EI Article Series
20 PR Application Tips for you
Thousands of people apply for Singapore Permanent Residency every year, commonly called Singapore PR. However, the approval rates are quite low. Only a few get the approval for PR status. People are therefore looking for ways to improve their Singapore PR Applications.
In this article, we share 20 Singapore PR application tips that are sure to boost your profile strength.
Also, a professional expert's advice and assistance on immigration laws and PR status applications is becoming increasingly popular these days. So you can always think of engaging Epica Immigration Services.
Singapore PR Application Tip 1: Check Your Eligibility
This is the obvious point. First, you need to make sure you are eligible to apply for Singapore PR. The majority of the people apply under PR – PTS scheme. However, there are people also applying under family and student plans.
So before proceeding to apply, make sure you fall into one of the categories. Study the requirements well and ensure you satisfy all those requirements.
Singapore PR Application Tip 2: Select Most Beneficial Scheme
Occasionally people qualify for more than one scheme. For example, somebody who is married to a Singapore citizen and working on an employment pass is qualified to apply for PR under the PTS scheme and the family sponsor scheme. Similarly, a student may have the option to apply for PR under student scheme or wait some time and later apply under a PTS scheme.
If you are fortunate enough to qualify for multiple schemes, select the most beneficial and easiest one to get the approval. Getting PR approval under family sponsorship is easier than under PR-PTS Scheme.
Singapore PR Application Tip 3: Ensure All Documents Meet ICA Standards
During the PR process, you are required to submit various documents. Make sure all your documents are legally acceptable. Check places where names are wrong and documents are incomplete and obtain new additional documents where required. This might involve obtaining additional documents from the embassy of your country.
If even a single document is not acceptable to ICA, it means immediate rejection of your application.
Singapore PR Application Tip 4: Translate documents those are not in English
If you have the documents that are not in English, you will need to get it translated. There is a specified procedure for this. You have to get it then notairsed and also get the Singapore Academy of Law seal affixed.
If you need to do this, getting this done from a knowledgable translator in Singapore is always recommended.
The documents translated in your home country as per practices of your home country are not acceptable in Singapore for ICA purposes.
Singapore PR Application Tip 5: Have all documents in your possession
All the original documents, copies of which you are submitting, must be in your possession in Singapore. If your PR is approved, ICA officer will need to verify your documents. Also there might be a need to get some of the documents translated. So it is always beneficial to have all these documents in your possession.
Why Take Risks?
Engage us to assist you with your application. Our prices are reasonable, and the quality is top-class. Our packages cover everything.
Singapore PR Application Tip 6: Educational Transcripts
For every educational qualification, you are required to submit a certificate as well as an academic transcript. This academic transcript should cover all the semesters of your educational course. People often make mistakes here. While most people have certificates for their educational degrees, quite a few do not have transcripts. Some of them have transcripts but not covering the entire duration of the course.
Singapore PR Application Tip 7: Scan from original documents in color
The scanned documents you prepare for filing should be scanned from the original documents and in full color. Sometimes people scan it in black and white. Or they may make a scan file from a xerox copy. This is not acceptable as per ICA standards. The scanned copy must be in full color and taken from the original document.
Singapore PR Application Tip 8: Use a scanner or a scanner App
To scan your documents, please use a professional scanner. Mostly the printer scanner that you may have in your office will work best. If you want to scan it using your mobile phone, then that is also acceptable. However, in that case, use a good scanning app like camscanner. Do not attach just the photos.
Singapore PR Application Tip 9: The photograph should be proper
During the submission process, you are required to upload photograph for every person included in the application. This photograph must meet the ICA requirements.
The photo, must be taken against a plain white background with a matt or semi-matt finish, must be 400 by 514 pixels image size, taken full face without headgear, unless the applicant habitually wears a headgear in accordance with religious or racial customs. The headgear must not hide the applicant’s facial features.
The best option always will be to take a photograph from a professional photographer. Usually, you will find one in the shopping malls or the nearby market. These photographers are well aware of ICA requirements. Also, they have professional lighting available. They can give you photos on the spot and you can ask for a digital file in jpeg or png format.
Singapore PR Application Tip 10: Fill all details in the form 4A properly
Form 4A is quite a long form, and a lot of details are asked in it. Sometimes people avoid putting some details, thinking those details are not relevant. For example, your country may have a practice of a national id card. But you may have left that card in your home country. Since it is not available in Singapore, you may prefer to select the option “No Foreign identity card”.
However, the correct approach, in this case, will be to obtain the card or its copy from your home country and put those details in the form. The details in the form are asked for a reason. So not inputting the details to save extra effort is not acceptable.
Why Take Risks?
Engage us to assist you with your application. Our prices are reasonable, and the quality is top-class. Our packages cover everything.
Singapore PR Application Tip 11: Check the filled form properly
After you have filled up the form 4A completely, keep it aside. Then after some time check all details again. Especially the document id numbers, registration numbers etc. Errors are common here. An extra zero can come in your passport number when typing fast. But if this mistake is left as it is then it can result in the rejection of your application. So it is imperative that you check all these details once again.
Singapore PR Application Tip 12: Use PDF Option for form 4A
During the lodgement of the Singapore PR application, you have two options as to how you can fill up the application. One option is to enter all details directly in the ICA e-PR system, and the other option is to enter details in a PDF form 4A and then upload this file in the ICA e-PR system.
Between these two, the recommended option is to fill up all the details in the PDF form and then upload it. A typical family PR application can capture details that may span over 10-12 pages. Entering all these one by one directly in the ICA system is a tedious process.
Using the PDF option makes it easy, so always go for this option.
Singapore PR Application Tip 13: Submit a cover letter
During your working life, you may have made some excellent achievements. You may have some grand plans for the future. So you should explain all this to the ICA for your Singapore PR application. The way you can do this is by submitting a cover letter along with your application.
A cover letter can be used to inform ICA about ;
Singapore PR Application Tip 14: Recommendation letter
Along with your application, you should also submit any character references and recommendation letters from your friends and colleagues. This can add value to your application.
When a professional colleague gives these kinds of testimonials, it is looked in a positive way.
Singapore PR Application Tip 15: Company letter & Annex A date should be in the last 30 days
Along with your application, you are required to submit a letter confirming your employment and Annex A to the form 4A. Both these documents must be dated not more than 30 days in the Past.
So make sure you ask for these documents from your employer only when you are ready with all other documents. So that once these documents are obtained, you can file the application immediately.
Singapore PR Application Tip 16: Apply with Family
It is no secret that immigration authorities will favor a family applying together rather than a single applicant. If you have a family, you should always apply as a whole family. Not applying with the family will give a negative favor to your Singapore PR application.
Why Take Risks?
Engage us to assist you with your application. Our prices are reasonable, and the quality is top-class. Our packages cover everything.
Singapore PR Application Tip 17: Social integration
It will be beneficial for your application if you can show some proof of social integration. Immigration authorities do prefer applicants who are making extra efforts to integrate in the society. Proof if submitted along with your application, will strengthen your application a bit.
Singapore PR Application Tip 18: Give only relevant documents
We have seen people submitting way too many documents. For example, voluntary certificates, recommendation letters, awards, and education certificates all together, people submit more than 50 documents. Refrain from this approach. Too many documents do not achieve anything. In fact it may make your case appear bloated.
Instead, give only relevant documents. Generally, for voluntary certificates, recommendation letters, and awards, you should not be submitting more than a total of ten documents.
Singapore PR Application Tip 19: If in doubt, take advice from an expert
If you have doubts about anything about your application, then always seek advice from a competent person. Do not visit internet forums for the advice. Some people look for advice from their friends. Refrain from this also.
Professional advice may cost money, but it will prove most beneficial in the long run.
Singapore PR Application Tip 20: Include awards and recognition
Do not forget to add any awards or exemplary achievements you have done in your professional life. The details of these can be added to your form 4A, and the copies can be submitted.
Summary
Follow these 20 tips and improve the strength of your profile considerably. You can also think of engaging services of Epica Immigration. We will take care of all the above points for a reasonable fee.