Older PR candidates "other race"

[Kabot]

So, mostly just confirming what I already expect -- was rejected on the PR attempt. It was my first, so in and of itself, that's not a big deal. Main question is, is it even possible to get PR from my position with reasonable probability?

I'm early forties, Caucasian, single. Been here a couple years now.

Trick is, from what I can tell analyzing the public statistics and doing some reasonable inference, there's probably around 20-30 PRs granted to white 40-50 year old people in that category. Is tricky as one has to make some surmises. Is that totally off base, or does that sound about right?

The Committee for Future Economy suggests a 1% labor growth rate, which would suggest the current rates remain the same for the interim, and then there's the election by Jan 2021. Was hoping the new ambitions in tech and research would open the gates a bit.

Does anyone have any idea what the applicant rate is? Seems like the applicants would be way higher than that, anecdotally at least. That's the one thing I haven't been able to guess at.

I fall in the high-demand skill range in the current and upcoming "hot" industries, but not a managing director, just pretty senior. I'm surmising many of those PR grants go to entrepeneurs.

Mind, is what it is, Singapore never promised me residency . And yes, I know there's always a chance!

[x9200]

I'm early forties, Caucasian, single. Been here a couple years now.

Trick is, from what I can tell analyzing the public statistics and doing some reasonable inference, there's probably around 20-30 PRs granted to white 40-50 year old people in that category. Is tricky as one has to make some surmises. Is that totally off base, or does that sound about right?

I think it is probably better to see it as a set of factors with the age being one of them and the quota based solely on the race. In other words, for the few hundred Caucasians granted PR every year, in the eyes of the government, would you be any better than them? As brutal as it may get, I believe there are probably few hundred Caucasians, younger age, with their background in tech and research, with families, with sons ready to serve NS etc. etc. etc. This may outweigh your job seniority.
Not sure how this socio-demographic professional landscape varies over years (or even within single year), but if you are somehow close to the edge of being granted or rejected, it may be just a matter of luck. I believe 40-50 band is still acceptable and the real troubles start after crossing the 50 line.

[Strong Eagle]

You probably won't get PR. I'm probably one of the reasons. I moved to Singapore in 2004, two years on Entrepass, then 6 years as PR. I got my PR at age 56. Invested money in my own company in Singapore, hired locals.

When the 2008 recession hit, my business really tanked, and the changing IT eco-system essentially invalidated my business model. I was fortunate that two old clients gave me work from 2008 through the end of 2012.

In the end though, with lots of layoffs in Singapore, it was very difficult for an old guy (now 62) to find a job or consulting contract, at least one that would keep me in my semi-D.

I left for the USA at the beginning of 2013. I know quite a few other people in their 50's, mostly American, that have given it up and come home to the USA.

And so, I judge that somewhere in the bowels of the ICA, someone has figured out that Americans of means won't really be "permanent". Nor will well paid senior executives, unless someone with pull in the company can get to the right people at ICA and convince them that the posting is permanent.

I don't think that PR grants are going to entrepreneurs. They are going to the people that the gahmen thinks have the highest probability of staying in Singapore over the long haul. I judge they base their criteria on race... Chinese and Malay easy to assimilate... maybe Indian, so long as not too many. But Vietnamese? Or Pakistan? Or Ang Mo from USA? Meh!

For salary criteria, I judge it is the middle of the road earner that has the highest probability of getting PR. Too low a salary, too risky that you cannot support yourself. Too high a salary and the risk is that you can afford to move on at anytime due to changing conditions. Nice middle of the road "salary man" salary and you'll be here forever, chained to your job.

I judge there are a few cultural evaluation points thrown in as well. Americans, Brits, Ozzies, and Kiwi's don't tend to have the cultural mindset of consensus building and deference. I figure that ICA thinks that would be putting a round peg into a square hole.

In any event, PR isn't all that it's cracked up to be anymore. The single benefit that I see these days is that you won't get tossed out of the country if you lose your job, and you can start your own business.

[PNGMK]

Kabot - your analysis lines up with my own - except you've extended it to single men and I stopped at couples. I think it's harder for a single guy than a couple....

[Kabot]

Thanks for the replies all!

It's a lovely city indeed, and I'm aware of the challenges it faces and where this puts me