Singapore Expats

Last month I decided to apply for PR and found that we need to get an appointment online before going to submit the application and the next available date was only in late March. On rechecking the site today I found that appointments are now available through out Feb and Mar.

This has gotten me wondering if people who had initially planned on applying for PR and made appointments have decided not to do so because of the current economic situation, any thoughts?

maybe ICA hire more staff, therefore more efficient? you want it quick, dont you?

Yes that possibility did cross my mind

I wouldn't be surprised. There are probably quite a lot of people who were working here and in the PR application process, then unexpectedly got laid off.

The other way around, it could be that the government has hired more staff. Job creation in bad times and all that - it would be in line with that article about 30,000 new job being created this year.

I don't know, when I was at ICA recently for my final interview the room was half empty--same when we went bakc to pick up our new NRIC cards. Spooky since when I went in August it was packed to the rafters. I think folks are moving on--no contract, no PR. If you've been sacked since making the appointment, no use going to the appointment.

One cant apply for PR when one is out of a job or the future is uncertain - unless you are willing to commit $$$ to a local investment.....so yes now is a great time to visit ICA...

srman wrote:One cant apply for PR when one is out of a job or the future is uncertain - unless you are willing to commit $$$ to a local investment.....so yes now is a great time to visit ICA...

One can apply for PR if you haven't got a job in Singapore

Yeah, saint, but it works a bit better when you have family ties here to do that.

Just read an artical in the Sunday Times that there are infact more people applying for PRs. It seems that people are queing up at the ICA office...

applying is one thing, getting it is another...

Speaking of PR applications, does anyone know their qualifying criteria?? I've heard many people say they're quite arbitrary in deciding who gets the PR and who doesn't. Wondering if it's true.

You can check the eligibility at ICA's website

As far as being successful goes, its anybody's guess. I would say the longer you have lived in Singapore the better a chance you have.