Applying for PMLA after graduating degree from uni in SG

[SherleneKusuma]

Hi all! My boyfriend (SC) and I are planning to ROM this year after I’ve completed my degree (last exams on May/June 2022). A little background on us,

Spouse to be (SC) - late 20s, chinese, graduated last year with FT job in Finance sector, earning 4.1k gross.
His parents have been contributing to his CPF for the past decade so there’s always new CPF contribution written every month.
Currently stays with his parents in their condo

Me - just turned 21, Chinese Indonesian Female. Have been studying in SG for 5 years (Diploma + Degree) since I was 16 years old. I’m currently under Student Pass issued by my school - expiring on August 2022 (final exams are on May & June ) All my academic & living expenses are paid fully by my parents.

We met in school and have been dating for 4 years now & since he has secured himself a FT job, we were planning on getting married in SG after my exams this year. If we were to apply for PMLA before my student pass expires, would the ICA assume it might be a marriage of convenience (e.g. using SC to extend my “stay” after my studies are done?) What are our chances of getting PMLA approved? I have asked my school regarding this but they were unable to give me a definitive answer.. I was hoping someone here might have a better understanding of this matter

[MOCHS]

You can read my thread for more details.

There also seems to be confusion what PMLA (pre-marriage long term visit pass assessment) is.

It is just a piece of paper that reduces the processing time of ICA-issued LTVP (long term visit pass) from 6 months to 6 weeks. It is not a visa or pass! That is all.

LTVP is the visa/pass that grants you long term stay in Singapore.

Do take note that having a PMLA does not guarantee a LTVP either but most of the time the LTVP is approved if you have PMLA.

PMLA & LTVP is based on the Singaporean’s ability to sponsor for their foreigner spouse. So if he’s employed with a decent enough salary, PMLA should be approved. Don’t think too much, just apply for PMLA first, and when you get the LLE (letter of long term visit pass eligibility), then ROM, then do LTVP after that.

It is only when you apply for PR (permanent residency) too soon after marriage that would make ICA think is a marriage of convenience.

[SherleneKusuma]

Hello MOCHS, thank you for your reply. Yes, I am aware PMLA is not a guarantee on whether or not I will be able to stay here.

However, since my school will only be issuing STVP of 1 month after they cancel my current student pass and assuming our PMLA application is approved, does this mean we will have to ROM within the one month STVP period?

As per ICA’s website, even if PMLA is approved, LTVP might take 6 weeks to process - and my STVP should be over by then. Will the ICA be lenient in extending the STVP? Or will I need to go back to my home country to wait until the IPA for LTVP is out? Due to covid restrictions, my hometown (Jakarta) still has 7 day quarantine in place so my family was hoping that I’d be able to stay in SG until the whole LTVP process is done.

[MOCHS]

However, since my school will only be issuing STVP of 1 month after they cancel my current student pass and assuming our PMLA application is approved, does this mean we will have to ROM within the one month STVP period?

Will the ICA be lenient in extending the STVP?

Yes, you’ll have to ROM after graduation. Or you can ROM before you graduate and start the LTVP process right away.

There is always the option to extend STVP when you have a LTVP application that is pending. Whether ICA will approve, I don’t know.

[SherleneKusuma]

I see. Thank you for the advice! We were actually planning to drag out the PMLA application until July, as we thought it would be better to work as long as possible to show ICA he has been employed continuously for at least a year. This month is only his 8th month working FT.

After hearing your response, I’m starting to think twice about delaying the PMLA because of the time constraint we have. I’m not sure if it’ll make a difference if we apply later on in the year as opposed to now.

Also, will I need to inform my school if we were to ROM & manage to secure the LTVP before they cancel my student pass? ICA should have my record of student pass, correct?

[MOCHS]

Perhaps you should:
- Apply PMLA now since it’s a valid for a year and can take weeks to be processed
- ROM after your exams are over
- Apply LTVP after ROM, and who knows, maybe it’ll be approved before your graduation ceremony

ICA will have record of your student pass, for sure. Probably inform your school if you do get LTVP before graduation.