PR approval and nationality

[sciolto]

Hi guys,

A brief background:

I've only recently moved to Singapore (about 3 months ago) but they say the earliest you can apply for PR is 6 months in. I'm a U.S. citizen by birth, but of Chinese descent. I'm currently working here at NUS as a Research Associate in the department of public health and earn annually about 50k SGD. On an S pass. Not married.

My question is: If I were to apply for PR, what do you think my approval likelihood would be? I've been reading up on the forum and it seems based on pass-holding, time-in-Singapore, and salary, I'd clearly be rejected. But, I guess what I"m more getting at is the likelihood I'd be approved based on nationality and race alone? Does the ICA *tend* to want to encourage certain racial groups to get PR? I read another thread that said, not verbatim, that Malaysian was the "flavor of the past 3 years" so surely there'd be some bias? What are their opinions (in general) of U.S. born-and-bred folk of Chinese descent?

[sundaymorningstaple]

Chinese are preferred, frankly, but M'sian Chinese have the advantage of already, for all intents and purposes, being Singaporean by the very nature of the history of both countries. They tend to assimilate much better than most other "Chinese". Whether an ABC has a good chance or no, I can only hazard a guess. My thoughts would be in the short term no. But given two years here, then possibly yes. Do you speak fluent Mandarin (a definite plus). A lot don't, especially from the US where is seems the density of Cantonese speakers is higher. As an example, Indonesian Chinese used to be a shoe-in here as well, but in recent years, it's gotten much harder for them (and a lot of them have good Singapore degrees). But, one thing about it, the worst they can do is say no.

[nakatago]

To add to what SMS said, you're an ethnically Chinese single man working in a preferred industry. You don't earn that much to be able to just migrate to other countries but high enough that you'd want to find a nice Singaporean girl to marry, settle and make cannon fodder with.

That's my best guess from the ICA's point of view.

So, wait for the prerequisite period (the two years) and try to get several raises while doing so. It's 50-50 to me as well, really.

[zzm9980]

Agreed. Your racial/ethnic advantage will only help you if you file the requisite 3 tax returns. You have an edge, but not *that* much of an edge.

[sciolto]

Thanks for all of the responses, very insightful. I do speak Mandarin Chinese, but given everything I still think it'd just be a slight -- if not any -- edge.

[nakatago]

Thanks for all of the responses, very insightful. I do speak Mandarin Chinese, but given everything I still think it'd just be a slight -- if not any -- edge.

Just think of life and career advancement for now. Revisit your chances after 2, 3 years. Maybe they would have changed the rules or you would changed your mind.

[katetmyint]

If I may ask, I too have been in Singapore,and I m a pr since I was 10 and I m now 21 and I have to reapply for my pr. I have also contributed to my cpf, What would the chances be?


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[ecureilx]

If I may ask, I too have been in Singapore,and I m a pr since I was 10 and I m now 21 and I have to reapply for my pr. I have also contributed to my cpf, What would the chances be?


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that's a bit confusing

You are a PR since 10, and you are 21, means you have been maintaining your PR ?

You meant to renew your REP, when you said 'reapply for pr' ?

And what is the CPF you are contributing ?

[katetmyint]

Yes I have been maintaining my pr since 10, however I got my pr due to my parents. I believe when the Sg pr turned 21 they have to reapply for a pr on their own, is that right? Cpf is like the tax when I started working.


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[mystic_river]

Yes I have been maintaining my pr since 10, however I got my pr due to my parents. I believe when the Sg pr turned 21 they have to reapply for a pr on their own, is that right? Cpf is like the tax when I started working.


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This is a totally different issue from the OP but I'll help you anyway.

You don't have to "reapply" for your PR. Once you are a PR, it's permanent (it's called Permanent Resident for a reason). You only stop being a permanent resident once your Re-entry Permit (REP) expires and you do not renew it AND you leave Singapore.

What you need to do is see when your REP is expiring. If it is expiring, go to https://erep.ica.gov.sg and renew your REP there.

If you are still a student and not working, they will renew it for a year (most likely). If you are currently working IN singapore and (obviously) contributing to your cpf, they will renew it for 5 years (most likely).

If your REP is not expiring anytime soon, you do not need to do anything just because you have turned 21. Turning 21 only means that every time you renew your REP, you do it in on your own and not through your parents.

[katetmyint]

Thank you so much. That was a huge help really. I m unsure about it and was worried about it. Thank you so much


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