Expected PR processing time

[singapore eagle]

First post from a long-time lurker - please be gentle!!

I am wondering if anyone has any insights into the processing time for a PR application. My details as follows:

Nationality: British
Age: 38
Currently on: PEP
Lived in Singapore since: 2009
Married to Singaporean
2 Singaporean children
Own house in Singapore (alebit in wife's name)
Monthly salary: five figures

My PEP expires in March 2014. Do I need to get my act together and get the PR application in now?

Many thanks in advance.

[katbh]

Yes. You should get it in now. Sometimes it can be relatively quick, but other times your application can be 'pending' eternally (months and months and months).

[AngMoG]

are you serious? Given how long processing takes recently (some users report over 1 year), you should have submitted the application already weeks, if not months, ago.

You may be eligible for LTVP+ as well, which enables you to work on LOC basis, but that is at the government's discretion.

[bro75]

AFAIK, there is no fixed processing time. It can be from 3 months to 12 months, sometimes even more. You can apply now if you want but still the earliest appointment time will be in Nov 2013 (look at the ica website e-appointment page). It is likely that your PEP will expire before any decision on your PR will be made. Not sure if this is possible but maybe you can think about applying for a EP P1 pass in the meantime.

[katbh]

The OP PEP will not expire until 2014 so there IS the possibility that he may get PR before it does. But best to be safe and get the PR application in now and also prepare yourself to make an application of an EP for after March 2014 if it has not been decided.
If you speak really nicely, and very politely and go to see them at MOM in Bendemeer, they can give you a limited number of EP extensions if it looks like your PR application is getting near. But do not bank on it.
We got 4 x 4 week extensions on an EP, but the problem is that you can not leave Singapore during that time, as you will be assessed by ICA when you come in as a tourist and will loose the protection of the EP extension.

[singapore eagle]

Goodness me.

I complacently assumed that the usual Singaporean efficiency would make for a processing time of a few weeks. (I recall that the PEP took about two weeks to come through.)

We'd better decide if PR is the way forward. Perhaps foolishly, we figure that I should apply for permanent residency only if we intend to reside here permanently.

[Mi Amigo]

I complacently assumed that the usual Singaporean efficiency would make for a processing time of a few weeks. (I recall that the PEP took about two weeks to come through.)

In the past I'd have said you needn't worry too much, but nowadays it's very hard to guess on the processing time (and indeed outcome) for PR applications. FWIW I applied for PR (whilst holding a PEP) in late June 2011 and was told to expect the outcome within 4-6 months. As it turned out, I received my approval in early November 2011, i.e. after just over four months. So on that basis, your timescale looks OK, but my case was obviously just a single example, so who knows for sure?

We'd better decide if PR is the way forward. Perhaps foolishly, we figure that I should apply for permanent residency only if we intend to reside here permanently.

Respect is due for that comment. If only everyone had applied that reasoning in the past before applying for PR, we wouldn't have had so many cases of people abusing the system in the past and making things much more difficult for those who are genuinely here for the long haul.

Whatever you decide to do, good luck.

[the lynx]

I complacently assumed that the usual Singaporean efficiency would make for a processing time of a few weeks. (I recall that the PEP took about two weeks to come through.)

In the past I'd have said you needn't worry too much, but nowadays it's very hard to guess on the processing time (and indeed outcome) for PR applications. FWIW I applied for PR (whilst holding a PEP) in late June 2011 and was told to expect the outcome within 4-6 months. As it turned out, I received my approval in early November 2011, i.e. after just over four months. So on that basis, your timescale looks OK, but mine case was obviously just a single example, so who knows for sure?

We'd better decide if PR is the way forward. Perhaps foolishly, we figure that I should apply for permanent residency only if we intend to reside here permanently.

Respect is due for that comment. If only everyone had applied that reasoning in the past before applying for PR, we wouldn't have had so many cases of people abusing the system in the past and spoiling it for those who are genuinely here for the long haul.

Whatever you decide to do, good luck.

[sundaymorningstaple]

I reckon you should just get it on. Regardless of the lengthly processing times we've been seeing the last couple of years, we've also see some quick ones as well. From my P.O.V.....

5 figure income well within the PEP zone.

Married to a Singaporean

Two children

Been here over three years

I'd say you will possibly see it on your first pass and probably not that long of a wait either considering the merits of the application as noted above. You qualified for the PEP (so therefore probably suitable for the PTS route and you are also qualified via the Family Ties scheme as well).

Go for it.

sms

First post from a long-time lurker - please be gentle!!

I am wondering if anyone has any insights into the processing time for a PR application. My details as follows:

Nationality: British
Age: 38
Currently on: PEP
Lived in Singapore since: 2009
Married to Singaporean
2 Singaporean children
Own house in Singapore (alebit in wife's name)
Monthly salary: five figures

My PEP expires in March 2014. Do I need to get my act together and get the PR application in now?

Many thanks in advance.

[Wd40]

I complacently assumed that the usual Singaporean efficiency would make for a processing time of a few weeks. (I recall that the PEP took about two weeks to come through.)

In the past I'd have said you needn't worry too much, but nowadays it's very hard to guess on the processing time (and indeed outcome) for PR applications. FWIW I applied for PR (whilst holding a PEP) in late June 2011 and was told to expect the outcome within 4-6 months. As it turned out, I received my approval in early November 2011, i.e. after just over four months. So on that basis, your timescale looks OK, but my case was obviously just a single example, so who knows for sure?

We'd better decide if PR is the way forward. Perhaps foolishly, we figure that I should apply for permanent residency only if we intend to reside here permanently.

Respect is due for that comment. If only everyone had applied that reasoning in the past before applying for PR, we wouldn't have had so many cases of people abusing the system in the past and making things much more difficult for those who are genuinely here for the long haul.

Whatever you decide to do, good luck.

With due respect to OP, he is a PEP holder, has condo. Why would he need to abuse PR? The people you are talking about who abuse PR are a different league. Even now the OP hasn't said anything about wanting to stay for the long term, its only because his PEP is about to expire he wants to apply for PR

[singapore eagle]

Actually, our oldest has just turned 4 years old, so, with decisions about schooling in mind, this is genuinely a 'where do we want to live permanently' thing.

Anyway, thanks for all the replies - the Doctor's input was especially appreciated!

I'll revisit this thread if I do apply for PR so as to give to others a point of reference on timescales.

[Mi Amigo]

With due respect to OP, he is a PEP holder, has condo. Why would he need to abuse PR? The people you are talking about who abuse PR are a different league. Even now the OP hasn't said anything about wanting to stay for the long term, its only because his PEP is about to expire he wants to apply for PR

Rev, please read my comments again. I expressed respect for the OP for his stance. At no point did I suggest that he would be abusing the PR scheme. We all know many cases where PR applicants have taken a very cynical, selfish attitude and 'collected' a Singapore PR despite having no intention of 'permanently' settling here, then maybe bought a resale HDB and promptly buggered off as soon as some other opportunity comes along. This is why I think it's refreshing that the OP is having a serious think about whether they really want to stay 'permanently' in Singapore. I agree that this is a different case to that of the 'typical' PR abusers we have seen over the years.

To reiterate - I wish the OP and his family all the best.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Actually, our oldest has just turned 4 years old, so, with decisions about schooling in mind, this is genuinely a 'where do we want to live permanently' thing.

This is exactly where I got caught up, many years ago, c1988. I opted for Singapore and 30+ years later I'm still here.

[Wd40]

With due respect to OP, he is a PEP holder, has condo. Why would he need to abuse PR? The people you are talking about who abuse PR are a different league. Even now the OP hasn't said anything about wanting to stay for the long term, its only because his PEP is about to expire he wants to apply for PR

Rev, please read my comments again. I expressed respect for the OP for his stance. At no point did I suggest that he would be abusing the PR scheme. We all know many cases where PR applicants have taken a very cynical, selfish attitude and 'collected' a Singapore PR despite having no intention of 'permanently' settling here, then maybe bought a resale HDB and promptly buggered off as soon as some other opportunity comes along. This is why I think it's refreshing that the OP is having a serious think about whether they really want to stay 'permanently' in Singapore. I agree that this is a different case to that of the 'typical' PR abusers we have seen over the years.

To reiterate - I wish the OP and his family all the best.

I got your point, what I am trying to say is the league in which the OP is, anybody in that league will do exactly what he is doing. I mean, if there is nothing there to abuse then the next thing you would think about is whether you want to stay permanently or not.

[sundaymorningstaple]

WD40 you blew it and spoke out of turn, full stop. It was easy to misread if you were skimming. cowboy up. We all blow it occasionally. :-/