Data on Non-residents Residing in Singapore for More than Five Years and those Who Have Unsuccessfully Applied for Resident Status
Ministry of Home AffairsSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns Ms He Ting Ru’s inquiry regarding the number of long-term non-residents, their unsuccessful permanent residency applications, and available social integration pathways. Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs K Shanmugam reported that 390,000 non-residents have stayed over five years, mostly work permit holders. He noted that unsuccessful applications are not tracked and that work permit conditions generally restrict individuals from establishing roots within the local community. Integration is encouraged through grassroots programs, volunteering, and cultural visits, though the government focuses limited resources based on the specific purpose of stay. The Ministry continues to monitor sentiments to determine the appropriate level of support and engagement for the various groups of non-residents in Singapore.
Transcript
107 Ms He Ting Ru asked the Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs (a) how many non-residents have resided in Singapore for more than five consecutive years; (b) how many have unsuccessfully applied for resident status; (c) what support or pathways exist for long-term residents who wish to integrate but have not obtained Permanent Residence; and (d) whether and how the Ministry tracks the social integration outcomes of this group.
Mr K Shanmugam: As of December 2025, there were about 390,000 non-residents who have been in Singapore on their current work passes or long-term immigration facilities for more than five consecutive years. The majority of them are work permit holders and migrant domestic workers. A large majority of them are unlikely to qualify for Permanent Residency status in Singapore. We do not track the number of them who have unsuccessfully applied for Permanent Residence.
On (c), the general approach taken is that these non-residents are in Singapore because their employers need them, and in other cases, they are allowed to stay in Singapore for the economy, for family or other similar reasons. Most of them, as stated, will not qualify for Permanent Residency. Work permit holders, for example, are generally restricted from setting up roots in Singapore.
This context has to be understood. Nevertheless, there will be some who may be keen to engage with our community. They can learn about Singapore's shared values, history and culture through visits to our museums and heritage sites. Second, they can – in so far as they are able to, and to the extent that they are not restricted by the conditions of their passes – build ties with locals by participating in community grassroots programmes, such as neighbourhood trails, cultural festivals, local sports and arts events. Third, they can also contribute through volunteering opportunities.
The Government has to decide how to focus its limited resources – in assessing how much it should do, in the context of integrating such non-residents. The Government regularly engages locals and non-residents to understand their sentiments including on this issue.