Should we proceed with ROM in late Jul while PMLA (submitted 7 weeks ago) is still pending?

[Worriedguy1985]

Hi everyone in the expat forum, I need some advice and help.

I'm a 41-year-old male Singapore citizen earning $5.8K monthly, and my partner is a 30-year-old Malaysian citizen (non-Chinese) on a work permit (not E-Pass or S-Pass) earning $2.4K here in Singapore as a computer engineer. She is still working in Singapore. We've been together for 1 year and 4 months now; we stated this as well in our PMLA application.

We submitted our PMLA application 7 weeks ago, but no outcome yet. I followed up via email with ICA, and ICA replied that they still need more time to review it, which is kind of worrying because I have read online of many couples that got their PMLA approved in 3 weeks or less.

We're booked for ROM in late July (about 3.5 months from now), but now we're stressing: should we postpone it, or go ahead?

Main reason is because I have read online that PMLA should always be done before ROM and not after ROM, because if PMLA rejected, there is a high chance LTVP is also rejected, therefore, there is no point to continue with either marriage or LTVP or PR, as ICA will reject any attempt to apply for other passes.

I also read that rejection happens if Singaporean sponsor doesn’t earn enough to support themselves (which shouldn't be the case) and foreigner spouse OR there is some negative past record from the foreigner spouse (which also shouldn't be the case.

Is it still worth doing ROM and applying for LTVP right after? Or would appealing via MP be better?
I am unsure if i should appeal to MP effectively, or just ROM + reapply LTVP with marriage cert?

I would appreciate any tips to strengthen LTVP application (e.g., more financial docs, joint accounts)?

[MOCHS]

You mention she’s on WP, did you get the MOM approval to marry? If no, get it done now.

July still quite far away, I doubt ICA will drag that long.

Confirm she has no previous suspicious records in SG?

[Worriedguy1985]

You mention she’s on WP, did you get the MOM approval to marry? If no, get it done now.

July still quite far away, I doubt ICA will drag that long.

Confirm she has no previous suspicious records in SG?

Yes, we got the MOM Approval letter to marry in early February. We only applied for PMLA (in late Feb) after getting the MOM approval.

I don't think ICA knows about our ROM schedule as I do not recall the ROM date being asked in the PMLA Application form.

Right now, we are feeling quite lost as I have read online that if we ROM without the PMLA approval and later apply for LTVP, ICA will become angry and then reject all future passes. Furthermore, ROM's website explicitly states that for cases such as ours, the PMLA approval is strongly encouraged before going through the ROM.

I am personally quite worried as I personally know of Malaysian Chinese individuals whom got their PMLA in less than 3 weeks.

Right now, we are in limbo and unsure what we can do to improve the situation. I have thought of approaching my MP but am wondering if that is jumping through the gun.

We are highly tempted to go ahead with the ROM but multiple people are giving us all sort of different advice.

We are certain she has no previous suspicions records in Singapore.

[MOCHS]

Right now, we are feeling quite lost as I have read online that if we ROM without the PMLA approval and later apply for LTVP, ICA will become angry and then reject all future passes.

…

Where did you get this misinformation from??

Read the “Important Information” section of PMLA.

Have PMLA = LTVP processing time up to 6 weeks

Do not have PMLA = LTVP processing time up to 6 months

That is all.

No where does it say ICA rejects LTVP applications for those without PMLA.

With your reasoning, those Singaporeans who have been married and living overseas for years can’t apply LTVP liao. That is simply not true.

You are worrying over nothing.

We are certain she has no previous suspicions records in Singapore.

And how do you verify that?

I assume she was already working in SG before you met her. Do you know all her past working/living history in SG before you got into a relationship with her?

That’s the only thing I can think on why the PMLA is taking so long to process.