Going for PR: "do it alone" or via agency?

[aster]

First of all, is now a good time to apply for PR status? I recall there being a "crackdown" with regards to PRs in recent times so I thought I'd ask.

Secondly, is it best to do all the paperwork and submission on one's own or use a company to handle the procedure?

[BillyB]

Good question. I hear mixed messages on this one. I'd hope some of the moderators and regulars could add their views given they are in a better position to answer this having experience in this matter.

I did hear from an agency that if you have been in SG for less than a year, don't even bother applying for PR at the moment. Wait until you have at least 1, ideally 2 years of tax returns under your belt and until after the elections. But surely the authorities won't turn everyone down who is relatively new to SG?

I guess its how confident you feel and how strong your application is. But then again - given there is no guidance on what constitutes a 'strong' application - we are all in the lap of the gods!!

As for using an agency, do you really need to pay someone $1000+ to fill some forms in?

[aster]

I'm into my 3rd year here and my company has been around for almost 5 yrs.

I thought that doing everything alone might make it look more serious from the personal perspective. Then again maybe they are looking for the type of busy people who don't have the time to handle stuff like this and get professional help. I really don't know, heck, I've never even applied for PR before so this would be my 1st attempt.

Things would look a whole lot better if the companies out there that handle this had to publish a % success rate. Then you'd know A) that they're doing their bit in the best possible way B) that you should be getting a fairer picture of what your chances are because if you are turned down then their stats will suffer too.

[nakatago]

* It's simple and easy enough to DIY. No need to waste money on "agents."
* Nobody still knows how PR applications will go since the elections are still NOT over
* Chances of being approved are still anybody's guess.

[sundaymorningstaple]

From an Immigration Officer's mouth. (The one that gave me my PR many years ago) ICA doesn't like getting applications from agents or immigration consultants/lawyers (with the exception of SMC and LPR's). That is why ONLY SMC is allowed to do LPR applications (they are the only ones for LPR). So, if you have a borderline application and use professionals to apply you already have one strike against you as they wonder WHY, as easy as the applications is, one would need to use professional help. So that already sets the ground for suspicion.

It's so simple that even an ole farmboy can do it.

[aster]

Many thanks for the info. Case closed then: better to do it alone.

I'm in no hurry to apply at the moment as I've recently extended my EP for another two years, but after that (with 4 years under the belt) I think I will go for it. Given the current "climate" and the fact that I'll double my stay here by then, I take it my chances will be better than if I applied this month?

[nakatago]

As Sarah Palin puts it, "You betcha!"

[Strong Eagle]

I made application for PR after 3 years on EP and getting it renewed (Entrepass, actually, as company was also in existence for 3 years). This was in 2007.

My view is that now the big question would be (for an EP), especially ang mo EP, "why do you want PR"?

[sundaymorningstaple]

I made application for PR after 3 years on EP and getting it renewed (Entrepass, actually, as company was also in existence for 3 years). This was in 2007.

My view is that now the big question would be (for an EP), especially ang mo EP, "why do you want PR"?

Valid point now but might be different in a situation like mine where I'm married to an Asian. Or for that matter like yours, where you are a successful entrepreneur. Like Bernie (Botak Jones) did a couple years ago. If Asia has made you successful, it might be the deciding factor for the "why".

If'n he's a Yank, even more understandable after what the current "regime" has done to our country!

[x9200]

Mainly stability and less frequent interactions with bureaucracy.

[Strong Eagle]

Mainly stability and less frequent interactions with bureaucracy.

Which is good for the EP converting to PR, and probably not the reason the gahmen would like to see for converting to PR.

[x9200]

Probably not as the only reason but it is an obvious prerequisite for what the gahmen wants.

[ecureilx]

I beg to differ - I am starting an agency and I want to ask everybody to apply through the agency

BTW, I could never figure out why you need an agency to do the paperwork which is as easy A, B and C, plus, the ICA staff are patient to let you know what documents are missing and what you can submit and what is irrelevent ..

And I thought that you must appear in person for submission ?

Unless you got money and dunno what to do with it - Avoid Agencies ..

And .. I learnt that citizens of a neighbouring country have been conned to Kingdom come to Glory that they swear that you will never get PR if you go alone - and Agency is the way to go .. suckers ..