The Singapore PR status is undoubtedly on of the most prestigious opportunities out there however, there are both pros and cons of becoming a PR holder here-

1. Pros of Permanent Residence in Singapore
2. Cons of Permanent Residence in Singapore

Singapore is considered as one of the best cities in Asia to live in. It is safe, environmentally-friendly and a melting pot of culture. It ranks high in most of the World Rankings and reports and is said to have a high quality of living. These factors among others attract many of us to Singapore, often on a long term basis. Consequently, many of us toy with the question of whether or not to secure Singapore Citizenship. This guide compares the pros and cons of becoming a Singapore citizen.

The Pros of Permanent Residency in Singapore

Travel Without Permission

Live, enter and leave the country without having to apply for separate Singapore visas to work or travel. You’ll receive a Blue Card, which acts as your identity document.

Include Your Spouse and Children in PR Application

Include your spouse and unmarried children under 21 in the PR application. If your children are school-aged, they are high on the priority list, behind citizens, to enter public schools of your own choosing.

Longer-Term Staying Permission for Parents

Apply for long-stay visas for your parents. It will allow your parents to apply for a longer visa to stay in Singapore for a longer time than usual so that your family can be with you for more time than any other country in the world

Change Jobs Freely

Change jobs freely without having to re-apply for a Singapore work permit. If you hold a work-related Singapore visa and want to change jobs, you’ll have to cancel your old Singapore visa and reapply for a new one – at the risk of delay or rejection.

Financial and Tax Benefits

Reap the financial and tax benefits provided by Singapore’s Central Provident Fund (CPF) scheme. Under the CPF scheme, you and your employer contribute a monthly minimum amount to your pension fund, which can be used for purposes related to health care, home-ownership, family protection and growing your assets.

Higher Loan Priorities 

Apply and get a higher priority to borrow various loans, such as housing loans to purchase property. Singapore PR holders are also eligible to buy second-hand units of government HDB flats (only citizens can purchase new ones)

Full Citizenship Applicant

Be eligible to apply for full Singapore citizenship after a number of years of having permanent residence status, in which you will be able to obtain a Singapore passport and enjoy the same rights as locally-born citizens.

Real estate and housing

Lower stamp duty or taxes on real estate purchases, eligibility to purchase resale public housing and development board (HDB) leaseholds, purchase executive condominiums are some of the other benefits of having a permanent residency in Singapore.

The Cons of Permanent Residency in Singapore

1. Central Provident Fund (CPF)

A comprehensive social security savings plan, the CPF is a compulsory contributory fund for all working Singaporean citizens and PRs. It covers the basic needs of the citizens and PR during retirement, healthcare needs, homeownership, family protection and asset enhancements.

2. Dual citizenship not permitted

In order to attain permanent residency in Singapore, a foreign national must renounce their foreign citizenship.

3. National Service

At the age of 16 and half years, all male citizens and PRs need to register for the national service and need to serve a tenure of 2 years s full-time national servicemen after they turn 18 years.

4. CPF withdrawal limitations

CPF savings can be withdrawn in a lump sum only once the PR or citizenship of Singapore is denounced.