Singapore Permanent Resident (PR) Renewal is an important process that can’t be ignored. If you aren’t aware, failing to renew your PR status in Singapore can cause you to lose it altogether, forcing you to leave the country and renounce your permanent resident status here in Singapore. While this may seem like an intimidating prospect, knowing that there are several ways to renew your PR status quickly and easily will make the process less daunting and more manageable.
Preparing for your renewal
Singapore Permanent Resident Renewal is a one-time process. There is no need to do anything else once the application has been submitted and approved. Once you receive your notification of approval, your PR will be renewed for ten years from the date of issue or last renewal, whichever is latest. So make sure you don’t let this happen to you and apply for Singapore Permanent Resident Renewal today! It’s easy, takes only two steps and costs less than SGD $400! It can take up to two months for the Singaporean government to approve your application so plan ahead and submit your Singapore Permanent Resident Renewal application in time! Remember that the wait times depend on a number of factors such as how many requests are being processed at the time, how much backlog there is in processing applications and where you live. We recommend submitting an application at least three months before expiry to ensure that it is processed on time but if you have an urgent situation then contact us now. If your current visa status expires while we’re waiting for the renewal, then you’ll have to leave Singapore and return when your new visa becomes effective after processing.
Completing the forms
There are a few steps to renewing your permanent resident status. You will need to fill out two forms, one for the Government and one for the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA). Both forms are available on the ICA website. The first form is called a Notice of Application for Singapore Citizenship and you can download it from the ICA website. This form needs to be filled in, signed, stamped with an official stamp or seal, and then filed at your nearest Citizens’ Consultative Committee (CCCC) office. They will send it off to the Ministry of Home Affairs which reviews the application and issues a certificate if they find everything correct. Once they do this, you will receive a letter informing you that your application has been successful and that they have issued a Certificate of Entitlement (COE) to prove this. If there is anything wrong with your application, the COE will not be issued so check all details carefully before submitting them.
Answering questions during an interview
1) What is a permanent resident?
A permanent resident of Singapore is someone who has been granted permission to live and work in Singapore indefinitely. You must have a valid PR card to stay in Singapore. You are not required to live here permanently but you can only leave for up to 2 years before your PR expires.
2) How long is the process of renewing my status? The entire process will take approximately 2-3 months, depending on how quickly you can gather documents and make appointments. As soon as we receive your application, we will mail the renewal form to you so that you can complete it at home or bring it with you when attending our next appointment together. Next, you need to come back into our office to attend an interview where I’ll be asking questions about yourself and your family members. To prepare for this interview:
3) Make sure all personal information on the renewal form is correct (especially your passport number).
4) Bring identification documentation like birth certificates, passports and marriage certificates to prove who you are and where each member of your family was born. Bring any expired passports or other identification cards too. Remember to bring photocopies of all these documents because they won’t be returned to you once they’re reviewed by us during the interview.
What are you waiting for?
If you’re a Singapore permanent resident, I hope you had the foresight to renew your status on time this past March. This is because from October 1st 2016 onwards, the fees for applicants will increase. The cost of a five-year extension will go up by S$150 and the cost of an eight-year extension will rise by S$250 (current fee: S$100).
This might not seem like much but trust me, when you’re applying for renewal every four years that adds up! You could be looking at paying over $500 more in fees than if you renewed your status before October 1st 2016. And on top of that, there’s also the risk that your visa could be rejected if your application is submitted after October 1st 2016.
