PR chances for a PhD couple

[shree1986]

Hello all,

Thank you all for sharing valuable info’s in the previous discussions. I want to seek your humble opinion in a similar case of mine. We are a family of 3, with our child (3yr) going to Govt preschool in Singapore. We both did our PhD in the top QS-50 ranked Universities and currently working at NUS as a postdoctoral scientists. Below are the details for clarity.

1. Applicant - 32 years
2. Spouse-37yrs (10 yrs industry exp both pre and post-PhD)
3. Married for 8 years
4. Both are researching in the STEM domain, very relevant for SG (non-IT).
5. Moved to Singapore in mid-2023 ( so it’s been little over than an year)
6. Salary - S$160+ k combined
7. Ethnicity- both Indian nationals

We Applied for PR as a family a few weeks ago. Could anybody help to give me an idea what I can expect? What could be the weak and strong points that can hurt or favour my application.

Thank you so much.

[MOCHS]

Racial quota is against you. Time spent in Singapore is still too short.

PhDs doesn’t guarantee anything, I’m afraid. I’ve seen PRC PhD holders who are research fellows get rejected for PR.

I’m also in STEM. Unless your research is so groundbreaking that it cures cancer, being a RF is nothing to shout about. There are applicants with better profiles.

You didn’t mention if your child is boy or girl.

[shree1986]

I appreciate your input, but I found parts of your response a bit dismissive, particularly regarding the value of PhDs and research roles. It felt like you reiterated some points we are already aware of, which is fine, but I was hoping for more specific feedback related to our situation. We’ve worked hard to reach these positions and believe our contributions in STEM play a vital role in Singapore's future. There are also many critical areas of research beyond curing cancer, so I'd rather not debate that aspect. I do understand that factors like time in Singapore and racial quotas may play a role, but I’d prefer to focus on how we can continue to contribute positively to the community. Thanks.

[sundaymorningstaple]

@MOCHS

You have my permission to say what's on your mind (I had to stop and erase my whole post as you know I can go off the rails - which I found myself doing).

Moderator

[MOCHS]

Look at the forum, numerous applicants post here thinking their applications are super duper unique and therefore deserving of PR.

I’m giving you the pure honest truth, your application does not stand out at all. There are numerous post graduates with Masters and PhDs who apply for PR and fail, that is a fact. I know of a tenured professor who doesn’t have PR at all.

Having a doctorate doesn’t mean anything, we have people who don’t have secondary school qualifications who can get PR because they have assimilated with SG society and culture.

You clearly have not been in SG long enough to see grants like MOE, NRF be awarded for what kind of research. SG is practical, they’ll definitely emphasise on cancer research, diabetes, cardiovascular, ailments that afflict majority of the population, not rare diseases or “for fun” research.

If you want it sugar coated, maybe an immigration agency can pull wool over your eyes while they take your money, knowing your application has a high chance of rejection.

But it’s your money. If you can afford it, go ahead and apply, just manage your expectations.

You still never answered the gender of your child, btw. Nor did you say what sort of research you do. Give vague descriptions and you’ll get vague responses that doesn’t give you “specific feedback”.