GuideMeSingapore

Fewer applications for Singapore permanent residency and citizenship were sanctioned in the past year due to stricter approval criteria.

The Singapore government is currently reviewing the approval criteria for Singapore permanent residence and Singapore citizenship to ensure that long term residency is granted only to those foreign professionals who are serious about settling down in Singapore and making significant contributions to its economy.

According to news reports, out of a total of 124,600 Singapore PR applications that were received from April 2009 until March 2010, 46,300 applications were approved. During the same period 19,300 Singapore Citizenship applications were approved from a total of 24,000 applications. The government has slowed down the processing of Singapore permanent residency and Singapore citizenship applications since last year. A total of 59,500 new PRs were approved in 2009 as compared to 79,200 in 2008. While 19,900 were granted Singapore citizenship last year, 20,500 were the new citizens for 2008.

Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs and Law, Mr. Ho Peng Kee explained the slowdown by saying,

“We have reviewed our immigration framework to better manage the pace and overall numbers. The PR and citizenship framework was tightened in the last quarter of 2009 and the eligibility requirements have generally been made more stringent. Hence, there would be applicants who may not meet our new criteria and who no longer qualify for PR or citizenship. Others, even though they meet the new criteria, may take a longer time before they are granted PR, or citizenship, as the residency requirements have been stretched out in the new framework. For Singaporeans or PRs whose foreign dependants do not yet qualify for PR or citizenship, they can apply for LTVPs (Long Term Visit Passes) to remain in Singapore.”

According to news reports, there are no details provided by the authorities on what the revised eligibility criteria are. This has led to uncertainty and anxiety amongst applicants. Although, there is no specific information available we find that the approval criteria for a Singapore PR application under the Professionals/Technical Personnel & Skilled Worker scheme (PTS scheme meant for foreign professionals working in Singapore at the time of applying for PR) rests upon the following factors:

• Applicant’s education background. A lot of weight is given to educational qualifications and the universities attended by the applicant. The higher the qualification and more reputable the University, higher are the chances of approval.
• Applicant’s physical stay in Singapore. Applicants who have resided in Singapore for a longer period of time (such as at least 2 years and above) will have greater chances of approval.
• Applicant’s employment background and job stability.
• Employer credentials. Well established companies usually gain favor.
• Applicant’s salary and financial well being. Higher the salary better are the chances of approval.
• Applicant’s character. In other words the applicant should not have flouted the law. Charitable contributions to the society such as volunteering or donations, etc. will have a positive impact.
• Applicant’s family ties in Singapore. Family ties in Singapore will be viewed positively.

The Singapore citizenship approval criteria are also along the same lines. The authorities should be convinced that applicants will be an asset to Singapore and not a liability. Each case will be assessed on its merits.

Despite the slowdown in the number of applications that are granted approval, Singapore’s PR and Citizenship requirements are generally considered less stringent as compared to other countries in the region and thousands of applications are still granted approval. Singapore is considered one of the best cities to live in Asia and many aspire to make this country their home forever by applying for Singapore Permanent Residence or Singapore Citizenship. While Singapore’s immigration policy remains open, the government wants to make sure that it takes in good quality candidates who can be better integrated into the Singapore society and who can contribute economically. There is no formula that guarantees success of an application. Each application is approved on a case-by-case basis.

Should you require assistance and advise on how to maximize your chances of success while filing your Singapore PR or Singapore Citizenship application, please free to contact us.

Interested in doing business in Singapore? Learn more about forming a company in Singapore.