REP renewal rejected. So now what?

[chinnyreckon]

PR for 20 years, but due to reasons I have been living and working in another nearby country for the last 3 years.
So it wasn't a great surprise that my recent REP renewal application for myself and family was rejected.
Fair enough, can't have my cake and eat it - although it would be nice to have a Blue IC in the back pocket

My REP expires in a couple of months so then my PR will be gone.

I would be grateful for any advice on the best way to proceed now.
Wait until the REP expires or renounce my PR before then?

Getting my greasy paws on my CPF is ofcourse on my mind. Better to return to Singapore for this or attempt it from overseas?

Will my Singpass be deactivated the moment my PR is cancelled?

What about my Singapore driving licence? I obtained it in Singapore, I don't have a driving licence in my country of birth. Will the driving licence be cancelled along with my PR?

How about my Singapore bank accounts, will I need to inform them of my new status as a foreigner?

Grateful for all thoughts, advice etc

[PNGMK]

Can you find a job and move back?

Wait until REP expires. Were you given 12 months to fix it or not?

CPF easier to get locally.

Singpass unfortunately seems to be killed off instantly. Sort out your affairs ASAP.

If you don't hand back your SDL it is not really cancelled overseas and AFAIK is still valid in Singapore.

Singapore bank accounts will be ok.

Do you have landed property? If you lose PR you cannot rent it out and may be forced to sell it.

[malcontent]

PR can be retained without a REP if you return to Singapore before it expires, but assume you have no intention or desire to do this?

You do know that withdrawing CPF is to your detriment, not your benefit? It was recently announced that any non-SC/PR who have not withdrawn are now being kicked out of CPF.

I see no real difference between waiting and taking action now — if you have decided to renounce, might as well rip the bandage off sooner than later.

I suspect you should NOT have to come to Singapore in-person to do all this, but I could be wrong.

Even if your Singpass is terminated you can always set up a new one; even foreign non-residents can set one up nowadays. My wife’s aunt recently did this and she has never resided in Singapore a day in her life.

You’ll definitely need to update your accounts once you no longer have your IC, because for non-SC/PR, any transaction that requires identification must use a passport.

[chinnyreckon]

Thanks for the points guys. Very helpful

I was only granted a one year REP on renewal last year so I kind of guessed what was coming, and I did make a half arsed attempt to look for work in Singapore over the past 6 months or so but nothing came up with the kind of salary required these days given the current rental prices.

Regarding CPF, I have just read that all accounts for non Singaporeans / PRs need to be closed by 31 March 2024 so I suppose it would be worth my while waiting until Jan 2024 to close the account so I can get the annual interest added at the end of the year.

My wife tells me she can't find her Singapore NRIC so that is going to be another ball ache....

[clavie]

It was recently announced that any non-SC/PR who have not withdrawn are now being kicked out of CPF.

I didn't know that.
https://www.cpf.gov.sg/member/faq/accou ... -no-longer

That's very sour when you get close to the retirement age and if they are given the opportunity to reject your REP renewal for whatever reason.

[clavie]

My wife tells me she can't find her Singapore NRIC so that is going to be another ball ache....

https://www.ica.gov.sg/documents/ic/loss

A police report is not required for the replacement of your IC.

Procedure (2 weeks before she can return to Singapore for getting a new one)

Login to our e-Service using your Singpass to complete the online application form. You may use the e-Service to report and replace the loss of your IC. If you have reported the loss of your IC, you must apply for a new IC within 14 days.

If you are residing overseas, you can report the lost within 14 days and replace your IC during your next return to Singapore using the same e-Service.

[malcontent]

It was recently announced that any non-SC/PR who have not withdrawn are now being kicked out of CPF.

I didn't know that.
https://www.cpf.gov.sg/member/faq/accou ... -no-longer

That's very sour when you get close to the retirement age and if they are given the opportunity to reject your REP renewal for whatever reason.

It’s in-line with the stayers vs. quitters, sharper differentiation mantra. You’ve got to stay to play… quitters get jack.

You can keep PR even if your REP is rejected or expires, but then you’re in the Hotel California.

[jalanjalan]

You can keep PR even if your REP is rejected or expires, but then you’re in the Hotel California.

Yup, for several years I didn't travel at all due to work commitments and my REP expired, and I think my passport did too. I asked ICA if this was an issue and they said, nope, so long as you don't go outside the country and lose PR or are under "restricted stay". No idea what the latter is. Anyway, no issue renewing my REP when the time came.

[sundaymorningstaple]

You can keep PR even if your REP is rejected or expires, but then you’re in the Hotel California.

Yup, for several years I didn't travel at all due to work commitments and my REP expired, and I think my passport did too. I asked ICA if this was an issue and they said, nope, so long as you don't go outside the country and lose PR or are under "restricted stay". No idea what the latter is. Anyway, no issue renewing my REP when the time came.

Finally. Somebody else who actually tested the system. For many years on here I was beginning to think I was the only one who tested it. You have me beat by a long shot but it also confirms what the ICA officer told me when I finally renewed it. I was only at 15 months expired though.

[jalanjalan]

You can keep PR even if your REP is rejected or expires, but then you’re in the Hotel California.

Yup, for several years I didn't travel at all due to work commitments and my REP expired, and I think my passport did too. I asked ICA if this was an issue and they said, nope, so long as you don't go outside the country and lose PR or are under "restricted stay". No idea what the latter is. Anyway, no issue renewing my REP when the time came.

Finally. Somebody else who actually tested the system. For many years on here I was beginning to think I was the only one who tested it. You have me beat by a long shot but it also confirms what the ICA officer told me when I finally renewed it. I was only at 15 months expired though.

I don't recall exactly how long mine was expired, and when I realised, I let my passport wind down too so I could get both renewed at the same time. Also, my PR was under Family Ties, which seems to make things smoother for renewal. Took less than 5 mins.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Same here, on FT.
And as I was over 55 at the time, I didn't need to be employed either. (58 if I'm not mistaken - been a long time ago - will hit 76 in a couple of months).

[clavie]

Same here, on FT.
And as I was over 55 at the time, I didn't need to be employed either.

Hello dear SMS, regarding retirement...
Renewing REP after having reached 55 doesn't require employment anymore leh? (as long as you are staying in Singapore of course)
Under FTS I bet your Sponsor (being financially responsible) still had an employment, right?
Also do you think they check whether you have contributed enough taxes in your career and that your CPF is enough to retire?
Do they check that you didn't withdraw CPF and selected a CPF life option for the future?
thanks for sharing (as usual )

[PNGMK]

Same here, on FT.
And as I was over 55 at the time, I didn't need to be employed either.

Hello dear SMS, regarding retirement...
Renewing REP after having reached 55 doesn't require employment anymore leh? (as long as you are staying in Singapore of course)
Under FTS I bet your Sponsor (being financially responsible) still had an employment, right?
Also do you think they check whether you have contributed enough taxes in your career and that your CPF is enough to retire?
Do they check that you didn't withdraw CPF and selected a CPF life option for the future?
thanks for sharing (as usual )

Definitely being FT is in favor. The gahmen has started that PR renewal post retirement is ok. Of course you can't withdraw all your RA if you are still a PR.

[clavie]

Same here, on FT.
And as I was over 55 at the time, I didn't need to be employed either.

Hello dear SMS, regarding retirement...
Renewing REP after having reached 55 doesn't require employment anymore leh? (as long as you are staying in Singapore of course)
Under FTS I bet your Sponsor (being financially responsible) still had an employment, right?
Also do you think they check whether you have contributed enough taxes in your career and that your CPF is enough to retire?
Do they check that you didn't withdraw CPF and selected a CPF life option for the future?
thanks for sharing (as usual )

Definitely being FT is in favor. The gahmen has stated that PR renewal post retirement is ok. Of course you can't withdraw all your RA if you are still a PR.

Good to know, useful info to make a decision in time

I was referring to the possibility to withdraw part of CPF https://www.cpf.gov.sg/member/tnc/notes ... -and-above but personally I don't plan on doing it.

[jalanjalan]

fwiw, I was in my late 40s when I last renewed REP, and they didn't ask to see any employment info for me or my sponsor. They just asked for our ICs and my passport.