Singapore PR — ICA scheme overview (PTS + GIP)

Build a Singapore PR application strategy for [CLIENT_NAME] (current pass [CURRENT_PASS]; [YEARS_IN_SINGAPORE] years in SG; salary S$[MONTHLY_SALARY_SGD]; family Spouse + children).

§1 — ICA PR SCHEMES (90-110 words)
Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) administers PR under Immigration Act (Cap 133). Three main schemes for foreign individuals:

(a) PROFESSIONALS / TECHNICAL PERSONNEL / SKILLED WORKERS (PTS):
  • Most common — for EP, S-Pass, ONE Pass, PEP holders
  • Apply online via ICA e-Service
  • Discretionary; no points formula publicly disclosed
  • Typical timeline: 6-12 months processing

(b) GLOBAL INVESTOR PROGRAMME (GIP):
  • EDB-administered (not ICA initially)
  • For high-net-worth investors
  • Direct PR for principal + family
  • Investment thresholds S$2.5M-50M depending on track

(c) FOREIGN ARTISTIC TALENT:
  • Narrow — for established artists
  • NAC-endorsed nomination

PTS dominant for Indian-cohort professionals; GIP for HNI/family-office founders.

§2 — PTS ELIGIBILITY + INDICATORS (110-140 words)
ICA does not publish formal points but factors include:
  • Current Singapore work pass duration + type (longer EP/PEP/ONE Pass = stronger)
  • Salary level — S$8,000+/month typical floor; S$15,000+/month strong
  • Education credentials — top-tier degree boosts
  • Singapore-based experience years
  • Family integration (Singaporean / PR spouse / parents)
  • CPF contributions consistency
  • Tax record (IRAS clean)
  • Age — sweet spot 30-45 for professionals
  • Sponsor employer profile (Singapore-listed / MNC / government-linked = strong)
  • Industry alignment with national priorities (fintech, biotech, sustainable energy)

For [CLIENT_NAME] on [CURRENT_PASS] at S$[MONTHLY_SALARY_SGD] for [YEARS_IN_SINGAPORE] years: stronger profiles include 2-3+ years on EP at S$8,000+ with consistent CPF + IRAS records.

§3 — PTS APPLICATION DOCUMENTS (110-140 words)
Submit via ICA e-Service (myICA portal):
  • Form 4A (Application for Permanent Residence)
  • Application fee: S$100 [VERIFY current]
  • Documents:
    - Passport + current pass card
    - Educational certificates + transcripts (top-tier degree from MOM-recognised list strengthens)
    - Employment history: payslips (latest 6 months), tax assessments (NOA from IRAS) for past 3 years
    - Latest CPF contribution statement (mandatory employer + employee contributions for EP at certain salaries; S-Pass + Work Permit holders generally don't contribute CPF)
    - Marriage certificate (if including spouse)
    - Children's birth certificates (if including children)
    - Photographs (5×4.5cm)
    - Statutory declaration of family details
  • Processing: 6-12 months
  • Outcome: In-Principle Approval (IPA) → entry permit → PR collection

§4 — GIP TRACKS (130-160 words)
Global Investor Programme (GIP) — high-net-worth track. Three tracks (current as of 2023 reform):

(a) NEW SET-UP / EXISTING BUSINESS:
  • Invest S$10M in new business OR S$50M in established business
  • Requires senior executive role
  • Operating expenditure + local hiring targets

(b) FAMILY OFFICE:
  • Establish single family office in Singapore
  • Manage S$200M AUM (assets under management); S$50M deployed locally
  • Track record of S$200M+ family net worth

(c) NEXT-GENERATION ENTREPRENEUR:
  • S$2.5M to S$5M investment depending on sub-criteria
  • Track record of founding + scaling tech ventures

All tracks: investor must be:
  • Recognised business owner / founder / senior executive
  • Verifiable track record of business success
  • Substantial net worth
  • Commitment to Singapore residence

GIP for Indian-cohort: typically deployed by founders selling Indian SaaS/fintech businesses or HNI multi-generational families.

§5 — INDIAN-COHORT PR REALITY (90-110 words)
PR grant rates for Indian-cohort have been competitive:
  • Senior EP holders at MNC / financial services / tech (Goldman, DBS, OCBC, Stripe, Meta, Google) — strong approval
  • Indian IT services concentration penalty extends to PR (similar pattern as COMPASS)
  • S-Pass holders rarely succeed at PR alone
  • DP holders: very limited path; usually convert to LTVP+ (limited) OR principal applies their own EP / S-Pass
  • Reapplication: ICA does not require waiting period; common practice is 12-24 months between attempts with strengthened profile

Strategic plays:
  • Move from Indian IT services employer to MNC employer 6-12 months before applying
  • Boost salary to S$10,000+/month
  • Earn additional credentials (Singapore MBA, master's)

§6 — FAMILY INCLUSION + POST-PR (60-80 words)
Single PR application can include:
  • Spouse (married)
  • Unmarried children under 21
  • Aged parents may apply separately for LTVP+

Post-PR rights:
  • Live + work indefinitely in Singapore
  • Subject to PR re-entry conditions (REP — Re-Entry Permit, 5-year renewable)
  • CPF mandatory contributions (employer + employee shares; PR contribution rates lower initially)
  • Citizenship eligibility 2-6 years post-PR (typically 2 years for spouse of citizen; longer for general PR)
  • National service obligation for sons (males 16.5-40 years subject to NS)

End with: "DRAFT SINGAPORE PR STRATEGY — for review by Singapore-registered immigration consultant or solicitor. PTS PR is discretionary; profile strength matters more than years-in-Singapore. National Service obligation for PR sons is binding + cannot be waived — Indian-cohort families with teenage boys should plan carefully. Re-apply with stronger profile if denied; ICA does not publish reasons."