I feel so sad having to choose between SG and Canada

[esperanza_ca]

I am originally from China and have studied and worked in Singapore, on and off for more than 8 years. However, due to the tightening of immigration after 2008, my attempts at obtaining SPR were repeatedly frustrated.

Disheartened (and honestly, feeling resentful), I applied for permanent residence in Canada and the application was approved without a hitch. I became a PR of Canada early last year, but instantly returned to Singapore to continue my employment here for another year. The plan was to leave for Canada mid-2018.

However, for reasons best known not even to myself, I made my last attempt at SPR last year, and this application was approved last month! I have already received my NRIC. I guess I had expected this application to be also rejected, making my move to Canada psychologically easier.

For various reasons, a decision must be made now on whether to remain or to leave.

I guess it is good that I have a choice to make (and I should feel blessed), but since I am unable to maintain residence in both places (unless I marry a Canadian citizen while living in Singapore, which is out of the question), the decision to remain or leave means that the other status will lapse eventually. I am very torn between the two choices.

I love Canada for his democratic institutions, freedom, tolerance (LGBT rights are relevant to me), vast and beautiful land, no crowding, transparency in the naturalization process, and an opportunity to start over (I do not quite like my current job/profession here).

I love Singapore mainly because she is my first love, despite everything. In addition, I like the convenience, excellent infrastructure, a sense of familiarity, an apparent sense of belonging (I am the majority race here), and having a job (which, as I said, I do not quite like, but it pays my bills very well).

Should I follow my heart and start all over? Or should I heed the admonition that one may go further and fare worse? These are tough decisions for me ...

[Strong Eagle]

From a practical perspective: There is nothing "permanent" about a Singapore permanent residence permit. Sure, if you never, ever leave the country, you will never lose your residency but you can lose your REP for a variety of reasons, including having no job for an extended period of time or being out of the country for an extended period of time.

Canada's permanent residency is just that... permanent. The only way you will lose it is to commit a criminal act or violate residency terms... like never living in Canada.

If having reliable residency is important to you, that is, you want to ensure that you don't end up back in the country of your passport if things go backwards, then Canada is the logical choice.

Shitpot of snow, though... I know... I was born there.

[esperanza_ca]

From a practical perspective: There is nothing "permanent" about a Singapore permanent residence permit. Sure, if you never, ever leave the country, you will never lose your residency but you can lose your REP for a variety of reasons, including having no job for an extended period of time or being out of the country for an extended period of time.

Canada's permanent residency is just that... permanent. The only way you will lose it is to commit a criminal act or violate residency terms... like never living in Canada.

If having reliable residency is important to you, that is, you want to ensure that you don't end up back in the country of your passport if things go backwards, then Canada is the logical choice.

Shitpot of snow, though... I know... I was born there.

Thank you for this reply, and from a (ex?) Canadian too!. You were quite spot-on there. I do not want to end up going back to China. I am indeed leaning towards Canada for this very reason. Actually, I want to go one step further and get citizenship as soon as I am eligible to apply. In the case of Canada, it is a very transparent process, whereas for Singapore, ICA does not publish the assessment criteria; so it would just be another shot in the dark (that my SPR application was).

[Strong Eagle]

I'm still a Canadian... and a UK citizen... and a US citizen...

This post, while anecdotal in nature, tends to sum things up about the PR and citizenship process in Singapore.

viewtopic.php?t=121453#p786574

I think the big difference between Singapore and other countries that have relatively liberal immigration policies (Canada and Australia come to mind) is that those countries really only want to determine if you will work and support yourself, and put down roots. They don't much care what color you are, or whether you're a plumber or a brain surgeon.

Singapore, OTOH, has this vision of what the future ought to be looking like, where everything is plugged into neat little boxes, and if you're going to win PR or citizenship, then you best fit into those neat little boxes as well.

Then again, you do have somewhat of a leg up... you're Chinese... part of the majority population, which the gahmen apparently wants to keep exactly that way.

[RobSg]

Your dilemma is the exact same as what my best friend from China had to choose from. He received his Singapore PR first in 2005 and then a year later received his Canadian PR. His desire for strong LGBT rights and having considerably more opportunities in a large country like Canada made the decision easy. Nevertheless, Singapore was home for him, and he initially missed it. However, he now lives in Vancouver as a Canadian citizen, and loves it. He made the right choice.

If you needed some time to choose, you could accept your Singapore PR and still head to Canada to give yourself a year or so to see if it suits you. If you love it, then making a trip back to Singapore later on to renounce your PR would be easy.

Good luck in your decision.

Regards,
Rob

[DrScrumMaster]

...countries that have relatively liberal immigration policies (Canada and Australia come to mind)...

The key word there might be "relatively" as far as Oz is concerned.

I had hoped to relocate there and get PR, but I'm now too old (over 45) and not rich enough (don't have a few million dollars spare).

[earthfriendly]

From a practical perspective: There is nothing "permanent" about a Singapore permanent residence permit.

Same with citizenship. Singapore has been known to strip people of their citizenship.