Singapore Expats

Hi

I have applied for Singaporean PR since Feb 2012. It has been almost 6 months now and my application is still pending. I am a bit worried as I am planning to buy a condo here and my rent is expiring soon. Please help advised how my chance is based on my details below:

1. Nationality: Thai
2. Worked in Singapore in International firm for almost 6 years holding EP
3. Salary: $15,000 per month + Housing support from the company
4. Single Male
5. Age 32
6. Holding master degree from top university in UK

Please kindly advise how my chance is. Also, Is there anyway that I could do to expedite the process? Thank you very much

TJ

what is the relationship between you applying PR and purchase a condo?

therat wrote:what is the relationship between you applying PR and purchase a condo?

Dear therat

If I understand correctly, PR doesn't have to pay 10% extra for stamp duty while foreigner has to pay.

TJ

So you are applying for PR just to abuse the system. Have I got that correct?

[quote="sundaymorningstaple"]So you are applying for PR just to abuse the system. Have I got that correct?[/quote

Dear sundaymorningstaple
To be exampted from the 10% stamp duty is one of the reasons why I would like to apply for the PR. I have been in Singapore for almost 6 years and I have considered it home and that's why I decided to buy a condo here for personal stay. The benefits of PR are also reasons for me to buy property here instead of in Thailand which in turn keep the money in Sg instead of to Thailand. I hope this clarifies my intention. Thanks
TJ

Your chances look good, looking at your credentials you bring - exactly what the country needs - investment, qualifications and talent, ignore "off the tangent" replies and hope you will get some intelligent and relevant answers to your question ...wish you good luck .. maybe you can follow up with the immigration whether they need any further info.

So you are saying Thailand is actually your first choice. but because of being able to save a few bob if you can get PR you would rather do that. Sorry, but I keep getting mixed signals.

But to answer your question, No, there is no way to expedite the program. In fact, in a lot of cases recently, they have been drawing it out just to see how many runners there will be because having to wait for so long. We've seen them wait for over a year for the outcome. Having said that, income levels and educational levels are good and the fact that you are single, well, the gahmen will hope you will marry a local Chinese girl and produce some offspring. However, I wonder about that happening as you are 32 and making decent money, so you may well not be interested in the fairer gender, at least for marriage purposes. I'm not really trying to be a smart-arse but just trying to look at it from an ICA perspective. Are you Thai-Chinese by chance? If so, you will be a shoe-in but how long is another story.

As to the other poster, buying a condo is NOT an Investment in the eyes of the Government for immigration purposes. Investment is creating something that will create jobs, growth, tax dollars for the government coffers, not just personal wealth (remember there are no capital gains taxes here). Immigration, will, rest assured, contact you if the have any questions and need additional explanation or documentation. However, if something CHANGES from your original application, like qualifications, promotion, marriage, or change of address, then DO be sure to contact them. If pushing them without additional relevant info, it might be seen as something fishing going on and just a ruse. Not good. But, you don't have to listen to what any of us say. I'm only speaking with anecdotal evidence gains from many years on this board and as an HR manager with 15 years experience in HR function and 30 years in Singapore. (Oh, I'm also a PR - by choice).

To be fair to the OP, if I were buying a condo as my primary residence I'd want PR too for the warm and fuzzy feeling of knowing I won't have to keep reapplying for an EP every year. Saving the 10% stamp duty is nice too, I wouldn't really consider it abusing the system.

ZZM, none of us consider it abusing the system.......form 'our' point of view. My views are trying to approximate the gov't POV. Which rarely dovetails neatly in our own personal ideas/reasons. That's the only point I'm trying to make.

sundaymorningstaple wrote:ZZM, none of us consider it abusing the system.......form 'our' point of view. My views are trying to approximate the gov't POV. Which rarely dovetails neatly in our own personal ideas/reasons. That's the only point I'm trying to make.

Ahh Ok. I guess this is what I get for cutting back on caffeine. It seemed like the response we'd give someone from South Asia asking about getting PR for his inlaws on DPs before he leaves for Canada, and 'oh btw, how do I get HDB to let me sublet my flat?'

Yeah, I know what you mean. I'm Peck's bad boy here. I tell it the way I see it without the frills if possible. I know it rubs fur the wrong way at times, but I tend to call a spade a spade. I try my best to reply using a government POV where ever possible along with anecdotal evidence we've collected over the years. Sometimes, until someone actually says it, people just will not believe it. Oh, I went through three years trying to get my PR way, way back in the 80's & '90's. I didn't have any thing called the internet back then so we were pretty much on our own and I probably made all the mistakes you could make trying to get my PR. Including the big no-no of using a lawyer the first time.

OH, by the way, the dude IS from South Asia!

TJLee, you seem to have very high chance, go ahead and schedule your appointment to submit the PR Application. Singapore needs people like you, young, well educated, have good experience and stay here long enough to be familiar with the Singapore society. Ignore all the negative remarks here, only ICA can approve/disapprove your application

All
Thanks for all the advice and comments. It seems like the only thing I can do is waiting. I will keep you guys posted on my status.
TJ

Just to update!! My PR application has been approved already!!! It took 6 months and 1 week!!! Thanks for the advice.

That's Good News! Congratulations TJ.... go and buy your dream house now and enjoy