"Approved in Principle" ≠ "Permanent Resident": The 4-Step Survival Guide to Your IPA (2026 Edition)

Here is the hard truth: The In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter in your inbox is not a Permanent Residence status. It is a temporary offer with a ticking expiry date.

In the past, completing your PR formalities was a simple administrative errand. In 2026, it is a strict digital gauntlet. With the opening of the new ICA Services Centre (ISC) at Crawford Street and the enforcement of the “180-Day” Re-Entry Permit (REP) rule, the margin for error has vanished. A missed vaccination document for your child or a delayed MediShield declaration can now push your appointment past your IPA’s expiry date, forcing you to restart the entire application process from zero.

You have passed the selection. Now, you need to survive the administration. This guide is your operational playbook to securing your Blue IC in the new landscape.

Instant Answer: The “60-Day” Critical Path

My PR is approved. What must I do immediately? To convert your IPA into legal Residency, you must execute these four steps before your letter expires (typically 60 days):

1. Verification of Vaccination: Must first obtain a Verification of Vaccination from HPB first.
2. Mandatory Insurance: Submit the MediShield Life & CareShield Life Health Declaration via the CPF Board portal. You cannot proceed to the next stage of the Completion of Formalities with ICA until this is cleared.
3. The “10-Day” Review: There is no more booking. Once ICA has verified all your documents and information declared, they will take approximately 10 business days to review. Thereafter, you will be informed if an in-person appointment at the new ICA building is required.
4. The Collection: Otherwise, you may proceed to book a date to collect your National Registration Identity Card (NRIC)—also known as the “Blue IC”

Step 1: The Medical Surveillance Protocol (And the “Parent Trap”)

Your IPA letter isn’t just an approval; it’s a summons for health surveillance. While adults need the standard check-up, parents often fall into a specific bureaucratic trap.

For Adults: The Upload Era

You can no longer just “bring the results” to your appointment.

• The Task: Download the Medical Examination Report from the IPA package. Visit a clinic for a Chest X-ray (TB) and HIV test.
• The 2026 Change: You must scan and upload the Doctor’s Certification, HIV Lab Report, and Radiology Report to the MyICA portal.
• The Risk: If the system rejects your upload (e.g., blurry scan, missing clinic stamp), you cannot proceed. Do this on Day 1.

The “Parent Trap”: Who Needs Vaccination Verification?

Many guides wrongly state all foreign children need Health Promotion Board (HPB) clearance.

• The Rule: Foreign-born children aged 12 and below need a Verification of Vaccination Requirements (VR) from HPB.
• The Exemption: If your child already holds a valid Long-Term Pass (Dependant’s Pass, LTVP, or Student Pass) in Singapore, they are typically exempt from this step, as their records are already in the National Immunisation Registry (NIR).
• Who Must Act: If your child is in Singapore on a Short-Term Visit Pass (tourist) or has no prior long-term history, you must apply for HPB verification immediately. This takes 15 working days and is a hard blocker for your PR issuance.

Step 2: The Financial Lock – MediShield Life Declaration

You cannot proceed with your PR formalities until you clear this digital checkpoint.

• The Task: Log in to the CPF Board e-Service (using Singpass) and submit the MediShield Life & CareShield Life Health Declaration.
• The Cost: This declaration is free. It is simply a registration of your health status for the national insurance database.
• The Workflow: ICA’s system syncs with CPF. Once you submit this, allow 3 to 7 working days for the status to update in the ICA system. You cannot upload your final documents until this flag turns green in the backend.

Step 3: Securing the Slot (Venue Change Alert!)

Stop looking for an appointment slot. Under the new regime, you do not book a “Completion of Formalities” slot to hand over documents.

• Upload: Scan and upload your Medical Report, signed IPA declaration, and any other requested files to MyICA.
• Wait for “Verified”: ICA officers review these uploads remotely. This can take 2 weeks.
• The “Appointment” Exception: In rare cases, ICA may flag an application for a physical interview. Only then will the system prompt you to book a slot. Otherwise, the process remains 100% online.
• Payment: Once documents are verified, you will receive an email to pay the S$120 fee (Entry Permit + 5-Year REP + IC) online.
• The Grant: Upon payment, your Entry Permit is generated. Download this immediately. This document marks the legal start of your Permanent Residence.

Note on Work Passes: You do not need to surrender your EP/S Pass card to ICA. Once your Entry Permit is issued, your Work Pass is automatically cancelled. You should return the physical card to your employer or cut it, depending on your company’s HR policy.

Step 4: The Physical Trip – IC Collection @ ISC

Your only physical trip to ICA is usually to pick up your NRIC.

1. The New Venue: ICA Services Centre (ISC), 2 Crawford Street (next to Lavender MRT).
2. The Process: You must make an appointment for “IC Collection” (not Completion of Formalities).
3. Kiosk Collection: For most applicants, you will collect your card from the iCollect Kiosks at the ISC. The robotic system uses facial and iris recognition to dispense your card in minutes.

Expert Deep Dive: 3 Hidden Liabilities of Your New Status

Becoming a PR isn’t just about rights; it’s about liabilities. In 2026, three specific rules caught new residents off guard.

1. The “Travel Trap” (The New 180-Day Rule)

• The Old Way: If you forgot to renew your Re-Entry Permit (REP) while overseas, you could appeal easily.
• The 2026 Rule: Under the Immigration (Amendment) Act, starting from 1 December 2025, if you are overseas without a valid REP, you have a statutory 180-day grace period to apply. If you miss this window, your PR is automatically revoked. No appeal. No recourse.

2. The Take-Home Pay Drop

Your CPF contributions start the day you sign the Entry Permit.

• The Shock: With the 2026 CPF Salary Ceiling raised to S$8,000, high-income earners will see a sudden 20% drop in monthly cash flow (diverted to CPF). Ensure your bank account can handle your mortgage/rent deductions for that first month.

3. The Driving License Blockade

• The Rule: You have 3 months to convert your foreign license.
• The Reality: Booking a Basic Theory Test (BTT) currently takes 3 to 4 months.
• The Fix: Book your BTT today. Do not wait for the Blue IC. If the 3-month window closes and you haven’t passed, you legally cannot drive.

Don’t Let a Technicality Void Your Approval

The path from IPA to Blue IC is paved with administrative landmines—from HPB vaccination delays to appointment bottlenecks at the new ISC. You have worked too hard to let a paperwork error reset your progress.

Need help navigating the new 2026 formalities? At The Immigration People, we manage the “final mile” for our clients, ensuring every document is verified, every upload is correct, and your transition to Permanent Residence is seamless.

Looking beyond the Blue IC? Read our Singapore Permanent Residence guide to plan your next step.