How can I move back to Singapore?

[shine65]

Hi,

I would like to find out if anyone have any ideas or recommendations pls. Here is my story:

I was born and raised in Singapore. At the age of 28, I got married to a US Citizen and migrated to the US.

I became a US citizen after 5 yrs later. I had no clue that Singapore does not support dual citizenship. When I was visiting my family several years ago, I was traveling with US passport. I had to go to ICA to change my old IC to the new IC format. At that time, they asked me for my passport. When I showed them my US passport, they immediately told me I need to renounce my Singapore citizenship since I am a US citizen. I am working in the US full time. I was given 1 week by ICA to make the decision to renounce Singapore citizenship. Been young and under pressure from ICA, I renounced my Singapore citizenship.

Now, I am 56 years old and divorced. My mom who is 85 years old is living in Singapore by herself. All my siblings are married and are busy with their own families. I would like to go back to singapore to take care of my mom but because I was forced to renounce my singapore citizenship, I have no way to move back to singapore to take care of my mom.

My CPF funds are still in SIngapore.

Question: What are my options to return back to SIngapore and be able to live there to take care of my mom pls?

Thk You
Shine65

I appreciate your response.

Thk You

[BBCWatcher]

Question: What are my options to return back to SIngapore and be able to live there to take care of my mom pls?

A work pass (such as an Employment Pass) is one possible option. In this scenario, a prospective employer in Singapore would offer you a full-time job and apply for an EP to hire you. Of course that means you have to work, but during non-working hours you could be with your mother.

[shine65]

Thks for your reply. I did attempt to look for jobs in SIngapore. Since I am a US citizen now, most companies will not hire me stating that the singapore government only want the employers to hire from the asian countries like India, China, Malaysia, Philippines etc..I am a Voice Engineer by profession. SInce it is an IT job they give preference only to folks from these countries...

[Wd40]

Your age also could be a problem to find a job in Singapore as a foreigner. There must be a way to regain Singapore citizenship and renounce your American citizenship, no? I think you should explore this option. Approach ICA.

Sent from my Redmi Note 2 using Tapatalk

[ecureilx]

Thks for your reply. I did attempt to look for jobs in SIngapore. Since I am a US citizen now, most companies will not hire me stating that the singapore government only want the employers to hire from the asian countries like India, China, Malaysia, Philippines etc..I am a Voice Engineer by profession. SInce it is an IT job they give preference only to folks from these countries...

Bit outdated, you are. Actually, you are wrong.

There is no government push to recruit folks from those specific countries, the push is to go local as much as possible.

At my work place we have French, Irish, Argentinean and American developers, who all came in recently.

I agree, at this moment, EP or work pass may not be right for you.

I have some thoughts, which I need to clarify first.

Is your CPF balance substantial to play the sympathy card and seek help from ICA ?

[sundaymorningstaple]

I doubt her CPF will be sufficient to make any impact at all, considering she left when she was 28 ( don't have a clue how much she was making back there but the total contribution rates were 40% back then but on 1988 dollars. The compounding after 28 years using the rule of 76 might have tripled her contributions (less the amount withdrawn from medisave for insurance premiums over the years). But it is still a plus in her favor.

She might be considered for PR if she has substantial financial wherewithal based on family ties (mother) but again, if she has siblings here already, then ICA will look dimly on that considering she renounced. Getting a work pass that is at least an S pass might be difficult at her age and getting a Work Permit is out of the question as she is a US citizen not NTS, NAS, PRC or M'sian. I'd say her only chance is an S pass as I really don't see her being successful for an EP at her age.

I don't have a good feeling about this one, truth be known.

[BBCWatcher]

There are roughly 30,000 U.S. citizens living in Singapore. They come and go, still.

Would a university or other institute in Singapore be willing to hire you to teach your field of expertise?

Do any of Singapore's universities accept 56 year old students into their degree programs? Is there a Student Pass age limit?

The reverse is possible, meaning that as a U.S. citizen it is possible to sponsor your mother for a green card to live in the U.S. There is no visa quota limitation since she is an immediate relative (as USCIS defines the term). It'd take several months since you still have to petition and get the visa for her, but it can be done. Obamacare (since 2014) largely solved the medical insurability problem for acute care for legal immigrants, although you'll have to be very careful about her possible long-term care needs. In particular, if Medicaid has to support her within her first 5 years of U.S. residence then her financial sponsor (you, presumably) fall into a world of hurt.

[ecureilx]

There are roughly 30,000 U.S. citizens living in Singapore. They come and go, still.

Would a university or other institute in Singapore be willing to hire you to teach your field of expertise?

Do any of Singapore's universities accept 56 year old students into their degree programs? Is there a Student Pass age limit?

The reverse is possible, meaning that as a U.S. citizen it is possible to sponsor your mother for a green card to live in the U.S. There is no visa quota limitation since she is an immediate relative (as USCIS defines the term). It'd take several months since you still have to petition and get the visa for her, but it can be done. Obamacare (since 2014) largely solved the medical insurability problem for acute care for legal immigrants, although you'll have to be very careful about her possible long-term care needs. In particular, if Medicaid has to support her within her first 5 years of U.S. residence then her financial sponsor (you, presumably) fall into a world of hurt.

I felt strongly she wants to get herself here to be with mummy, than ship mummy out ... shipping 85 year old mummy to US ...

No comments about the student pass thing ..

[shine65]

Thk You everyone for your brainstorming. I truly appreciate it very much.

I was working in Cisco Systems here and wanted to take a job transfer Singapore Cisco Systems. That was what I heard from the hiring manager. He could be wrong but I have been trying applying for jobs in Singapore and australia (since it's closer to singapore) no luck --- my age is also a factor.

My mom do have a US PR. However, she does not like it in the US and health care costs are ridiculous in the US but the main reason is that she feels like she is in a prison when she comes here (lack of public transportation)

I have only around $250K+ in my CPF. What do you mean by play the sympathy card?

Thks so much!
Shine65

[BBCWatcher]

I was working in Cisco Systems here and wanted to take a job transfer Singapore Cisco Systems. That was what I heard from the hiring manager. He could be wrong....

He's wrong.

There's Malaysia's My Second Home program, and your mother could take a bus to visit you in Johor. Or she could also become a MM2Her.

[ecureilx]

I was working in Cisco Systems here and wanted to take a job transfer Singapore Cisco Systems. That was what I heard from the hiring manager. He could be wrong but I have been trying applying for jobs in Singapore and australia (since it's closer to singapore) no luck --- my age is also a factor.

You know Cisco just announced massive job cuts right ?

I have only around $250K+ in my CPF. What do you mean by play the sympathy card?

Thks so much!
Shine65

250k is above the minimum sum.

I sent you a PM.

[shine65]

Yes, Cisco is laying off 14,0000 employees. I am not concerned about it.

250K is minimum for what? I did not get your PM.

Thk You

[shine65]

Thks so much BBC Watcher for the link. The manager who told me that was an Indian National. Maybe they do not want SIngaporeans taking the jobs... ....

I did think about the Malaysia has a 2nd Home Program... However, been a single female... I am a bit nervous about living in Malaysia not knowing where is a safe area... But thks so much for all these ideas...

Do u think if I take my mom to meet the MP in her area and see if he can help reinstate at least a PR...

I am very frustrated!!!

[ecureilx]

250K is minimum for what? I did not get your PM.

Thk You

CPF retirement funds.

https://www.cpf.gov.sg/Members//Faq/sch ... e#faq17402

Do u think if I take my mom to meet the MP in her area and see if he can help reinstate at least a PR...

I am very frustrated!!!

MPs can't influence ICA.

You can try but don't hope for much.

As a former citizen, they will listen but their hands are tied.

[Strong Eagle]

In my view, I would contact ICA to discuss your situation. I don't know if they would make an exception for the issuance of a LTVP, and if you have the financial wherewithal to support yourself in Singapore, their granting an LTVP to you would not set any sort of precedent that would cause the floodgates to open. Your Mom is a Singapore citizen. You are a former citizen. Your Mom would be your sponsor.

It's not like an Indian PR, for example, wanting to bring in grown children to look after aging parents. To grant this type of LTVP would open the floodgates but I suspect that the number of Singaporean parents bringing back grown children would be relatively low.

I think you might also have a shot at an exception considering that ICA will grant LTVP to enable Singapore citizen or PR children to bring in their parents. This is sort of the same idea.

It certainly can't hurt to make application and try to get an exception. I have generally found Singapore authorities to have flexibility.