Immigration and Checkpoint Authority rejected about 2% of PRs’ re-entry permits annually

For the past three years, the Singapore Immigration and Checkpoint Authority (ICA) has rejected about 2 per cent of re-entry permit applications from permanent residents (PRs).

This was revealed by the Home Affairs Minister, K. Shanmugam, in response to a question from Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP) Audrey Wong, on the number of PRs who could not renew their re-entry permits.

According to The Straits Times, PRs are required to have a valid re-entry permit if they wish to travel out of Singapore, so they can retain their PR status while away from the country. They are required to renew the re-entry permit on a periodic basis.

However, Mr Shanmugam said that reasons for rejection of applications included an applicant’s prolonged absence from Singapore, lack of gainful employment at the time of a renewal application or lack of family roots in Singapore.

In addition, for PRs who are dependents such as spouses or elderly parents, the loss of the PR status of their sponsor would mean that their re-entry permit applications would also be rejected.