5 Singapore PR Renewal Requirements to Know (2023)

What Is Re-Entry Permit (REP)?

A valid re-entry permit (REP) allows a Singapore permanent resident to retain their PR status when travelling out of Singapore. The REP can last up to five years.

A Singapore PR will risk losing his PR status when:

• He leaves Singapore with an expired REP.
• He is still overseas with an expired REP.

All Singapore PRs must ensure their REP is valid before going abroad. It is always advisable to respond to ICA’s letter.

When Do You Need to Renew a Re-Entry Permit?

If the REP is still valid, the application procedures are straightforward. Singapore PRs must submit their application form online to ICA via the Electronic Re-Entry Permit System (e-REP) by three months before the current expiry date of the REP.

If the REP has expired, an e-appointment must be booked with ICA. The renewal will be done in person.

If the REP expires while the Singapore PR is overseas, he will need to travel in as a tourist and approach ICA to reinstate your Re-Entry Permit.

And if reinstatement fails, you will have to get a work pass and apply to be a Singapore PR again. Speak to a professional before you make your move!

Singapore PR Renewal Eligibility and Criteria Requirements

Apply for/renew re-entry permit on ICA’s website | Image source: ICA

To be eligible for a REP renewal, you must be a Singapore PR with a valid travel document.

Some essential documents you might need to prepare for Singapore PR Renewal are:

1. A valid travel document (at least 3 months validity),
2. Applicant’s Identity Card Number,
3. Applicant’s spouse’s Identity Card Number (if applicable),
4. Proof of employment details (company name, address, position held and monthly salary) OR existing business operation (if applicable),
5. Applicant’s latest academic qualification certificate, if applicable,

*For those below 21 years old, ICA will need their Birth Certificate and their parent’s Identity Cards.

Aside from presenting these documents, there are no official requirements for REP renewals. A Singapore PR who has been working and residing in Singapore most of the time should be fine renewing his REP.

Typically, if a Singapore PR has been living and working in Singapore for at least two and a half years of the five years duration, he should be able to renew his REP successfully.

On the other hand, Singapore PRs who are not present in Singapore for a long period of time (either for work or personal reasons) may have difficulty getting a 5-year REP renewal approval.

The Singapore Re-Entry Permit Application can be found on ICA’s official website.

Can ICA Reject the REP Renewal Application?

Yes, ICA can reject your renewal application.

ICA will consider each applicant’s circumstances at the time of application. They will be looking at your continuing contribution to Singapore, for instance, your CPF contribution, monthly income, household income, income tax, etc.

For Singapore PRs who have reached retirement age, ICA will view your past active roles and contributions to society instead.

There is also this situation: You have just gotten your Singapore PR, but for some reason, you did not stay here for some time.

In this case, there is a possibility that ICA will grant you a REP duration that has a shorter period. Worse, they might even reject your REP renewal application.

What is the processing time for Re-Entry Application?

Approving an online application process can take about one working day to a week.

It may take longer if the applicants cannot fulfil the renewal criteria or are requested to submit certain additional documents.

For Singapore PRs who are overseas and do not have a Singpass account, you can submit your application through the nearest Singapore Overseas Mission. You must submit at least two months before your current REP expires. In this case, you can expect the processing time to be between 4 to 6 weeks, and some applications may take longer to process.