Post by : Rameen Ariff

Singapore’s Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has announced new rules for permanent residents (PRs) living overseas. Starting December 1, 2025, PRs who are outside Singapore without a valid Re-Entry Permit (REP) will have a 180-day window to apply for one before risking the loss of their PR status.

The change comes as part of the phased implementation of the Immigration (Amendment) Act 2023, passed by Parliament in September last year. Under the new rules, PRs outside Singapore without a valid REP will not immediately lose their status. Instead, they will retain their PR status during the 180-day grace period and may re-enter the country using a Single-Entry Pass.

MHA clarified that PRs must submit their REP application within the 180 days. If the application is approved, PR status will be retained. However, if the application is denied or not submitted within the deadline, the person will lose PR status permanently, with no option for reinstatement.

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Currently, PRs who leave the country without a valid REP are considered to have lost their status immediately, though they may apply for reinstatement within a month. This process has sometimes been applied flexibly by the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA).

In addition to the new grace period, the Entry Permit conditions for all PRs will also be updated from December 1, 2025. Detailed information will be published on the ICA website.

The new rules aim to make it clearer and more consistent for PRs traveling abroad, while ensuring Singapore maintains proper immigration control.

#world news #Global News #Asia News #Singapore News