What are the Covid 19 Vaccination Requirements for PR Application in Singapore?

On Dec 29 2021, Singapore’s MOH released a press release saying:

“Following the review and discussion with tripartite partners, we have decided to remove the PET concession for unvaccinated persons to return to the workplace from Jan 15, 2022.”

This decision will also have a larger impact on expats and foreign workers currently in Singapore. Especially those who are planning to apply for the Singapore PR status in 2022.

ICA’s Requirements for Entry via the Work Pass Holder General Lane (WPHL)

A check on ICA’s website shows that all pass holders must be fully vaccinated before arrival. There are some exceptions but only for pass holders below the age of 18 years old and those who cannot be vaccinated because of medical reasons.

Here is a list of criteria as stated on the website before pass holders are considered fully vaccinated:

1. Have received the full regimen of WHO EUL vaccines at least 14 days before arriving in Singapore. Vaccines requiring 2 doses must be completed either using the same or different brands and taken based on the recommended intervals between each dose.
2. Example: If the pass holder received the full vaccine regimen on 1 Sep, the earliest he/she can enter Singapore is 15 Sep.
3. Have received 1 dose of a PSAR-approved vaccine if they had earlier recovered from COVID-19. This vaccination must be done at least 3 months from the date of COVID-19 diagnosis.
4. Be able to produce documents to prove their vaccination status before boarding the flight, and upon arrival in Singapore. Otherwise, they will be denied entry.
5. (Only applicable to those who were vaccinated overseas) Take a serology test at a Public Health Preparedness Clinic to confirm their vaccination status within 14 days of completing self-isolation or Stay-Home Notice (SHN). Please call the clinic to check if they offer serology tests.
6. If their serology test results are positive, their vaccination records will be updated in the National Immunisation Registry. Otherwise, they will have to take 2 doses of a PSAR-approved vaccine in Singapore within 2 months of the negative serology test result.

If you’re still unsure, do contact ICA to clarify your specific case.

Changes in PR Application

From 1st February 2022, covid 19 vaccination will also be a condition for PR approval.

Passports will have to be validated on the Immigration and Checkpoint Authority’s (ICA) Vaccination Check Portal system. Those without digitally verifiable certificates will need to show them to airlines, ferry operators, or immigration officials before boarding. Unless prior exemptions have been granted, travellers who cannot produce required documents will be refused boarding or entry into Singapore.

Once they arrive in Singapore, these employees must update their vaccination records in the National Immunisation Registry (NIR). They will be given 30 days to undergo and display a positive serology test result taken at a Public Health Preparedness Clinic if they test negative. The MOH added that if they test negative, they will have to finish all of their immunizations in Singapore or risk losing their work pass.

During the pass issuance procedure, vaccination status will be verified for new permanent residence (PR), long-term visit pass (LTVP) and student’s pass (STP) applications. Their vaccination records will have to be updated in the NIR if they are not already registered there. To satisfy the vaccination condition, those who are not registered in the NIR must finish their whole vaccines regimen in Singapore before being eligible for PR or long-term passes.