Finally got my Singapore PR :)

[astrozoid]

Background

• Family: M31 born in Indonesia (I applied alone)

• Ethnicity: Chinese

• Attempts: Got it on 2nd attempt

• Time in Singapore: Came to Singapore to attend Bachelor's degree in NUS in 2012. Graduated in 2016. Got a 1st job in Singapore from 2016 until 2022. Pursued Master's degree in NUS from 2022 until 2024. Got 2nd job in Singapore from 2024 until present.

• Kids/Wife: No to both.

• Occupations: First job as Software Engineer. Second job as AI Researcher.

• PR Agency

: No, I don't use any PR agencies. I applied individually.



Timeline of PR Applications

• MAR 2022: Submitted 1st application with Employment Pass (EP) from my 1st job.

• AUG 2022: Started 1st semester of Master's degree.

• DEC 2022: Resigned from 1st company as I got a really good internship in AI/ML domain starting in JAN 2023. So, had to renounce my EP and convert as Student Pass (let's shorten it as SP from here onwards).

• FEB 2023: Received a letter from ICA that my PR application (the 1st one) had been rejected. The letter indicated that my application was rejected as EP was revoked by MOM due to conversion to SP. Surprisingly, the letter also mentioned about wishing me luck in my Master's study. Singapore government entities are well-connected

• JUL 2024: Graduated from Master's degree.

• SEP 2024: Signed offer for 2nd job.

• OCT 2024: Started 2nd job.

• NOV 2024: Submitted 2nd PR application. I used 1-month salary slip from 2nd job and last 5-month salary slips from 1st job for the PR application.

• MAR 2025: Received IPA letter for my 2nd PR application.

• APR 2025: Completed PR formality

Side Story

• Document Submission:
  • Majority of my documents are in Indonesian language. So I had to translate them to English. For my 1st PR application, I translated my documents using sworn translator service in Indonesia, and then I got the legalisation from Indonesian embassy in Singapore. For my 2nd PR application, I translated my documents using Singapore translator service and asked them to legalise it with Singapore public notary seal.
    • I don't know if this factor helps the quicker processing time for my 2nd PR application. In case money is not the issue and time is of the essence, I do recommend other PR applicants to use Singapore translator service. This is not an ads, but in case you're wondering what local service I engaged locally here, it was Wordsburg Translations and it cost me a grand total of S$975 (S$765 for translating 20+ pages of docs, and S$210 for Singapore notary seal). It's pretty expensive but the result is top notch and the admin is really responsive through email.
  • For pre-tertiary education, I attached both my report cards and transcripts from Elementary School until Senior High School. I also attached my awards certificates when I was in High School and University.
    • This explains why I have so many pages to translate in my 2nd PR application .
  • I don't know if this matters or not but I heard from my work colleagues that I need to have a way to prove my ethnicity and not just from physical attributes. So I also attached my parents' birth certificates as my grandparents still retained their Chinese names then.
  • Like what everybody must have advocated in this forum, I did not leave the work achievement essay section empty or do it half-heartedly. I ensure that my essay encapsulates the answers to following questions:
    • How long have you stayed in Singapore before applying for PR?
    • What kind of professional achievements are helpful in a PR application?
    • Do you have any academic recognition you want to showcase in the PR application? (e.g. research publication, etc.)
    • What leadership experience you have in your field of work?
    • Any international or global contributions?
    • Any notable internships and contract roles?
    • What educational background do you have?
    • Have you done any mentorship or community contribution?
    • Do you have any professional certification or membership or cutting-edge tool knowledge?
    • How can you convey long-term commitment to Singapore in the PR application?
    • Have you presented the essay in chronological way with clear mention of role, action, result and closing summary tying achievements to Singapore's future?

[din80]

Hi , Have you received final IPA once completed formality? Please confirm when did you received the final IPA after completion of formalities. Thanks

[abbeabbe]

Hi , Have you received final IPA once completed formality? Please confirm when did you received the final IPA after completion of formalities. Thanks

I am on the same boat but for LTVP renewal. Almost at the end of 10 working days since I completed the online formalities (which were nothing basically as the medical was done last year). Initial IPA itself took less time than this. Saw some posts saying 10 working days to a few weeks at this step.

[abbby]

Congratulations and thanks for sharing your timeline, will be useful for others planning the same.