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Annual stay vs exit review: calendar and lock-ins
Companion to long-term stay vs exit — when to run the yearly horizon review (before school deposits and EP renewal), what to score, and which lock-ins turn a soft maybe into a forced year.
r/askSingapore’s “we’ll decide after Chinese New Year” threads discover the decision was already made by school deposits and EP renewal paperwork. Scorecard dimensions live on long-term stay vs exit. This companion is the calendar / lock-in layer.
When to run the review
| Trigger | Why it locks the next cycle |
|---|---|
| ~8–12 weeks before school re-enrolment / deposit deadlines | Deposits and notice periods are expensive to unwind |
| Before EP / pass renewal file opens in earnest | Renewal + COMPASS work assumes another year of stay — EP renewal |
| After a major shock (retrenchment, SEN capacity fail, caregiving abroad) | Do not wait for the “annual” slot |
| Alongside annual life-admin | Same season as REP / IC / insurance renewals |
Write the outcome as a 12–24 month primary path — stay another cycle, bridge to exit, or exit now — not a vibe.
Lock-ins that fake a soft maybe
| Lock-in | Force-multiplier |
|---|---|
| Multi-year lease without a usable diplomatic clause | Exit cashflow spike |
| School year already paid / bonded | Academic calendar > Reddit timeline |
| PR file in flight without NS literacy | Roots deepen before the household agrees |
| Partner career just started on PLOC / LOC | Bridge years feel “almost settled” |
| One-shock cash buffer | IR21 withhold + deposits can coincide — tax clearance |
If the path is exit, start leaving costs / leaving playbook the week you decide — not the week the pass ends.
Decision rule
Diary the review before school deposits and EP renewal lock you in → score the six dimensions → pick one dated path. Parent scorecard stays on stay vs exit.
Sources & citations
Admin and policy details change. Prefer the official page when making decisions; we cite primary sources for Singapore government and statutory guidance.
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