Chances for PR Application Approval

[JasmineTowers]

Hi everyone.

I'm a 23 year old female and I have been in Singapore on student pass for the last 18 years (since I was 5 years old) studying in the local school system and completed 3 national exams (PSLE, O Levels and A Levels). I was unofficially adopted by my biological mother's sister who is a Singapore citizen by birth, however, I am still an American Citizen. I'm about to graduate university in April 2021--and as I have grown up in Singapore as a Singaporean, I am hoping to become a PR and eventually a Singapore Citizen and enter the workforce here as I consider this country the only home I know. I submitted my PR application on 1st November 2020 (today is 2nd December 2020) and I'm just itching for a response. I know it takes 4-6 months to get a response, but I'd like to know some percentage of how good my chances are of getting it because the anticipation is driving me insane. Does anyone have a rough idea of what my chances are? (my birth parents are both American Citizens, but I was raised here by my Singaporean guardians to whom I am blood related)

[abbby]

I think you stand a good chance, as you've been through the whole Singapore education system.

[malcontent]

Being educated here might be considered more of an economic benefit to you, rather than a benefit to the state. However, it might be an advantage in your “social integration” score. If you are an “others” race that could impact your chances as well. That said, it seems like local grads have a bit easier time getting their EP approved, and that could be a first step toward PR.

Take note that most entry level positions for fresh grads in Singapore typically pay 30-50% less than comparable entry-level positions in the US, plus there tends to be less employee development and longer working hours here. So if you want to be in Singapore in the long-term, it’s not a bad strategy to get your start in the US and make your way back here after you’ve notched up some valuable skills and experience, at least you won’t have to start on the ground floor.

There are a few other reasons you might want to spend some time in the US. You must spend at least 2 years in the US above the age of 14 if you want to transmit citizenship to your future offspring (if they are born abroad). You also must work a minimum of 10 years in the US in order to qualify for Social Security and Medicare benefits (probably far from your mind now).

If you do start working here, as a US citizen you will be required to file US taxes, and comply with all the bank account reporting, etc. The good news is that you are unlikely to owe any US taxes unless you earn substantially high income here - there are generous exclusions.

[sundaymorningstaple]

And getting your US taxes done by a suitable tax accountant if you have any income spread out between countries, etc. it will cost you about $2500/year to have your taxes done. Unless you are lucky enough to know someone with that kind of experience locally.

[malcontent]

I’ve always done my own US taxes, paper return. My first return from Singapore was two forms, 1040EZ and 2555EZ, that was about it. The more you earn, the more complicated things become - especially once you exceed the the foreign exclusions.

I know someone here who uses H&R online and surprisingly they only paid $89 to e-file... and this person had a very complex return with at least a dozen forms that even triggered a free review by a tax pro!

[sundaymorningstaple]

Yeah, I know. Mine including the Fbar,etc was 23 pages in total. But I've been doing my own taxes since 1965. I had an edge though, as I used to be the District Director in Washington DC for HRBl in the mid 1970's before I chucked it all on my 29th birthday in 1976 to go do what I wanted to do. (which is how I eventually ended up here in the early 80's). However, I've always kept more or less abreast of the Tax Laws (habit).