Chances of Getting PR

[cyenwong]

Hi all - thanks first for reading. I would really appreciate your opinion on our (me and my gf) chances on applying PR in the next 1-3 years

Profiles
Myself
- Nationality/Race: Malaysia/Chinese
- Education: Master's Degree (Bachelor from NUS)
- In SG since: 2006 (though I was away for Master between 2009/2010)
- Visa: EP
- Occupation: Strategy Consultant
- Current Salary: 120k++

Gf
- Nationality/Race: PRC/Chinese
- Education: Diploma (on Earlychildhood edu, local private institute)
- In SG since: 2009 (started from O-level)
- Visa: WP
- Occupation: Kindergarten Teacher (NTUC)
- Current Salary: 24K + bonus

We are planning to get married some time next year and would like to settle down hence thinking of getting PR for resale HDB. We are really facing a huge dilemma because we want to settle down and build a family but private apartments would be really heavy for us: downpayment, stampduty etc etc.

Questions:
1. What is the best strategy for our PR application upon getting married? I've heard 2 options:
(i) Get married, I apply first, and if mine is approved, she can follow
(ii) Both of us apply together as husband/wife

2. Would her job give her an advantage in application since it is currently the national focus? A number of policy has been introduced to strengthen the institute and attract more people to join earlychildhood teaching, while nationawide salary review is underway and expected to be implemented in 2-3 months time starting from PAP and NTUC kindergartens.

3. Or does she need to ensure she gets S-pass before we even think about anything?

4. In normal case scenario, how long should I be looking at realistically for both of us to obtain PR?

5. would my gf require 3 years of NOA before applying (assuming we are married)

Let me know if you require further clarification - really really appreciate your help.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Let me see if I understand you correctly. You are only interested in getting married IF you can buy an HDB resale flat, otherwise you would remain single for the time being?

[Beeroclock]

We are planning to get married some time next year and would like to settle down hence thinking of getting PR for resale HDB. We are really facing a huge dilemma because we want to settle down and build a family but private apartments would be really heavy for us: downpayment, stampduty etc etc.

I'm also wondering about this, maybe you can be open to rent instead of equating settling down with property ownership. Rent on a 2 year or perhaps even longer lease, can still be relatively settled I would think?

[AngMoG]

I think missing out one important fact: Since when have you both been working in SG?

Apart from that, there is a rule now that PRs can only buy HDB after 3 years on PR, so you'd have to wait 3 years. On top of that, to get HDB, you should be married and BOTH PR.

So overall, I'd say wait until you have your 3 years tax returns and then apply. Not sure if it's better to apply one-by-one or together though.

[cyenwong]

Let me see if I understand you correctly. You are only interested in getting married IF you can buy an HDB resale flat, otherwise you would remain single for the time being?

no would get married anyhow - it's just that for me we would really want to have our own nice place

I'm also wondering about this, maybe you can be open to rent instead of equating settling down with property ownership. Rent on a 2 year or perhaps even longer lease, can still be relatively settled I would think?

But it still feels like over time I would be better off paying mortgages than renting...

I think missing out one important fact: Since when have you both been working in SG?

Apart from that, there is a rule now that PRs can only buy HDB after 3 years on PR, so you'd have to wait 3 years. On top of that, to get HDB, you should be married and BOTH PR.

So overall, I'd say wait until you have your 3 years tax returns and then apply. Not sure if it's better to apply one-by-one or together though.

Am aware of the 3yr rule...
I've only started paying my first tax since 2012, so this year would be the 3rd for me. My gf will only start paying her 1st tax this year.
Is it going to be hard w/o BOTH paying 3 years of tax on PR application?

Overall any comments on the chances of such profiles? Can my profile be seen as an assistance to hers or will her job provide any plus points?

[Beeroclock]

But it still feels like over time I would be better off paying mortgages than renting...

Fair enough, I do agree from a financial perspective. But the PR decision is primarily about where you want to reside for the long-term, not rent vs buy property economics (it may be a factor but not the main consideration).

On the profiles, IMO yours looks strong and your gf's weak. Others will be more experienced to comment on best strategy, my thoughts FWIW is get married first and then some time after, both apply together as husband/wife. If you apply first by yourself I just wonder if it could put some question mark over the marriage or risk leaving your gf/future wife stranded if you have PR and she doesn't.

[beppi]

Her PR application will only be affected by (or connected to) yours AFTER you marry.
Before that, you apply individually and independently.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Her PR application will only be affected by (or connected to) yours AFTER you marry.
Before that, you apply individually and independently.

Frankly, however, her chances are slim to zero if she files singly. In fact, she could find herself with a rejection letter like some have gotten, whereby she is invited to continue to work on a WP but......

That could really throw a real spanner in the works. Their best bet is to get married, have a sprog and then apply together as a family. They have to be currently staying somewhere so somebody is already paying rent. Even if they gain PR, they will still have to wait to purchase a flat a minimum of three years, so it's better to get that 3 years waiting period for resale purchase clock in countdown mode as soon as possible. If it's not approved, they they can relook their options, e.g., return to M'sai or immigrate to the PRC. If he applies and gets PR before they get married and she is given the dreaded rejection letter, they have to figure out whether they are just in it for the property or they actually love each other and determined to be together. Her PR rejection might just colour their perceptions. Remember you need two PR's to purchase a resale unit. condo no, HDB yes.

[cyenwong]

Her PR application will only be affected by (or connected to) yours AFTER you marry.
Before that, you apply individually and independently.

Frankly, however, her chances are slim to zero if she files singly. In fact, she could find herself with a rejection letter like some have gotten, whereby she is invited to continue to work on a WP but......

That could really throw a real spanner in the works. Their best bet is to get married, have a sprog and then apply together as a family. They have to be currently staying somewhere so somebody is already paying rent. Even if they gain PR, they will still have to wait to purchase a flat a minimum of three years, so it's better to get that 3 years waiting period for resale purchase clock in countdown mode as soon as possible. If it's not approved, they they can relook their options, e.g., return to M'sai or immigrate to the PRC. If he applies and gets PR before they get married and she is given the dreaded rejection letter, they have to figure out whether they are just in it for the property or they actually love each other and determined to be together. Her PR rejection might just colour their perceptions. Remember you need two PR's to purchase a resale unit. condo no, HDB yes.

Hi All, thanks for the response - appreciate it. SHould have made it clear when I was talking about applying separately: that would also be after we are married. What I was thinking or speculating is could ICA be more willing to award the wife a PR when his husband is already one.

Yes we are currently renting room only, we would like to have our own place/space.

And yes I was thinking if it cannot work out we could either end up in Malaysia (which is not ideal because I'm from JB and not too much my type work job opportunity), or Hong Kong (which she's from Guangzhou and I'm a Cantonese myself, but still, some distance from my parents)

Appreciate any other comments on our chances, as husband/wife, applying and getting a PR.
I guess some other questions that I'm also curious about are - would my gf need to:
1. first obtain an SPass before this gets anywhere?
2. have 3 tax returns?

[sundaymorningstaple]

Appreciate any other comments on our chances, as husband/wife, applying and getting a PR.
I guess some other questions that I'm also curious about are - would my gf need to:
1. first obtain an SPass before this gets anywhere?
2. have 3 tax returns?

Actually, I doubt it would make any difference. I feel her educational qualifications are going to be the hindrance, but at the same time, her current employment direction would be a plus in my viewpoint. Obviously, a higher level pass would be better, but I don't think it would be critical on a joint application. Single application, I've already made my thoughts known.

And yes, the three tax returns would be needed, but not necessarily if a supplementary applicant on your application as you more than satisfy the income necessary. You would need the three years though, I would think.

[Beeroclock]

Hi All, thanks for the response - appreciate it. SHould have made it clear when I was talking about applying separately: that would also be after we are married. What I was thinking or speculating is could ICA be more willing to award the wife a PR when his husband is already one.

Actually my wife and I did it that way, separately, but that was a while ago when PR was easier to get. Nowadays it's different, much more scrutiny, and I think there could be questions why you would apply without your wife. Thus I still think best to apply together, all or nothing. I would also do it that way if I had my time over....

[cyenwong]

Actually, I doubt it would make any difference. I feel her educational qualifications are going to be the hindrance, but at the same time, her current employment direction would be a plus in my viewpoint. Obviously, a higher level pass would be better, but I don't think it would be critical on a joint application. Single application, I've already made my thoughts known.

And yes, the three tax returns would be needed, but not necessarily if a supplementary applicant on your application as you more than satisfy the income necessary. You would need the three years though, I would think.

Ok thanks make sense.
I think this is getting clearer now - pay my 3rd tax, get married, a plus if by then she has got her S-Pass, and apply as husband & wife. This spawn another question: is there any window/period I should observe between getting married and pr application?

[sundaymorningstaple]

None that I am aware of. The only problem is if you were a SC and marrying a PRC. Then that could pose a myriad of problems as the government is wary of SC marrying PRCs as so many of their citizens have been burnt or entered into marriages of convenience. This is what we/I have been skirting around this whole thread. I don't know if your marriage to a PRC will have any future impact on a SC application or not. We don't have any anecdotal evidence one way or the other. This is why my comment about her educational level but a the same time a mitigating factor is her occupation. That's a hurdle you will have to face when the time comes, though.

Your keeping us abreast of developments is good for our knowledge base, so let us know how you go.

[cyenwong]

Ok thanks, tbh I have no intention of applying for SC in the near future; in fact no thoughts of getting PR previously either until I realise (somehow abit late) that housing will be an issue for us going forward.

BTW would change in job anytime before the actual application (likely next year) affect my chances or be seen as job-hopper? I'm still with my first full time job atm.

And yes you guys are too knowledgeable for me not to keep you guys posted on the progress/questions etc

[Beeroclock]

Ok thanks, tbh I have no intention of applying for SC in the near future; in fact no thoughts of getting PR previously either until I realise (somehow abit late) that housing will be an issue for us going forward.

As per my earlier posts, I think it's important to straighten the logic for your PR decision, to first and foremost which country do you want to reside for long-term. I assume you've thought this through together and have a firm intention/commitment to Singapore. Otherwise I probably wouldn't recommend PR if the main driver is reducing housing cost (as it came across to me based on your posts), and there is a fair chance you will move elsewhere within 5-10 years.

For someone earning 120k++ I didn't really comprehend how owning a HDB (versus renting one at approx. 2 to 2.5k per month) is a make-or-break, "huge dilemma" for you to stay here or not. It just seems like a financial optimization, but you still should have more than enough to survive and accumulate some savings.

I would suggest to keep this mindset anyway, i.e. budget and plan to live here without PR, and then treat the PR as a bonus if and when it comes. This will help manage your expectation and patience for the potentially long process ahead. Good luck!