Even with all the information available online, you will never know the reasons for a rejected application. If you are unfamiliar with the ins and outs of SPR approval, you may make mistakes that cost you your PR status.

Navigating the online portal without any help is highly stressful. Leaving any sections blank by mistake or failing to submit the overwhelming volume of paperwork may nullify your submission.

The government reviews and updates the eligibility criteria regularly to ensure only the best candidates attain SPR status. Delaying your application can mean an even higher chance of rejection in the future with even tighter restrictions.

Are you working in Singapore and longing to share the array of benefits Singaporeans enjoy?

If so, then becoming a Singapore Permanent Resident (SPR) would be the best decision you could ever take. As a Singapore PR, you will gain easy access to comfortable government housing, better employment opportunities, generous medical subsidies and more.

With many foreigners who work and live here already eyeing the SPR status, ICA has made its assessments more stringent. Only about 30,000 applications are approved annually. How then does one improve their chances of getting that approval letter as a foreign worker? Is it true that salary determines it all?

To be clear, there is no official salary criteria for PR applications. The only official information stated by the ICA related to your income is the necessity of submitting your payslip. However, if you do opt for the Professionals, Technical Personnel and Skilled Workers (PTS) scheme, then you must meet the necessary salary requirements to obtain an eligible work pass.

Fret not, though, if you do not earn a high salary. ICA adopts a holistic approach in all assessments by evaluating your application across multiple different factors. Read on to find out more.

1. Salary Requirements Fulfilled When You Apply for Singapore PR Status

When applying for PR via the PTS scheme, an applicant has to hold on to certain work passes. However, these passes are only attainable if they meet their respective salary criteria:

• Employment Pass (EP): S$3,900 from 1 May 2020 (applies to renewals from 1 May 2021)
• S Pass: S$2,400
• Personalised Employment Pass (PEP): S$144,000 per calendar year
• EntrePass: No specific salary requirement

Meeting the above criteria will automatically open a door towards Singapore Permanent Residency. In addition to these passes, a high key position within a company or a high salary will further show that you are a valuable candidate who is also able to support yourself and your dependants.

However, your salary alone is insufficient to determine an application’s approval. ICA also takes the following factors below into serious consideration.

2. Family Ties When You Apply for Singapore PR Status

Having your own family or close relatives staying here as PRs or citizens is a bonus for your application. Strong family ties are seen as a positive influence and would prove your sincerity on building a future here with your younglings. Additionally, it will mean that you will aid the old-age support ratio where the number of working adults has to equate to the number of elderly here.

3. Educational Qualifications from Reputable Institutes

If you have graduated from well-known educational institutions, they matter. The applications made via the PTS scheme have been on the rise for the last few years, and so the bar has been raised to filter out the best candidate. Have your graduation certificates, academic transcripts and testimonials prepared. If they are not in English, get them translated by ICA’s approved translators.

4. Age When You Apply for Singapore PR Status

If you are below 50 years old, as a younger applicant, you help to stabilise the old-age support ratio while contributing to the country’s economy and society for a lot more years. That said, senior candidates with valuable experiences and knowledge matter, too. Hence, ensure that you continue to positively contribute to the society and economy.

5. Relevant Skills In Your Profile to Apply for Singapore PR Status

Reflect on your skills. Niche industry skills have a better advantage because they are seen to be of less competition for Singaporeans. Therefore, if you possess subject-matter expertise or specialised technical qualifications in key market sectors such as IT, healthcare, R&D, invocation, security and engineering, then you stand a chance in having your PR approved.

A professional will be able to assess your application based on all the above factors carefully to ascertain your eligibility for Singapore PR. Get in touch with one using the form below.