FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes, but you will need to apply for a Re-Entry Permit, which is valid for 5 years. We usually advise our clients, that for the first 3 years, they can go wherever they want. But for the last 2 years, it would be best for them to stay and work, in Singapore. This allows our clients to pay for their income taxes, and show their contributions to the government. If you are sent out of Singapore for work, you can explain your situation to the ICA, when you renew your Re-Entry Permit.
We have only seen some renewals getting rejected, when our clients did not stay in Singapore, after being granted the Singapore PR. The purpose of getting the Singapore PR, is to stay in Singapore long term, hence it is called the “Permanent” Resident. If you are consistently staying and contributing in Singapore, it is unlikely that the renewal for your Re-Entry Permit will be rejected.
Before 2009, the Singapore PR was easily granted. However, many people took the Singapore PR, as a money-making tool. They bought houses for investments, and treated Singapore as a holiday home. In fact, after getting the Singapore PR, they did not return or contribute to Singapore. Singapore also became overcrowded because of this. In order to counter these problems, Singapore is now more selective and stricter with the screening processes. Only people, who show that they are worthy or well-presented, will have a better chance of approval.
We are unable to pinpoint the exact reasons, as the ICA does not reveal their reasons for rejection. However, we can definitely tell you the important factors, that affect the chances of approval.
Your friend’s case might seem similar to yours, but it is likely that there are differences in your applications. There are no two identical cases. Usually, the ICA decides the outcome, after looking at your case as a whole. We are unable to tell why you were rejected, but we can definitely tell you the important factors, that affect the chances of approval.
Don’t worry. The ICA understands, that some employers are unwilling to provide this document, because the applicants might quit after getting their PR. It is good to provide the Annex A, if possible, so you should try to convince your company. However, if your company is not willing to do so, we cannot force them either. The purpose of the Annex A, is to simply show that you are an employee of the company. Therefore, you can also produce documents, such as your payslips, to support that.
If you do not have any of your compulsory documents, you will have to provide a declaration letter, to explain your situation to the ICA. We are able to assist you to draft such letters. However, compulsory documents such as your passport, birth certificate, work passes, cannot be replaced by a declaration letter.
The quota for PR approval is confidential, and changes with time. The government only releases quota, from the past years. For example, in year 2017, the number of approved PR applications was 31849.
There are many benefits to becoming a permanent resident:
- First, you can buy more affordable housing, as the stamp duty for houses becomes lower. A permanent resident pays half the stamp duty, as compared to a foreigner. You can also buy a HDB flat after 3 years, if your income does not exceed a certain amount.
- Second, you can enjoy job stability. Many employers prefer hiring a citizen or permanent resident, as they can save the trouble, of applying work passes for them. It also allows the employer, to have a higher quota to hire other foreigners.
- Third, you have access to affordable medical services and education for you, or your children.
- Fourth, you can accumulate CPF, which acts as a retirement plan. As a permanent resident, your company will start contributing an additional amount, based on a percentage of your salary, into your CPF account. You can see it as free money since you can use the CPF, to pay for medical expenses, housing or even investments. If you wish to leave and forfeit the Singapore PR, you will be able to withdraw the full sum.
- One disadvantage of being a permanent resident, is that your sons would have to serve National Service.
There are many benefits to becoming a citizen:
- First, citizens pay lower stamp duty when they purchase properties. A citizen pays less than half the stamp duty, of what a permanent resident pays.
- Second, you can enjoy living and job security. The Re-Entry Permit of a permanent resident, must be renewed every 5 years. If you are not residing and working in Singapore, your ReEntry Permit might not be renewed. Whereas for citizens, you are not required to reside or work in Singapore. You are free to do whatever you want.
Applying as a family would be slightly more advantageous, since it shows that you wish to be rooted and settled in Singapore, as a family.
Yes, you may leave your son out of the PR application. If you leave your son out of the PR application, he would not have to serve National Service.
The main applicant, under the Professional/Technical Personnel and Skilled Worker (PTS) Scheme, or under the Investor Scheme, will be exempted from serving NS. Children, who are male, and granted the Singapore PR under their parent’s sponsorship, are liable for NS, under the Enlistment Act.
Deferment is usually granted for tertiary education. Usually, a male shall serve his NS, before he attends university. You are free to write in, to ask for further deferment, but it will be at the discretion of the Ministry of Defence.
That would not be necessary. As long as you are eligible to apply for the Singapore PR, you should go for it as soon as possible.
Your parents can only be your sponsor, if you are below 21 years old. If you are above 21 years old, you would have to apply, on your own merits.
If you are above 21 years old, you cannot apply for the Singapore PR, based on your relationship with your parents anymore. You would have to hold at least an S Pass, in order to apply for the Singapore PR. If you are holding onto an S Pass when applying for the Singapore PR, the added fact that your parents are locals, will give you an edge, over the other applicants.
It is good that you have studied in Singapore before. It shows that the way you think and communicate,will be the same as locals. It also means that you are more committed and integrated, in the local society.
It does not affect your chances of approval, as long as you do not change your jobs very often. The image that you must portray to the ICA, is that you are a stable and responsible candidate. After your new work pass is approved, you need to update the ICA directly, at ica_pr@ica.gov.sg, with the following information:
- Copy of your new work pass.
- Annex A from your new employer.
Applicants would have to submit an application, via the e-citizen online system. After the submission, it will take approximately 6 - 12 months, to obtain an In-principal approval from the ICA. Most of our clients received the approval, in a shorter period of time.
It would still be the nationality of your home country.
Our service agreement contains a clause, that states that all information given by the client, shall be kept private and confidential, and would not be disclosed to any third parties. Besides, personal data in Singapore is strictly protected, under the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA). You may refer to our privacy policy in our website for more details.
