As a cosmopolitan city, Singapore welcomes people from many different countries to live, work and study here. Many do end up desiring to put down roots and build a life for themselves and their families on this ‘little red dot’. But as a tiny island-state with obvious physical limitations and the need to ensure that our infrastructure can support (and not be burdened by) the influx of immigrants, the numbers and calibre of these new residents will often, as can be expected, be called into question. According to news reports, the permanent resident (PR) population stands at about 530,000 in 2019 and there has been very little change to the figure over the recent years. Only slightly over 29,000 applications are approved each year and this means many hopeful individuals will end up getting disappointed after the rather lengthy waiting period of about half a year.
But why is being a PR even important in the first place? Well, it gives you the opportunity to enjoy the benefits usually accorded to full citizens such as being able to change jobs without re-applying for a work permit, to be included in the Central Provident Fund (CPF) scheme, to be eligible to buy resale Housing Development Board (HDB) flats, and even as a stepping stone to apply for full citizenship after a number of years of being a PR here. Its attractiveness, therefore, means that many will apply each year and it is up to the individual to ensure he/she manages to stand out from the crowd.
Since 2009, the Government has harnessed technology for PR applications, and the submission can only be done online. However, for first-timers, the process can be very daunting. You may experience difficulty in putting together the full list of required papers. And time is not on your side because your application may even be nulled if missing documents are not submitted within seven days. And assuming you have submitted all the correct items, the usual processing time taken by the authorities is four to six months. Whether it holds good or ‘bad’ news, you will be notified by mail. However, you will not be informed of the specific reasons should your application be rejected. This is why it is recommended that you enlist the help of a specialist who can improve your chances right from the start. And in the unlikely event of a rejection, you can receive assistance in writing the letter of appeal, which is significant should you have been recently promoted, or have just graduated from a course of study, for instance.
While going digital has its advantages, many people (even millennials) may end up needing someone to, in a way, hold their hand and lead them through this potentially tedious process. You would certainly appreciate having a professional’s guidance instead of agonizing over the documents on your own. So how do you decide who to engage? Well, the ideal company should be transparent in its offerings, provide an honest evaluation of your chances of success, and allow you to have a distinct competitive advantage over applicants who are applying without any assistance whatsoever.
Paul Immigrations Reviews
One such local immigrations consultancy firm is Paul Immigrations Pte Ltd which has about 120 employees at this point in writing. The company has served well over 15,000 satisfied clients since its inception in 2016 and pictures of their delighted customers hang proudly on the walls at their office. Conveniently and centrally located, their premises at Suntec Tower 2 has numerous full-glass discussion rooms where confidential and productive discussions can be had with their experienced staff.
To kickstart this process, you may submit your contact details via their website. Then a sales representative (SR) will arrange for a telephone call with you to ascertain whether you are eligible to apply for Singapore Permanent Resident status. Information required would include the type of work pass you are holding, whether you have family ties with existing residents here, and most importantly, whether you have any pending applications with the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA). The latter is crucial because the SR won’t be able to assist within the ‘buffer’ period of 6 months from your previous date of application.
The SR will also conduct a profile assessment to find out your length of stay here, your age, your salary and the number of times you have paid income tax. You may then be invited for an in-person appointment. Do bring your physical work pass for verification.
Factors which could potentially affect your PR approval include your family relations with Singaporeans, how long you have been residing here, your qualifications and economic contributions, your age, how well you will be able to integrate into this society, as well as how committed you are to making this place your new home for the foreseeable future.
Should you decide to receive professional help and advice (for a fee), you will submit the required documents (such as Form 4A) together with additional documentation regarding your participation in charity work, community involvement, etc.
In essence, the company will strive to highlight the fact that you have demonstrated a willingness and ability to contribute to the nation, that you are eager and able to integrate into the local community, and ensure that your submission reflects all these apart from your qualifications, family ties and employment status.
There are 6 main areas that Paul Immigrations will assist you with:
- By offering key insights into your chances of success at attaining permanent residency, and how to beef up the papers you are submitting.
- By organising all the necessary documents, ensuring they are in good order and in a format most likely to be well-received.
- By preparing the additional material that is needed for your submission, that you may have missed out on your own.
- By crafting a personalised cover letter on your behalf. There is a team of in-house writers who specialise in doing this.
- By leading you through the whole process so you won’t have to feel lost, frustrated or stressed.
- By reducing any hassle and time wastage to a minimum so you can focus on work and/or family.
It would be wise to pick a company such as this one that has set its sights on being the market leader. Because of the fierce competition for what is a rather limited number of approvals per year, it makes sense to hire someone who is knowledgeable, trusted, and has a proven track record.
To find out more now and to get started, click HERE.