PR Approval chances 2024?

[zooloohaa]

I've applied for PR 3 times since 2018. I lived in Singapore since 2016 currently 36 yo.

1. 2018, Single male from Korea
Occupation: Oil Trader
Length of stay in Singapore: 2 yrs(30 yo)
Result: rejected after 9 months.

2. 2020, married couple both from Korea, Applied under husband
Occupation: husband Oil Trader, wife LNG trading related
Length of stay in Singapore: Husband 4 yrs(32 yo), wife 1 yr(27 yo)
Result: rejected after 6 months.

3. 2022, married couple both from Korea, Applied under husband
Occupation: husband Oil trader, wife LNG Analyst
Length of stay in Singapore: Husband 6 yrs(34 yo), wife 3 yrs(29yo)
Result: rejected after 4 months.

4. 2024, married couple both from Korea, Applied under wife due to wife's job change
Occupation: husband Oil trader (36yo), wife New Energy advisor(31yo)
Length of stay in Singapore: Husband 8 yrs, wife 5 yrs
Result: Not announced yet.

We have a baby on the way, but wasn't able to include the baby as she is yet to be born. I don't think us as Koreans without a child (in the application) has high chance, however still wish to know if my wife's new role makes it a better chance than before?

[jalanjalan]

You are in the 'other' category which is highly competitive.
Also are you likely to want to convert to SC as a family in future and give up your Korean citizenships?

[zooloohaa]

Also are you likely to want to convert to SC as a family in future and give up your Korean citizenships?

Yes, I have no reason not to.

[MOCHS]

Between applications 1 to 3, any changes to profile like major salary increase, promotion? Because if zero changes then same data in = same result out

You never state what are your salaries at all. We are not mind readers if you leave out information.

I would say wait till baby is born then apply as whole family.

[zooloohaa]

Between applications 1 to 3, any changes to profile like major salary increase, promotion? Because if zero changes then same data in = same result out

You never state what are your salaries at all. We are not mind readers if you leave out information.

I would say wait till baby is born then apply as whole family.

Since 2019 was constantly above half mil. So I thought my tax payout would suffice.

[MOCHS]

High income is a flight risk as you can easily leave for other countries for even higher pay.

Have your family integrated into Singapore at all?

PR is a stepping stone to citizenship. How willing are all of you in sinking roots here permanently?

[zooloohaa]

I am very committed to living here permanently.

[MOCHS]

I am very committed to living here permanently.

And what do you have to show for it?

I asked if you have integrated to Singapore and you didn’t reply to that question.

[zooloohaa]

If living here 8 years and marrying another woman, settling her down in Singapore also with a job and trying to have a child here working for a local company doesn’t fit as ‘integrated’ I don’t know how I can answer that.

I also hang out with a lot of Singaporeans on my hobby which I invest more than 10 hrs a week, but again, this is not documented so if you ask me I am indeed a flight risk.

[jalanjalan]

Working and living here describes a lot of people. You're competing against others who may have similar skill set, education and more. You're competing against people who may have started businesses here and employed Singaporeans.

The only official word on why PR gets rejected is stated here (with some deliberate vagueness):
https://www.mha.gov.sg/mediaroom/parlia ... lications/

[MOCHS]

Ties to Singaporeans - Don’t think OP is related to any Singaporeans

Economic contribution - Oil trading isn’t an occupation nor industry that is in demand in Singapore. Just ask moderator sms, he used to be in oil & gas field.

Educational qualifications - OP didn’t say so no comment

Age - OP’s age is leaning towards 40 which isn’t good but wife’s is still child-bearing age which is good

Family profile - Potential baby so that’s good

Sinking roots - How often are you away from SG aka overseas?

Integration means you don’t stay in expat enclave, and eat & live like local. Mingling with locals for 520 hours a year isn’t that much IMO.

Look, I’m not being mean here but you have yet to demonstrate to me or ICA why you should get PR. You are withholding a lot of info so you get a response that may not be favourable. Crystal ball needs more details to work.

Other than being high income, what else can you bring to the table? Having money doesn’t mean anything. You also didn’t say if you had substantial changes to your salary (at least 10% change) between each PR application.

There are coffeeshop aunties & uncles that interact with the locals daily that get PR and they aren’t high net worth. But they have clearly integrated into society.

[zooloohaa]

I work in a company with 90% locals, so on top of 520 hrs I spend with Singaporeans on my hobby, I have additional 2000 hrs at work in local background.

My educational background and my wife’s is not too bad but not stellar either. We both went to top high schools/Universities in Korea, but we only have Bachelor’s.

My total comp is up and down due to Bonus structure (typical for Oil traders who make more or less depending on our PNL), but in terms of base pay, I have had 30% jumps each time I applied for PR.

On top of that I have moved from a very foreigner centric company to a very local focused company 2 yrs ago, which I hope can be reviewed as my attempt to stay longer term.

I understand oil trading is not an occupation govt sought anymore, which is why the fourth application is under my wife, who’s role now is related to renewable energy.

I am at least 340 days within Singapore. I barely travel.

I don’t find your replies mean, I already posted myself on OP that I find my chances slim. At the end of the day it’s me who got rejected three times before, so I should have some feel to it too. Appreciate your time to write up your replies.

Add: I contributed foreigner maximum in my SRS account since year 1 if that helps haha(35.7k*8), also I have a sh*t load of SG T-bills..

[malcontent]

Yet another case where LTR (in between PR and EP) would make sense.

Not permanent but long-term, 5 year renewal. No subsidies, but 5% ABSD, compulsory SRS in lieu of CPF and employer independence.

Throw them a bone, for goodness sakes!

[smoulder]

Honestly, you already know the answer. You stated it yourself - your chances are low. Don't bet on getting a PR.

Suggestion? There's not much you can realistically do to improve your chances now. The biggest one would have been being in a stable marriage with a local but that boat has sailed a long time ago. If your heart is really set on living here long term and possibly becoming a citizen, be prepared with a plan B instead. Another country for instance, even if that country is Korea. And start planning for that future ASAP because you are already nearing 40 which is a critical age for most countries.

[waterwaves]

You said you have a baby on the way, which I think may increase your chances.

I think so because of my experience observing Koreans who got PR last few years.

I am also from Korea and been PR here for 2 years, got it when I am slightly older than your age. I know many Korean families who been granted PR last few years and what they have all in common are they have children. None of my single or married couple without kids from Korea has PR, is what I observed.

Also, I do see more cases of Koreans taking up SG citizenship, maybe because of the changes of Korean citizenship/immigration law in recent years making it easier to still have connection back in Korea, after you immigrate out . And in general, my opinion is that Koreans do relatively integrate well in Singapore, with similarities in culture and language here in Singapore.

So don't give up your hopes, and if this time is not successful, try again when your daughter is a toddler, rooted in Singapore system.