In Singapore, there are close to 545,000 Permanent Residents (PRs). This comprises about 9% of Singapore’s population of 6 million as of June 2024. In terms of benefits, PRs fall in between what Singapore Citizens are entitled to and the protections that non-residents receive.
In this article, we look at the roadmap of schemes and decisions we have to make as a Singapore PR.
Before Becoming A Singapore Permanent Resident (PR)
Foreigners can apply to become a Permanent Resident in Singapore if they are a/an:
- Spouse of a Singapore Citizen or Singapore PR
- Unmarried child aged below 21 years old, born within the context of a legal marriage to or have been legally adopted by a Singapore Citizen or PR
- Aged parent of a Singapore Citizen
- Holder of an Employment Pass or S Pass
- Student studying in Singapore
- Foreign investor in Singapore (under the Global Investor Programme)
While there is no measurement for one’s ability to become a PR, the Immigration and Checkpoint Authority (ICA) does state certain factors it considers. These include:
- Family ties to Singaporeans
- Economic contributions
- Qualifications
- Age
- Family profile
- Length of residency
- Ability to contribute to Singapore and integrate into our society
- Commitment to sinking roots in Singapore
Again, there is no stated length of time that a person must wait before being granted their PR status. However, ICA does state that PR applications take about 6 months to process.
Read Also: Marrying A Foreign Spouse in Singapore: This Is What You Need To Plan For
When You Become A PR In Singapore
Naturally, the bulk of the changes you experience between being a foreigner and a Permanent Resident in Singapore will come at the moment your residency status changes.
Upon becoming a PR, foreigners are allowed to live in Singapore permanently – without requiring new visa applications. However, you must note that PRs are still required to have a valid Re-Entry Permit (REP) when travelling, to be able to return to Singapore as a PR – this has to be renewed every 5 years.
As a PR, you can also work without another valid work pass. If you are 15 years or over, you will be issued a blue identity card (IC), and you will also be able to register for a Singpass account. You should inform your workplace, as well as update your Singpass and bank accounts as your NRIC number is changed.
Males who become a PR are required to register for National Service (NS) when you turn 16½ years old. There is an exemption for those who are granted Singapore PR status under the Professionals/Technical Personnel and Skilled Workers Scheme or the Investor Scheme.
For PRs who wish to buy a home, you can now apply for a 3-room or larger BTO with a Singapore Citizen. Previously, Singapore Citizens who are married to a non-Citizen can only apply for a BTO under the Non-Citizen Spouse Scheme.
Read Also: Non-Citizen Spouse Scheme: How You Can Buy An HDB BTO Or Resale Flat With A Foreign Spouse
Alternatively, if you are buying a private property, you no longer have to pay 60% Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD) as a foreigner. Instead, PRs only need to pay an ABSD of 5% on your first property purchase. Even your second property purchase only requires a 30% ABSD – half of the 60% ABSD foreigners must pay on buying any residential properties in Singapore.
Read Also: How Much Buyer’s Stamp Duty And ABSD Singaporeans, PRs And Foreigners Need To Pay – And When
As a PR, you also enjoy certain healthcare schemes and subsidies in Singapore. Once you become a PR, you automatically fall under MediShield Life and CareShield Life (if you are 30 and above) – and you have to start paying premiums through your spouse’s CPF or in cash. Being a PR, you also qualify for half the subsidy rates applicable to Singapore Citizens.
MediShield Life premiums after 1 April 2025:
| Age Next Birthday | Annual Premiums (inclusive of 9% GST) |
Age Next Birthday | Annual Premiums (inclusive of 9% GST) |
| 1-20 | $200 | 74-75 | $1,816 |
| 21-30 | $295 | 76-78 | $2,027 |
| 31-40 | $503 | 79-80 | $2,187 |
| 41-50 | $637 | 81-83 | $2,303 |
| 51-60 | $903 | 84-85 | $2,616 |
| 61-65 | $1,131 | 86-88 | $2,785 |
| 66-70 | $1,326 | 89-90 | $2,785 |
| 71-73 | $1,643 | >90 | $2,826 |
Source: MOH
CareShield Life premiums started at $206 for males and $253 for females who were 30 years old in 2020. Premiums would have risen by 2% each year since then. For your exact CareShield Life premiums, you can visit the CareShield Life website, and log in with your Singpass.
If you have children, who also became PRs, you can enrol them in a local school. This can save you quite a bit of money since they do not need to go to international schools. Even if your child is already in a local school, the monthly fees that a PR needs to pay is significantly lower compared to international students in local schools. Nevertheless, it is still higher than what Singaporeans will pay.
Here’s how much PR students will need to pay:
| Year | 2025 | 2026 |
| Primary | $318 | $343 |
| Secondary | $640 | $700 |
| Junior College | $727 | $787 |
| Diploma (annual) | $6,400 | |
| ITE (annual) | Nitec: $6,450 2-Year Higher Nitec: $7,760 3-Year & 4-Year Higher Nitec: $7,190 Technical Diploma (TD) in Culinary Arts and TD in Beauty and Wellness Management: $7,040 All other Technical Engineer Diploma (TED) and TD Courses: $6,400 |
|
Source: MOE
You also become eligible for certain Government schemes, such as the $100 SG60 ActiveSG credits that were announced during Budget 2025.
Read Also: Singapore Budget 2025: 5 Major Announcements That Will Benefit The Average Singaporean
Within First Year After Becoming A Singapore PR
When you become a PR, you start receiving and contributing CPF on your salary. However, first- and second-year PRs receive a lower CPF contribution.
In the first year of becoming a PR, your total CPF contributions is only 9%, compared to 37% for third-year and beyond PRs and Citizens. Employees above 65 to 70 will also not be differentiated between employees above 70 – which will come into effect once you become a Citizen or third-year PR.
The cap on your monthly wage is also $7,400.
| PR Employee’s Age | Employer CPF Contributions | Employee CPF Contributions | Total CPF Contributions |
| 55 and Below | 4% | 5% | 9% |
| 55 to 60 | 4% | 5% | 9% |
| 60 to 65 | 3.5% | 5% | 8.5% |
| Above 65 | 3.5% | 5% | 8.5% |
Source: CPF (From 1 Jan 2025)
(for employee wages is $750 and above)
In general, you are paid a slightly higher salary, because you’re now a PR. The drawback may be that you take home slightly less in cash, as employees also have to make CPF contributions. Nevertheless, this money remains yours.
Alongside your entry into the CPF scheme, your access to the Supplementary Retirement Scheme (SRS) changes. Foreigners can contribute up to $35,700 to their SRS, and get a dollar-for-dollar tax relief. As a PR, you can only contribute a maximum of $15,300 to your SRS account now to enjoy a dollar-for-dollar tax relief.
Read Also: Guide To CPF: What New Permanent Residents In Singapore Need To Know
You also have some freedom in leaving your job (hopefully for better pasture) now that you don’t have to worry about having a valid work pass.
Within Second Year After Becoming A Singapore PR
Your CPF contributions increase from what you were getting in your first year. However, they will still be below what PRs get from their third year onwards.
| PR Employee’s Age | Employer CPF Contributions | Employee CPF Contributions | Total CPF Contributions |
| 55 and Below | 9% | 15% | 24% |
| 55 to 60 | 6% | 12.5% | 18.5% |
| 60 to 65 | 3.5% | 7.5% | 11% |
| Above 65 | 3.5% | 5% | 8.5% |
Source: CPF (From 1 Jan 2025)
(for employee wages is $750 and above)
After being a PR for 2 years, you are also able to apply for citizenship if you are 21 years old and above.
3 Years After Becoming A Singapore PR
From your third year of becoming a Singapore PR, you will start receiving a similar level of CPF contributions compared to Singapore Citizens.
| PR Employee’s Age | Employer CPF Contributions | Employee CPF Contributions | Total CPF Contributions |
| 55 and Below | 17% | 20% | 37% |
| 55 to 60 | 15.5% | 17% | 32.5% |
| 60 to 65 | 12% | 11.5% | 23.5% |
| 65 to 70 | 9.5% | 7% | 16.5% |
| Above 70 | 7.5% | 5% | 12.5% |
Source: CPF (From 1 Jan 2025)
(for employee wages is $750 and above)
Singapore PRs can only buy their own resale HDB flats after waiting for three years. This would only affect single PRs and PR/PR couples. Couples who are Citizen/PR can continue to buy BTO flats and resale HDB without restrictions. Do note that PR/PR couples also cannot purchase BTO flats.
5 Years After Becoming A Singapore PR
As mentioned, you need a valid REP to come back into Singapore as a PR. REPs are capped at a maximum of 5 years – which means you need to renew it at least once within 5 years or even sooner.
If You Ever Decide To Depart Singapore For Good
For PRs who decide to leave Singapore, either to go elsewhere or retire in your home country, you can either keep your PR status or renounce your PR status. If you renounce your PR status, you can apply to withdraw your CPF.
If you are living in Singapore for good as a PR, your CPF monies can be managed in the same way as Singapore Citizens, especially for your retirement.
Read Also: Migrating Overseas? Here’s What Would Happen To Your CPF Monies
The post Singaporean Permanent Residents’ Roadmap: Key Personal Financial Schemes And The Decisions You Have To Make appeared first on DollarsAndSense.sg.
