A Re-Entry Permit, or REP, is a document allowing Singapore permanent residents to travel in and out of country while remaining as a PR. Here’s how to renew it.
What is a Re-Entry Permit (REP) in Singapore?
Singapore permanent residents who leave the country or remain abroad for purposes such as job, business travel, study, and other reasons are awarded a travel document called Re-entry Permit, or REP in short form. The goal of the Re-Entry Permit or REP is to enable holders to enter Singapore again as a permanent resident.
Your status as a permanent resident will be revoked if you leave Singapore without a valid REP. You will be evaluated together with the current re-entry requirements upon returning to the country. However, you do not require a Re-Entry Permit if you do not frequently go outside of Singapore.
How long does a Re-Entry Permit remain valid for?
While your Singapore PR status is permanent as the name suggests, REP has an expiry date and requires renewal to remain valid. Re-Entry Permit or REP is usually renewed by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority or ICA for a standard duration of five years. However, this is contingent upon you proving your residency in Singapore and passing a review of your contribution to the nation’s economy and society. So there is a chance it might be turned down or renewed for a shorter duration than the standard of five years.
When should you renew REP?
Applicants must submit their applications online to ICA using the Electronic Re-Entry Permit System (e-REP) at least three (3) months before the REP’s expiration date, provided that the REP you currently have is still valid and not expired.
You should apply in person at the ICA office if your REP renewal is too late and your current permit has already expired. Online appointment booking is available.
Eligibility criteria for REP Renewal
When you first became a Singapore permanent resident, your PR is typically granted along with a five-year Re-Entry Permit. When the first five years are complete, though, you will have to manually apply for a Re-Entry Permit in order to travel abroad while still remaining a Singapore PR.
In order to process this, you must also possess a valid travel document, such as a valid passport. You will also need the following in order to have your REP successfully renewed.
- Completed Application Form 6 (found on ICA’s website)
- Identity Card Number (UIN)
- Valid travel document
- Income Tax Statements
- Spouse Identity Card Number (if applicable)
- Parent’s Identity Card and Birth Certificate, if applicants are below 21 years old (if applicable)
- Proof of employment with details such as company name, address, position held and monthly salary (if applicable)
- Highest academic qualification attained and country where qualification was attained (if applicable)
Documents required for renewal of Re-Entry Permit
Here the documents you will need to get your REP renewal.
For those working as employees:
- Singapore Income Tax Notice of Assessment for the last full year
- A statement from your CPF Contribution History for the last full year
- A letter from your employer in Singapore stating the position you have in the company, your monthly salary, and your date of employment. The letter must not be older than one month and must be addressed to the Controller of Immigration
For those working as self-employed or business owner:
- Your Business Registration Certificate issued by the Singapore Instant Information Service, Account and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA); or
- Singapore Income Tax Notice of Assessment for the last year
Steps for renewal of Re-Entry Permit
You will receive a letter from the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) just before your Singapore permanent resident status expires as a reminder for you. It is very easy to renew REP.
- Prepare the above mentioned required documents depending on your profile
- Head over to ICA’s website for your Re-Entry Permit renewal
- Submit your application via the Electronic Re-Entry Permit System (e-REP) using your SingPass account
Fee for renewing REP
It costs S$10 for each year, or part thereof, that your approved Re-Entry Permit is in effect.
Each REP that is issued is subject to a separate fee.
Payment methods for REP renewal
Payment is to be made within 14 days of successful REP renewal if you submitted your application online.
The Re-Entry Permit fee may be paid in the following ways for online applications:
- Visa or MasterCard credit/debit card
- American Express (AMEX) credit card
- Internet direct debit (DBS/POSB, OCBC, UOB and Standard Chartered Bank internet banking accounts in Singapore)
- PayNow
For those who renew REP over the counter at ICA, payment can be made via:
- NETS
- Visa or MasterCard credit/debit card
- Mobile payment (for example Apple Pay, Samsung Pay and Google Pay)
Length of processing time required
An application for a Re-Entry Permit (REP) typically takes up to 5 working days to process. The submission day is not taken into account.
However, processing some applications could take longer than others.
If you frequently remain in Singapore and do not travel much, ICA may process your online application within just one working day. Although it is typical to wait up to five working days, a very small percentage of applications may take up to six weeks to review.
Applying before your current REP expires is the best way to speed up processing time.
How will you be notified of your PR renewal status for the REP?
The status of your REP renewal can be found on ICA website’s e-Service. You will be notified of the outcome through email too if an email address is given.
Can your Re-Entry Permit renewal be rejected?
Rejections may happen if you have lived abroad for an extended period of time after acquiring Singaporean PR, have been away from Singapore for an extended period of time, and do not have any family ties with any Singaporeans or other permanent residents. If you are unemployed when your Singapore PR is up for renewal, you also risk being rejected because you do not contribute any income taxes. However, if you are already of retirement age, then your previous income tax contributions will be taken into account for your REP renewal.
You can personally appeal at the ICA headquarters if your REP renewal is denied. Prior to visiting the office, do not forget to make an online appointment.