason for opting not to upload them. Among these are your parents’ passport-sized photographs. The ICA has set specific guidelines for the passport photograph; make sure that each photograph adheres to them. Additionally, you need to provide your folks’ valid travel document, along with a valid immigration pass and the page from their passports that displays their personal particulars — this is usually the passport biodata page. An official marriage certificate is also required.
2. Personal Particulars (If Applicable)
This section pertains to documents that you have to upload only if they are applicable to your folks. Firstly, include their identity cards unless they hail from a country that does not require its citizens to have one. Secondly, if your parents have changed their names before, they are expected to produce either a Deed Poll or Change of Name certificate. Thirdly, if you are only applying for PR for one parent because the other is deceased, you must include their spouse’s Death Certificate or picture of their tombstone. However, if their spouse is still alive but is not applying for PR, you should provide their copies of identity card and valid travel documents, if any. Finally, if they had any previous marriages, your parents should provide either the Death Certificate or Divorce Certificate of their former spouse(s).
3. Employment Papers (If Applicable)
If your folks are gainfully employed, they are to furnish their application with the necessary employment paperwork. This includes their employer’s letter, dated within a month of the application and addressed to the Controller of Immigration. The letter must include the date of employment, their current job position as well as a detailed breakdown of their salary (basic, overtime and allowance). Additionally, payslips for the last six months from the time of the application must be provided. However, if they are self-employed, upload their valid Business Registration Certificate and/or vocational license as well as an occupational license, instead. Finally, include a consent form from the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS).
Step 2b: Compile Documents Required for Singapore PR (Sponsor)
As your parents’ sponsor, you are required to submit certain documents required by ICA to assess your ability to support their stay as a PR. Similar to Step 2a, translations of any of the required documents must be provided if they are not in English from the following sources:
- The high commission/embassy of the country of issue
- A notary public based in the country of issue or Singapore
- Privately hired translators whose translations are then (a) attested by the high commission/embassy of the country of issue; or (b) notarised by a notary public based in the country of issue or Singapore
The following are all the documents required from you when applying for PR for your folks:
Identification Paperwork (Mandatory)
None of the documents in this section should be left out during the application as they are all mandatory. You would need to provide a valid reason for opting not to upload any of them. These include your NRIC, birth certificate, and your highest educational certificates, including all tertiary qualifications.
Identification Paperwork (If Applicable)
This section pertains to documents that you are to upload only if they are applicable to you. This includes a Singapore Citizenship Certificate and a Deed Poll or Change of Name certificate if you have changed your name before. If you are not the only child, you are expected to furnish your siblings’ highest educational certificates, birth certificates and, if they have any, citizenship certificates, identity cards and valid travel documents.
Employment Paperwork (If Applicable)
If you are gainfully employed, you are required to submit copies of your employer’s letter, dated within a month of your application and addressed to the Controller of Immigration. The letter must include the date of employment, your current job position as well as a detailed breakdown of your salary (basic, overtime and allowance). Additionally, you must provide payslips for the last six months from the date of your application. However, if you are self-employed, upload a valid Business Registration Certificate and/or vocational license as well as an occupational license, instead. Finally, consent forms from the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) and Central Provident Fund (CPF) Board must be included in your application.
Step 3: Proceed with the Online PR Application
After compiling the documents required for Singapore PR, you may proceed with the online PR application via the ICA website. Do note that you need to complete the process within seven days (168 hours) to avoid non-acceptance of your application during e-submission:
1. Navigate Your Browser to the e-PR System
Begin by navigating your browser to the ICA’s e-PR system. There are a couple of ways for you to do this. The quickest way to do so is to click on ‘e-Services and Forms’ on the left sidebar and look out for the option that says ‘Apply for Permanent Residence’. The second option is to click on ‘I am a Singapore Citizen’ shortcut on the ICA’s main homepage, followed by ‘Sponsor / Stay in Singapore’, and ‘Permanent Resident’. You will be directed to another page where you should click the word ‘here’ in the line that says ‘Click here for information’. Next, on the page ‘Becoming a Permanent Resident’, click on the button that prompts you to ‘Apply Online’. Either way would lead you to another page entitled Apply for Permanent Residence (PR), where you should select the option ‘Singapore Citizen’, followed by ‘Apply for PR’.
2. Access the e-PR System Using Your SingPass
Next, you will be led to a page where you are required to use your SingPass to log in. If you do not have a SingPass account, you can register for one online using your NRIC beforehand. After logging in, select ‘My Parents’ under the subheader ‘I want to apply for’.
3. Complete the Forms
Once you are in the e-PR system, complete the Application, Disclosure, and Personnel List forms. Make sure that you complete every single field all of these forms without leaving any blanks. If a certain field does not apply to you, simply enter ‘NA’. With the application form, you may choose to download and fill it electronically or filling it online directly. However, it is highly recommended that you opt for the former to minimise technical errors. If you opt to download the form, upload the completed application form by selecting ‘Choose’ to look for your file and click on ‘Upload’. Afterwards, click on ‘Next’ where you will be led to the ‘Disclosure Form’. Complete that and you will be led to the Personnel List form, where must provide the personal particulars of those involved in this application. Do review the information that you provide since you will not be allowed to amend them once you begin uploading documents.
4. Upload the Documents Required for Singapore PR
Right before uploading the documents required for PR, you will be prompted to check the deadline of the submission of your application as well as your email and correspondence address. Click ‘OK’ if the addresses are correct or return to amend them. Having confirmed that, you may proceed to upload the necessary documents. For each subsection, select ‘Choose File’ to search for your file. It is important to note that these files must be under 2MB and, unless it is a passport photograph, are saved in JPEG or PDF format. You are also expected to provide valid reasons for not uploading any mandatory documents and input ‘NA’ for optional ones that you are not uploading.
5. Submission of Application
When you are certain that you are done with uploading all the documents required for Singapore PR, you may proceed with the submission of your application. Begin by settling the application fee of $100, which may be paid for in the following ways: MasterCard or Visa debit/credit card; American Express (AMEX) credit card; or internet direct debit via local Citibank, Standard Chartered Bank, OCBC, POSB/DBS or UOB bank accounts.
Step 4a: Finalise Their Singapore PR Approval
If the ICA deems your folks worthy of the PR status, they will receive a PR in-principle approval (IPA) letter. Henceforth, your family may finalise their PR approval by completing the necessary formalities in person:
1. Reserve an e-Appointment Online
Make an e-Appointment on the ICA website to complete the formalities of their PR application. You can access this service by clicking on ‘Check Status / Make Appointment’, found on the left sidebar on their homepage and proceed to ‘Book/Change/Cancel Appointment. Alternatively, you can do so using their mobile application ‘[email protected]’. However, if you need to change the appointment date, write to [email protected] at least two days before the originally booked date. Additionally, should you require an extension of the validity of the IPA letter, write to ICA with reasons for the extension as well as a proposal for a new deadline.
2. Attend the Appointment to Complete the Formalities
On the day of the appointment, bring along hard copies of your documents to level 5 of the ICA Building. Keep an eye out for the Permanent Resident Services Centre. Once you are there, take a queue number and wait until your number is shown before proceeding to the ICA officer who will assist you with completing the formalities.
3. Settle the Payment for New Documents
Finally, you are expected to settle the payment, via NETS or CashCard, for new documents that will certify your parents’ new status as PR. This includes an Entry Permit, which costs $20 and an identity card for $50. For those who are eligible for a 5-year Re-Entry Permit, you are required to foot the bill of $50 for one. An Entry Visa costs $30, should your parents require one.
Step 4b: What if Their Application for Singapore PR is Rejected?
The Singapore PR status used to be relatively easier to attain. However, in recent years, it has become more challenging for a PR hopeful to secure an approval letter from the ICA. According to the Prime Minister’s Office Strategy Group, the number of approved PR applications in 2017 is vastly different from that of 2008, dropping sharply from 79,167 to 31,849. What then does a rejected Singapore PR application mean and what can you do about it?
PR Application Rejected: Possible Reasons Why
The ICA never has never delved into the reasons for either approving or rejecting applications. Withholding such reasons discourages applicants from resorting to dishonest means of procuring the coveted status by submitting inaccurate information or modified documents in hopes of representing themselves as the ideal PR.
How Long Can I Apply for PR After Getting Rejected?
We would usually recommend our clients to wait for at least six months after receiving a rejection letter from the ICA. Although most would prefer to attain the status as soon as possible, it is inadvisable to rush through the process nor attempt to appeal, only to be met with the same outcome all over again. Instead, you would be far better off waiting until there have been significant changes in your lives to avoid further disappointment.
A Final Note
We can understand that applying for PR can be mentally and emotionally draining. Besides the extensive list of documents required for Singapore PR, it can be tough to gauge your parents’ eligibility and chances of approval. Moreover, the e-PR service can be tricky and time-consuming — the slightest of mistakes can lead to non-acceptance.
Here at Paul Immigrations, rest assured that you will be guided on how to apply PR for your parents from Steps 1 to 4, accompanied with expert tips to up your chances of attaining the approval. Reach out to us for a personalised, one-on-one consultation with our specialists today.