PMLA and LTVP for my boyfriend, please advise

[Froyder]

Hi everyone,

I'm new here and I am lost. I need to seek advise here as I don't have any friends who married foreigners and moved them to Singapore. Here's the gist of the situation:

-I'm female 33 SC and my bf is male 28 Indo. We're together for 7 months. My bf has been physically here under visit pass since last Tuesday (10 Jan 23) and has been looking for a job but to no avail as most companies has hit the foreigner quota.

-I have applied PMLA for us and waiting for result. I read here that even if PMLA failed, but I still have a chance to apply for LTVP right after marriage and get approval. We will also extend his stay here in the mean time as well.

-So if my bf is still unable to find a job here, we are gonna try to get LTVP so that he can find a job easier here.

Please advise if I'm doing this right. We really don't want him to go back and we want to move out from my family and settle down, etc.

[MOCHS]

I read here that even if PMLA failed, but I still have a chance to apply for LTVP right after marriage and get approval. We will also extend his stay here in the mean time as well.

Let me explain the part I underlined:
- Yes, you can still apply LTVP if the PMLA is rejected

BUT

- There is a high chance of LTVP rejection if PMLA is declined AND the LTVP application can take up to 6 months instead of 6 weeks. If he does not have LTVP in-principle-approval (IPA), there is no good reason to extend the STVP.

There are foreign spouses that go back home while waiting for LTVP to be processed. You must be mentally prepared for a long distance marriage while waiting for the LTVP result.

You did not mention your race, if you hold a full time job & your salary. Is your bf Indonesian Chinese?

The only concern is the relatively short period of time you and your partner have known each other and ICA might think it could be a marriage of convenience due to the short duration.

You can try but be mentally prepared for a negative PMLA & LTVP outcome.

I only know one case of PMLA rejected but LTVP approved and it was my friend many years ago. Have not heard any more stories like that.

[malcontent]

Hi everyone,

I'm new here and I am lost. I need to seek advise here as I don't have any friends who married foreigners and moved them to Singapore. Here's the gist of the situation:

-I'm female 33 SC and my bf is male 28 Indo. We're together for 7 months. My bf has been physically here under visit pass since last Tuesday (10 Jan 23) and has been looking for a job but to no avail as most companies has hit the foreigner quota.

-I have applied PMLA for us and waiting for result. I read here that even if PMLA failed, but I still have a chance to apply for LTVP right after marriage and get approval. We will also extend his stay here in the mean time as well.

-So if my bf is still unable to find a job here, we are gonna try to get LTVP so that he can find a job easier here.

Please advise if I'm doing this right. We really don't want him to go back and we want to move out from my family and settle down, etc.

You seem to be moving extremely fast, which does seem like a big red flag.

How is it you were “together” for 7 months but your BF just arrived 7 days ago? Were you a Singaporean expat in Indonesia for the last 7 months?

What made you believe that your BF could get a job here within 7 days?

For reference, I was “together” (in a steady relationship) with my SO for 4 years in the US before moving here. It took me 4 months to land a job, and another 5 months to get my EP approved after two rejections. I was the pig (not the chicken) at the breakfast table.

As MOCHS rightly said… don’t expect anything to be easy (or fast).

[sundaymorningstaple]

^^^^^THIS

[Raffles1015]

As you wait for PMLA approval, you may wish to look at ROM dates. Marriage certificate is required for LTVP application.

[Sbk]

“ For reference, I was “together” (in a steady relationship) with my SO for 4 years in the US before moving here.”

Different cultures follows different formats in this sense, you are from the US, relationships there can be diverse and open minded. There are a lot of other cultures that do not need a century to know each other before tying the knot, in-fact some even believe you only start to know the person after getting married. Furthermore, based on OP’s, she is not a teenager. So 7 month is more than enough for a-lot of cultures to tie the knot, one of them is mine, I married my wife after 5months of knowing each other, and we have 2 beautiful daughters a house a car and still striving fine. Thus Instead of letting her know how long ur relationship is, it might be rather better to let her know the truth I.e how ICA will see their marriage based on how long they know each other, bcoz as long as I remember, ICA will ask you how long u knew each other during the pre-LTVP application.
PS, am not trying to get ur nerves, no offence.

[malcontent]

“ For reference, I was “together” (in a steady relationship) with my SO for 4 years in the US before moving here.”

Different cultures follows different formats in this sense, you are from the US, relationships there can be diverse and open minded. There are a lot of other cultures that do not need a century to know each other before tying the knot, in-fact some even believe you only start to know the person after getting married. Furthermore, based on OP’s, she is not a teenager. So 7 month is more than enough for a-lot of cultures to tie the knot, one of them is mine, I married my wife after 5months of knowing each other, and we have 2 beautiful daughters a house a car and still striving fine. Thus Instead of letting her know how long ur relationship is, it might be rather better to let her know the truth I.e how ICA will see their marriage based on how long they know each other, bcoz as long as I remember, ICA will ask you how long u knew each other during the pre-LTVP application.
PS, am not trying to get ur nerves, no offence.

I am well aware. One of my friends, an expat from India, only met his wife only twice before marrying her and bringing her to Singapore. They had two kids here and since moved back to India, happily married for over two decades.

My point was not to imply that they “should” be together longer before tying the knot. In fact, I was ready to marry my SO long before. Rather, it is to say that they “could” if they are really determined to stay together — despite whatever obstacles or delays they may face.

My struggle to move to Singapore was just the start, it took another 7 years before we could finally get married. All told, over 10 years of sheer determination and patience to make it happen. That is called commitment. If you truly love someone, you will find a way to make it work - no matter what.

[Sbk]

“ For reference, I was “together” (in a steady relationship) with my SO for 4 years in the US before moving here.”

Different cultures follows different formats in this sense, you are from the US, relationships there can be diverse and open minded. There are a lot of other cultures that do not need a century to know each other before tying the knot, in-fact some even believe you only start to know the person after getting married. Furthermore, based on OP’s, she is not a teenager. So 7 month is more than enough for a-lot of cultures to tie the knot, one of them is mine, I married my wife after 5months of knowing each other, and we have 2 beautiful daughters a house a car and still striving fine. Thus Instead of letting her know how long ur relationship is, it might be rather better to let her know the truth I.e how ICA will see their marriage based on how long they know each other, bcoz as long as I remember, ICA will ask you how long u knew each other during the pre-LTVP application.
PS, am not trying to get ur nerves, no offence.

I am well aware. One of my friends, an expat from India, only met his wife only twice before marrying her and bringing her to Singapore. They had two kids here and since moved back to India, happily married for over two decades.

My point was not to imply that they “should” be together longer before tying the knot. In fact, I was ready to marry my SO long before. Rather, it is to say that they “could” if they are really determined to stay together — despite whatever obstacles or delays they may face.

My struggle to move to Singapore was just the start, it took another 7 years before we could finally get married. All told, over 10 years of sheer determination and patience to make it happen. That is called commitment. If you truly love someone, you will find a way to make it work - no matter what.

Wow, 7 years, now that’s some commitment. It’s very rare now a days to be honest.

[malcontent]

“ For reference, I was “together” (in a steady relationship) with my SO for 4 years in the US before moving here.”

Different cultures follows different formats in this sense, you are from the US, relationships there can be diverse and open minded. There are a lot of other cultures that do not need a century to know each other before tying the knot, in-fact some even believe you only start to know the person after getting married. Furthermore, based on OP’s, she is not a teenager. So 7 month is more than enough for a-lot of cultures to tie the knot, one of them is mine, I married my wife after 5months of knowing each other, and we have 2 beautiful daughters a house a car and still striving fine. Thus Instead of letting her know how long ur relationship is, it might be rather better to let her know the truth I.e how ICA will see their marriage based on how long they know each other, bcoz as long as I remember, ICA will ask you how long u knew each other during the pre-LTVP application.
PS, am not trying to get ur nerves, no offence.

I am well aware. One of my friends, an expat from India, only met his wife only twice before marrying her and bringing her to Singapore. They had two kids here and since moved back to India, happily married for over two decades.

My point was not to imply that they “should” be together longer before tying the knot. In fact, I was ready to marry my SO long before. Rather, it is to say that they “could” if they are really determined to stay together — despite whatever obstacles or delays they may face.

My struggle to move to Singapore was just the start, it took another 7 years before we could finally get married. All told, over 10 years of sheer determination and patience to make it happen. That is called commitment. If you truly love someone, you will find a way to make it work - no matter what.

Wow, 7 years, now that’s some commitment. It’s very rare now a days to be honest.

And during those 7 years there was no assurances that we would ever be allowed to get married. No light at the end of the tunnel. I was in infinite tunnel mode and prepared to stay in the tunnel… forever, if needed.

We’ve now been together for over 30 years and I have no regrets. If the OP is serious and if what they have is real, they will find a way. Even if they have to move to Indonesia, they will make it work.

[MOCHS]

I spent 10 years in a LDR with my husband before we married, only meeting him in person for a grand total of 4 times. We were still schooling when we met and just started working a few years later, finances were a bit tight so we couldn’t fly to see each other that often. Many people thought we would break up early on.

Sometimes I jokingly say I “scammed” my husband to come to Singapore when in fraudulent cases, it’s usually the guy scamming the girl.

My friend who got PMLA rejected but LTVP approved met her hubby via matchmaker. They knew each other for a year before getting married. Her hubby got lucky with his job hunt and got an EP, she birthed two boys, and her hubby has PR now.

[Froyder]

You did not mention your race, if you hold a full time job & your salary. Is your bf Indonesian Chinese?

I am Chinese and he's Indonesian (not Indo Chinese). I have a job and getting $2.5k monthly gross.

[Froyder]

You seem to be moving extremely fast, which does seem like a big red flag.

How is it you were “together” for 7 months but your BF just arrived 7 days ago? Were you a Singaporean expat in Indonesia for the last 7 months?

What made you believe that your BF could get a job here within 7 days?

For reference, I was “together” (in a steady relationship) with my SO for 4 years in the US before moving here. It took me 4 months to land a job, and another 5 months to get my EP approved after two rejections. I was the pig (not the chicken) at the breakfast table.

As MOCHS rightly said… don’t expect anything to be easy (or fast).

We're in LDR since last year and we visited each other twice in between. We're not kids any more and we want to settle down. Please don't judge us just because we're "moving fast" and is "red flag" as per your opinion. I don't need you to tell me what to do in a relationship, that's not what this forum is for. All I need is advice to help us get his LTVP smoothly as I'm not experienced with having a foreign partner, and I'm not good with all these complicated procedures to get him to settle down with me in Singapore.

[sundaymorningstaple]

We're in LDR since last year and we visited each other twice in between. We're not kids any more and we want to settle down. Please don't judge us just because we're "moving fast" and is "red flag" as per your opinion. I don't need you to tell me what to do in a relationship, that's not what this forum is for. All I need is advice to help us get his LTVP smoothly as I'm not experienced with having a foreign partner, and I'm not good with all these complicated procedures to get him to settle down with me in Singapore.

Nobody is judging you. What we do is take the information (quite often not sufficient and like pulling teeth from a chicken) and based on the data input, will determine the output you are likely to receive. So instead of railing at everybody who is trying to gain enough information to be able to give you the help you desire maybe you should temper your tirade and try to learn instead of railing because you are not getting the preconceived answer that you would like to hear. When you want to go up against the government here (and as an SGC you should already had this ingrained since birth) you cannot play-play with ICA.

ICA and SGC women (and men by gold-digging 3rd world ladies) have been burned many times over the years (and I've been on this board for 18 years). One of the biggest things that they look for are marriages of convenience. It happens all the time. In fact, usually the SGC girl isn't even aware of it until after it's all said and done and she's be royally screwed both literally & figuratively . It doesn't happen with great frequency between SGC women and western men but it happens with great regularity with 3rd world Asian men trying to get into Singapore by marrying a local girl. There is occasionally a monetary exchange (kind of like a dowry as well, depending on where the male is coming from. This is primarily why across the board PR will not be entertained until one has been married in Singapore for two years if they marry here or were single when arriving here. To say it won't happen is like saying if one has a university degree they will not be the victim of scammers. Well, the newspapers will show that is not true either. For Singaporean men and women sitting on the golden goose called Singapore, they are not real worldly and are rather easily duped so the government makes it difficult to bring them in. They are still playing the parent and it is obviously needed.

moderator

[malcontent]

You seem to be moving extremely fast, which does seem like a big red flag.

How is it you were “together” for 7 months but your BF just arrived 7 days ago? Were you a Singaporean expat in Indonesia for the last 7 months?

What made you believe that your BF could get a job here within 7 days?

For reference, I was “together” (in a steady relationship) with my SO for 4 years in the US before moving here. It took me 4 months to land a job, and another 5 months to get my EP approved after two rejections. I was the pig (not the chicken) at the breakfast table.

As MOCHS rightly said… don’t expect anything to be easy (or fast).

We're in LDR since last year and we visited each other twice in between. We're not kids any more and we want to settle down. Please don't judge us just because we're "moving fast" and is "red flag" as per your opinion. I don't need you to tell me what to do in a relationship, that's not what this forum is for. All I need is advice to help us get his LTVP smoothly as I'm not experienced with having a foreign partner, and I'm not good with all these complicated procedures to get him to settle down with me in Singapore.

Nobody is telling you what to do in your relationship, only to caution you against expecting a smooth, easy or quick process given your circumstances.

The red flag is not my opinion, the ICA is on high alert for scam marriages to Singaporeans — if you’ve read the news, you’d know that the number of cases has been steadily increasing over the years. You might be the most genuine couple in the world with purest of intentions, but how do you expect the ICA to know that? They have to be skeptical, even if that means making things difficult for you.

Not trying to pee in your punchbowl here, just letting you know the reality so that you are prepared.

[MOCHS]

I am Chinese and he's Indonesian (not Indo Chinese). I have a job and getting $2.5k monthly gross.

Indonesian Malay?

Salary is slightly on the low side to get PMLA or LTVP approval. Try to get a raise or change job that pays at least $3K.

The senior members here mean no harm, we just state things matter-of-factly based on what ICA does. If you don’t tell us much info, there is only so much we can advise.

Many Singaporeans are very ignorant on marriage to a foreigner in general. They think it’s very easy or the spouse can get PR based on incorrect advice from friends/relatives. In reality it is not.

We are trying to help you here based on our experience because some of them are foreigners married to locals or like me, a local married to a foreigner. We’ve been through the process and telling you as it is. It won’t be easy but you won’t know till you try.