Thinking of applying for Singapore Permanent Residence (PR) for your little ones? You are most definitely not alone. With our soaring standards of living on this Little Red Dot, Singapore is the perfect place for children to grow up. Parents from all over the world have fallen in love with our clean, safe, and vibrant city-state, going so far as to apply for PR for the entire family.
If this sounds like you, then you might just be wondering how you should go about applying for Singapore PR for your child, too. Read on to find out all you need to know about the Singapore PR application process right here.
Step 1: Complete Singapore PR Eligibility Check for Your Child
Before proceeding with the application process, complete a Singapore PR eligibility check for your child. The Immigration & Checkpoint Authority (ICA) has set a clear list of requirements that your child has to meet to be eligible for Singapore PR. In some cases, your child’s eligibility is dependent on you and, where applicable, your spouse as their parents. In others, your child might be able to apply for Singapore PR purely on their own merits.
1. Applicants whose Parents are Singapore Citizen or PR
If you or your spouse are Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents, your child may be eligible for Singapore PR with you as their sponsor. Male children who have been granted PR status via this route are required to serve National Service (NS) once they turn 18. To apply, they must meet the following requirements: unmarried, under the age of 21 and born to or legally adopted by parents who are legally married. Otherwise, they would have to do so on their own merits.
2. Applicants whose Parents are Eligible for PTS Scheme or GIP
Parents who are applying for Permanent Residence via the Professional, Technical Personnel and Skilled Workers scheme (PTS scheme) or Global Investors Programme (GIP) can include their children in their applications. Male children who have been granted PR status via this route are required to serve National Service (NS) once they turn 18. To apply, your child must meet the following requirements: unmarried, under the age of 21 and born to or legally adopted by parents who are legally married. Otherwise, they would have to do so on their own merits.
3. Applicants who are Eligible for PTS or GIP Scheme
If your children are above the age of 21 and hold either an Employment Pass (EP) or S Pass, they can opt to apply for PR on their own, based on their own merits. Parents will not be involved in their application.
4. Applicants who are Married to a Singapore Citizen or PR
If your child is married to a Singapore Citizen or PR, they can opt to apply for PR with their spouse as their sponsor, instead. Parents will not be involved in their application.
5. Applicants who are International Students
Parents whose children are enrolled in a local institution as international students may be eligible for Singapore PR. Male children who have been granted PR status via this route are required to serve National Service (NS) once they turn 18. To apply, your little one must have been a resident of Singapore for over 2 years and either passed one national examination, such as the GCE ‘N’/’O’/’A’ or PSLE, or are in the Integrated Programme (IP). While parents cannot act as their sponsor, you are required to provide a few documents during their application.
Step 2a: Compile Documents Required for PR Application (Child)
Once the would-be applicant has verified their eligibility, you may compile the documents required for PR application. Since your child would have to complete the application within 7 days (or 168 hours) once they have started it, it would be wise to ensure that everything has been prepared beforehand. Otherwise, they would have to start from the beginning all over again, which would cause you and your child twice the amount of hassle.
Additionally, translations must be provided if any documents are not in English. The ICA accepts translations from three different sources:
- The embassy/high commission of the country where the document was issued
- A notary public in Singapore or the country where the document was issued
- Private translators whose work is then either notarised by a notary public in Singapore or the country where the document was issued, or attested by the embassy/high commission of the country where the document was issued
1. All PR Applicants
Regardless of the route through which your child will be applying for PR, all applicants have to produce a recent passport-sized photograph. This will be printed onto their NRIC if their SPR application is successful. They would then have to upload either their birth certificate or family register that shows both of their parents’ names or an official household census list. Applicants must upload valid travel documents, including a valid Immigration Pass as well as the page in the passport with their personal particulars. In most cases, this is their passport’s biodata page. If your child has one, they are to upload their identity card and their highest educational certificates, including all tertiary-level qualifications. Finally, a deed poll or change of name certificate is necessary if your child has changed their name.
2. Applicants whose Parents are Singapore Citizen or PR
On top of the documents in the above section, a child applying for PR under the sponsorship of a parent who is either a Singapore Citizen or PR should upload a valid work pass if they are currently gainfully employed. If the child was adopted, legal adoption papers should be included.
3. Applicants whose Parents are Eligible for PTS Scheme or GIP
A child applying for PR under the sponsorship of a parent who is eligible for PR under either the PTS Scheme or GIP should upload a valid work pass if they are currently gainfully employed. If the child was adopted, legal adoption papers should be included.
4. Applicants who are International Students
Where applicable, international students should add their highest educational transcripts, vocational trade certificates as well as any professional licenses or membership certificates that have been awarded to them.
Step 2b: Compile Documents Required for PR Application (Parents)
As parents, you are required to provide documents to support your child’s PR application. To ensure that application proceeds as smoothly as possible, set aside everything you need prior to beginning the process. If any of the listed documents are not in English, translations must also be provided. The ICA accepts translations from three different sources:
- The embassy/high commission of the country where the document was issued
- A notary public in Singapore or the country where the document was issued
- Private translators whose work is then either notarised by a notary public in Singapore or the country where the document was issued, or attested by the embassy/high commission of the country where the document was issued
1. Parents who are Singapore Citizen or PR
If you are sponsoring your child’s PR application as a Singapore Citizen or PR, you must provide the ICA with a copy of your NRIC. Additionally, your highest educational certificates, including all tertiary-level qualifications, must be uploaded to the e-PR system. If you are attached to an employer, payslips from the last six months and an employer’s letter dated within a month of submission — addressed to the Controller of Immigration — must be included. Self-employed sponsors should include a valid business registration certificate or valid vocational license as well as occupational license, instead. Regardless of your mode of employment, Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) and Central Provident Fund (CPF) Board consent letters must be uploaded to allow the ICA to do their necessary checks and verification smoothly. Finally, your official marriage certificate is required to prove that you and your spouse are legally married. However, if your child is from a previous marriage, your previous spouse’s death or divorce certificate and custody papers are required to show that you are their rightful guardian.
2. Parents who are Eligible for PTS Scheme/GIP
Parents under the PTS Scheme or GIP must provide the ICA with copies of your valid travel documents. These include your valid Immigration Pass and the page from your passport with your personal particulars — the latter is usually your biodata page. Additionally, your highest educational certificates, including all tertiary-level qualifications, must be uploaded to the e-PR system. If you are attached to an employer, payslips from the last six months and an employer’s letter must be included. You may also supplement your application with testimonials from previous employers. Self-employed sponsors should include a valid business registration certificate or valid vocational license as well as occupational license, instead. Regardless of your mode of employment, IRAS consent letters must be uploaded. Finally, if you are currently married, prepare your official marriage certificate to prove that you and your spouse are legally married. However, if your child is from a previous marriage, provide your previous spouse’s death or divorce certificate and custody papers to show that you are their rightful guardian.
3. Parents of International Students
If your child is an international student, you must provide them with your and your spouse’s valid travel documents. This includes the page from your passport with your personal particulars, usually your biodata page.
Step 3: Proceed With Online Application for Singapore PR
Once you have prepared the necessary documents, you may proceed to apply for Singapore PR on the ICA’s online e-PR system. Ensure that complete all of the following steps within seven days (168 hours), or your application may lead to non-acceptance during e-submission.
1. Head to the e-PR System
Navigate your browser to the ICA website. You may access the e-PR System by clicking on the button that states MyICA, available on the top of the landing page or click on ‘e-Services and Forms’ on the menu found on the left-hand side of the homepage. Once you are on ‘e-Services’, look for the ‘Permanent Residence’ section and click on ‘Apply for Permanent Residence’. Alternatively, click on ‘I am a Singapore Citizen’ or ‘I am a Pass Holder’ shortcuts on the landing page, which will also lead you to the same destination.
2. Log in to the e-PR System
If you or your spouse are your child’s sponsor, you can use your SingPass to access the e-PR system. Children who are international students may log in after completing the questionnaire on the website, where they are required to enter their Foreign Identification Number (FIN) and Immigration Pass Issue Date.
3. Fill in the Application Form
Once you are in the system, you are required to complete the application form. The ICA recommends that you download the form, fill it in offline using an appropriate PDF editor and upload it on the same page. However, you may opt to fill in the application form online. You will then be led to a section where you must provide information on all the applicants. Do not leave any of these fields blank; instead, enter ‘NA’ if they do not apply to you. Fret not, you may review the information that you have keyed in right before uploading the documents required.
4. Upload the Documents Required for PR Application
Next, you may proceed to upload the documents required for PR application. Select the ‘Choose File’ button in each subsection to do so. With the exception of the passport photograph (which must be in JPG or JPEG), your documents have to be in JPG, JPEG or PNG format and under 2MB. Additionally, you are required to provide a reason if you choose not to upload a certain document. For any optional documents that are not applicable to you, input ‘NA’ instead.
5. Pay the PR Application Fee
Following that, you will be directed to a page where you are required to pay a non-refundable PR application fee of $100. Proceed to MyCart, where you have the option of using MasterCard or Visa debit/credit card, American Expression (AMEX) credit card, or OCBC, DBS/POSB, Standard Chartered Bank, Citibank or UOB local banking services.
Step 4: Complete the Formalities, Post Singapore PR Approval
After the online application, comes the waiting game. Officers at the ICA handles a high volume of PR applications on a yearly basis, so you would have to be patient. The following is a brief chronology of what you can expect from this point onwards:
1. Check the Application Status via the e-Service
If you would like an update during this period, you may check the status of the PR application via the ICA’s e-Service system. However, the ICA will notify you of the outcome of the application by sending you a letter.
2. Receive an Approval Letter within 6 Months
Should the ICA deem your little one worthy of the PR status, they will receive an approval letter within six months. This may take longer, depending on each individual case.
3. Book an e-Appointment Online
Once you have received the approval letter, you may proceed to book an e-Appointment online for your little one to complete the formalities. Bring along hard copies of all submitted documents.
4. Write to ICA for Any Extensions
In the event that you require an extension to complete the formalities of the PR application, you have to write to the ICA via email. You may also change the appointment date only at least a couple of days before your current appointment date.
5. Make the Final Necessary Payments
During the appointment, you are required to make the final necessary payments to acquire your newly acquired status via CashCard or NETS. For all applications made from 18 December 2017, an applicant is required to pay $20 for an Entry Permit and $50 for a 5-year Re-Entry Permit. An identity card costs $50 while an Entry Visa costs $30.
A Final Note
Going through the Singapore PR application process step-by-step might make it appear simple enough, but deceptively so. Unfortunately, applicants might find that they are lulled into a false sense of security, making careless mistakes in the process. Even missing a single document could make a difference between approval and rejection. At Paul Immigrations, we can help you avoid this common pitfall. Contact us today for a personalised consultation and our capable specialists will guide you through this from start to finish.