This Scheme is jointly administered by the Singapore Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and the National Arts Council (NAC). It aims to assist eligible foreign artistic talents with outstanding achievement in their fields to apply for Singapore Permanent Residence (PR) Status. ICA possesses the authority to make the final decision on all PR applications.
Eligibility
The Scheme does not cover the entertainment, journalism, broadcasting or film industry.
Foreign talents who are first-class (exceptional achievement and high recognition) practitioners in the following fields are eligible for the Scheme:
- Dance
- Music
- Theatre
- Literary arts
- Visual arts
- Technical professionals in related arts
To be eligible for this Scheme, foreign talents should have achieved the following pertaining to their art practice:
- Outstanding track records (eg. active engagements in acclaimed performances, exhibitions and so forth)
- Excellent reputation at home or abroad (eg. winning awards/recognition in prominent competitions)
- Involvement in Singapore arts scene and has future plans to actively practise art in Singapore
- At least 3 years of formal training/education (degree, diploma or professional certificate)
- At least 6 years of active work experience that excludes activities in the course of obtaining formal training/education
Successful applicants are required to take up full-time employment in Singapore in order to be granted full PR status. A foreign artist who is granted Singapore PR under the Scheme will enjoy the same status and benefits as a Singapore artist. He/she will be eligible to apply to NAC for grants, to be nominated for Arts Awards and to represent Singapore in overseas arts events.
Direct Application to ICA
A foreign artist who has worked in the arts in Singapore for 2-3 years and would like to apply for PR but does not satisfy the criteria of the above Scheme could consider making a direct application to ICA which has a different set of criteria (www.ica.gov.sg).
Application Steps
- Preliminary Assessment
Applicants are to email/post a completed online application form* and curriculum vitae, to NAC for preliminary assessment. Applicants will be notified within 30 days of the assessment result.
*Please note that only applications through our online official application form will be processed. For preliminary assessment, please do not forward any other materials by post/email.
- After Preliminary Assessment
- If preliminary assessment is successful, the applicant will be asked to submit a detailed resume with supporting materials to NAC.
- All submissions must be in English and materials in any other languages must be translated to English.
- A copy of the PR application form will be sent to the applicant if he/she is found suitable. This assessment may take up to 3 months.
- Upon receiving the completed form from the applicant, NAC will recommend the applicant to the ICA for approval.
- ICA possesses the authority to make the final decision on all PR applications.
For more information, contact any of the following Arts cluster managers: