The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has announced significant changes to the Re-Entry Permit (REP) process for Singapore Permanent Residents (PRs) which will take effect from 1 December 2025.
From 1 December 2025, any PR who is overseas without a valid REP will have 180 days to apply for the REP renewal.
The 180-day grace period begins either:
During the grace period, the individual remains a PR and can return to Singapore with a Single-Entry Pass issued at the checkpoint, subject to the immigration officer’s assessment.
If a REP application is submitted during this period, the individual will retain their PR status while the REP application is being processed by the immigration authorities.
Upon receiving the outcome:
If no REP application is submitted within the grace period, PR status will be automatically lost the day after the period ends.
Once PR status is lost, reinstatements are generally not allowed. If eligible to do so, the individual may submit a fresh PR application and be subjected to the prevailing criteria.
For employers, these changes carry significant workforce implications. If a PR employee fails to renew or apply for a REP in time, they may lose their PR status, which could affect their ability to continue working in Singapore. This can create disruption to your workforce, as the employee may need to
obtain a new work pass to remain employed. In addition, there is the risk of delays in re-entry to Singapore if the employee is overseas.
Our recommendation
Employers can take proactive steps to mitigate these risks by establishing a reliable system to track REP expiry dates, send out reminders to impacted employees, and ensure that renewal applications are submitted on time. This is especially important for those who frequently need to travel, so that they do not inadvertently leave Singapore without a valid REP.
For a deeper discussion on the above, please reach out to your Vialto Partners point of contact, or alternatively:
Irin Ou
Director, Immigration
Yang Li
Partner, Immigration
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