PR Guidelines Revised: 5-Year Visa Required from April 2027
ISA revised PR guidelines on Feb 24, 2026. From April 2027, applicants must generally hold a 5-year residence period stamp. Late payment history counts negatively even if later settled.
The ISA revised its Permanent Residence guidelines on February 24, 2026. The key change: from April 2027, applicants must generally hold a residence period equal to the maximum for their status (usually 5 years) at the time of application. The longstanding informal practice of accepting applicants with 3-year stamps has been formally abolished. Additionally, late payment of taxes or social insurance — even if later settled — will now be treated as a negative factor in screening. The guideline states that completing payment after the due date is not equivalent to timely payment.
Key Points
- From April 2027: PR applicants must generally hold a 5-year (maximum) residence period stamp
- Late tax/insurance payments count as negative even if subsequently settled
- Transition window: applicants with a 3-year stamp may still apply until March 31, 2027
Recommended Action
Verify that your current residence period stamp is 5 years. If it is 3 years, consider using the transition window before March 31, 2027. Ensure all taxes and social insurance are paid on time — not just settled after a delay.