Singapore Expats

Hi all,
I am 30 years old and I have lived in Singapore since i was 7 years old(since 1987).
Both my sisters(elder and younger) has gotten their PR but me and my mom are still stuck with work permit.
My mom owns a private apartment but we're still paying the bank for that.

Reason why I have not applied for my PR is because my parents divorced when I was 12 and times were very very difficult for us financially then.
I started working after I passed my O levels and have been holding work permit since then. My basic pay has always been low hence I don't think I am eligible to get a S pass too

I grew up in Singapore, lived my life as a Singaporean but it is sad that there are so many obstacles for me to even get a PR when I see fellow china/India colleagues getting their PR 1 year after they arrived in Singapore.

Is there a special case where they can grant me a PR status or a citizenship?
How do you suggest I go about getting a citizenship or even a PR?

I would suggest going to your constituency's "meet the minister" session and have a talk with the MP for your constituency. He/She may well be able to write a letter of recommendation. That's a start. If that doesn't work, they may be able to also point you in the right direction as well.

ditto on what sms said.

But i know someone who is also on work permit but had gotten his PR after appealing. he works in construction. He has been working in singapore for 10 yrs. he sent his appeal with a letter of recommendation from his boss and some letters from their satisfied clients commending him for the job.

So try maybe you will also get it. dont worry.

Ah thanks for the prompt responds.
Will give it a try this coming Monday.
Not sure what is the procedure. Do I have to prepare a formal letter before going to see him?

They usually have letter writers there usually to help. So just be sure to have all your facts. Of course every "meet the MP" session is different in the different areas so you may have to go once or twice to get it finalized. It's just a starting place.....

Sweet! really helpful information thanks alot again.

jasonl wrote:Ah thanks for the prompt responds.
Will give it a try this coming Monday.
Not sure what is the procedure. Do I have to prepare a formal letter before going to see him?

I also went to see the MP.

To my surprise they wrote a letter of support to the authorities and 2 weeks later I got promptly a response letter from Immigration
, telling me that they are working on my case and will let me know of the outcome in due time.

I am still waiting after 3 month but better still waiting then getting a rejection letter.

You don't have to write anything yourself but have your story ready to make it easier for them to write a letter.

First of all make very sure you are going to the the MP responsible for your area and not just any MP.
You can find out on the net (google) and also the opening time of the office.

Be there ahead of time otherwise you can expect to have a lot of people ahead of you.

Bring all necessary documents with you that may support your case such as school certificates etc.

good luck !

Try not to leave any work references out, it may well swing in your favour, if you can get some of the supporting reference's from your old employers, over the years! Make a point that you want to settle down and would like to start a family in the future.

jasonl wrote:Sweet! really helpful information thanks alot again.

did you go and see the MP ?
what was the outcome ?

Update(after a long time i know ):

So I went to visit the Mp of my residence and was told that I should try to get a S' Pass first and try to apply for PR after getting my S'Pass.
They told me that should my application for PR be rejected then I can go back to the Mp for further advice.

So I applied for a S pass through my company and was asked to sit for the General Aptitude Test(definitely a unique test lol). I was quite disappointing that my S Pass was not approved but I went for the test anyway.

After the test I wasn't sure if I got all the answers correct as I was sure that I ran out of time for a few hard questions at the end of section 1. All I could do at this point was cross my fingers and hope for the best.

Today I check in on the MOM website and was happy to see my S'Pass approved. One strong step towards Citizenship

Question:

Should I apply for PR straight after getting my S'Pass for wait it out for 2 years like what people has suggested?

jasonl wrote:Question:

Should I apply for PR straight after getting my S'Pass for wait it out for 2 years like what people has suggested?

Well done Jasonl

Jasonl I would suggest applying for your PR now, as you can document your special circumstances, explain that you are looking at citizenship if you want, request a supporting letter from your MP for PR status, but also expect military service, in fact a career path might be worth while in your case unless you have other plans/
Though you maybe too old too. Either way go for it, you have nothing to lose and a lot to gain, military life in Singapore, may open the doors to more education and study. though you would have to check this out! Mad Scientist may be able to enlighten you on military prospects. Gahmen may also think you have waited deliberately to the age of 30 to apply for PR, so don't be too surprised if they call you up, go with the flow and enjoy it, you will learn a great deal about your own character and have the opportunity to improve your personality. (Positive thinking is key and letting the bullshit remain bullshit, its not personal its military life and tradition yes sir no sir 3 bags full sir) My kids still call me sgt major check lists and check lists, bed inspections, SOP's my daughter is going nuts she's 9 by the way. But routine and discipline is what she needs in her life

ksl wrote:

jasonl wrote:Question:

My kids still call me sgt major check lists and check lists, bed inspections, SOP's my daughter is going nuts she's 9 by the way. But routine and discipline is what she needs in her life

KSL; you do Bed Inspection with SBO or FBO ? What about water parade?

I'm happy to hear about Jason's story. It's just sad that someone who grew up and practically a "Singaporean"most of his life could not enjoy being in his own country.

I thought it was high time you went online and start digging up info- maybe after long years of procrastination? Well, well, forget aout the past... congratulations!