This Singapore PR application checklist sets out every document the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) asks for, grouped by applicant type, so you can prepare a complete submission in one sitting. The core set covers a recent digital photo, your passport, work pass, the last six months of payslips, an employer letter, your educational certificates, and your marriage or birth certificates where these were issued outside Singapore. Get these scanned and translated first, then apply through the e-PR system.
Permanent residence is a Your Money or Your Life decision, and ICA assesses each case on its own merits, so this checklist is a preparation aid rather than a promise of approval. Every requirement and figure below is dated as of 2026 and tied to ICA's published guidance. Use it to gather your papers, check the file format and size limits, and arrange notarised translations before you start the online form.
Key Takeaways
- Core documents: a 400 x 514 pixel colour photo, passport, work pass, last six months of payslips, an employer letter dated within three months, educational certificates, and marriage or birth certificates issued outside Singapore.
- By applicant type: the main applicant submits the full set; a non-applying spouse and sponsor submit a reduced set; children and aged parents have their own short lists.
- Income tax: ICA's checklist asks for the latest three years' income tax assessment or receipts only if you work overseas, as of 2026.
- File rules: upload scanned copies as PDF, JPEG or PNG, each kept within 1MB, through the e-PR system on the ICA website.
- Translations: any document not in English needs a notarised or officially attested English translation; self-translations are not accepted.
- Fees and timing: S$100 per applicant on submission, and ICA aims to process complete applications within about six months as of 2026.
Who Applies and Which List Applies to You
ICA splits the paperwork by role. The main applicant is the person whose eligibility anchors the case, usually an Employment Pass or S Pass holder under the Professionals, Technicians and Skilled Workers (PTS) scheme, the spouse or unmarried child under 21 of a citizen or permanent resident, or an aged parent of an adult citizen. A spouse or child who is not applying for PR but is named in the form is a non-applying family member, and the citizen or PR who supports the case is the sponsor.
Knowing your role matters because some items are marked "not required" for certain people. A sponsor, for example, does not submit a photo, while every applicant does. Match yourself to the right column in the table below before you start scanning.
Common Application Routes
- PTS scheme: for current Employment Pass or S Pass holders, the most common route. See our Employment Pass and work visa guidance for pass eligibility.
- Spouse and children: the spouse or unmarried child under 21 of a Singapore citizen or PR, sponsored by that family member.
- Aged parents: parents of a Singapore citizen, with the citizen child as sponsor.
- Foreign Student scheme: students who have studied in Singapore for a period and passed a national exam such as the PSLE or a GCE level.
- Global Investor Programme: investors who qualify through Singapore Economic Development Board criteria, covered in our Global Investor Programme page.
The Full Singapore PR Application Checklist by Applicant Type
The table maps each ICA document to the people who must submit it. It follows ICA's Document Checklist for Permanent Residence for the PTS route, which is the most detailed published list. Prepare only the rows that apply to your household.
| Document | Main applicant | Non-applying spouse | Sponsor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colour digital photo, 400 x 514 pixels, white background | Yes | No | No |
| Passport or travel document (if not issued by ICA) | Yes | Yes | No |
| Birth certificate or household register (if not registered in Singapore) | Yes | Yes | No |
| Marriage certificate (if not registered in Singapore) | Yes | No | Yes |
| Educational certificates and transcripts | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Skill certificates or professional licences | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Employer letter, dated within three months | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Payslips from the last six months | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Latest three years' income tax assessment (only if working overseas) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Children applying with a parent, and aged parents applying through a citizen child, have shorter lists drawn from the same source. The next sections explain the documents most applicants stumble on.
Personal and Family Documents
Personal documents prove who you are and how your family is linked. ICA only asks for civil documents, such as a birth or marriage certificate, when the event was not registered in Singapore, because it already holds local records.
Photo and Identity
Every applicant needs one recent colour digital photo measuring 400 x 514 pixels, taken full face on a white background, without headgear unless you wear it habitually for religious or racial reasons and it does not hide your facial features. You also upload your passport or travel document if it was not issued by ICA.
Marriage, Birth and Change-of-Name Records
- Marriage certificate, if the marriage was not registered in Singapore.
- Birth certificate or household register, if the birth was not registered in Singapore.
- Deed poll or religious certificate, if you have changed your name.
- Divorce certificate, including the certificate of Making Interim Judgment Final, and any custody papers, for applicants with a previous marriage.
Adoption papers apply only to minor and parent applicants. Where a child of a previous marriage is under joint custody, ICA also asks for a letter of consent from the ex-spouse.
Education and Employment Documents
These documents show your qualifications and income, which sit at the centre of a PTS assessment. Gather them carefully, because dates and amounts must match across your payslips, employer letter and tax records.
Education
- Educational certificates and transcripts for your highest qualifications.
- Skill certificates or professional licences relevant to your job.
- Membership certificates for professional bodies, where you hold them.
Employment and Income
Employed applicants submit a letter from their current employer, dated no more than three months before the online application, stating occupation, date of employment, and basic and gross monthly salary. You also upload payslips from the last six months. If you work overseas, ICA asks for the latest three years' income tax assessment or receipts.
Self-Employed Applicants
If you run your own business, prepare the latest Business Registration Certificate from the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA), plus the latest three years' balance sheets and profit and loss statements, in place of the standard employer letter.
Documents for Children and Aged Parents
Family applications attach a few extra rows. Children applying alongside a parent rely mainly on identity and birth records, while an aged parent application adds proof of the parent's own circumstances.
- Non-applying children: birth certificate or household register, if the birth was not registered in Singapore.
- Aged parent applicants: latest income tax assessment or receipt, only if working overseas, plus the latest one month's payslip.
- Both groups: the standard photo, passport and any change-of-name or custody records that apply.
Our Long-Term Visit Pass and Dependant's Pass page is useful if a family member is not yet eligible for PR and needs an interim pass while your case is assessed.
How to Submit Through the e-PR System
Once your documents are ready, you apply online through ICA's e-PR system on the ICA website, using your Singpass to review and declare the form. Approval for a new Singpass account can take a few working days, so register early if you do not have one.
File Format, Size and Translations
- Upload scanned copies in PDF, JPEG or PNG, with each file kept within 1MB.
- Provide a notarised or officially attested English translation for any document not in English; ICA does not accept self-translations.
- Keep the originals, as ICA may ask to verify them or request further documents during assessment.
Fees and Processing Time
As of 2026, the submission fee is S$100 per applicant. On approval, further fees apply for the Entry Permit, a five-year Re-Entry Permit and the identity card. ICA aims to process complete applications within about six months, though some cases take longer. For the wider journey, see our complete guide to Singapore permanent residency.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Singapore PR Application Checklist
What documents do I need for a Singapore PR application?
At a minimum, a 400 x 514 pixel colour photo, your passport, work pass, payslips from the last six months, an employer letter dated within three months, educational certificates, and your marriage or birth certificates if these were issued outside Singapore. Self-employed applicants supply ACRA business records instead of an employer letter.
Do I need to submit my IRAS Notice of Assessment for PR?
ICA's published checklist asks for the latest three years' income tax assessment or receipts only if you work overseas, as of 2026. Many Singapore-based applicants are not asked to upload local tax notices, but ICA may request further documents during assessment.
What are the photo requirements for a Singapore PR application?
You need one recent colour digital photo measuring 400 x 514 pixels, taken full face on a white background, without headgear unless you wear it habitually for religious or racial customs and it does not hide your facial features.
Do non-English documents need to be translated?
Yes. Any document not in English must have an English translation that is notarised by a notary public or attested by the relevant embassy. ICA does not accept self-translated or uncertified documents.
What file format and size does ICA accept for PR documents?
Upload scanned copies in PDF, JPEG or PNG format, keeping each file within 1MB before you upload it through the e-PR system.
How much is the Singapore PR application fee?
As of 2026, the submission fee is S$100 per applicant. On approval, additional fees apply for the Entry Permit, the five-year Re-Entry Permit and the identity card.
Official Sources and References
- ICA - Becoming a Permanent Resident
- ICA - Document Checklist for Permanent Residence (PTS)
- ICA - Permanent Resident, See More
- ICA - Photo Guidelines
Explore Catalyst Immigration’s other services:
- Essential PR Application Documents in Singapore
- Permanent Residency Application
- Complete Guide to Singapore Permanent Residency 2026
- Singapore PR Eligibility Criteria ICA Considers
- Singapore PR Application Process 2025
Talk to Catalyst Immigration
Catalyst Immigration helps professionals and families assemble a complete PR document set, arrange notarised translations, and submit cleanly through the e-PR system, so nothing stalls your case on a missing form. We review your profile against ICA's current requirements before you apply.