Permanent residency in Singapore is the second most privileged immigration status in Singapore, second only to Singapore citizenship.
Singapore Permanent Residents (PRs) are permitted to live and work in Singapore without any time limit. However, PRs are subject to Re-Entry Permit (REP) requirements if they wish to leave Singapore for any length of time for any reason. If a PR leaves Singapore without a valid REP, or if a PR is outside Singapore when his/her REP expires, that individual's PR status automatically and, with rare exceptions, irrevocably ends. Singapore's Immigration and Checkpoints Authority generally renews REPs for 5 years, subject to PRs demonstrating some actual residence and economic activity in Singapore.
PRs can apply for citizenship two years after being granted PR status.
Starting in 2010, Singapore set a 30,000 annual cap on the number of individuals granted Permanent Residence. There is a relatively stable population of about 500,000 PRs in Singapore.
Qualified PR applicants include: