Singapore Expats

Hi all,

I am wondering what are the differences between getting your PR application approved based on the family scheme vs on your own / as an individual applicant? Is there a difference? What happens if I die for example? Will my spouse and kids’ PR still be valid? Or will it always be dependent on the sponsor’s PR status? Please advise. Thank you and regards.

I don't know for sure, but I can't see how your death would invalidate their PR status.

I've never heard of any case where a spouse's PR was revoked just because sponsor passed away. If you did something very bad and got your own PR revoked it might be a different story, or if your family spends a lot of time overseas it might affect REP if you're no longer around. Otherwise PR is pretty much permanent. That said if you really want to future-proof your status against any future policy changes, best to apply for SC.

Thank you, both. This is helpful to know. I was wondering because some people on this forum had a preference for applying on an individual basis vs. using the family scheme. Given that there is no difference, it makes all the more sense to apply using the family scheme.

@jalanjalan: Yes, agree, but that would mean my kids will have to go to a local school. My strong preference is not to put them through the local education system.

Path2Family wrote: ↑

Fri, 31 Mar 2023 9:48 am

Thank you, both. This is helpful to know. I was wondering because some people on this forum had a preference for applying on an individual basis vs. using the family scheme. Given that there is no difference, it makes all the more sense to apply using the family scheme.

@jalanjalan: Yes, agree, but that would mean my kids will have to go to a local school. My strong preference is not to put them through the local education system.

Any reason why?

jalanjalan wrote: ↑

Thu, 30 Mar 2023 11:57 am

I've never heard of any case where a spouse's PR was revoked just because sponsor passed away. If you did something very bad and got your own PR revoked it might be a different story, or if your family spends a lot of time overseas it might affect REP if you're no longer around. Otherwise PR is pretty much permanent. That said if you really want to future-proof your status against any future policy changes, best to apply for SC.

Agree. Best option is to apply for SC, though that may not be viable for all (especially if they are reluctant to renounce their foreign citizenship).

Lisafuller wrote: ↑

Fri, 31 Mar 2023 12:56 pm

Path2Family wrote: ↑

Fri, 31 Mar 2023 9:48 am

Thank you, both. This is helpful to know. I was wondering because some people on this forum had a preference for applying on an individual basis vs. using the family scheme. Given that there is no difference, it makes all the more sense to apply using the family scheme.

@jalanjalan: Yes, agree, but that would mean my kids will have to go to a local school. My strong preference is not to put them through the local education system.

Any reason why?

@Lisafuller: I don’t want to burn my fingers by answering that question here . (Seems like this forum doesn’t appreciate honest feedback on Singapore’s education system?) Jokes aside, they are all the typical reasons that have been discussed previously in the non-local vs local school debates.

That is the ONLY reason I don’t want to take up SC. I don’t mind my kids going through NS one bit because the army develops boys into becoming strong and values driven men. I wholeheartedly love Singapore and give back to the society here as much as possible, but God (and finances) willing, I don’t ever have to see my kids go through the local system.

By the way, would you know if it is okay for me to apply for SC without putting my kids onto it? I am guessing the ICA will not look at it favourably? I have been here for 14 years (9 years as a PR). I don’t mind taking the SC, but don’t know if they will giving me SC as an individual (ie without my kids/partner)?