If you are a professional, a technical worker, or a skilled worker in your chosen field, then you have the opportunity to apply for your Singapore Permanent Residency using the Professionals, Technical Personnel, and Skilled Workers (PTS) scheme. If you happen to be the holder of an EP (Employment Pass), S Pass, or EntrePass, your chances of success are significantly higher.
Many people who enter Singapore for work or business, more often than not, find themselves drawn to the culture and community and end up not wanting to leave at the end of their visa. Other than reapplying for another visa or even an extension on their current visa, the next best course would be to apply for a Singapore permanent residency status.
Thankfully, this process is not as daunting as you would like to think, and with careful preparation of documents and other personal details, you can apply and be successful. You can also engage an experienced PR consultancy to apply it for you to increase your chances of getting an affirmative response.
The PTS Scheme And Eligibility
There are a number of schemes through which a foreigner can apply for Singapore PR. One of them being, the Professionals, Technical Personnel, and Skilled Workers (PTS) scheme that was designed to essentially reward workers who had substantially contributed to the economy and to integrate them into the workforce as long-term employees.
To find out if you are eligible to apply, the following requirements need to be met. Beyond that, you should look over other factors that could affect your application, as stated further below.
- You do need to be actively working in Singapore at the time of application and hold either an S Pass, Entre Pass, PEP holder, or Singapore employment pass.
- While holding onto your current work pass, you must have worked for a minimum of 6 months in the country.
Factors That Could Affect Your Application
Employment History
This is one of the main attributes when your application is being considered. Your work history has a huge role to play in predicting how long you will stay employed in any particular job.
Education
We all know you can never learn enough, and for your time spent in educational institutes, the more prestigious they are, the better for you. That is because they are a reflection of your character and can help determine whether you will be someone able to contribute to the economy.
Financial background
In any country, your finances will be looked at when it comes to applying for residence. Are you in debt, do you pay back loans or credit promptly, and are you financially stable and essentially self-sufficient? It will also be to your advantage if you have progressed through the ranks within companies and in your career, showing adaptability and initiative.
Age
While all applications will be looked at and given consideration, the applicant should ideally be not older than 50 years of age.
Advantages of the PTS Scheme
There are a whole host of positives when applying for your Singapore residency, and even more so when you apply through tried and tested programs such as a PTS Scheme. After all, being a part of the workforce in Singapore while on a work pass can be rewarding in many ways, including being eligible to apply for PR.
As a permanent resident, you have the luxury to come and go freely with your immigration status, apply for employment in any sector under more relaxed conditions, and your family can join you or apply for permanent residence at the same time as your application.
Singapore is a country that offers a lot of financial benefits for business owners, and the thriving economy is only getting stronger. The tax system is also attractive, given that it provides advantages for entrepreneurs and up-and-coming small businesses and helps to prevent them from falling into the trap of double taxation.
When you open a business in Singapore, you can enjoy 100% foreign ownership and complete currency control.
Some of the advantages offered through the PTS scheme make living in Singapore that much more comfortable. For example:
- Travel – You have the freedom of visa-free entry.
- Family – You can bring your family over to join you in Singapore or to remain with you as permanent residents based on the success of your own application.
- Employment – As a permanent resident, you will no longer need to reapply for a new work visa with every new employer, freeing you to apply for jobs based on your own interests and career aspirations.
- Contributions – You can enjoy CPF (Central Provident Fund) contributions from your employers.
- Citizenship – After several years of living and conducting business in Singapore, you may be eligible to apply for citizenship, the dream of many people.
The PTS Scheme Application Process And What To Do Should Yours Be Rejected
After reviewing the eligibility requirements, you will need to download and complete the application form, which is available on the ICA (Immigration and Checkpoints Authority) website. When filling out details, you should include as much information as possible and do the same, as well as if you are applying for PR for your family members.
A time slot for an interview with the ICA officer must be booked at the same time you download the form to prevent delays. Gather all the documents you have referred to in your application form, and remember to include all translated-to-English documents with their originals. You should then submit the documents along with your application form at the PR interview, during which the officer will look over and match them against each other to verify their authenticity.
A minimum of 6 months and up to as long as 12 months is needed for the processing, and you will be informed via a letter whether your application has been successful or not. Once you have received your letter of approval, you will need to visit the ICA again, bringing with you the necessary documents as listed in the letter in order to formalize your Singapore Permanent Residence Status.
After Getting A Rejection Letter
If you are not successful this time, you may reapply after 6 months, and in that time, you can try to improve your profile and status to better your chances the next time around. Consider the possible reasons for your PR application being rejected and make changes accordingly to your application to improve your chances of getting an approval.
To Conclude
The PTS Scheme is a well-designed system created to help working individuals and their families attain permanent residency in Singapore, so they may continue to enjoy the life they have come to know while residing there for the past few years.
Foreigners flock to Singapore for better business and employment opportunities, and as they are welcomed into the community to play their part by contributing to the economy, their desire to remain usually outgrows the need to leave.
