PR approval chance in 2020

[sundaymorningstaple]

Thanks for your suggestions, @sundaymorningstaple. Can you also give me your opinion on should I be going for PR in the first place? ever? With my profile, do you think I stand a chance to get approved after a couple of years knowing I am not from the high-income group and aging close to 40?

Wait until you have gotten your 3rd tax assessment or your first EP renewal before you apply (don't jump the gun as they appear to just sit on it until 2 years are up and then start their normal processing (no proof of that, but anecdotally it appear thus so). That should put you at 38 or 39. If you get rejected at 40 (counting waiting time on application), wait another year till it's been two years from your first application rejection. That should still be around 42 or 43. No danger until after 45 then it depends on other factors as well. If the 2nd try at 42/43 is also rejected, then you might want to look at Plan B. Currently, I feel applying is just a waste of time (although there have been approvals recently but these have been in the pipeline for 12 to 18 months already) as Singapore is going to look to get it own citizens re-employed before worrying about anything else, regardless of what the employers may want (ultimately it is up to the MOM as to whether or not one ultimately gets the EP or ICA for the PR. At the moment Singapore has the highest unemployment it has had for over a decade.

High income is not relevant in the greater scheme of things. Sure, you must have an income sufficient to support a family, but we see Malaysians ( with incomes of 3,5k/mo getting PR). As long as you are earning in the neighbourhood of 5~6K/mo it won't be a reason for rejection unless there are other negatives in their opinion.

[lisa.hibbard]

Hi,

I'm planning to apply for PR soon and would like to gauge my chances during this time.

24 yo female
Eurasian
Occupation: Assistant Producer
Education: PSLE, O'Levels, Diploma from govt polytechnic all taken in Singapore
Salary: $3k/month
Family: Single, no children
Duration living in Singapore: 15 years
Duration of work in Singapore: Close to 2 years
First time application

Thank you for your input

Decent chance under - Student studying in Singapore

I just started working so am under S Pass, not student pass anymore. I know my salary is on the low side. Will I still have an ok chance though?

[singaporeflyer]

Hi,

I'm planning to apply for PR soon and would like to gauge my chances during this time.

24 yo female
Eurasian
Occupation: Assistant Producer
Education: PSLE, O'Levels, Diploma from govt polytechnic all taken in Singapore
Salary: $3k/month
Family: Single, no children
Duration living in Singapore: 15 years
Duration of work in Singapore: Close to 2 years
First time application

Thank you for your input

Decent chance under - Student studying in Singapore

I just started working so am under S Pass, not student pass anymore. I know my salary is on the low side. Will I still have an ok chance though?

Since you did most of your education here along with doing the national exams here, you will have a chance.

[Ignorant1]

Hi,

Would appreciate some feedback on chances . we have applied multiple times and this time our profile looks the best

Indian Family ( 36 Years old )
1) Husband - In SIngapore for approx 8 Years
EP holder with a International Bank - 80K ( fixed) + 60-70 K ( Bonus at the min ) - 6 Years
Bachelors in Engineering - India
Masters in Finance from top 3 Singaporean uni
2) Wife - In Singapore for almost 10 years
Ep Holder with a tech company - approx 180K fixed . Sales and business Development role
Bachelors and MBA in India with a professional Finance degree
8 years in Big 4 with finance consulting

Daughter born in singapore ( less than 1 year)

[singaporeflyer]

Hi,

Would appreciate some feedback on chances . we have applied multiple times and this time our profile looks the best

Indian Family ( 36 Years old )
1) Husband - In SIngapore for approx 8 Years
EP holder with a International Bank - 80K ( fixed) + 60-70 K ( Bonus at the min ) - 6 Years
Bachelors in Engineering - India
Masters in Finance from top 3 Singaporean uni
2) Wife - In Singapore for almost 10 years
Ep Holder with a tech company - approx 180K fixed . Sales and business Development role
Bachelors and MBA in India with a professional Finance degree
8 years in Big 4 with finance consulting

Daughter born in singapore ( less than 1 year)

Who is the main applicant? Also any reason why you feel that time time the profile is good?

[Ignorant1]

Hi,

Would appreciate some feedback on chances . we have applied multiple times and this time our profile looks the best

Indian Family ( 36 Years old )
1) Husband - In SIngapore for approx 8 Years
EP holder with a International Bank - 80K ( fixed) + 60-70 K ( Bonus at the min ) - 6 Years
Bachelors in Engineering - India
Masters in Finance from top 3 Singaporean uni
2) Wife - In Singapore for almost 10 years
Ep Holder with a tech company - approx 180K fixed . Sales and business Development role
Bachelors and MBA in India with a professional Finance degree
8 years in Big 4 with finance consulting

Daughter born in singapore ( less than 1 year)

Who is the main applicant? Also any reason why you feel that time time the profile is good?

Wife will be main applicant . Since last application, we had a kid and i got a promotion and a raise

[singaporeflyer]

Hi,

Would appreciate some feedback on chances . we have applied multiple times and this time our profile looks the best

Indian Family ( 36 Years old )
1) Husband - In SIngapore for approx 8 Years
EP holder with a International Bank - 80K ( fixed) + 60-70 K ( Bonus at the min ) - 6 Years
Bachelors in Engineering - India
Masters in Finance from top 3 Singaporean uni
2) Wife - In Singapore for almost 10 years
Ep Holder with a tech company - approx 180K fixed . Sales and business Development role
Bachelors and MBA in India with a professional Finance degree
8 years in Big 4 with finance consulting

Daughter born in singapore ( less than 1 year)

Who is the main applicant? Also any reason why you feel that time time the profile is good?

Wife will be main applicant . Since last application, we had a kid and i got a promotion and a raise

Major part of the application is assessed based on the main applicant. So, your promotion and raise may not have a big impact on the outcome. You can apply and see

Chance may be slighly low because the main applicant is not in a job that is in demand. Sales and Business Development - There are many residents who are in this job scope. This is just my view and I may be wrong too.

[Ignorant1]

Thank you

[katrinx88]

Hi,

I applied for my PR last Nov 2020 and got a request in April for proof of Chinese descent. After submitting the docs (confirmed received by ICA), havent heard back from them since. I submitted birth certificates of my grandparents (all born in china), and my parents (both born in the Philippines).

I also didnt receive any mail on the delay in processing time that other people mentioned in this thread... Wanted to check if this is this normal waiting time? And if any advise on how my chances are looking?

thank you!

[singaporeflyer]

Hi,

I applied for my PR last Nov 2020 and got a request in April for proof of Chinese descent. After submitting the docs (confirmed received by ICA), havent heard back from them since. I submitted birth certificates of my grandparents (all born in china), and my parents (both born in the Philippines).

I also didnt receive any mail on the delay in processing time that other people mentioned in this thread... Wanted to check if this is this normal waiting time? And if any advise on how my chances are looking?

My details below:
Nationality: filipino
Race: chinese
Industry: mnc logistics
Been in sg since march 2016
Income 102k
EP

thank you!

It is still OK. Please wait patiently

[PartyLike-A-Russian]

Hello everyone,

Having read the PR approval chance threads for 2019 and 2020, I guess my chances are not high.

My profile:

Nationality: Russian
Ethnicity: Caucasian
Religion: Christianity
Pass: EP
Age: 29
In SG: since Jan 2019
Salary: ~100k per year
Education: Bachelor (Engineer, 2007 - 2012), MSc in Information Technology (2013 - 2015), both in Moscow, Russia.
Occupation: Software engineer at a well-known SG-based company.
Family status: married an EP holder (Indian national) at RoM in July 2020.

My wife's profile:

Nationality/Ethnicity: Indian
Religion: Christianity
Pass: EP
Age: 33
In SG: since May 2018
Salary: ~125k per year
Education: Bachelor (India)
Occupation: non-tech job at the same SG-based company
Family status: married

A little more about us:

We both started investing in local companies in late 2019 (AIA, StashAway, etc.). Not much, less than 1k per month from each of us. Somebody told us it would show the Gov of Singapore we planned to stay here for long. Besides we purchased medical insurance plans for the case of serious injury or hospitalisation. It's for us to be calm and again to show the Gov we wouldn't need to fundraise if anything serious (God forbid) happened.

She applied in Nov 2019 and got rejected in May 2020.
I also applied in March 2020 and got rejected in mid-July. My rejection letter has quite a general reason:

All SPR applications are assessed holistically under the prevailing criteria, including economic contribution, education qualifications and integration with Singapore society among other things.

I wonder if there's anything meaningful behind this.

Generally, it is recommended two years between applications. Unless you have a major change (even then I'd recommend a 12 month wait) e.g., massive increase of salary, additional certification/degree/patent position. But, if basically no real change, then in all probability, just like research, same data in, same results out. Then wait 2 years before reapplying is recommended.

I also came across this, and I wonder what's the point in waiting for 2 years after being rejected? If the probability of approval grows from 0.1% to 1% after 2 years, there's no point in waiting. I'd rather apply every time after paying my income tax. At least I'd feel like I'm doing something, not just waiting.

Summary.

I understand that I'm under the "Other races" category, and we have less than 1000 PRs (less than 5% out of approximately 30k PRs approved annually) and God only knows how many applicants every year. And this is in normal times. Given COVID-19, unemployment among the locals, I realise that my chances are a little greater than zero. However, I'd like to ask you for any advice. I cannot change my race to Chinese/Malay. I cannot marry a citizen of Singapore. And I am not a millionaire, so I can't get in as an investor.

What we can change is:

- Annual income from around 100k to at least 150 or 200 for each of us.
- EP to PEP.
- Somebody told me getting a job at one of the FANG companies could increase my approval chances. But I'm not sure because those companies are American, and employees can be transferred to non-SG based offices (relatively) easily. Also, I wouldn't change my job now, in the uncertain economic situation. I'd rather stick to what I have and be happy with that.
- Open a joint savings account in a local bank (OCBC, UOB, etc.) to show the Gov we have enough money to support ourselves (not sure this item will help us increase our chances).
- Stay longer, apply every time after paying taxes and hope for a miracle happen one day.
- Learn Chinese (I had this thought some time ago. Not for PR. I just wonder if I'll be able to memorise Chinese characters use the tones correctly. But if it counts as integration, of course, I will use it in my future applications).

Conclusion:

We both love Singapore and want to make it our permanent home. Being on an EP feels very insecure (You lose your job. You leave the country). And COVID-19 made things more serious.

Of course, moving to an English-speaking country with an easier path to permanent residence and citizenship is an option. Once they re-open their borders. But this is plan B. Ideally, we would love to stay here.

Thanks!

[sundaymorningstaple]

Hello everyone,

Having read the PR approval chance threads for 2019 and 2020, I guess my chances are not high.

My profile:

Nationality: Russian
Ethnicity: Caucasian
Religion: Christianity
Pass: EP
Age: 29
In SG: since Jan 2019
Salary: ~100k per year
Education: Bachelor (Engineer, 2007 - 2012), MSc in Information Technology (2013 - 2015), both in Moscow, Russia.
Occupation: Software engineer at a well-known SG-based company.
Family status: married an EP holder (Indian national) at RoM in July 2020.

My wife's profile:

Nationality/Ethnicity: Indian
Religion: Christianity
Pass: EP
Age: 33
In SG: since May 2018
Salary: ~125k per year
Education: Bachelor (India)
Occupation: non-tech job at the same SG-based company
Family status: married

A little more about us:

We both started investing in local companies in late 2019 (AIA, StashAway, etc.). Not much, less than 1k per month from each of us. Somebody told us it would show the Gov of Singapore we planned to stay here for long. Besides we purchased medical insurance plans for the case of serious injury or hospitalisation. It's for us to be calm and again to show the Gov we wouldn't need to fundraise if anything serious (God forbid) happened.

Investing in Companies doesn't show any investment into the country at all. It is only investing to make money for yourselves. Shares are portable. Everybody should purchase good medical insurance if they don't have sufficient company paid insurance.

She applied in Nov 2019 and got rejected in May 2020.
I also applied in March 2020 and got rejected in mid-July. My rejection letter has quite a general reason:

All SPR applications are assessed holistically under the prevailing criteria, including economic contribution, education qualifications and integration with Singapore society among other things.

I wonder if there's anything meaningful behind this.

The most meaning full takeaway that would be applicable to you is integration with Singapore society potentially (It's hard for most Westerners to assimilate easily even though they try, and most Indian nationals refuse to even try).

Generally, it is recommended two years between applications. Unless you have a major change (even then I'd recommend a 12 month wait) e.g., massive increase of salary, additional certification/degree/patent position. But, if basically no real change, then in all probability, just like research, same data in, same results out. Then wait 2 years before reapplying is recommended.

I also came across this, and I wonder what's the point in waiting for 2 years after being rejected? If the probability of approval grows from 0.1% to 1% after 2 years, there's no point in waiting. I'd rather apply every time after paying my income tax. At least I'd feel like I'm doing something, not just waiting.

What applying annually does is tell ICA you are desperate. Nothing more. If you are fearful of losing your position and are desperately trying to gain PR so as not to have to leave, and Singapore with the highest local unemployment it's seen in a decade, why on earth would ICA give MORE people PR to add to the drag on the economy with more residents? Even during good times ICA usually bounces applications that were initially sent before having their first EP renewal and sending annually only enforces the perception that you are worried and want the government to give you a free pass. Their citizens have to come first before giving others residency.

Summary.

I understand that I'm under the "Other races" category, and we have less than 1000 PRs (less than 5% out of approximately 30k PRs approved annually) and God only knows how many applicants every year. And this is in normal times. Given COVID-19, unemployment among the locals, I realise that my chances are a little greater than zero. However, I'd like to ask you for any advice. I cannot change my race to Chinese/Malay. I cannot marry a citizen of Singapore. And I am not a millionaire, so I can't get in as an investor.

What we can change is:

- Annual income from around 100k to at least 150 or 200 for each of us. Will only help a bit as long as in conjunction with something else.
- EP to PAP. (PEP but no guarantees of getting that either)
- Somebody told me getting a job at one of the FANG companies could increase my approval chances. But I'm not sure because those companies are American, and employees can be transferred to non-SG based offices (relatively) easily. Also, I wouldn't change my job now, in the uncertain economic situation. I'd rather stick to what I have and be happy with that.
- Open a joint savings account in a local bank (OCBC, UOB, etc.) to show the Gov we have enough money to support ourselves (not sure this item will help us increase our chances). (Null benefit)
- Stay longer, apply every time after paying taxes and hope for a miracle happen one day. (See my opinion above on applying annually)
- Learn Chinese (I had this thought some time ago. Not for PR. I just wonder if I'll be able to memorise Chinese characters use the tones correctly. But if it counts as integration, of course, I will use it in my future applications). (Null benefit in the short term)

Conclusion:

We both love Singapore and want to make it our permanent home. Being on an EP feels very insecure (You lose your job. You leave the country). And COVID-19 made things more serious.

Of course, moving to an English-speaking country with an easier path to permanent residence and citizenship is an option. Once they re-open their borders. But this is plan B. Ideally, we would love to stay here.

Thanks!

My remarks are a bit harsh, I warrant that, but I've always been known to call a spade a spade and I love it when I'm wrong. But my above thoughts are what they are. At the end of the day, you buys your ticket and takes your chances. I wish you luck. (NB: it took me 11 years to get PR (I've been a PR over a quarter of a century now though I've been married to a local for 37 years next month and have several SGC grandchildren now.) As a US citizen I never applied for SGC.

[PartyLike-A-Russian]

- Annual income from around 100k to at least 150 or 200 for each of us. Will only help a bit as long as in conjunction with something else.

Thanks.
Something else. Like what?

Investing in Companies doesn't show any investment into the country at all.

What is investment into the country then?

The most meaning full takeaway that would be applicable to you is integration with Singapore society potentially

What can I do to show ICA my integration efforts?

[sundaymorningstaple]

- Annual income from around 100k to at least 150 or 200 for each of us. Will only help a bit as long as in conjunction with something else.

Thanks.
Something else. Like what?

Investing in Companies doesn't show any investment into the country at all.

What is investment into the country then? Creating wealth for the Country. Not wealth for shareholders. Creating business opportunities to employ Singaporeans, etc.

The most meaning full takeaway that would be applicable to you is integration with Singapore society potentially

What can I do to show ICA my integration efforts?

There is no playbook. ICA deliberately holds their card very closely to their collective chests. This prevents people from sending in tailor-made applications. We only know that they used weighted spreads that are also weighted based on ethnicity, nationality, the potential to integrate, the potential Same thing with buying properties. Only is a means of creating profit for oneself but doesn't do anything as an asset to the country vrs here to make money for yourself only (The property developer is the one who created the asset, not the buyer of said finished product. Paying Income taxes is NOT contributing to the country but just the fees for allowing your to earn money for yourself. Contributions to charities is been abused so often for so long that it's a joke any more. Those from the subcontinent abused this one beyond belief and as soon as they get PR the charity doesn't ever see them again. So it's a waste of time. All their point spreads have plenty of variables and can change depending on what another variable is. There is no right or wrong, only what is. They deliberately make it opaque due to the limited size of the country. They also change the weightage depending on what they are trying to accomplish at any given time.

[PNGMK]

- Annual income from around 100k to at least 150 or 200 for each of us. Will only help a bit as long as in conjunction with something else.

Thanks.
Something else. Like what?

Investing in Companies doesn't show any investment into the country at all.

What is investment into the country then?

The most meaning full takeaway that would be applicable to you is integration with Singapore society potentially

What can I do to show ICA my integration efforts?

Integrate into local society as best you can and have some children and be in jobs that won't disappear. Not much else can be done. I don't know how ICA measure integration but there are some examples around in press where the ST praise foreigners for integrating. Read up on those.