Singapore has imposed tougher immigration rules for permanent residents (PRs) living in the country. The country government has mandated that permanent residents must renew their re-entry permits (REP) within 180-days or risk having their residency revoked completely.
This rule will begin on December 1, 2025. So, if you're not a Singapore national but you live or work in the country, this is the high time you renew you permit to remain in the country. Meanwhile, the renewal processes are simple and that's what we're doing in this article.
Mind you, here's where the renewal policy gets tougher: foreign nationals whose their re-entry permits have expired only have a one-month grace period to renew it. Meanwhile, it's worth noting that the authorities may sometimes exercise discretion to reinstate lapsed status, and the flexibility will end once the new regulation takes effect.
PRs who stay overseas after their re-entry permits expire will have 180 days to renew them. If they fail to do so within that period, their PR status will be automatically cancelled. Once this happens, the loss of residency is final—there will be no option to appeal or reinstate it.
However, if you're interested in getting your PR status back after it's been revoked, you must apply again for permanent residency or secure a valid work pass to return and live or work in Singapore. With that being said, let's dive into the primary reason of this article.
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How to Renew Re-entry Permit in Singapore
Here’s a detailed guideline on how you can submit a renewal application for your Re-Entry Permit (REP) as a permanent residents (PRs) living or working in Singapore—incorporating the recent change effective 1 December 2025. This guideline can also be implemented by PRs who's currently outside Singapore.
But before we dive into the primary reason, let's talk about what you'll need—eligibilities and basic requirements—for the renewal.
Requirements
- You must hold PR status in Singapore.
- Current international passport biodata page and REP details. The passport must have at least 3 months’ validity at the time you apply.
- A Singpass Account.
- Singapore Blue Identity Card (PR IC).
- Proof of employment in Singapore: Employer letter, CPF contribution history, income tax assessment. Or if you're a for self-employed foreign national, then you'll need to provide your business registration certificate, and tax assessment.
- If your PR is obtained under spouse-sponsorship to a Singaporean Spouse, then you'll need to provide your marriage certificate and your spouse’s identity card.
- If under 21 and a dependent, your parents or guardians will need to provide their identity card and your birth certificate.
- An application and processing fee of S$10 per year (or part thereof) of the REP validity.
Note: Your current REP must be valid—or renewal must be applied for—if you wish to maintain your PR status while travelling out of Singapore.
How to Apply
Singapore immigration service accepts applications through online portal via their "Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) e-Service (e-REP)" using your SingPass account. However, if you’re overseas and do not have a SingPass, you may submit through the nearest Singapore Overseas Mission at least 2 months before the PR expires.
Now, once you get all of that, follow these steps to submit your application:
- Log in to ICA’s e-REP online portal using SingPass.
- Fill in the application form for REP Renewal.
- Upload any required documents if requested. Usually, you don’t need to submit documents for renewal because your documents are collected in the initial application. So, unless ICA asks you'll need to submit additional documents.
- Pay the renewal fee—the fee is S$10 per year (or part thereof) of the REP validity.
- Tap on "Submit" and from there, you can begin to monitor your application status via the portal and wait for approval.
- Once approved, print or download the new REP (digital format) and ensure your passport/travel document details are updated.
The application processing usually takes up to one week—excluding the submission day—for online renewal, provided there are no complications. However, if you're applying outside Singapore, maybe through a Singapore mission, the processing time can take up to 4 to 6 weeks or more.
