Singapore Expats

Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and insights here. It really helps to see the different outcomes and options people have taken after a REP rejection. I understand that each case is different, but it’s reassuring to know that appeals are sometimes possible.

For those who have gone through this process, did you find that engaging a professional (lawyer or immigration consultant) made a significant difference, or is it usually better to handle the appeal directly with ICA?

Hiring a third party could make the ICA question both your intelligence and sincerity… increasing the chance of rejection.

If you remain overseas most of the time, one year REP from ICA is telling you to move back to SG or you can give up PR.

If still in SG and retired, this parliamentary reply says:

For PRs who have retired, we will generally renew their REPs, in recognition of their past contributions to Singapore.

Not sure if this helps but…my folks are retired and do not reside in Singapore anymore (not by choice, just too expensive to retire). They do come visit and stay around 1-2 months every year.

Just renewed their REP for 5 years.

I should caveat this that just because my folks got their REP renewed for 5 years without residing here doesn’t mean it would be the same for anyone else. There could be some other reason why my folks got their REP renewed for 5 years.

mystic_river wrote: ↑

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 5:35 pm

Not sure if this helps but…my folks are retired and do not reside in Singapore anymore (not by choice, just too expensive to retire). They do come visit and stay around 1-2 months every year.

Just renewed their REP for 5 years.

I should caveat this that just because my folks got their REP renewed for 5 years without residing here doesn’t mean it would be the same for anyone else. There could be some other reason why my folks got their REP renewed for 5 years.

This is a good and important data point. In the past it was more difficult to get REP renewal after retirement if living overseas. It’s good that they recognize & value past contributions to Singapore this way.

It seems sensible too because retired means less risk of competing for jobs with others (now and in the future), which I believe is one of the main reasons for rejecting a REP. In other words — don’t chope your place, because the supply/demand for jobs/workers needs to be carefully calibrated at all times.

malcontent wrote: ↑

Fri, 26 Sep 2025 3:59 am

[quote=mystic_river post_id=900685 time=<a href="tel:1758792939">1758792939</a> user_id=155511]
Not sure if this helps but…my folks are retired and do not reside in Singapore anymore (not by choice, just too expensive to retire). They do come visit and stay around 1-2 months every year.

Just renewed their REP for 5 years.

I should caveat this that just because my folks got their REP renewed for 5 years without residing here doesn’t mean it would be the same for anyone else. There could be some other reason why my folks got their REP renewed for 5 years.

This is a good and important data point. In the past it was more difficult to get REP renewal after retirement if living overseas. It’s good that they recognize & value past contributions to Singapore this way.

It seems sensible too because retired means less risk of competing for jobs with others (now and in the future), which I believe is one of the main reasons for rejecting a REP. In other words — don’t chope your place, because the supply/demand for jobs/workers needs to be carefully calibrated at all times.
[/quote]

Reason why I put the disclaimer is because my dad was/is self employed and the business is still running, but he doesn’t officially draw a salary anymore. The company itself is a one man show.

He reckons that’s the only reason why his and my mum’s REP was renewed.

mystic_river wrote: ↑

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 5:35 pm

Not sure if this helps but…my folks are retired and do not reside in Singapore anymore (not by choice, just too expensive to retire). They do come visit and stay around 1-2 months every year.

Just renewed their REP for 5 years.

I should caveat this that just because my folks got their REP renewed for 5 years without residing here doesn’t mean it would be the same for anyone else. There could be some other reason why my folks got their REP renewed for 5 years.

From the same parliamentary reply I linked, there is also:

About 2% were rejected, largely because they were absent from Singapore for a prolonged period, and furthermore had no family roots here.

I assume you’re the family root in Singapore, that’s why your parents REP got renewed for 5 years.

When that 2% rejection rate was announced, I knew 2 people who were part of that reject pool. We appealed and eventually got their REP renewed — but they were told, at least they should spend a majority of the year in Singapore to avoid issues in the future. When their next renewal came, they happened to spend the majority of the year in Singapore (due to COVID lockdown) and got 5 more years. For the next one, we will have to see.

I’ve also got my wife and daughter, both are PR and now living in the U.S. for educational purposes, REP expires late next year. We will see how it goes.

Today’s news article about REP renewal.

ICA definitely looks at this forum.

MOCHS wrote: ↑

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 6:13 pm

Today’s news article about REP renewal.

ICA definitely looks at this forum.

It looks like this applies for people who are outside SG with an expired REP. It basically ties their PR status depending on their REP approval and have 180 days to do so. So, it's a delayed reinstatement or losing PR status in one shot. Based on my understanding.

So I guess better renew early and be in SG before the REP expires? With that being said, I wonder if the "stay in SG and never leave after REP expires" would still work.

Let me state this clearly, in case it is lost on anyone. If you wait and attempt to renew your REP while overseas within 180 days after REP expiry, you may lose your PR with no way to get it back.

Renew your REP in ADVANCE of the expiry. This allows you (in case of rejection) to take action BEFORE it expires and return to SG to retain your PR. Yes, you’ll be stuck in SG until you they agree to give you a new REP, but at least you won’t lose your PR!

If you try to game the system, as seems to be the want of lots of folks on this forum, you deserve to lost your PR. Always plan ahead, not trying to maximize the gamble. Ensure your qualifications are maxed before you leave the Island. If it says you can renew your REP within three months of expiry, do so. don't wait to the last minute. Also ensure you have sufficient time or cash to fly back before expiry of the REP to be on the safe side.

sundaymorningstaple wrote: ↑

Sun, 05 Oct 2025 9:12 pm

If you try to game the system, as seems to be the want of lots of folks on this forum, you deserve to lost your PR.

Lost? Hehe, you've been here too long bro

That too!!