How Much Is the PR Application Fee?

The short answer

The PR application fee is a modest processing fee charged per applicant at the point of submission. It is small, not a large sum, and is generally payable whether or not your application is approved, because it pays for assessing the application.

Because the exact figure is set by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and can change, confirm the current amount on the official ICA channels. What stays consistent is that the fee to apply is modest.

What the application fee covers

The application fee covers the processing of your application, that is, ICA assessing it, rather than the grant of PR itself. This is why it is generally payable regardless of the outcome: you are paying for the assessment, not for a guaranteed result.

So the fee is administrative. It does not buy PR or improve your chances; it simply covers having your application considered. Understanding this explains both why it is modest and why it is usually not refunded on refusal.

Is it refundable?

Generally, the application fee is not refunded if your application is unsuccessful, because it covers the work of assessing your case, which is done whether or not you are approved. So treat it as the cost of applying, not a deposit returned on refusal.

This is standard for processing fees and is worth knowing before you apply. It is a modest amount, so it is not a major consideration, but you should not expect it back if the outcome is negative.

Fees that come later, on approval

Stage	Fee
On application	Modest processing fee, per applicant
On approval	Entry Permit fee
On approval	Re-Entry Permit fee
On approval	Identity Card fee

The application fee is only the first, small payment. Further modest fees apply only if you are approved, for the permits and identity card. Together they still amount to a small total; confirm the exact figures with ICA.

What the application fee does not cover

The application fee does not cover peripheral costs. A required medical examination is paid separately to a clinic, certified translations of documents carry their own cost, and any optional agent help is a separate private charge. None of these is part of the application fee.

So the application fee is the core, fixed cost of submitting, not the whole outlay of applying. Keeping this distinction clear helps you budget accurately.

Paying for a family

The application fee is charged per applicant, so for a family you pay it for each person applying. The same applies to the on-approval fees. Budget the per-person amounts across the number of applicants.

Even multiplied across a family, the total application cost stays modest. The application fee itself is small per person, so a family application is not made expensive by the fee.

Paying more does not help

It is worth stating that paying more, whether in fees or otherwise, does not improve your chances. The application fee is a fixed administrative charge, and the assessment is based on your genuine profile, not your payment. There is no premium that buys a better outcome.

So the modest application fee is all there is to pay ICA at submission. Anyone suggesting a larger payment secures or speeds up PR is misleading you; the genuine fee is small and fixed.

Why the fee is charged upfront

Some people wonder why they must pay before knowing the outcome. The reason is that the fee pays for the assessment itself, which happens regardless of the decision. ICA does real work considering your application, and the processing fee covers that work, win or lose.

Seen this way, the upfront, generally non-refundable nature of the fee makes sense. You are paying for the consideration of your case, not placing a bet that is returned if you lose. It is a modest charge for a genuine service.

Budgeting the fee into your plans

Because the application fee is small, it should not be a barrier to applying. Budget it per person, add the variable costs like the medical examination, and you have the realistic cost of applying. The fee itself is a minor part of that picture.

If you are reapplying after an earlier attempt, expect to pay the processing fee again, since each application is assessed afresh. Even so, the modest amount means the fee is rarely the deciding factor in whether to apply.

Common misconceptions

What people get wrong

That the application fee is large. It is a modest processing charge.
That it is refunded on refusal. Generally it is not, as it covers the assessment.
That the application fee covers medical, translation, or agent costs. It does not; those are separate.
That paying more helps. It does not; the fee is fixed and the assessment is discretionary.

Clearing these up prevents both overpaying and budgeting surprises around the application fee.

The bottom line on the PR application fee

To sum up: the PR application fee is a modest processing fee charged per applicant at submission, generally payable whether or not you are approved, because it covers the assessment. Further small fees apply only on approval, for the permits and identity card.

The application fee does not cover peripheral costs like the medical examination or optional agents, and paying more does not help. Budget the modest fee per person for a family, and confirm the exact current amount on the official ICA channels.

For the fuller picture, see our guides to Singapore Permanent Residence and Singapore Permanent Residence eligibility.

Frequently asked questions

How much is the PR application fee?

A modest processing fee charged per applicant at submission, generally payable whether or not you are approved. Confirm the exact current amount with ICA, as it can change.

Is the application fee refundable if I am rejected?

Generally no. The fee covers assessing your application, which is done whether or not you are approved, so it is typically not refunded on refusal.

Does the application fee cover everything?

No. It covers processing your application. A required medical examination, document translations, and any optional agent help are separate costs, as are the on-approval fees.

Is the application fee charged per person?

Yes. It is charged per applicant, so a family should budget the fee for each person applying, along with the per-person on-approval fees.

Does paying more improve my chances?

No. The application fee is a fixed administrative charge, and the assessment is based on your genuine profile. There is no premium that buys a better or faster outcome.