Singapore citizenship chances

[mystic_river]

Hi, I would like to ask for my chances of getting Singapore Citizenship if I were to apply (or if I should even apply now) based on my profile:

PR since 2005 (REP renewal once last year)
Salary: $50k per annum (Private sector)
Race: Paki
Age: 25
Working exp: 1 year
Single
Rest of my family is also holding PR

Came to live here in 2000, went to a neighbourhood sec sch/JC/NUS. Pretty much a Singaporean myself since all my friends are Singaporean. Basically I have mixed well with the Singaporean community and I honestly can't imagine not living here as I call it my home.

I know that if anything, my chances are gonna be low because of my race. However, I was wondering if my low working experience and my salary also has an effect on the chances. If yes, then I can work a few more years and try to gain more experience/higher salary. If not, I would like to apply asap.

Appreciate any advice from you guys.

[zzm9980]

How did you get your PR? Did you serve NS?

My feelings are if you served NS and had your REP renewed, go ahead and apply now. If you haven't, I would wait until you have at least three tax assessments at that salary or higher.

Actually, are you male or female?

[mystic_river]

How did you get your PR? Did you serve NS?

My feelings are if you served NS and had your REP renewed, go ahead and apply now. If you haven't, I would wait until you have at least three tax assessments at that salary or higher.

Actually, are you male or female?

oh yeah, forgot to mention one very impt point: I didn't serve NS.

When I became PR, I had just turned 17. I never got called up for NS (I'm a male) and I called them multiple times to ask if I have to serve NS. They said no.

I became a PR because my dad applied for himself and since I was his dependent at that time, I automatically became a PR.

3 tax assessments means I should apply when I am 27, by which time I hope I would be earning about $60k/annum. I guess the chances for applying this would definitely be higher than now, but would the chances be very low if I were to apply now?

[zzm9980]

3 tax assessments means I should apply when I am 27, by which time I hope I would be earning about $60k/annum. I guess the chances for applying this would definitely be higher than now, but would the chances be very low if I were to apply now?

Hard to say. Citizenship once you're a PR with a REP is much easier than getting your PR initially. Your chances will be better with more tax assessments under your belt. That said, why not try and see what they say? I don't think it will hurt you too badly if they say no now. Just wait 3 years to re-apply, or until they tell you to (if they do).

I'm really curious about the NS though. Hoping SMS or MS show up to clarify. Do you have anything in writing that says you don't need to?

[sundaymorningstaple]

My guess is that his REP was renewed before he turned 21 while still a Dependent. Therefore, because he did not do NS, he will probably only get a new REP if it does NS OR qualifies under the PTS scheme this time in his own right. That may well be difficult. I have no anecdotal evidence to even begin to make a guess, but I think I may be on the right track. Let see what MS says.

[mystic_river]

3 tax assessments means I should apply when I am 27, by which time I hope I would be earning about $60k/annum. I guess the chances for applying this would definitely be higher than now, but would the chances be very low if I were to apply now?

Hard to say. Citizenship once you're a PR with a REP is much easier than getting your PR initially. Your chances will be better with more tax assessments under your belt. That said, why not try and see what they say? I don't think it will hurt you too badly if they say no now. Just wait 3 years to re-apply, or until they tell you to (if they do).

I'm really curious about the NS though. Hoping SMS or MS show up to clarify. Do you have anything in writing that says you don't need to?

I think I shall wait till the early next year. Apply with at least 1 tax assessment.

Nope, I don't have anything in writing. From what I understand, if you become PR after the age of 16.5 years, you miss the period for NS and would not get a call up. I have a paki friend who was a PR, didn't do NS and got SC. However, he was below 21 at the time he got his SC and so he got it when his dad got the SC. This was about 4 years ago though.

Another thing I should add is that I have had 3 REP renewals.

As I became PR in 2005, my REP was renewed for only 1 year in 2010. The reason for that was that I was above 21 but still a student, hence they renewed for 1 year. In 2011, my REP was again renewed for 1 year as at that time I was still in NUS. In 2012, I was working when my REP was renewed so now I have REP till 2017.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Okay, as you were over the age of 21 when you subsequently got a 5 year REP AFTER getting two 1 year reps while still in school, I'd say there is a good possibility of success, generally speaking.

However, in view of the tightening up of criteria, I still would have to reserve judgment as I feel the happenings over the past couple of years might have caused the tightening up of criteria. But having been a PR for so long already may be enough to keep things in motion. A couple of more years of tax assessments would definitely bolster your chances though.

good luck.

[zzm9980]

As I became PR in 2005, my REP was renewed for only 1 year in 2010. The reason for that was that I was above 21 but still a student, hence they renewed for 1 year. In 2011, my REP was again renewed for 1 year as at that time I was still in NUS. In 2012, I was working when my REP was renewed so now I have REP till 2017.

Ok, the third renewal being for five years is a good sign IMO. I'm pretty sure your lack of NS would have caught up with you by now if it was an issue. I'd say apply and see what happens, but expect to be told to try again in X years. If you get rejected, you apply again after the X years they say, not a day early. Assuming of course you're gainfully employed and paying taxes in Singapore the whole time.

[mystic_river]

okay, thanks a lot to the both of you for your helpful input!

[mystic_river]

Ok, the third renewal being for five years is a good sign IMO. I'm pretty sure your lack of NS would have caught up with you by now if it was an issue. I'd say apply and see what happens, but expect to be told to try again in X years. If you get rejected, you apply again after the X years they say, not a day early. Assuming of course you're gainfully employed and paying taxes in Singapore the whole time.

Hi zzm9980,

Just wanted to check with you, you asked to just try and apply and see what happens. I don't mind doing that, at most they'll just ask me to try X years later.

However, I only started working in the mid of Y2012. Because of this, I wasn't entitled to my bonus (relatively high, hence the reason why my salary is $50k/annum) and my total income earned for the year 2012 was just below $20000 ie I dont have any tax assessment for Y2012 and i'll get my first tax assessment only next year (for Y2013).

Having no tax assessments currently under my belt, am I even eligible to apply for SC? I called ICA but they weren't of much help.

I realized that by right, I don't even have to submit any tax assessments. I can just submit the authorization form for them to get my tax records from IRAS themselves.

[Mad Scientist]

Ok, the third renewal being for five years is a good sign IMO. I'm pretty sure your lack of NS would have caught up with you by now if it was an issue. I'd say apply and see what happens, but expect to be told to try again in X years. If you get rejected, you apply again after the X years they say, not a day early. Assuming of course you're gainfully employed and paying taxes in Singapore the whole time.

Hi zzm9980,

Just wanted to check with you, you asked to just try and apply and see what happens. I don't mind doing that, at most they'll just ask me to try X years later.

However, I only started working in the mid of Y2012. Because of this, I wasn't entitled to my bonus (relatively high, hence the reason why my salary is $50k/annum) and my total income earned for the year 2012 was just below $20000 ie I dont have any tax assessment for Y2012 and i'll get my first tax assessment only next year (for Y2013).

Having no tax assessments currently under my belt, am I even eligible to apply for SC? I called ICA but they weren't of much help.

I realized that by right, I don't even have to submit any tax assessments. I can just submit the authorization form for them to get my tax records from IRAS themselves.

Most PR under PTS or family sponsor will be called or have to be enlisted for NS, however there are certain group that is not required for reason of national security. However their PR is under strict condition i.e stayer or just getting additional stamp on their foreign PP
OP, you need to be a PR at least 6 years or more under your own renewal hence after 2015 will be a good bet.
Submitting three year income tax is important too

[mystic_river]

Ok, the third renewal being for five years is a good sign IMO. I'm pretty sure your lack of NS would have caught up with you by now if it was an issue. I'd say apply and see what happens, but expect to be told to try again in X years. If you get rejected, you apply again after the X years they say, not a day early. Assuming of course you're gainfully employed and paying taxes in Singapore the whole time.

Hi zzm9980,

Just wanted to check with you, you asked to just try and apply and see what happens. I don't mind doing that, at most they'll just ask me to try X years later.

However, I only started working in the mid of Y2012. Because of this, I wasn't entitled to my bonus (relatively high, hence the reason why my salary is $50k/annum) and my total income earned for the year 2012 was just below $20000 ie I dont have any tax assessment for Y2012 and i'll get my first tax assessment only next year (for Y2013).

Having no tax assessments currently under my belt, am I even eligible to apply for SC? I called ICA but they weren't of much help.

I realized that by right, I don't even have to submit any tax assessments. I can just submit the authorization form for them to get my tax records from IRAS themselves.

Most PR under PTS or family sponsor will be called or have to be enlisted for NS, however there are certain group that is not required for reason of national security. However their PR is under strict condition i.e stayer or just getting additional stamp on their foreign PP
OP, you need to be a PR at least 6 years or more under your own renewal hence after 2015 will be a good bet.
Submitting three year income tax is important too

Alright thanks MS. I shall wait till 2015 to apply instead. Hopefully by then getting SC won't be harder than it already is (though I suspect it'll just keep getting harder and harder)

[mystic_river]

Hi, just an update. Not exactly on myself but on my parents.

They have been staying here for the same time as me, and have been PRs since 2005, just like myself.

Today, my dad applied for SC along with my mum and my sister (below 21, currently in SMU).

When they applied, the ICA officer told them that their chances of approval are only 50/50 as there are a lot of people applying for SC these days (??). They also asked if I am going to apply for SC in the future and my parents told him that I would as soon as I have paid 3 tax assessments. Apparently, the officer told them that I can just apply now if I want to.

I am not sure if he really meant that and that I have a chance of approval. What do you guys think?

[sundaymorningstaple]

It means, as you are already on your 2nd REP then you will probably have as good a chance now as later. Give it a try. There is still no guarantee of success but at least you will know what the situation is sooner thereby allowing you to make future plans (or changes if necessary).

[mystic_river]

It means, as you are already on your 2nd REP then you will probably have as good a chance now as later. Give it a try. There is still no guarantee of success but at least you will know what the situation is sooner thereby allowing you to make future plans (or changes if necessary).

Alright thanks! Well, I guess I will just try and see if my lack of tax assessments makes me ineligible or not. If it doesn't, then no harm trying.