Singapore Immigration Glossary

The Employment Pass (EP) is an employer-sponsored work pass for foreign professionals, managers and executives working.

The S Pass is an employer-sponsored work pass for skilled foreign employees who meet MOM's salary and eligibility requirements.

The EntrePass is a work pass for eligible foreign entrepreneurs who want to operate a private limited company that is venture-backed or owns innovative technologies.

The Personalised Employment Pass (PEP) is a non-renewable work pass for qualifying high-earning foreign professionals that is not tied to one employer.

A Work Permit is an employer-sponsored pass that allows eligible semi-skilled migrant workers from approved source countries or regions to work in specified sectors or occupations.

A Dependant's Pass (DP) lets the legally married spouse or unmarried child under 21 of an eligible work-pass holder live.

A Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) is a family or long-stay immigration pass issued by either ICA or MOM, depending on the sponsor and relationship; LTVP+ is an ICA facility for eligible foreign spouses of citizens.

The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) is the government agency responsible for immigration, border control, registration services and identity documents.

Singapore permanent residence (PR) is an immigration status that lets a non-citizen reside on a permanent basis and work without an employer-sponsored work pass.

A Re-Entry Permit (REP) is a travel document for permanent residents that supports retention of PR status while they are outside Singapore; it is not a document for citizens.

Singapore citizenship is the legal status of being a citizen, with rights and obligations that differ from permanent residence, including passport, voting and National Service rules where applicable.

The National Registration Identity Card (NRIC), officially called the Identity Card, is issued to citizens and permanent residents who are required to register for it; it is different from a FIN used for many foreign pass holders.

The Central Provident Fund (CPF) is mandatory social-security savings system for eligible citizens and permanent residents, funded through employer and employee contributions and used for retirement, housing and healthcare purposes.

National Service (NS) is compulsory service obligation for male citizens and male permanent residents unless an exemption applies under the Enlistment Act and MINDEF policy.

The Fair Consideration Framework (FCF) is MOM's fair-employment framework requiring employers to consider candidates fairly and avoid discriminatory hiring practices when employing foreign manpower.

The Global Investor Programme (GIP) is an Economic Development Board programme through which qualifying investors may apply for permanent residence under specified business and investment criteria.

The Housing & Development Board (HDB) is public-housing authority, responsible for planning and developing public housing and administering related housing programmes.

A Letter of Consent (LOC) is a specific MOM work-authorisation route for certain eligible stay-pass holders; it is not a general substitute for an Employment Pass, S Pass or Work Permit.

The e-PR system is ICA's online service for submitting permanent residence applications and the required applicant declarations and documents.

Dual citizenship means holding the citizenship of two countries at the same time; does not allow adult citizens to retain another citizenship indefinitely.

MediShield Life is basic national health-insurance scheme covering all citizens and permanent residents against large medical bills for life, regardless of age or pre-existing conditions.

MyICA is ICA's official digital portal and mobile app environment for accessing immigration, identity-card, passport and related e-Services.

ICA's current public PR application instructions do not list a standard form called SPR5; current applicants should follow the category-specific document checklist and declarations shown in the ICA e-PR service.

A PR appeal asks ICA to reconsider an unsuccessful application. ICA allows an online appeal within 12 months of the rejection letter, supported by new or updated information or documents; reconsideration does not guarantee approval.