Should I re-apply for PR?

[akramfake]

I applied for PR in June 2013 and was rejected on 11th October 2013, a pretty quick rejection. I am a Pakistani so I know my chances are really low. My profile is:

Mine:

Education: BBA from NUS (bad grades but pass). CFA Level 1 pass, PRM exam 1 & 2 passed

Work: Managing Director at two local companies. One 3 years old now and one only 6 months old. Related businesses.

Business 1: Turnover of $400,000 per year. 3 local employees. One being paid $2500 per month and the other two being paid $500 per month approx. Profit of $80,000 in last year (excluding $60k salary of mine, 24k salary of a local director, $54K salary of my wife)

Business 2: new business, incorporated in Jan 2014. Has 3 local employees. One earning $2500, other two earning less that $500.

Marriage: Married for almost 4 years now (from August 2010). No kids. Don’t plan to have kids till we have a house.

Volunteer work: Been friends of the Singapore Museum since June 2013 but not very big on volunteering

Nationality: Pakistani

Stay in Singapore: Came here in August 2006. Graduated in Feb 2010. Started my first company in December 2010. Paid 3 taxes so far for both my wife and me. Neither of the companies has paid tax due to 3-year tax exemption for new Pte. Ltd. Companies but profit is there and tax returns are submitted. I have Employment pass P2(5K per month salary), wife have Q1 ($4.5k per month salary)

My wife:

Education: BEng from NUS (bad grades but pass –took 5 years)
Work: Work at my company from 2010 to 2013, then started her own business in August 2013. Revenue of over 100K in <3 months. Has 4 local employees earning less than $300 right now.

Nationality: Pakistani

Stay in Singapore: Exactly the same as me

In my rejection letter, they didn’t invite me to apply for PR again, it just said “You are your wife can continue to work in Singapore on valid EPs”

[PNGMK]

I just can't see it happening. From what I can see you need to be exceptional to get over the Pakistan issue and although you're great; you're not exceptional.

[akramfake]

Thanks a lot for the reply.



It's really frustrating. I didn't chose my Nationality.

Either way, what will push me in the exceptional category? What kind of things will have to change?

[sundaymorningstaple]

I tend to concur. It's rough. The letter you received is not the kind of letter that alludes to reapplying every 6 months. You would need some serious changes to offset their already apparently closed mindset about your application. I honestly don't see that kind of change.

However, nothing ventured, nothing gained. As long as you can handle rejection well, keep applying. But I think you might have another problem in the future and that is keeping your own EPs, so I can understand your anxiousness.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Oh, while you didn't choose your nationality, you did choose the country you are trying to immigrate to. Maybe a more accommodating country is something to think about? After all, the nationality problem is one that I'm sure you were aware of even while still in University here.

[akramfake]

Oh, while you didn't choose your nationality, you did choose the country you are trying to immigrate to. Maybe a more accommodating country is something to think about? After all, the nationality problem is one that I'm sure you were aware of even while still in University here.

Actually no, I wasn't aware. A lot of my Pakistani seniors easily got PRs and citizenships here. PR tightening measures are pretty new. Previously, PR for NUS graduates was not THAT hard.

[akramfake]

I tend to concur. It's rough. The letter you received is not the kind of letter that alludes to reapplying every 6 months. You would need some serious changes to offset their already apparently closed mindset about your application. I honestly don't see that kind of change.

However, nothing ventured, nothing gained. As long as you can handle rejection well, keep applying. But I think you might have another problem in the future and that is keeping your own EPs, so I can understand your anxiousness.

My EPs are probably stable. We not only have own EPs but have also issued EPs for others in the past. The company has also grown every where so the chances of them deciding to reject my EP is slim. It's always there though. I am more concerned about a house. I know I won't be returning to Pakistan so I need to plant my roots somewhere. If Singapore wouldn't allow it under any circumstances, I will be forced to look elsewhere (Australia being an option) but I would really not want to. I really like Singapore.

What will be a "bigger" change that will increase my chances. This is what I am most interested in.

[PNGMK]

I tend to concur. It's rough. The letter you received is not the kind of letter that alludes to reapplying every 6 months. You would need some serious changes to offset their already apparently closed mindset about your application. I honestly don't see that kind of change.

However, nothing ventured, nothing gained. As long as you can handle rejection well, keep applying. But I think you might have another problem in the future and that is keeping your own EPs, so I can understand your anxiousness.

My EPs are probably stable. We not only have own EPs but have also issued EPs for others in the past. The company has also grown every where so the chances of them deciding to reject my EP is slim. It's always there though. I am more concerned about a house. I know I won't be returning to Pakistan so I need to plant my roots somewhere. If Singapore wouldn't allow it under any circumstances, I will be forced to look elsewhere (Australia being an option) but I would really not want to. I really like Singapore.

What will be a "bigger" change that will increase my chances. This is what I am most interested in.

You can buy a house (private apt) here - they haven't closed that door yet. You can't buy a leasehold on a subsidized state owned flat but that should be seen as a plus, not a negative. There are still cheap apartments around in the Geylang area and others.

[Wd40]

I tend to concur. It's rough. The letter you received is not the kind of letter that alludes to reapplying every 6 months. You would need some serious changes to offset their already apparently closed mindset about your application. I honestly don't see that kind of change.

However, nothing ventured, nothing gained. As long as you can handle rejection well, keep applying. But I think you might have another problem in the future and that is keeping your own EPs, so I can understand your anxiousness.

My EPs are probably stable. We not only have own EPs but have also issued EPs for others in the past. The company has also grown every where so the chances of them deciding to reject my EP is slim. It's always there though. I am more concerned about a house. I know I won't be returning to Pakistan so I need to plant my roots somewhere. If Singapore wouldn't allow it under any circumstances, I will be forced to look elsewhere (Australia being an option) but I would really not want to. I really like Singapore.

What will be a "bigger" change that will increase my chances. This is what I am most interested in.

Have you considered Malaysia? They probably have religious ties with Pakistan

[mystic_river]

Being a Pakistani myself, I understand how you must feel about your nationality. I can tell you that even if you do get a PR, it won't be easy to become a SC. Look at me, been a PR for 9 years now and still not a SC.

I also get that there's no way you are going back to Pakistan - I have the same sentiments as you. But I am guessing you still haven't sunk your roots here completely yet like I have already (studied in SG since secondary school so literally all my friends and my life is here).

You still have a chance to go elsewhere TBH. I hear it's pretty easy to get canadian citizenship. Maybe you could try there?

[Beeroclock]

I tend to concur. It's rough. The letter you received is not the kind of letter that alludes to reapplying every 6 months. You would need some serious changes to offset their already apparently closed mindset about your application. I honestly don't see that kind of change.

However, nothing ventured, nothing gained. As long as you can handle rejection well, keep applying. But I think you might have another problem in the future and that is keeping your own EPs, so I can understand your anxiousness.

My EPs are probably stable. We not only have own EPs but have also issued EPs for others in the past. The company has also grown every where so the chances of them deciding to reject my EP is slim. It's always there though. I am more concerned about a house. I know I won't be returning to Pakistan so I need to plant my roots somewhere. If Singapore wouldn't allow it under any circumstances, I will be forced to look elsewhere (Australia being an option) but I would really not want to. I really like Singapore.

What will be a "bigger" change that will increase my chances. This is what I am most interested in.

Firstly sorry for your situation... One comment I'd make though is just let go of the home ownership ideal. If your need to have PR was for security of right to stay, then that's different. But as you say you're confident in your businesses (and therefore the ability to stay on EP) and you want PR mainly to buy a home without all the foreigner taxes. So then, why not just rent here like most other EP holders do ? The financial benefit of owning vs renting is less than what it was pre-cooling measures anyway. Eventually if you stay long enough and your businesses continue to perform, then the PR should come too, I would hope.

[x9200]

Maybe I am wrong but even if your businesses appear growing and in some sort of sound condition it can be perceived as something primarily ran to keep you here. If you are really determined to stay in Singapore I would just continue expanding them till they generate nice profit, employs a number of locals full time etc. etc., and after few more years give your PR another try.