Renounce Singapore PR: How It Works, CPF Withdrawal and What You Lose

Short answer: To renounce Singapore PR, you apply online to ICA, and PR dependants renounce in the same application. ICA’s general processing time is about 4 weeks. Afterwards, you close your CPF account and transfer the savings to your bank, which CPF says takes about 12 weeks. ICA has no provision to reinstate renounced PR.

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.

Why would someone renounce Singapore PR?

Most people renounce because they are leaving Singapore for good and want to end their PR obligations and release their CPF savings. It is a voluntary and, in practice, one-way step, so it deserves a short planning period before you submit.

If your PR lapses without a renunciation, for example through an expired Re-Entry Permit, the consequences differ. Our guides on losing PR status and on reapplying after a lapsed Re-Entry Permit explain that route.

How do I renounce Singapore PR?

You submit an application online to ICA. ICA’s advisory states that if you still wish to proceed, you may submit the application online, and refers you to the ICA website for the documents required.

1. Decide with your family. If you are the main applicant, every dependant who obtained PR under your sponsorship must renounce together with you in the same application.
2. Check the National Service position for any male family member (see the section below).
3. Tell your employer, so that notice, final pay and tax clearance can be planned.
4. Submit the renunciation application online and follow the document checklist on ICA’s website.
5. Wait for ICA’s outcome. ICA’s general processing time is approximately 4 weeks from receipt, and some applications need longer.
6. When the renunciation is completed, close your CPF account and transfer the savings to your bank (see below).

The official ICA answers are on how to renounce PR and how long it takes. ICA also advises you to liaise with your employer and the CPF Board on your CPF matters.

How do I withdraw my CPF after renouncing PR?

You close your CPF account and transfer the savings to your bank account. CPF’s rule is that members who are no longer Singapore Citizens or PRs must close their CPF accounts, because the system exists for the retirement, housing and healthcare needs of citizens and PRs.

The timing depends on when you renounced. The table sets out CPF’s published position as at 26 October 2026.

Renunciation date	What CPF says
Before 1 April 2024	The account was closed automatically in April 2024, and savings stopped earning CPF interest. Savings earn interest similar to commercial bank rates until 31 March 2027.
From 1 April 2024	You may close the account and transfer your savings once the renunciation is completed. Otherwise the account is closed automatically in the following month, and savings stop earning CPF interest, apart from the same concession until 31 March 2027.

CPF states that the average processing time is about 12 weeks, because it conducts thorough checks to ensure that CPF savings are disbursed correctly. Applying early matters. If you have Singpass, CPF strongly encourages the online application, which it calls the fastest. If you are outside Singapore without Singpass, you submit the completed form and documents by post, witnessed and certified by an official of a Singapore Overseas Mission or, in an Apostille Convention country, notarised and apostilled. CPF recommends that if you are in Singapore, you close the account before leaving to avoid extra verification. See CPF’s page on closing your account when you leave Singapore.

CPF also lists a FAQ on how to get ICA’s letter confirming the cancellation of your PR, so ask ICA for confirmation of your renunciation and keep a copy for the CPF application.

What do you lose when you renounce PR?

You lose PR status and the rights that depend on it, and your participation in CPF schemes ends when the account closes. ICA does not allow reinstatement of voluntarily renounced PR.

Item	What happens
PR status	Ends on completion of the renunciation. ICA states there is no provision to reinstate it, but you can submit a fresh application if you meet the prevailing criteria.
CPF savings	You close the account and transfer savings to your bank. Interest is paid at commercial-bank-like rates only until 31 March 2027.
CPF schemes	CPF states that participation ends, with examples such as CPF LIFE, MediShield Life, CPF Investments and discounted Singtel shares.
Family members	Dependants who obtained PR through you must renounce in the same application.
Future applications	Renouncing without completing full-time National Service has a serious adverse impact for liable male PRs, described below.

What about National Service?

ICA warns that renouncing or losing PR status without serving or completing full-time National Service will have a serious adverse impact on applications to work or study in Singapore, or for any long-term immigration facilities, now or in the future. It also affects family members’ applications for long-term immigration facilities, their ability to sponsor such facilities, their Re-Entry Permit renewals and their citizenship applications.

ICA also states that all male Singapore citizens and PRs, unless exempted, are required to serve National Service, and that those granted PR as foreign students or under their parents’ sponsorship register at 16 and a half. Read ICA’s advisory and the CMPB information before you file. Our guides on National Service for PR families and what male PRs and citizenship applicants must know give more context.

Is tax clearance (IR21) needed when a PR leaves?

Usually yes if the PR is leaving Singapore permanently. IRAS states that tax clearance is not required for Singapore PRs who are not leaving Singapore permanently after ceasing employment, provided the employer holds a Letter of Undertaking from the employee. A PR who is leaving permanently falls outside that exception, so the employer should file the Form IR21.

IRAS says that generally the employer must notify IRAS at least one month in advance and withhold all monies due to the employee from the date it becomes aware of the impending cessation or departure. See our guides on IR21 tax clearance and the deemed exercise rule for stock options and RSUs if the employee holds equity awards.

Can I get PR back after renouncing?

Not by reinstatement. ICA states there is no provision to reinstate the PR status of those who renounced voluntarily, and that you may submit a fresh application to be considered if you meet the prevailing application criteria. Our PR application timeline guide shows how long a new application can take, and ICA’s own page states a processing period of within 6 months if documents are in order.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to renounce Singapore PR?

ICA states the general processing time is approximately 4 weeks from the receipt of your application, and some applications may take longer.

Do my children have to renounce too?

ICA states that dependants who obtained PR under the main applicant’s sponsorship must renounce together in the same application. Check ICA’s current document checklist for any age-related points.

When should I close my CPF account?

CPF says to close the account once the renunciation is completed. If you do not, the account is closed automatically in the following month for renunciations from 1 April 2024.

Will I still earn CPF interest after renouncing?

CPF states the savings stop earning the prevailing CPF interest, and as a concession earn interest similar to commercial bank rates until 31 March 2027.

Can a Singapore PR who goes abroad keep PR without renouncing?

Only through a valid Re-Entry Permit. Our guide to the Re-Entry Permit renewal explains the rules.

Official sources: ICA: Becoming a Permanent Resident, CPF Board: account closure and IRAS: tax clearance (IR21).

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: 26 October 2026. The Editorial Team, Little Big Employment Agency.