Unique Situation With The New PR Interface - Need Advice!

[akitsu]

Hi everyone, thanks in advance for clicking on this post!

I have a unique question about the new PR application interface that I hope someone can help me with. I've been lurking on the forums for a while now, but it seems like my situation is quite different than most applicants, and I’m not sure how best to fill out my application - especially in regards to education.

Background: I’m a Chinese Canadian who has been on an Employment Pass (EP) in Singapore since 2019. I took a sabbatical from university in 2016 to co-found a startup, which eventually established its base in Singapore. Since then, I’ve been living and working here.

When I first applied for my EP, I struggled with the education section because the forms primarily asked for traditional qualifications like bachelor, A-levels, etc. At the time, I was confused and ended up selecting "no education" since I wasn't sure where my high school diploma fit. The authorities got back to me within 24 hours for clarification, and I was able to explain my situation, and was able to get approved for EP within the week.

Now that I’m applying for PR, I’ve added my high school diploma under the secondary education section, but I’m unsure whether I should include my incomplete university education. Should I list my university education, even though I didn’t complete it (and check off "I am currently studying there", which is inaccurate as I have the option to go back and complete my studies, but I am not currently enrolled), or just stick with the high school diploma?

Additionally, would it be more appropriate to explain my educational background in a cover letter and upload it under the "Others" category during the document submission stage?

On a related note, I’m also curious about the "Testimonials" section in the upload documents part of the PR form. Does this refer to professional testimonials about my career, or are they looking for personal testimonials from current PR holders / citizens?

I’d really appreciate any guidance or advice from those who have gone through the process recently. Thanks in advance!

PS: Since I see people sharing details about their profile to also inquire about their chances, here's mine:

Chinese Canadian
Single (Engaged To Canadian doing a PHD in Singapore, if that matters)
28
150k+ Salary
EP Since Feb 2019

[jalanjalan]

I'm not a recent applicant (it's been nearly 30 yrs) but I'll offer what info I can recall.

High school in Canada (completed gr 12 or 13 if that's still a thing in some provinces) is like A levels in SG. Degrees/diplomas only count if you finished them (I too took a sabbatical but I returned to finish my degree before I came to SG, on the advice of my SC spouse). Otherwise the only thing you can show them is course transcripts for whatever you completed, though I'm not sure what value they assign to those.

Remember too that PR is a stepping stone to Citizenship, and Canadians don't often relinquish that. Your best hope is if your startup is a resounding success and employs lots of Singaporeans.

[MOCHS]

You only include the highest education certificate you have on hand, not one that is incomplete.

I never attached any frivolous cover letters, testimonials, etc when I sponsored my husband’s PR. He got it approved. But I’m a citizen so the criteria would be different.

[akitsu]

Thanks for the responses everyone! Appreciate the insight, I'll apply with my HS diploma (put under secondary education OR A level equivalent) and explain the sabbatical in my cover letter.

Remember too that PR is a stepping stone to Citizenship, and Canadians don't often relinquish that. Your best hope is if your startup is a resounding success and employs lots of Singaporeans.

Just curious, does anyone know if there would be any prejudice against the PR application because of the unlikelihood of most Canadians converting to Singaporean? Or citizenship doesn't matter, only race.

[malcontent]

I would not call it prejudice, but just factoring in a statistical probability… based on the number or successful conversion of Canadians.

However, cultural affinity is probably an even bigger factor. Being Chinese ticks a box, but a Canadian Chinese would be seen more westernized culturally. They want Chinese that can integrate well with locals, not just look the part.

[jalanjalan]

Thanks for the responses everyone! Appreciate the insight, I'll apply with my HS diploma (put under secondary education OR A level equivalent) and explain the sabbatical in my cover letter.

Remember too that PR is a stepping stone to Citizenship, and Canadians don't often relinquish that. Your best hope is if your startup is a resounding success and employs lots of Singaporeans.

Just curious, does anyone know if there would be any prejudice against the PR application because of the unlikelihood of most Canadians converting to Singaporean? Or citizenship doesn't matter, only race.

A Canadian is a Canadian is a Canadian
Just ask yourself this question - what's in it for Singapore to grant you PR? (given one of the objectives is to have a pool of possible future Singaporeans)

[malcontent]

JJ nailed it on “what’s in it for me” — that almost sums up the entire immigration philosophy here.

And, this is why I also adopted the same philosophy, before I apply for PR, I asked myself, WIIFM… 28 years later, I’m still on EP.