Unusual PR question

[Old Yorkie]

This may seem a daft question but it is Singapore we are talking about.

My wife is Singaporean. We live in the UK where she has PR status. We are retired (69 yrs old).

We would like to finish our days in Singapore so she can be near her family. You all know what Singaporean women are like!

She thinks it is a straight forward thing for me to come over and claim PR but I am not so sure.

We both have a good pension income and enough savings to buy an apartment in Singapore and have a reasonable amount left over as well.

Is it straight forward for an OAP to obtain PR status in Singapore with a Singaporean wife?

Easy question, not so sure about the answer. Any advice would be appreciated.

TB

[singaporeflyer]

May not be easy, as both of you are slightly above the retirement age in Singapore.

[sundaymorningstaple]

It's possibly doable, but it isn't "a straight forward" thing at all. If you can substantiate the fact that you are not likely to become a burden to the state, I reckon it's possible. But there is always the LTVP until such time as that happens. It's also possible that the LTVP is all you would get as well as ICA might take the view that as you all are getting up there in age, medical problem might become an issue so you might be coming here for the subsidized medicines. I do realize that you are coming from a country with National Health but I'm just throwing it out there for contemplation. Good Luck. (I'm also 69, a PR and married to a local girl of 70). But not yet retired.

[Old Yorkie]

Thanks guys.

I have tried to tell my "educated" wife that it would not be easy but there is no talking to a Singaporean woman, only listening.

I am not too worried as this is for her, not me. She will be able to live next to her sisters and watch all of the daytime soaps while I sit relaxing in the hot springs in Chiang Rai, sipping a cold beer. As you say, there is always the LTVP or my choice will be a standard visitors visa which would limit the amount of time I have to spend in the same room as 7 females yaking away, all talking about different subjects and listening with their mouths.

Joking apart. As i get older, the cost of medical in Singapore would outweigh any other savings and soon bankrupt us. Easier to retire over the way in Thailand and visit. Then when I snuff it, she can simply jump on a plane and spend her last days watching "The Little Nonya".

Jokes aside, thanks everyone, it's what I expected.

Tony

[ecureilx]

I have tried to tell my "educated" wife that it would not be easy but there is no talking to a Singaporean woman, only listening.

ouch, I thought that applied to "any" woman

[PNGMK]

The costs of medical care in Singapore (and nearby JB) are ok actually - especially as the waiting times are not that long.

PR would get you slightly better access to medical care but you could possibly buy insurance on an LTVP as well which might ease your mind.

The other question is accommodation - where would you live?

I would do it. Make sure your wife knows that Orchard Tower is a place for health clubs and spas and you need to go down there at 4pm every week.

[PNGMK]

Not to be morbid but I would set up a living will and enduring POA for both of you when you get our here. It makes life so much easier if one of you is not mentally there in the years ahead.

[Old Yorkie]

Thanks guys for the advice.

I have been told by my nephew who works (well turns up each day) for ICA that my chances are zero to none at all. It took him long enough to reply but as you know, Singaporean males are not the quickest/smartest people in the world. His mother (my sister in law) had to put pressure on him to enquire for us. That's why the women have to be smart, the men are useless.

Singapore is only interested in younger people, preferably child bearing, professional females whose offspring can swell the CPF coffers. He said that despite what people may say, a quota system exists and ICA cherry pick the PRs they want. Joke is, that we are financially self sufficient, would be paying into the Singaporean economy and not be a burden on the health system as we can pay our way.

In a way it's a relief. Now we can buy her an apartment next to her sister, go over to Chiang Rai and rent a house/apartment and enjoy a much better quality of life. At least there, they operate a retirement system albeit bogged down with paperwork, but we can always hire a lawyer to do that.

Much as I love visiting her family, the thought of all of that noise pollution would probably drive me to an early grave. Funny thing is that she is angry with her country for having so much red tape. She forgets that she left Singapore as a teenager to pursue a nursing career in the UK because of restrictions and then we brought our nieces to the UK for education as they had trouble keeping their mouths shut at Uni in Singapore. Now I have a family full of "educated" Singapore females. probably the most opinionated species on the planet.

Seriously, thanks again for advice, I listen to anyone who has been there, done it etc. (except the female side of my family).

Tony

[PNGMK]

Your nephews summary is about correct (with an added factor of race weighed against you - but yes migration via PR is all about the total fertility rate). Singapore DOES have a sort of retirement visa - valid for 5 years - I think it's an LTVP - but you need to be sponsored by your children. A lot of china folks here sponsored by their immigrant kids.

Even LKY regretted educating Singapore women....don't feel bad.