Chances for PR for husband of Singaporean?

[mopeykitten]

Hi,

I'm a Singaporean with a British husband and we both really want to move back to Singapore - we plan on starting a family soon and want to be close to my family. We're worried that it might be hard for my husband to get a PR and we'll have to be separated.

My husband used to work in Singapore but we left so I could pursue my higher education. We both have Masters. Neither of us have a job in Singapore at the moment - my husband is working in IT and although I've previously worked in pharma, I do IT freelancing now (better work-life balance). We plan on living with my mother in Singapore until we can find a flat very close to her - she's widowed and living alone at the moment, and that's another reason why we're anxious to move.

We do really want to live in Singapore permanently, many of our friends and my family are in Singapore, but we are really worried that my husband won't get the necessary visa to enable him to stay permanently. It doesn't look like it'll be difficult for us to get decent jobs in Singapore - we're mostly worried that our family will be separated at some point in the future, especially as it looks random and difficult to get an EP or PR for Singapore. What do you think our chances are like?

[the lynx]

Hi,

I'm a Singaporean with a British husband and we both really want to move back to Singapore - we plan on starting a family soon and want to be close to my family. We're worried that it might be hard for my husband to get a PR and we'll have to be separated.

My husband used to work in Singapore but we left so I could pursue my higher education. We both have Masters. Neither of us have a job in Singapore at the moment - my husband is working in IT and although I've previously worked in pharma, I do IT freelancing now (better work-life balance). We plan on living with my mother in Singapore until we can find a flat very close to her - she's widowed and living alone at the moment, and that's another reason why we're anxious to move.

We do really want to live in Singapore permanently, many of our friends and my family are in Singapore, but we are really worried that my husband won't get the necessary visa to enable him to stay permanently. It doesn't look like it'll be difficult for us to get decent jobs in Singapore - we're mostly worried that our family will be separated at some point in the future, especially as it looks random and difficult to get an EP or PR for Singapore. What do you think our chances are like?

For immediate plan, try to apply for EP for himself first (via an employer). This one will take the shortest period of time. At least you two will be able to get to Singapore soon enough for your mother.

Then try for PR under Family Ties scheme. This may take longer. That's why I suggested to get him EP first.

If that fails, try LTVP+. This is for spouse of Singaporean citizens. But you must be either married for 3 years or have a child to be eligible to apply. This will give him long term residency and permission to work also. This also will take some time.

How long have you two been married?

[PNGMK]

The simplest but hardest route is to find is for you husband to find a job via a transfer (i.e. transfer into Singapore). Then the work visa is the employers issue, not yours.

[mopeykitten]

We've been married for 6 years. As I understand it, LTVP+ gives you the ability to apply for jobs, and then you'll have to get a work visa? We're worried that at some point his visa application will be rejected and he'll have to go home. Also only about 10% of LTVPs become LTVP+? It seems random and we aren't incredibly wealthy, so it looks like there's a high chance we might not get it an LTVP+. We both have Masters from top London universities and I have an undergrad degree from NTU, so maybe that'll help a bit.

We've been talking to people in the IT industry in Singapore and it sounds hard to get an EP for IT, or an EP at all? Is this actually the case? He's a high-level multi-language programmer. It also seems like PRs for IT professionals are hard to come by, judging by accounts on this site from people with rejected PR applications.

We're gonna try our best, but we're really worried that at some point his Singapore visa/visa renewal will be rejected and he'll have to leave the country. This is especially distressing because it looks like it could happen even when we've had a child and we could end up separated for a long time - this is our worst case scenario.

[the lynx]

We've been married for 6 years. As I understand it, LTVP+ gives you the ability to apply for jobs, and then you'll have to get a work visa? We're worried that at some point his visa application will be rejected and he'll have to go home. Also only about 10% of LTVPs become LTVP+? It seems random and we aren't incredibly wealthy, so it looks like there's a high chance we might not get it an LTVP+. We both have Masters from top London universities and I have an undergrad degree from NTU, so maybe that'll help a bit.

We've been talking to people in the IT industry in Singapore and it sounds hard to get an EP for IT, or an EP at all? Is this actually the case? He's a high-level multi-language programmer. It also seems like PRs for IT professionals are hard to come by, judging by accounts on this site from people with rejected PR applications.

We're gonna try our best, but we're really worried that at some point his Singapore visa/visa renewal will be rejected and he'll have to leave the country. This is especially distressing because it looks like it could happen even when we've had a child and we could end up separated for a long time - this is our worst case scenario.

The difference between you and them is that the spouse is a Singaporean (you). So that's the advantage you have, on top of all the qualifications.

LTVP+ is a totally different class of LTVP. He can work under this pass with Letter of Consent so he does not need to change his pass when he gets a job here. This helps you to buy time to apply for PR. Perhaps you may as well get this one first if EP fails. Then only apply for PR. And you guys are married for 6 years. Definitely meet the criteria.

[triste]

I think you're more worried than you need be. The first step is worrying about getting employment for the two of you. If you can secure that, then you're good. I wouldn't even think about PR until you have found jobs and settled in a bit.

But let's say you both had jobs and were moved in with mom. Why so worried? Is there more to this story or are you letting the Internet scare you? You are a citizen. You are both masters-degree holders, you have been married 6 years, and you intend to start a family soon and put down roots. That sounds desirable for Singapore to me. Make a backup plan should the worst come to pass and then stop stressing about it. Spend that energy on your job search. Good luck!

[mopeykitten]

Thanks, the lynx. It reassures me somewhat. We were feeling positive about moving to Singapore, until we read all the negative posts about visa & PR rejections.

[mopeykitten]

@triste I think it's a case of letting the internet scare us. We were feeling generally positive, until we did some 'research' and saw lots of posts about how difficult it is to get an EP, PR rejections, etc.

[midlet2013]

I think u shd be patient and positive. I am not a citizen but my wife and I both did graduate studies in Singapore. She had PR but I did not . We had moved to another country.

When we returned, my EP was rejected twice due to error in documentation. But after a month delay, things became all right. My wife had to start off with a crappy job.

Eventually, 1.5 years later, I got my PR and both of us work in good jobs now. It took us 1 year to reach an optimal position.

You may face some initial hurdles but I think u guys will make it since ur backgrounds are good.

Your focus shd be to find jobs and enjoy life. PR/LTVP will take time so be patient.

@triste I think it's a case of letting the internet scare us. We were feeling generally positive, until we did some 'research' and saw lots of posts about how difficult it is to get an EP, PR rejections, etc.

[PNGMK]

I think u shd be patient and positive. I am not a citizen but my wife and I both did graduate studies in Singapore. She had PR but I did not . We had moved to another country.

When we returned, my EP was rejected twice due to error in documentation. But after a month delay, things became all right. My wife had to start off with a crappy job.

Eventually, 1.5 years later, I got my PR and both of us work in good jobs now. It took us 1 year to reach an optimal position.

You may face some initial hurdles but I think u guys will make it since ur backgrounds are good.

Your focus shd be to find jobs and enjoy life. PR/LTVP will take time so be patient.

@triste I think it's a case of letting the internet scare us. We were feeling generally positive, until we did some 'research' and saw lots of posts about how difficult it is to get an EP, PR rejections, etc.

Midget is about right. PR will definitely take time (3 years + more than possibly).

[triste]

@triste I think it's a case of letting the internet scare us. We were feeling generally positive, until we did some 'research' and saw lots of posts about how difficult it is to get an EP, PR rejections, etc.

I've been there with letting the Internet scare you, but here I am. My spouse is an SC and I'm on a LTVP. No plus. Hopefully next round. We do have a plan B if we ever feel we have to leave, due to rejection of pass renewal or otherwise.

anyway, I don't think you have anything to worry about. You're going to be fine.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Depending on his job history and academic credentials/experience, there is a possibility of getting PR before he even comes here. Our regular, Saint, is an example of one who did just that, albeit a few years ago. But depending on your potential to get a a decent job with your education, there is a possibility that it could be pulled off. It's been done before (and the Singapore spouse wasn't working in Singapore either, both were in the UK.

[Saint]

Depending on his job history and academic credentials/experience, there is a possibility of getting PR before he even comes here. Our regular, Saint, is an example of one who did just that, albeit a few years ago. But depending on your potential to get a a decent job with your education, there is a possibility that it could be pulled off. It's been done before (and the Singapore spouse wasn't working in Singapore either, both were in the UK.

Yes I got my PR over 6 years ago while we were living in UK with my Singaporean wife. I can say that I know friends of mine in the exact same situation where the Husband has also just got PR a couple of months ago. So the PR route for your husband is still very much possible and I would recommend this route definitely.