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Scaling and Expanding PR Journey Programme to Incorporate Regular and Sustained Engagement Opportunities

Debated in Parliament on 7 Jul 2026.

Summary

  • Mr. David Hoe proposed expanding the PR Journey programme for new Permanent Residents to include ongoing engagement and structured interactions with local Singaporeans, moving beyond one-off modules and events.
  • Acting Minister David Neo acknowledged the importance of integration as a two-way process and highlighted that the PR Journey programme has evolved to include experiential learning and community engagement activities.
  • The pilot, initiated in November 2025, features museum visits and volunteering opportunities, with positive feedback from participants regarding their understanding of living in Singapore.
  • The Ministry is committed to reviewing participant feedback and outcomes to enhance the programme further and is open to collaborating with local organisations to support integration initiatives through the Community Integration Fund.

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Full Transcript

David Hoe

Mr David Hoe asked the Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth whether, as the PR Journey programme for new Permanent Residents is scaled up, the Ministry will consider going beyond one-off modules, museum visits and community events, to incorporate more regular and sustained engagement opportunities, including structured interactions with local-born Singaporeans such as facilitated conversations, grassroots involvement, volunteering and recurring touchpoints, so that integration becomes a more two-way process.

David Neo

We agree with the member that integration is an ongoing and two-way process involving interactions between locals and foreigners. As such, in designing the Permanent Resident (PR) Journey programme, it already goes beyond one-off e-learning modules for new PRs to learn about Singapore's culture life, way of life and social norms.

As part of the PR Journey, we encourage PRs to understand, engage with and contribute to our community. The initial phase of the pilot that was rolled out in November 2025 included experiential experiences for new PRs to visit selected museums or cultural institutions, or participate in a local community event. Since May 2026, we have also introduced volunteering opportunities for new PRs who are interested in contributing to the local community.

Based on responses from the PRs who have participated in the pilot thus far, almost all gained a better understanding about living and contributing to Singapore after completing the programme. The Ministry will continue to assess participant feedback and outcomes from the pilot to ensure that the programme remains effective in achieving our integration outcomes and continues to be meaningful for the participants.

The Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth will also be happy to support ideas from Singapore-registered organisations to enhance local-foreigner integration, through the Community Integration Fund.