Singapore Permanent Resident, abbreviated as SPR (some people refer to it as the 'Singapore Green Card'), is generally the first status obtained by immigrants.

Introduction

Singapore Permanent Residence, obtained throughSingapore Immigration and Checkpoints Authorityis a type of status in Singapore. Singapore Permanent Residents can apply for Singapore citizenship and become Singapore citizens. They enjoy the same treatment as Singapore citizens and can freely work and start businesses in Singapore. The population growth rate of Singapore citizens is relatively slow, at only 1.3% per year, while the population of Singapore Permanent Residents has a significant increase, reaching 10% annually.

Pathways

To apply for Singapore Permanent Resident (PR) status, one can do so through professional and technical immigration, marriage immigration, special immigration, self-employed immigration, and investment immigration.

Investment Immigration

Currently, Singapore's investment immigration only requires an investment of 250,000 SGD, under the program called the 'Global Investor Programme', aimed at attracting overseas investors, entrepreneurs, and business management talents to invest and start businesses in Singapore with a minimum of 2.5 million SGD. Eligible applicants can obtain permanent residency for their entire family after completing the investment. This is the only remaining direct investment immigration option in Singapore.

Technical Immigration

Singapore offers preferential support for outstanding talents to enhance the country's soft power and promote economic development. However, being recognized as outstanding talent requires certain conditions, including being employed by a Singapore company and having relevant work experience and qualifications, obtaining an employment pass, and finally applying to the immigration authority. After approval by the Singapore Immigration and Checkpoints Authority, one becomes a Singapore Permanent Resident.

Entrepreneur Immigration

Entrepreneur immigration refers to first applying for an Entrepreneur Pass, and then applying for Singapore Permanent Residency (PR) to immigrate to Singapore.

Marriage Immigration

If either spouse is a citizen of Singapore, they are eligible to apply to the immigration authority for Singapore Permanent Resident status. The Singapore Immigration and Checkpoints Authority will treat this as a specific individual case for approval. It is important to note that if the marriage is merely a means to obtain Singapore citizenship, known as a sham marriage, once discovered, the permanent resident status will be revoked, and there is a possibility of being blacklisted by the immigration authority.

Main Differences

Each country has some policy differences between citizens and permanent residents, but the treatment of immigrants in Singapore as permanent residents and citizens is basically the same.

Differences between Singapore Permanent Residents and Citizens:

1.Singapore citizens enjoy government bonuses,dividends, allowances, etc., while permanent residents do not enjoy these benefits;

2.First-generation male SPR holders do not need to serve in the military, while SC holders are required to serve;

3.Holders of Singapore passports do not have issues regarding their children's status, while it is different for permanent residents, whose children can only hold SPR status;

4.Singapore citizens have pink identity cards, while permanent residents have blue ones. SPR holders need to obtain permission for multiple entries and exits from Singapore.

5.Citizens enjoy permanent rights that Singapore citizens have, while the status of Singapore Permanent Residents needs to be renewed, usually the first application for SPR is for 5 years, and then renewal can be for either 5 or 10 years;

6.Singapore citizens hold Singapore passports, while Singapore Permanent Residents hold their home country's passports. In terms of political rights, permanent residents cannot enjoy any rights exclusive to citizens in Singapore, such as voting rights, and jobs that are only allowed for citizens, like government civil servants;

7.Permanent residents can enjoy (and must accept) benefits such as: the same CPF contribution regulations as citizens, and can withdraw part of the CPF when canceling SPR status; the personal income tax rate is the same as that of Singapore citizens; those over 21 years old and SPR holders for 2-6 years can apply for SC; and it is easier to find jobs because each company has a quota limit for hiring various work permit holders, but there is no limit for hiring SPRs.

8.Singapore citizens receive government subsidies when purchasing HDB flats, while permanent residents do not. Before the new policy, they could not buy new flats and had to buy from the resale market, which allowed the first Singapore citizen homeowners to earn about 100,000 SGD in profit. Recently, a new policy was introduced allowing some new flats to be purchased by Singapore Permanent Residents, but due to many restrictions and only in certain designated areas, the beneficiaries of this new policy are currently not many.

Welfare

Central Provident Fund

Singapore's Central Provident Fund system began in 1955 and is the core of Singapore's social security system. After years of development, this system has become a comprehensive social security system that integrates various functions such as retirement, healthcare, housing, and family protection. Employed Singapore Permanent Residents have the right to enjoy the Central Provident Fund system.

Health Insurance

In Singapore, individuals bear more than 60% of the total national health expenses. The Singapore government advocates for 'healthcare savings'. 'Healthcare savings' means accumulating funds for hospitalization, future needs, old age, and disease risks. The savings account is limited to paying for hospitalization and a few expensive outpatient expenses, and can be used by three generations of a family (parents, children, spouses). Hospitalization costs are subsidized by the state, and personal medical accounts and individuals bear the costs, rather than being fully paid by personal accounts.

Pension

In Singapore, everyone has their own pension account, and contributions are made until the age of 55. If the government-prescribed minimum limit is reached, contributions can stop. The government set the minimum limit at 90,000 SGD on July 1, 2005, which will rise to 120,000 SGD in 2013. Singapore Permanent Residents and citizens can receive government pensions monthly starting at age 62. If they pass away, the balance in the CPF account will be transferred to their beneficiaries.

Family Reunion

Many international students can apply for permanent residency in Singapore after graduating from Singaporean universities. Their parents and in-laws after marriage can generally apply for long-term residence in Singapore under normal circumstances. The validity of this visa follows the validity of the child's permanent resident card, usually for 5 or 10 years, allowing multiple entries and exits. With this visa, parents can co-found companies and conduct business in Singapore with their children.

Education

Children of permanent residents in Singapore enjoy priority admission rights over foreigners when enrolling in kindergartens, primary schools, and secondary schools, along with tuition fee reductions.