According to the population report released by the Singapore government, a total of 23,472 individuals were granted Singapore Citizenship (SC) and 34,491 were granted Singapore Permanent Residency (PR) in 2023. Although the Permanent Resident (PR) application has been approved, there is still one more step to final victory. After a Singapore PR application is approved, the subsequent procedures must be completed in a timely manner.
What should you do after your PR application is approved? Are there any follow-up actions required after receiving PR approval? Is there a to-do list and a timeline? What happens if the applicant fails to act promptly? What if the applicant is not in Singapore when the approval letter is sent? Will this affect the outcome of the PR approval?
In today’s article, we will try to answer these questions.
Table of Contents
What is ICA’s In-Principle Approval (IPA) Letter?
Upon approval, the applicant will receive an In-Principle Approval (IPA) Letter from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA). The IPA letter is valid for two (2) months from the date of issuance.
Therefore, it is crucial to carefully read the validity period of the IPA stated in the letter to avoid delays that could lead to irreversible consequences.
How does ICA notify applicants of their PR application status?
Applicants must use Singpass to check their application results on the official ICA website. Applicants can download an electronic copy of the IPA letter via the e-service on the ICA website. PR application results are now notified electronically, and the original physical letter may no longer be mailed. It is essential to confirm how to obtain the IPA letter to understand the detailed guidelines/steps on completing the follow-up actions.
Applicants need to take a series of actions after receiving the IPA letter. ICA will clearly state the PR formalities that the applicant needs to complete in the letter.
Actions to Take After Receiving the IPA Letter
- Medical Examination — Simply go to any medical center for a medical check-up (remember to bring the IPA letter). It usually takes about two (2) weeks to get the medical certificate, but the time may vary depending on the medical center. It’s best to confirm with the medical center in advance. In principle, those who have submitted a medical report to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) or ICA within the last two years do not need another one.
- Insurance — All successful PR applicants are required to be insured under MediShield Life (a compulsory basic health insurance plan for Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents introduced by the Singapore government). All successful PR applicants (above 30 years old) must also be insured under CareShield Life (a severe disability insurance scheme that provides basic financial support for long-term care needs in the event of severe disability).
- Appointment with an ICA officer for document verification — After preparing all the medical certificates/reports, insurance, and other documents required in the IPA letter, the applicant must make an appointment with an ICA officer for document verification (Note: appointments must be made online in advance; walk-ins are not allowed). The applicant must bring the original copies of all documents listed in the IPA letter. It may take up to an hour for ICA to verify these documents. After verification, the approved person will receive on the spot (a) an Entry Permit, (b) a Re-Entry Permit, and (c) an Identity Card Collection Slip (an appointment to collect the IC must be made on the ICA website first, and it must be collected within 3 months of completing the formalities).
Collection Methods:
- Collection at an ICA counter
- Self-collection at designated SingPost counters (takes about 1 week).
After obtaining Permanent Residency (PR), applicants who wish to become Singapore citizens are only eligible to apply after residing in Singapore for two years.
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What if the applicant is not in Singapore when receiving the IPA?
If the PR application is approved but the applicant is not in Singapore and cannot return in time to complete the PR formalities, the applicant can apply for an IPA extension directly through the ICA online portal. You can also submit a request to extend the validity of the IPA letter via email to ICA_PR@ica.gov.sg. Please note that extension requests are subject to the consideration of an ICA officer.
If the IPA letter expires, ICA may revoke the approval, which means the PR status granted will be void, and the applicant will have to reapply. However, it is not certain whether a reapplication will be approved by ICA.
You can hire an immigration agency to assist you
If you hire an efficient and responsible immigration agency, they will also assist you after your PR approval (i.e., receiving the IPA letter). Therefore, it is crucial to hire an agency that sees the process through to the end. ICA policies or procedures may change, and in such cases, an effective immigration agency will promptly inform you of the latest changes and provide you with appropriate advice.
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