Although, most foreigners become Singapore permanent residents after working in the country for 6 months to 5 years, there are other ways to getting a Singapore Permanent Resident (PR) status. Singapore Permanent Residency (SPR) visa permits foreigners to stay in Singapore legally without any visa restrictions. As a holder of a Singapore Permanent Resident visa, you will have the privilege to freely move in and out of Singapore and you do not need to re-apply a work visa every time you change an employer. You can also invest freely, secure admission into subsidized government educational institution and gain financial benefits in the form of employer’s contributions to your pension funds (CPF). In addition, you can also apply Singapore Permanent Resident for your spouse, children and parents.
There are two kinds of permanent residency schemes for foreigners seeking to stay in Singapore:
1. Global Investor Program (GIP): This scheme is for foreign investors with good business background and willing to invest S$ 2.5 million in Singapore. The scheme allows you to invest your way to Singapore permanent residence. Also known as the Million Dollar Scheme, under this scheme, you may apply for permanent residency for yourself and immediate family by starting a business or investing in Singapore. Under the Investor Scheme, you can choose either of the following investment options:
- Option A: Invest at least S$2.5 million in a new business startup or expansion of an existing business operation.
- Option B: Invest at least S$2.5 million in a GIP-approved fund.
Apart from funds to invest, one must also have a good business track record, an entrepreneurial background and a business proposal or investment plan. For more on the program you can click here:
2. Skill-Migration scheme: This scheme is for foreign professional who are now working in Singapore with eligible work passes like Employment Passes, Personalised Employment Passes, Entre Passes, S-Passes. Also known as Professionals/ Technical Personnel & Skilled Worker scheme is the easiest and most assured route to Singapore permanent residency. The key requirement under this scheme is that you must be working in Singapore at the time of application. To apply for Singapore permanent residency, one needs to show a minimum of six months’ worth of salary payslips. So one must stay and work in the country for at least that amount of time before applying.
Documents required:
For an applicant applying for the Skill-Migration scheme he need to provide the following documents:
- Completed Form 4A (1 copy with original signature)
- 2 passport photographs
- Duly completed current employer’s information (Annex A)
- Copies of applicant’s passport with at least 7 months of validity
- Applicant’s curriculum vitae / bio-data.
For an applicant applying for this scheme and has dependants he needs to provide the following documents:
- Copy of each dependent’s passport
- Identity card of main applicant (if applicable)
- Copy of applicant’s Work Pass
- Copies of educational certificates, transcripts, professional membership certificates and vocational trade certificates of main applicant. For graduates, 2 photocopies of degree / diploma are required
- Copies official marriage certificate
- Copies birth certificate of main applicant
- Copies of past employment testimonials / reference letters and Resume (if any)
- Copy of applicant’s offer / employment letter / contract from current employer.
- Copy of applicant’s pay slips for the past 6 months and Income Tax notices of assessment for the last 3 years
- Birth certificates of children showing both parents’ names and child’s name
- Death certificate or divorce certificate and the custody papers for the children in respect of the applicant’s spouse/spouse marriages
- For self-employed, valid Business Registration Certificate
SINGAPORE EMPLOYMENT PASS (EP):
A Singapore Employment Pass (EP) is a type of work visa issued to a foreign professional to work in Singapore. There is no quota system limiting the number of Employment Passes so a company can be issued unlimited EPs for its foreign employees, managers, and owners/ directors. This pass is normally issued for 1-2 years at a time and renewable thereafter. Since there is no quota system, each application is reviewed by the authorities based on the credentials of the employing company and the applicant. An EP visa enables the holder to work and live in Singapore and travel in and out of the country freely without applying for Singapore entry visas. The EP is also considered as the first step towards obtaining Singapore permanent residence in due course of time.
Who can apply for a Singapore EP:
- Any owner/ director of a Singapore company who needs to relocate to Singapore to run his company
- Any Singapore company hiring foreign staff.
Salary requirements and types of Employment Passes:
From January 2012, there have been some changes in the requirements for an Employment Pass. With effect from January 1, 2012, the minimum fixed salary for the EP has been raised from S$2800 to S$3,000 a month.
With effect from 1 January 2012, the salary threshold for the corresponding passes will be as follows:
- P1 Pass: For a base salary above S$8,000 a month.
- P2 Pass: For a base salary between S$4,500 and S$8,000 a month.
- Q1 Pass: For a base salary between S$3,000 and S$4,500 a month.
Documents required:
The following documents are required for submission of Employment Pass visa application in Singapore:
- EP Application Form 8 endorsed by the Singapore company
- A copy of resume detailing the applicant’s work experience
- Copies of educational certificates and past employment testimonials
- A passport-size photograph taken within the past three months
- A copy of the personal particulars page of the applicant’s passport
- Copy of business profile for the Singapore company
- Detailed description of the duties to be performed by the applicant
- Detailed description of activities and/or products of the company
- Tenancy agreement of the place of business operations in Singapore.
Renewing the Employment Pass:
Ideally two months before your EP is due to expire, an Employment Pass Renewal Form is sent to your employer’s address. The renewal application should be completed and submitted to MOM at least four weeks before the pass expires. After your renewal application is approved, your employer will receive an approval letter and you will have to visit the MOM office to collect your new Employment Pass.
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