A recommendation letter is one of the documents that might be submitted when applying for permanent residency in Singapore. Though not a mandatory requirement, like other supporting documents, a recommendation letter will increase the chances of your application being approved by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA).
What Is A Recommendation Letter?
A recommendation letter is a document written on behalf of an applicant in which the writer highlights his or her experiences or relationships with this person. A recommendation letter usually highlights the abilities, qualities, and personal characteristics of the original applicant for whom the letter is written for. The writer must be an adult of reputable standing and sound mind.
A recommendation letter for your Singapore PR application can be written by either a colleague, friend or family member who is a citizen or permanent resident of Singapore. The letter helps to convince the government of Singapore that you are of good standing and have a good relationship with citizens or residents of Singapore.
The immigration system in Singapore has been very strict for over a decade, owing to the increased number of applicants for permanent residency. As such, having all the required supporting documents is important to getting you a better chance of approval.
What Should A Recommendation Letter Contain?
A recommendation letter for permanent residence should be between 1 to 2 pages, and its content may differ based on the person writing it. The general contents of a recommendation for permanent residence should include the following:
- The name of the applicant.
- The relationship between the writer and the applicant.
- Outstanding performances and contributions, especially if the recommendation letter is written by a past colleague or employee.
- Qualities and traits if the letter is written by a friend or colleague at work.
- Academic performance and achievements only if the letter is written by a former teacher or school.
Where Can You Get A Recommendation Letter?
A recommendation letter can be obtained from anybody in Singapore. However, getting a recommendation letter from a permanent resident or citizen of Singapore increases your chances of approval. You can get a recommendation letter from any of the following sources:
From A Present Or Past Employer
You can request a recommendation letter from your present or past employer, highlighting your achievements, strengths, abilities, skills, and how you get along with others in the work environment. A recommendation letter from your employer should also contain contributions you have made to the company, as these details are important in boosting your permanent residence application.
From A Client, Business Partner, Or Associate
Other great sources of a recommendation letter for your permanent residence application include business associates, partners, or clients. These people have had personal interactions with you at one point or another. A good recommendation letter from any of these people goes a long way to show how you relate to others and should contain your traits and qualities to boost your permanent residence application.
From A Colleague, Landlord, Neighbour, Or Friend
Anyone with a close relationship with you, like your friend, neighbour, colleague, or even your landlord, can provide a recommendation letter for your permanent residence application. The letter should highlight your qualities as a person, your ethics, and how well you relate with others. A recommendation letter from any of these people would also boost your permanent residence application and increase your chances of approval.
How Many Recommendation Letters Do You Need For A Permanent Residence Application?
You can never have too many recommendations; however, when submitting a formal application like a permanent residence application, it is best not to overdo it. You can add a maximum of four recommendation letters to your permanent residence application.
It is also important to diversify the source of your recommendation letters. For instance, you can get one from a friend and another from a past employer or teacher. This gives the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority an insight into your personal and work relationships.
What Is The Format For A Singapore Permanent Residence Recommendation Letter?
Your recommendation letter can be written on plain paper, signed by the writer, and scanned to be submitted with other application documents. There is no specific template or format for writing a recommendation letter for your Singapore permanent residence application. However, here’s a guide to help you ensure that all necessary details are included in the recommendation letter.
Formal Recommendation Letter From A Past Or Present Employer
A recommendation letter from your past or present employee should contain the following details:
- A reference from your employer to Immigration and Checkpoint Authority
- The duration of your time in the company or establishment
- Your gross earning from the company (annually or monthly)
- The total number of days or hours you work in a week
- The number of leaves taken throughout your stay in the company.
- The relationship between you and the employer writing the recommendation letter
- Highlights of outstanding achievements and contributions you have made to the company
- Your skills and attributes, as well as how you get along with other employees
- Instances where you have localised yourself with Singapore society
Recommendation Letter From Your Friend, Colleague, Or Neighbour
A recommendation letter from your friend, colleague, or neighbour should contain the following details:
- The relationship between you and the person writing the recommendation letter
- Examples of how well you relate with other members of Singapore society
- Your qualities and traits that qualify you to be part of Singapore society
- A testimonial of your good character and traits
Conclusion
A recommendation letter is not a mandatory requirement for a permanent residence application in Singapore, but with how difficult it is to get a PR application approved, adding one or two recommendation letters will definitely be helpful. Furthermore, you can reach out to professional immigration agencies who are more informed about the permanent residence application process to help you get all the necessary documents prepared, including your recommendation letter. The agency will walk you through the entire application process from start to finish to simplify things for you and also tie up any possible loopholes.
