ICA introduces electronic system for PR applications from 18 Dec

Starting from 18 December, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority of Singapore (ICA) will introduce an electronic system for permanent residency (PR) applications, ICA said in a news release on Thursday (2 November).

At present, people applying for PR must make an appointment with ICA to submit their documents in person. Under the new system, applicants will be able to key in the required information and scan and upload supporting documents to ICA through the e-PR system without an appointment.

ICA will accept PR applications only through the e-PR system starting from 18 December. E-appointment slots will no longer be released after this date.

Those who have already secured appointment slots will not be affected, and can submit their hardcopy applications during their appointments with ICA.

New fees will also apply for all PR applications submitted from 18 December onwards, said ICA.

Adjustment of fees for PR applications

Currently, PR applicants are not charged with any processing fees, but successful applicants need to pay $100 for an Entry Permit.

ICA will revise the PR application fees to charge a processing fee of $100 per applicant at the point of submission. Successful applicants will also pay a $20 fee for the Entry Permit, bringing the total fees for successful applicants to $120.

Those who have appointment slots to submit their documents in person will not be affected by this new fee structure.

According to the Department of Statistics, there are 526,000 Singapore permanent residents as of 2017.

For more information on the e-PR system, members of the public can refer to the FAQ on ICA’s website.