Singapore citizenship - naturalization chances?

[roryn]

Posting on behalf of a friend who doesn't have an account with SE:

He was an SPR for 4-5 years, which lapsed when he lost his job in early 2008 and had moved overseas to work (he said it expired in 2008 so he couldn't renew). He's back in Singapore since mid 2010 and got his PR back again after a few months. I think he's now been a PR for 8 months or so. He wants to apply for Singapore citizenship, as he's moved back with wife, and he has always been quite keen on settling down here.

His qn to the gurus on the forum: what's the outlook for citizenship approval? can he apply on the basis of his 4-5 years of PR, CPF and tax contribution from 2003 to 2008, and his 8-month contribution since he got PR back again? Or would he have to wait till the 2 year minimum is up? He mentioned he wants to try now if possible, as he's concerned about immigration tightening up even further.

I've told him about the wealth of information provided by the gurus on the boards, so I'm hoping that SMS or MS can chime in with their comments.

Also his infor:

Age: 34
Salary: almost 5 figures/month; didn;t reveal the exact comp
Demographics: Indian, HAS MASTERS!!111!!

[zzm9980]

Money looks good, race looks bad. How famous is the school his Master's is from?

The best thing in his favor is he put money back into CPF again, and got his PR back quickly. Still hard to say... Better than most from India though. He should try.

[Mad Scientist]

NO, you need to wait. Citizenship takes about 5 years before you can even be considered. I personally think you should wait until you renew your REP unless he is a "friend of the PAP" now aso can-lah

[roryn]

Thanks both.

Not sure if he took his CPF money out.

MS - what do you mean by 'friend of PAP'?

[sundaymorningstaple]

[JR8]

MS - what do you mean by 'friend of PAP'?

Good political connections.

[ecureilx]

MS - what do you mean by 'friend of PAP'?

Good political connections.

I thought it meant 'talents perceived to be important for Singapore's future .. '

[Mad Scientist]

Thanks both.

Not sure if he took his CPF money out.

MS - what do you mean by 'friend of PAP'?

Your friend is earning 5 figures which means either he owns a company or a CEO of MNC, SME or someone senior in a private sector.
Definitely you will rub shoulder when you are at that position with PAP cahooties , hence my reply to you
In 1997 when HKG was returned to China under two system of governance, many Hong Kongers were offered citizenship for the very reason of rubbing with the proper shoulder or your importance and wealth is too good not to deny you one on a silver plate

[JR8]

Your friend is earning 5 figures which means either he owns a company or a CEO of MNC, SME or someone senior in a private sector.

OP said he earned 'almost five figures/month'. Lets guess and say $9,500.

$9,500*12 = $114kpa

Nice, but I don't think it's in the elites-shoulder-rubbing zone that you suggest MS!

[zzm9980]

Your friend is earning 5 figures which means either he owns a company or a CEO of MNC, SME or someone senior in a private sector.

OP said he earned 'almost five figures/month'. Lets guess and say $9,500.

$9,500*12 = $114kpa

Nice, but I don't think it's in the elites-shoulder-rubbing zone that you suggest MS!

I'm a good double digit percent over that and I've never rubbed shoulder with PAP. Hell, I just asked someone a few months ago "Whats with all these lightning bolts all over the place by the community center?"

[sundaymorningstaple]

I sure don't make a five digit salary but I rub shoulders with 'em all the time.

[curiousgeorge]

I sure don't make a five digit salary but I rub shoulders with 'em all the time.

Can you get me citizenship then?

[Mad Scientist]

Your friend is earning 5 figures which means either he owns a company or a CEO of MNC, SME or someone senior in a private sector.

OP said he earned 'almost five figures/month'. Lets guess and say $9,500.

$9,500*12 = $114kpa

Nice, but I don't think it's in the elites-shoulder-rubbing zone that you suggest MS!

OK folks , my bad. Was replying before boarding the plane. I misread it and thought that his five figures were based on per month.

On a serious note, most CEOs, COOs, FCOs and senior corparates of MNC , SME even start up VCs will be invited to a private dinners either by EDB, PAP etc Just to get the feel of what is on the ground . Gahmen is very business orientated and this is a double edged sword. If you are invited and did not attend, sh@t happens and if you attend and Gahmen knows your plan, which is a good and a bad thing, they may replicate your business and do themselves like Seagate and Micropolis saga whereby Alan Suggard got boot out of SG
Anyway OP has to wait based on JR8 calculation