Once you have received the approval for your PR application, the pivotal next step is receiving the In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter. This letter marks an important milestone following the submission of your Singapore PR application.
If you are currently awaiting the outcome of your Singapore PR application and are curious about the subsequent steps upon approval, you have come to the right place. Before delving into the intricacies of the IPA letter, it is essential to familiarise yourself with the procedure for checking the status of your Singapore PR application.
To determine the progress of your application, you can access the official website of the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) of Singapore and log in using your SingPass credentials.
The ICA portal will reflect the outcome of your PR application as “APPROVED” once it has been successfully processed.
Subsequently, the ICA will dispatch the physical IPA letter to your registered residential address.
Understanding the In-Principle Approval Letter
The In-Principle Approval Letter, commonly referred to as the IPA letter, is an integral component of the Singapore PR process. It is issued to all individuals who have received approval for their PR application.
The IPA letter delineates the subsequent steps necessary for completing the Singapore PR formalities. It remains valid for a period of 2 months from the date of issuance, during which applicants are expected to fulfil the specified requirements.
We strongly recommend that you peruse the contents of the IPA letter thoroughly.
Required Actions Upon Receiving the IPA Letter
1. Medical Check-Up For Singapore PR
Successful Singapore PR applicants are mandated to undergo a compulsory medical check-up facilitated by authorised medical centres in Singapore. During the medical examination, you will be required to present two essential documents:
- The IPA letter
- The medical form enclosed within the IPA Package
Typically, the process of obtaining the medical certification can take up to 2 weeks, depending on the medical centre. We advise contacting the medical centre in advance to ascertain the exact timeline.
However, if you had previously submitted a medical report to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) or ICA one or two years ago, a medical check-up may not be necessary. In such cases, you will only need to complete the medical form.
2. Registering MediShield Life Scheme
One of the perks of Singapore PR status is the access to healthcare subsidies. As a Singapore Permanent Resident (PR), it is mandatory to register for insurance coverage under the MediShield Life scheme.
MediShield Life is a fundamental national health insurance plan that offers universal coverage to both Singapore Citizens and Singapore Permanent Residents. It provides financial protection against high medical expenses arising from severe or chronic illnesses.
Moreover, Singapore PRs aged 30 and above are required to enrol in the CareShield Life plan, which is a long-term care insurance scheme.
3. Original Documents for Verification
The IPA letter contains a comprehensive checklist of documents required by the ICA for verification purposes. Typically, these documents are the ones you initially submitted as part of your Singapore PR application.
Ensure that you collate these documents accurately before your scheduled appointment with an ICA officer.
4. Schedule Your PR Formalities Appointment With ICA
Upon obtaining the medical report or medical certificate, insurance documents, and all other mandatory documents specified in the IPA letter, successful Singapore PR applicants can proceed to book an in-person appointment with the ICA.
During the appointment, an ICA officer will verify the provided documents. The verification process generally takes approximately 1 hour.
Post-Verification Process Following the completion of the verification process, successful Singapore PR applicants will receive the following documents on the same day:
- A Temporary Identity Receipt
- A Collection Slip for Singapore Identity Card
- An Entry Permit
- A Re-Entry Permit (REP)
- The Singapore History brochure
5. Government Fees
The fee amount will be specified in the IPA letter or during the appointment. Payment can usually be made at the ICA office using various payment methods, including NETS, credit card or Mobile Payment.
- SGD 20 per applicant for issuance of the Entry Permit
- SGD 50 per 5-year Re-Entry Permit (REP) issued
- SGD 50 per registration of an identity card
- SGD 30 per visa issued, where applicable
6. Collection Of Your NRIC
The collection slip provides instructions on how to book an appointment for collecting your Blue National Registration Identity Card (NRIC).
7. Update Your Identification Records
Once you have received your PR card, update your identification records with relevant authorities, such as the Central Provident Fund (CPF) Board, the Ministry of Manpower, and any other relevant agencies or institutions/banks. This may involve informing them of your new PR status and providing the necessary documentation.
8. PR Privileges
- Singapore PR Sponsorship Scheme for eligible foreign spouses and unmarried children under 21 years old
- Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) for foreign spouses, unmarried children under 21 years old, and parents
- Explore Property options
- Healthcare coverage
- Education System
- Applying for Singapore Citizenship
Need Assistance With Your PR Formalities?
At Singapore Trace Immigration, we are dedicated to providing extensive support to our clients throughout the Singapore PR formalities process. Our range of services includes sending informative email guides to clients and offering assistance with the necessary preparations outlined in their IPA letter.
If you have any further inquiries or require additional information, please feel free to reach out to us. We are here to help!
Conclusion of PR Formalities
Receiving the IPA letter is an important milestone that indicates the approval of your Singapore PR application. However, it is essential to understand that the IPA letter does not automatically confer Singapore PR status upon you. There are further steps that need to be completed to finalise the necessary formalities before your PR status is officially confirmed. It’s important to follow through with these steps to ensure the successful completion of your Singapore PR journey.
Failure to complete the aforementioned actions within the stipulated timeline may jeopardise your Singapore PR approval. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that all necessary tasks are completed before the expiration of the IPA letter.
Furthermore, if you’re looking to apply for Singapore Citizenship, you can do so after a period of 2 years. For a comprehensive overview of the eligibility criteria for a Singapore Citizenship application, you may refer to the official guidelines at ICA website.
