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PR Formalities in Singapore: What to Do After In-Principle Approval
Short answer: PR formalities in Singapore start once you hold an in-principle approval (IPA), which is not yet PR status. ICA grants PR once you meet the IPA conditions, including S$120 in completion fees (S$20 Entry Permit, S$50 Re-Entry Permit, S$50 Identity Card). If you cannot finish in time, request an extension on ICA e-Service.
Key facts at a glance
- ICA says successful applicants receive an IPA and are granted PR status once they have fulfilled the necessary conditions (ICA, as at 25 October 2026).
- Fees at completion of formalities: S$20 Entry Permit, S$50 for a 5-year Re-Entry Permit and S$50 Singapore Identity Card. All ICA fees are non-refundable.
- The application fee of S$100 is paid at submission, and ICA aims to process applications within 6 months if all documents are in order.
- For applications submitted on or after 26 June 2024, an extension request to complete formalities is made on ICA e-Service and is subject to ICA’s consideration.
- PRs aged 15 and above receive the blue Identity Card, and a PR needs a valid Re-Entry Permit to travel out and return as a PR.
- CPF contributions are payable from the day PR status is obtained, at graduated rates for the first two years (CPF Board, updated 16 June 2026).
This article is general information only and is not legal, tax or immigration advice. For matters needing legal advice, we work with a panel of experienced Singapore law firms.
What does PR in-principle approval mean?
An IPA is ICA’s conditional approval. ICA’s PR page states that successful applicants will receive an In-Principle Approval and will be granted permanent residence status once they have fulfilled the necessary conditions. Until you complete those conditions, you do not hold PR status and you keep your existing pass.
ICA does not publish a long list of every step on its public page, so the IPA letter you receive is the authoritative checklist for your case. It states the period in which you must finish. Read it as soon as it arrives. For how long the earlier stage takes, see our guide to the PR application timeline.
What are the PR formalities in Singapore, step by step?
The steps below follow what ICA publishes. Your IPA letter will confirm the exact items, and any dependants included in your application complete the process as well.
- Read the IPA letter and note the deadline stated in it.
- Log in to ICA e-Service with Singpass and open your application from the dashboard, then choose Proceed to Complete Formalities.
- Prepare the documents and any medical examination report the IPA letter asks for (see the section below).
- Pay the completion fees online: S$20 for the Entry Permit, S$50 for the 5-year Re-Entry Permit and S$50 for the Identity Card.
- Follow the instructions in the IPA letter for the appointment and for collecting the Identity Card.
- Once PR status is granted, tell your employer so CPF is set up correctly, and diarise your Re-Entry Permit dates.
ICA lets applicants pay by Visa or MasterCard credit or debit card, American Express, internet direct debit from selected Singapore banks, or PayNow. ICA also notes that other applicable fees may be notified to successful applicants subsequently, so keep the IPA letter close.
What do the completion fees cost?
The fees at completion of formalities total S$120. The application fee of S$100 was paid earlier when you submitted the application.
| Stage | Item | Fee (ICA) |
|---|---|---|
| At submission | Each application | S$100 |
| At completion of formalities | Entry Permit | S$20 |
| At completion of formalities | 5-year Re-Entry Permit | S$50 |
| At completion of formalities | Singapore Identity Card | S$50 |
Do I need a medical examination for PR?
ICA publishes a PR medical examination report form, and your IPA letter tells you whether you must submit one. The form asks a registered doctor to certify two things: whether a chest X-ray shows any evidence of active TB, and the result of an HIV test.
The form sets four practical rules. The examination can be done by any registered doctor at a clinic licensed to carry out the tests. Applicants other than renewal applicants may have it done in their home country or place of residence. The report is accepted only if it is submitted within 3 months of its issue. And reports that do not meet ICA’s requirements will be rejected, with no additional remarks allowed on the form. An applicant who submitted a medical report to ICA or MOM not more than two years earlier may use the declaration on the form instead. Always check that you have the current version of the form before you visit a clinic. The form is on ICA’s website.
What if I cannot complete the formalities in time?
Request an extension through ICA e-Service before the IPA period ends. ICA states that for applications submitted on or after 26 June 2024, you click View Details, then Proceed to Complete Formalities, then Request for Extension. Extension requests are subject to ICA’s consideration, so give a clear reason and apply early.
For applications submitted before 26 June 2024, ICA provides a separate channel for the sponsor or applicant to request an extension of the IPA validity. See ICA’s answer on completing formalities for the current wording.
What changes once I become a PR?
You receive an Entry Permit, a 5-year Re-Entry Permit and the blue Identity Card, and you must have a valid Re-Entry Permit whenever you leave and return as a PR. ICA states that PRs aged 15 and above are issued the blue Identity Card.
| Area | What to do | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Travel | Keep the Re-Entry Permit valid. A lapsed permit can end PR status, which is explained in our guide to the lapsed Re-Entry Permit and Re-Entry Permit renewal. | ICA |
| CPF | Contributions are payable from the day you obtain PR status. In the first two years you and your employer contribute at graduated rates, and may jointly apply to contribute at higher rates. | CPF Board |
| Employment Pass or S Pass | MOM states you do not need to cancel an Employment Pass when the holder becomes a Singapore permanent resident. Tell your employer so payroll and CPF are set up correctly. | MOM |
| National Service | ICA states male PRs, unless exempted, are required to serve NS. Those granted PR as a foreign student or under a parent’s sponsorship register at 16 and a half. Read ICA’s advisory carefully for sons. | ICA |
| Changing employer | If you change jobs during the process, read our guide on changing employers while a PR application is pending. | ICA |
HR teams handling senior workers should also see our article on CPF rates for 2027.
Common mistakes after an IPA
- Missing the deadline in the IPA letter and not requesting an extension in time.
- Using an old or incomplete medical report, or one older than 3 months at submission.
- Forgetting that each person in the application, including children, must complete the formalities.
- Travelling without a valid Re-Entry Permit after PR status is granted.
- Not telling the employer, so CPF contributions start late. CPF is payable from the day PR status is obtained.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to complete PR formalities?
The period is stated in your IPA letter. ICA does not publish a single standard period on its PR page, so rely on the letter and request an extension on ICA e-Service if needed.
How much do PR formalities cost?
ICA lists S$20 for the Entry Permit, S$50 for a 5-year Re-Entry Permit and S$50 for the Identity Card at completion, a total of S$120, and the S$100 application fee at submission.
Can I still work on my Employment Pass before PR status is granted?
Until PR status is granted you remain on your existing pass. Follow the instructions in your IPA letter on timing and check your pass validity so it does not lapse during the process.
Do I need to cancel my Employment Pass after I become a PR?
MOM states you do not need to cancel an Employment Pass if the pass holder becomes a Singapore permanent resident.
What if the PR application is rejected instead?
Our article on why PR applications get rejected explains common patterns.
Official sources: ICA: Becoming a Permanent Resident, CPF Board: CPF for new PRs and MOM: cancel an Employment Pass.
Need help with this? Call, SMS or WhatsApp +65 8501 7133, or email [email protected]. Little Big Employment Agency (EA Licence 19C9790) works with a panel of corporate and employment law firms; this article is general information, not legal advice.
Last reviewed: 25 October 2026. The Editorial Team, Little Big Employment Agency.
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