DP application with very old criminal conviction

[sing_move]

I apologize if this has already been addressed in a previous forum. If it has I’ve been unable to find it. I am applying for a DP and have a 20+ year old shoplifting conviction. I have never had issues with this conviction causing issues with anything job related in the US. I’ve also been approved for US global entry as well – although I did disclose this and it did show up in their background check – so I know it is probably still out there and searchable. My spouse’s EP application is very strong – executive level position – high salary, etc. for whatever that is worth. What are the chances that my application will be rejected and if it is was what other options do I have (any other visa’s I could apply for etc)? I have a US passport. Thanks for any help / guidance.

[The Ref]

From memory it only asks if you have had a criminal conviction in the last X years (which I think was 7 years). I had to get a criminal history but that was for the company I was hired by, not the Government.
Basically the DP is the best chance you have other than your own Employment Pass or Investors pass.

[sing_move]

thanks for your reply The Ref. Unfortunately the question is "Have you ever been convicted in a court of law in any country?" so there is no time limit as to how far back they go apparently. For global entry they also stated the question this way but in reality they only go back 10 years. Didn't know if it was a similar situation here.

[PNGMK]

I would disclose it. I doubt it will cause issues. Not disclosing it and have it turn up will be far worse.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Disclose it. It should not impact a DP application, but not disclosing it and having it turn up definitely will.

[sing_move]

thank you PNGMK and sundaymorningstaple for your replies. I do plan on disclosing it. It is reassuring to know that you don't think this will cause issues for me. Appreciate your time.

[PNGMK]

Singapore has a fairly progressive view on these matters surprisingly. They believe far more in rehabilitation than life long punitive measures... except for drug traffickers.

[sing_move]

My initial DP application was rejected. My spouse's EP was approved as were the DP's of our children. We are being told to appeal by submitting a 'company sponsored' letter to MOM. Does anyone have experience with this and the likelihood that this will work? Obviously I cannot address the underlying cause of my rejection unless I can go back in time 20 years.

[x9200]

My initial DP application was rejected. My spouse's EP was approved as were the DP's of our children. We are being told to appeal by submitting a 'company sponsored' letter to MOM. Does anyone have experience with this and the likelihood that this will work? Obviously I cannot address the underlying cause of my rejection unless I can go back in time 20 years.

Was the nature of your offense communicated anyway in the application? I also think 20yo shoplifting should not matter that much, but if nothing was explained then it left space for speculation (drugs related etc.).

[sing_move]

Yes it was. I communicated that the offense occurred in 1998, that I paid a small fine, served no time, and have not had a conviction since. In the letter I am communicating more detail such as that the charge was initially a misdemeanor but was reduced to an ordinance violation, the exact amount of the fine, and the approximate amount of the goods taken. I have a copy of the court record to back all of this up (the court record was expunged when it hit the 20 year mark) however this has not been submitted yet (should I do this??). If there are any other details you think would be useful please let me know. The appeal will be filed on Monday.

One other thing - the person submitting our paperwork says that if 'Yes' is checked for a prior conviction MOM will almost always reject the first application. Has anyone else heard this?

[x9200]

Yes it was. I communicated that the offense occurred in 1998, that I paid a small fine, served no time, and have not had a conviction since. In the letter I am communicating more detail such as that the charge was initially a misdemeanor but was reduced to an ordinance violation, the exact amount of the fine, and the approximate amount of the goods taken. I have a copy of the court record to back all of this up (the court record was expunged when it hit the 20 year mark) however this has not been submitted yet (should I do this??). If there are any other details you think would be useful please let me know. The appeal will be filed on Monday.

One other thing - the person submitting our paperwork says that if 'Yes' is checked for a prior conviction MOM will almost always reject the first application. Has anyone else heard this?

This I don't know but your rejection makes to me no practical sense with the time/magnitude of the offense and the other passes approved. Assuming these guys (ICA/MOM) know what they do, and I believe they do, I could only explain this as deliberate approach to send a message and also to check how badly the company wants to hire. So this person could be right.

I vaguely recall a thread (alas I could not find it) were somebody claimed he was approved for EP also with some old conviction record.

[sing_move]

thanks x9200 for the response. Will update the thread once the results from my appeal are known.

[sing_move]

My DB was approved upon appeal. Apparently it is normal for the initial submission to be rejected if you check the 'conviction' checkbox and also the checkbox that indicates that you have been denied entry to any country. You then have to appeal with a company sponsored letter (or in my case my spouse's company). This was a little humiliating but hey whatever works. I hope this information helps someone else going through this. Thanks to everyone who contributed.

[Strong Eagle]

Great news! And thank you for the update. This is the kind of information that proves invaluable to others on down the road.