PR application while on expat assignment from U.S.

[alsop]

Hello, I am soliciting comments on the implications of applying for a PR while on an expat assignment from the U.S. So the salary is paid in USD and contributions to the U.S. 401K with other perks and I am on a work permit. From what I understand, the PR requires the company and employee to make CPF contributions. Would this be an issue when applying for a PR while on the above described expat arrangement? Anyone had a similar experience and any workarounds the CPF requirement?
Thx

[Mi Amigo]

I think you may have misunderstood the nature and purpose of the PR scheme. PR stands for Permanent Residence; it is intended for people who wish to settle in Singapore and make it their home for the long term. For this reason, there is no 'workaround' for the CPF scheme - it is mandatory for all Singapore citizens and PRs, although the employer's and employee's contributions are at reduced rates for the years immediately after PR is granted.

For your situation, your chances of successfully gaining PR would depend on a number of factors, including: the number of years you've been here, your race and nationality, your salary, other family members (if any) to be included in the PR application, etc. I'm also unsure about the impact of being here on a WP (as opposed to, say, an Employment Pass); one of our resident gurus may wish to comment on that.

In the meantime, you might like to use the search function above to do some initial research on this site (this topic is discussed often), and also visit the ica.gov.sg site for more information.

[alsop]

Thanks for that information.

[zzm9980]

You're really on a 'wp' = work permit? Or are you an an EP = employment pass? There is a world of difference between the two.

Are you paying any Singapore taxes? You're supposed to have filed at least three tax assessments with IRAS before you apply for PR. If you're not paying any taxes in Singapore, then you're missing that crucial requirement.

[sundaymorningstaple]

You're really on a 'wp' = work permit? Or are you an an EP = employment pass? There is a world of difference between the two.

Are you paying any Singapore taxes? You're supposed to have filed at least three tax assessments with IRAS before you apply for PR. If you're not paying any taxes in Singapore, then you're missing that crucial requirement.

Unless you are married to an educated Chinese Singaporean. Then you might pull it off.