Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Singapore PR Rejected? Appeal or not?
If your Singapore PR (Permanent Residency) is rejected recently, you are not alone. Singapore PR is an important to immigrate to Singapore and rejection is a heart breaking experience after long months of waiting and maybe witnessing less qualified people getting approval. But nowadays it is though to get Singapore PR. Since 2009, fewer applications forSingapore PR and Singapore Citizenship are approved.
This is because in late 2009, Singapore Government decided to tighten the criteria for PR and citizenship, to better manage the inflow of foreigners. And they immediately took action! In 2008, 79,200 Singapore PR applications were approved. PR approval numbers sharply dropped down to 59,500 in 2009. This trend continued in 2010 and The Government granted only 29,265 permanent residents, more than a 50% drop compared to 2009. It is almost certain that this trend will continue in 2011 Singapore PR applications.
The sharp drop in PRs is a result of the tightening of immigration policy in 2009 to better manage the inflow and qualityof new immigrants, said Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng on Monday.
A policy change that drew clearer distinctions between the benefits citizens and PRs enjoy also ‘underlines our principle that Singaporeans will enjoy priority over non-citizens’, he said at the Singapore Perspectives 2011 conference organised by theInstituteofPolicy Studies.
Source: The Straits Times Jan 18, 2011
It is also interesting to note that the number ofSingaporepermanent residents has almost doubled in the last 10 years,from 287,500 in 2000 to 541,000 in 2010:
Most of the increase is accounted for by immigrants fromMalaysiaand the Indian subcontinent, according to census data released by the Department of Statistics yesterday.
The share of Indians in the PR ethnic mix climbed from 14.9 per cent in 2000 to 20.4 per cent this year. In absolute numbers, they more than doubled, from 42,700 to 111,000.
The share of Chinese in the PR ethnic mix dropped from 76.1 per cent to 61.4 per cent, although the total number increased from 218,800 to 332,000.
For PRs of Malay ethnicity, the share dropped from 4.1 per cent to 3 per cent, although actual numbers went up from 11,800 to 16,000.
Most of the ethnic Chinese PRs inSingaporehail fromMalaysia.
Source: The Straits Times Sep 1, 2010
This looks like sharp drop butSingaporeis still one of the least stringent country in the world in terms of approving PR. As far as I know Australia PR or Canada PR are more difficult.
Singaporeis considered one of the best cities to live inAsiaand many aspire to make this country their home forever by applying for Singapore Permanent Residence or Singapore Citizenship. WhileSingapore’s immigration policy remains open, the government wants to make sure that it takes in good quality candidates who can be better integrated into theSingaporesociety and who can contribute economically. There is no formula that guarantees success of an application. Each application is approved on a case-by-case basis.
Source: GuideMeSingapore
Singapore PR approval criteria, naturally, is not open to public and subject to change depending on the foreigner policies of The Government at a given time. But there are some known factors playing significant role in approval or rejection.
For example although it is theoretically possible to apply to PR just after receiving several pay slips, it is wise to wait at least 6 months to 1 year and it is better to pay tax. When I see someone just arriving Singapore and working several months apply to Singapore PR, I always think that “giving Singapore PR to this guy has more good to him then to Singapore”. Probably Immigration Officers feel the same when they see such an application on their desk. And do not confuse them with the typical government employees in your homeland, Singapore Government jobs are so attractive that very bright people compete for them and get them.
Refer to Guide Me Singapore PR articles for more information. They have valuable information there:
The first question that typically comes to the mind of majority of the work pass holders: when can I apply for my Singapore PR? Theoretically, you can apply forSingaporepermanent residence the day you start working in the country as an EP holder. However, one of the requirements is to provide salary slips that go back six months from yourSingaporeemployer which means should wait at least six months.
In practical terms, how soon you can apply for PR status also depends on the type of work pass you are holding and the unofficial annual quota set by the government. If you are holding a P1 pass, your chances of approval are high if you apply after 1 year. If you are holding a P2 pass, you are likely to have a good chance if you apply after 2 years. If on the other hand, you are holding a Q or S pass, it’s recommended that you apply after 3 years to have a decent chance of approval. Also, make sure you are in good terms with your employer at the time of filing your PR application. One of the sections in the application form is to be completed by the employer.
Source: Guide Me Singapore Singapore Permanent Residence – PTS Scheme
So what to do after rejection? Although there is an option of appeal after rejection, it will have very little effect on the decision if something about you did not change dramatically since your application (i.e. a significant pay increase, an upgrade in work permit, etc.) But this does not mean you cannot try again. It is important to wait for the period stated in the rejection letter. If they say apply 2 years later, wait for 2 years. But before 2 years time if you have a significant upgrade in job, company, salary, etc. you may apply again after 1 year. If no time period is stated in the letter, you need to wait at least 6 months (from the date of the rejection letter) before trying your chance again.
Singapore PR approval also depends on timing of the application. Do not forget that this is designed to benefit Singapore and there are quotes for races, professional skills, etc.
Yes race is important. Singapore wants to keep its race balance. If Singapore approves more applications from a certain race and the proportion of this race increases for a period, ICA would probably be more selective on this race for the following period of time until desired balance is achieved again. For example Indian PR’s rate increased from 14% to 20% percent probably due to Singapore’s desire to be competitive in IT in pre 2008 boom times. It is probably now harder for an Indian to get PR compared to a Chinese or Malay if everything else is equal.
Currently we are in the following years of high PR intake period (2005 – 2008). And The Government as well as Singaporeans think that they need to slow down the intake.
PS: This post is meant for Singaporeans who are unaware of the Permanent Resident policy for foreigners – Gilbert
I am a American-born Chinese. My mother is a Singapore citizen, while I am a US citizen born in the USA. My ethnicity is Chinese, and I am 19 years of age. I may be planning on trying to obtain permanent residency in Singapore.
Do you know what are the statistics of rejections and acceptances for people who apply for permanent residency as a child of a Singapore citizen? And where can I find these statistics?
Thank you.
Do NS. Sure get PR.
Anyway, NS nowadays damn senang. Furthermore, you as special case, they may even put you into lobo company, sit in air-con office, surf internet, go coffee breaks, and type some emails for chief clerk once a while.
These days NS no defaulters parade, no running around parade square with 20kg rucksacks filled with wet sand and rifle overhead, no change parade with 1 min to change from underwear on 1st floor to full combat kit on 4th floor and back again, no being kicked out of bunk at 3am and going for 5km run in helmet & SBO in the cool breeze under the moonlight.
Thanks for the reply anon,
I also forgot to mention, that I have no university degree AND no income.
Will these factors affect my chances?
REJECTION of your PR application is highly sure to happen. Do not get your hopes too high on acquiring PR status. Getting PR status here is no easy task.
You cannot get PR by doing NS, you must first be granted PR status, then be required to serve NS.
You state that you have no income and no educational qualifications. The authorities do not want to accept just anyone just because they are related to a Singaporean. The authorities only want people that are capable in helping Singapore’s economy to be part of Singapore.
Just a reminder, anyone that has been convicted of ANY crime in Singapore or another nation will never be able to obtain PR or citizenship status in Singapore. Singapore wants to keep its crime rate extremely low, so it is normal for Singapore not to accept any people with a criminal past.
There are foreigners that grew up in Singapore since infancy, and both parents are Singapore-born citizens, but these foreigners have PR and citizenship applications rejected, even though they are children of Singaporeans. This is more evidence that the authorities do not care about how related you are to a Singaporean. They want those who can help Singapore’s economy prosper.
You can still apply for PR and see what happens, but like I said before, don’t count on it. Also, you have to be under 21, which means that when you are 20, it is the last time you will be able to apply under your parent(s) sponsorship. Once you reach 21, you will no longer be able to apply under you parent(s) sponsorship.
For the third sentence on my third paragraph, I meant to say “The authorities only want people that are capable in helping Singapore’s economy PROSPER.”
Malaysian can get NS in singapore to get PR?
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I am a Singapore citizen, married to North African. My husband is well qualified and speaks fluent English. Despite job offers, he’s getting rejected from MOM for EP and S-pass. Just received the results of PR through ienquiry, another rejection. What can you suggest?
Hi, I am a Singapore PR. And I was done my na 2years ago. Before I ord, I was applied for my citizenship thru ACS, and submitted my documents on 2010 January, but until now, I havent receive any letter of rejection or approval! What can u suggest for me!! Tnx!!!
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Hi, I applied for SPR 3.5 years back and still have not get it approved. I have a handsome salary as I am a Senior IT Analyst in a multinational investment bank. I am living in total from about 4.5 years in Singapore now with my wife and daughter. ICA is keep rejecting my application. What else ICA in your view requires from me now ? We are very serious and keen to make Singapore as our 2nd home and desire to become Singapore Citizen as well but still getting rejections? Any ideas ? Reply
Hi, I would like apply for PR. Do anyone can help me forwarding the pr application form?
Because my application got rejected 2 times before.
Is there any migration agent in Spore, where they can apply Spore PR on your behalf with a minimum charges…Good luck
Hi,
Am an indian. I formed a pte. ltd., company in Singapore in 2011 i.e., Me and my wife were the directors and a local PR. Later after 6 months i applied for Employment Pass, twice got rejected asking for clarification and later got approved.
As my primary business happening in India, i taught of developing the business in India and i can extend to near by countries too. So, i decided to have Singapore as my business hub. As per my plan i will be start operating in singapore from Apr 2013 onwards. For the past 2 years am away from singapore and visited only 4 times. But i have filed my first year business taxes properly.
My EP got expired on April 2012. While renewing singapore government questioned the reason for applying EP as am totally away from singapore. I taught any way i will be back to singapore on 2013, i didnt justify anything.
Now i have filed my second year tax also properly. From April 2013, i will be staying in singapore atleast 15 days every month. But after August 2013, i will be operating my business from singapore only.
Kindly suggest me:
1) Shall i reappear for EP. (or)
2) Shall i try for PR i.e., anyway for atleast 10 years i will be operating in singapore and sometime i may convert as citizen(based on the procedures if possible) because from singapore only i can operate my business in india, middle east, singapore and malaysia.
Please advise me how to go about. I need your professional advise.
Thanks,
Pradeep.
Hi,
We (myself & my wife) are Indian IT Professional working in SG from past 4 years.
Our PR application got rejected last week. (we applied 2 times prior)
I wish to appeal against it..could you please guide me on that.
Regards,
Roshan