Singapore PRs need to wait 3 years before buying resale HDB flats

Singapore's Ministry of National Development has published a press release today in its web site announcing that Singapore Permanent Residents (Singapore PRs) will need to wait 3 years before they can buy a resale HDB flat in Singapore. Before the announcement Singapore Permanent Resident (SPR) households, i.e. SPR households with no Singapore citizen owner, could buy resale HDB flats as soon as they acquire SPR status.

This new property cooling measure will apply to resale applications received on or after 27 Aug 2013, 5:30pm.

How will this impact the Singapore property market? Previously in a blog article in Housing Matters blog named Who Buy Resale Flats?,  Ministry of National Development has revealed that 20% of resale HDB flats were bought by Singapore PRs. In fact, almost half of the buyers in 4 room HDB category (45%) were Singapore PRs. Although many PRs who carry this status for more than 3 years are still eligible to buy HDB flats, many will not be able to do so. In fact on the ground, one of the main reasons many seem to go to Singapore PR looks like to be able to buy an HDB flat (but I am not sure this can statistically be proven).

Resale flat buyers - Source : Housing Matters Blog

According to some analyst, Singapore permanent residents (PRs) are expected to show greater demand for rental and private homes following the latest measures targeting the purchase of resale HDB flats. “For the next three years, this is going to be a lifeline for the private housing market as a lot of private homes will be completed.” says Nicholas Mak.

I really suspect this expectation will be realized since private homes are beyond reach of many PRs going for resale HDBs. If they go for private homes we will have another group of over extended borrowers to add to the pain when the property prices goes down.

By the sudden policy change, at least 150 property deals have hit the skids. The figure is an early estimate by property agents, who say that similar cases are streaming in, with PRs having been caught out by Tuesday night's surprise announcement, which took effect immediately:

"IT customer service officer Gong Wei, who got his PR status last year, says the new rule is a decision by the Government and he can accept the policy, but a grace period for those who are in the middle of a deal would be a fair concession to make."

To cool the runaway property market further MND has also revised the mortgage loan terms:

To ensure financial prudence in purchase of public housing and discourage over-consumption, we will reduce the maximum tenure for HDB housing loans from 30 years to 25 years. The Mortgage Servicing Ratio (MSR) limit will also be reduced from 35% to 30% of the borrower’s gross monthly income (see Annex C for details). These measures are in line with those introduced by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) to encourage financial prudence among borrowers, which is especially important given that the current low interest rate environment is unlikely to be sustained.  

In tandem, the MAS will reduce the maximum tenure of new housing loans and re-financing facilities granted by financial institutions for the purchase of HDB flats (including DBSS flats) from 35 years to 30 years. New loans with tenures exceeding 25 years and up to 30 years will be subject to tighter loan-to-value (LTV) limits. 

Singapore Permanent Resident Status 2013 and beyond

Singapore  immigration framework was tightened in 2009 and according to a newly released population white paper, the current levels of relatively tightened immigration framework is to stay here. For example, after peaking at 79,000 new Singapore Permanent Residents in 2008, number of Singapore PR intake is sharply reduced starting from 2009. Singapore Population White Paper says that there will be no increase in the number of PR intake in the near future. The paper, which outlines a target 6.9 million population in Singapore by 2030 and a 15,000 and 25,000 new Singapore citizens intake each year, says that current pace of about 30,000 Singapore PR intake per year will be maintained:

Permanent residence is an intermediate status through which foreigners take up citizenship. It is meant for those who have a long-term stake in Singapore and intend to sink roots here. We have tightened up significantly on the number of PRs granted each year. We have come down from a high of 79,000 new PRs in 2008 to about 30,000 each year currently. We plan to maintain the current pace. This will keep a stable PR population of between 0.5 and 0.6 million, and ensure a pool of suitable potential citizens.

The white paper also highlights target population composition:

With this controlled immigration rate, the citizen population is projected to be between 3.6 and 3.8 million by 2030. Together with the PR population of 0.5 to 0.6 million, this gives a resident population (comprising citizens and PRs) of between 4.2 and 4.4 million in 2030, depending on birth rates, immigration and life expectancy.

The white paper defines Singapore Permanent Residency as an intermediate step towards Singapore Citizenship:

Permanent residence is granted to those who have a long-term stake in Singapore and who intend to sink roots here. It is an intermediate step through which foreigners take up citizenship in Singapore. As with Singapore citizenship, applicants for permanent residence are comprehensively assessed. Since the immigration framework was tightened in 2009, we have significantly reduced the number of PRs granted each year, from a high of 79,000 in 2008. We have been taking in close to 30,000 new PRs in each of the last 3 years, and plan to continue at this calibrated rate.  This will keep the total Pr population stable at between 0.5 and 0.6 million, and ensure a pool of suitable potential citizens.

See the whole white paper here: A sustainable population for a dynamic Singapore - Population White Paper.

Singapore has no plans to the limit duration of Singapore PR status

Singapore Permanent Resident (Singapore PR) status gives eligible foreigners the opportunity to reside in Singapore for longer term. One of the main advantages of obtaining Singapore PR status is that it enables the individual to live and work in Singapore for a long period of at least five years. Once an individual is Singapore Permanent Resident, he/she does not require an Employment Pass to work. And if one lose his/her job, he does not have to leave Singapore as Employment Pass will be taken if a job loss occur. Singapore PR is the step before one applies to Singapore Citizenship.

Between 2005 - 2008 period, there was a significant surge in Singapore PR approvals and the numbers have peaked in 2008 by 79,200 Singapore Permanent Resident status approvals in a single year. But since 2009, to reduce the intake of foreigners to Singapore, things has chanced significantly and the yearly approval rates fell to around 28,000 SPR approvals per year by 2012.

Something called re-entry permit is given alongside Singapore PR which allows the Singapore Permanent Resident status holder to leave and enter country freely. This re-entry permit is currently given for 5 years (before it was 10 years) and when it expires it needs to be renewed. These permit may be renewed if the Singapore PR meets some criteria such as being gainfully employed and having family roots in Singapore. A PR who travels out of Singapore or remains outside the country without a valid permit will lose his PR status.

In November 2012, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Grace Fu told in Parliment that about 10 per cent of permanent residents (PRs) in Singapore have held their PR status for 20 or more years and her ministry have no plans to limit duration of PR status:

However, her ministry does not plan to stop renewing the re-entry permit for people who have held their PR status for a certain number of years, she said in response to a question by Mr Ong Teng Koon (Sembawang GRC). 

PRs are issued with a re-entry permit which are valid for a maximum of five years. The permit may be renewed if the PR meets criteria such as being gainfully employed and having family roots in Singapore. A PR who travels out of Singapore or remains outside the country without a valid permit will lose his PR status. 

Ms Fu said taking up citizenship is a "serious commitment" which is ultimately a personal decision.
Source : No plans to limit duration of PR status: Grace Fu

Number of new Singapore citizens and Singapore PR approvals down in 2011

Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, that the number of new permanent residents (PRs) decreased from an average of 58,000 per year from 2004 to 2008, to 28,500 per year from 2010 onward while fewer Singapore citizenships (SCs) were granted last year as compared to the average of 18,500 per year in the last five years.[1] The fall in number of new Singapore PRs is due to the stricter criteria and Governments effort to decrease Singapore PR intake which is decreasing since 2008 peak of 79,200 new Singapore PRs and  drop in new Singapore Citizens is due to the introduction of the Singapore Citizenship Journey which lengthens the time taken for applicants to be granted citizenship by about two months.[1]


New Singapore Citizen intake numbers of the past 5 years, 18,500 per year, is still more than twice the 8,200 per year between 1987 and 2006 [2]. By the steep increase of the intake speed in the past 8 years, Singapore's total population increased 27% since 2003 to current number of 5.26 million.

3.81 million of these 5.26 million are Singapore Residents (3.27 million Singaporeans and 540,000 Singapore PRs). The rest, 1.46 million are foreigners with non-resident status. Of these around:

• majority, 671,600, are work permit holders (excluding foreign domestic workers)
• 219,000 are dependents of citizens, PRs and work visa holders,
• 204,400 are maids (foreign domestic workers),
• 175,200 are Singapore Employment Pass holders,
• 87,600 are students and
• 116,800 are S Pass holders.

Singapore Permanent Residency given by year. 2011 numbers are estimate based on the
28,500 per year from 2010 onward numbers given by Singapore Government

So by 2010 onward, Singapore PR approval per year falls to almost half of the average of the past 10 years. The numbers are also below the 35,250 per year average of 2001 to 2004. The numbers also show that an estimated 509,860 new Singapore PRs are given in the past 11 years excluding 2012.

Below graph shows the Singapore population growth between 1960 - 2011. There is a steep rise in population following 2006 which added 25%+ to the existing population in just 5 years!

Singapore population per year. There is a steep increase between 1986 - 1998 and after a rest of 

5 years following Asian Financial Crisis of 1997, population again 

goes into a steep climb 2003 onwards.

[1] - Number of new citizens drop last year
[2] - Our population, our future

Singapore PR (Permanent Residency) 2012 outlook

As we have entered 2012, it is time to review Singapore Permanent Residency (PR) outlook for 2012. Since the 79,200 PR approval peak of 2008, the PR approval numbers declined sharply and rejection numbers increased every year. We do not know the numbers for the last year yet but I expect that the trend continued into 2011 based on anectodial evidence and I expect strict criteria for PR approval condition will extend into the near future and it will be more difficult to secure permanent residence in Singapore.

Last year this time when we were writing the Best time to apply for PR in Singapore article, things were already trending down for hopeful prospects. But at that time the common thinking was that the downward trend in Singapore PR approvals were due to the upcoming general elections of May 2011 and the government will ease the criteria once the elections were over and we will find ourselves back in the relaxed immigration years of 2005 - 2008 period. Thus many have waited patiently for the elections to pass.

Well as we now know things did not end as expected. Many Singaporeans, both from opposition and government supporters as I have witnessed, have openly expressed their unease with fast influx of foreigners and relaxed immigration policies which have resulted an overcrowded and expensive city where everything per person is decreasing fast. Although GDP has grown in these years, the real measures of wealth like transportation space per person, housing space per person, hospital space per person (or simply space per person) has gone down or got more expensive in the recent years thanks to fast increase in number of persons. Transportation space, housing space or hospital space or etc. are definitely increasing. But the number of people sharing them is increasing faster.

It is now pretty obvious that 2005 - 2008 period of high PR intake rates were an opportunity window and were the best times to apply for PR. But these years are over and will probably not come back soon. Expect that 2011 approval rates will come even less than 2010 and 2012 will also not be the best time to apply for Singapore PR.

Sharp decline in the number of Singapore PR approvals 

This does not mean you cannot apply for PR. If you have a very high income, you and your spouse has been in Singapore for a while, you have kids (especially you have also applied for them) you can still get a chance. But it looks to me now currently, Singapore's PR policy is something like "do not give PR to someone if he is not a real necessity for the country". On the other side, I hear that the renewal of Singapore PR is also getting difficult and the renewal rejections are also on the rise.

So if you are an average employee looking forward to apply for PR, make sure that your application is very strong. Each PR and Singapore Citizenship application is evaluated holistically on a set of criteria which includes factors such as the individual's economic contributions, qualifications, age and family profile to assess applicants' ability to contribute, integrate well into society and commitment to sinking roots.[1]

For example although you can apply with just 6 months of pay slips, it is also required to submit 2 tax return documents so an applicant with 2-3 years of work history in Singapore is in a better position compared to someone with only 6 months of experience and no history of tax payment in Singapore. 

[1] - New PR and citizenship applications declined in 2010

Sharp decline in the chances of getting Singapore PR

If your Singapore PR application is rejected recently, you are not alone. More PR applications are rejected every year since 2009 when the Singapore immigration policy was sharply tightened to address Singaporeans’ growing anxiety over the pace of foreign intake. And as we have written before the tightening can be also seen in the sharp reduction of number of successful approvals as we have covered here, here and here. Now we also know how many are rejected since 2000.  And if you want to know how many applications are rejected since 2000, below are the figures.

The year the tightening started, in 2009, the number of Singapore PR applications rejected doubled compared to 2008 from 22,472 rejections to 58,923 rejections. This number increased to 68,143. The number of Singapore PR approved or rejected in 2011 are not available yet but I expect the approval numbers out in early 2012. Below are the number of Singapore PRs rejected and approved since 2004. 

Year	Singapore PR rejected	Singapore PR Approved	Total
2004	17,452	35,250	52,702
2005	13,213	52,300	65,513
2006	17,508	57,300	74,808
2007	18,385	63,600	81,985
2008	22,472	79,200	101,672
2009	58,923	59,460	118,383
2010	68,143	29,265	97,408

Looking at the totals also gives some interesting insight into percentage of rejections and chance of someone getting Singapore PR. Below chart shows approval, rejection and total numbers.

Many people are asking me what are the chances of getting PR in 2011 and 2012. I answer no one can know for individuals since the criteria applied to each application is naturally not public. But in general chances of PR approval sharply declined since 2009 and with these rejection numbers we can give some quantitative perspective for the chances of getting PR nowadays.

If you divide the number of rejections to total numbers (estimated as rejections + approvals), you will see that around 20-22% of all applications are rejected between 2005 - 2008. In 2009, nearly half of the applications are rejected. And in 2010, nearly 70 percent of all applications were rejected! So chances of one getting PR went dramatically down in just 2 years from 80 percent to 30 percent.

Number of Singapore PRs down in 2011

Recently announced Singapore population trends 2011 report revealed that as of end June 2011, there are 9,000 less Singapore Permanent Residency holders compared to 2010. This is despite the population increase in Singaporeans and foreigners. And this is the first time in last 20 years that Singapore PR population shrinks. As we have covered by early 2011, 2011 and next years are not the best times to apply for Singapore PR since The Government has started to tighten criteria for PR after a record PR approval of nearly 80,000 in 2008. And that article was long before the Singapore General Election of 2011. In this election, Singaporeans openly expressed their frustration with the unsustainable increase in number of foreigners and PRs in the past 5 years. The topic was so hot that, after the election, it will not be surprising to see the PR criteria will be tightened more.

We are now looking at the consequences of tightened immigration policy before the election (the population numbers are just 2 months after election). Next population figures may show more significant declines. This does not mean no one is getting PR. Singapore PR is practically given for 5 years and some of those who already got PR are not renewed for a second time. Because of the clear advantages of being a citizen over PR many PRs are becoming citizens.(This explains the increase in the Singaporean population. Singapore's fertility rate is so low that there should be a decrease. But since PRs convert to citizenship, it has increased).

But it is well probable that we will be looking at even less PR approval figures in 2011 compared to 29,000 approvals of 2010. Slowdown in new PR approvals may also partially contribute to the jump in foreigner population since foreigners on valid work permit visa cannot easily convert to PR now and stay as foreigners.

The best time to apply for Singapore PR was the large PR intake window of boom years, from 2005 to 2008. It may look a newcomer like the criteria is tightened but actually the 2005-2008 period of boom years were looser and things went back to normal.

See also

• Sharp decline in the chances of getting Singapore PR
• Best time to apply for PR in Singapore
• Singapore PR Rejected? Appeal or not?

Best time to apply for PR in Singapore

Being a Singapore Permanent Resident is one of the most important steps to immigrate to Singapore as a resident. As we have covered recently it is relatively hard to get Singapore PR since 2009 compared to 2006 - 2008 period and a lot of permanent resident applications are rejected due to effort of the government to control/reduce the intake of foreigners. From the chart below you can see that the Singapore PR approval numbers significantly fell to 29,265 approvals in 2010 from heights of 2008. This is a 63% drop in approvals compared to 2008.

When is the best time for Singapore Permanent resident application? For individuals, the best recommended time to apply for Singapore Permanent Residency is after 2 years of employment in Singapore. I believe it is best to complete 2 full years as tax resident and apply PR after second tax notification from IRAS (notification about the amount of tax you will pay based on your declaration). Documents from IRAS about your individual income tax payments are very valuable documents which shows solid/monetary contributions to Singapore and also shows that you are a stable tax resident of Singapore. An application before 2 years of employment can still get approval if the applicant has good qualities in terms of education, employment, salary, family but do not forget, less than 2 years of employment here will work against your qualifications and risk an approval by putting you behind the people with the same qualifications but more employment history in Singapore.

Number of Singapore PRs approved per year (2001 - 2010)

For individuals whose Singapore PR is rejected previously, the best time to apply for Singapore PR is after waiting for the stated period in the rejection letter. For example if ICA requested you to apply 2 years later, they mean it and it is best to wait for 2 years. If in the rejection letter, ICA does not mention any date to reapply, the shortest period to reapply after rejection letter date is 6 months. Unfortunately, some people do not take this notice seriously and reapply Singapore PR after waiting less than the stated period. For example look at this forum entry from Singapore expats:

Hi,
I(from india) am working in singapore since from oct 2007 to till date. I have applied my PR first time in Aug 2009 with my wife (married march 2009). It was rejected. they mentioned the rejection letter apply after 2 yrs. The result was same as all of my friends. Then again i applied march 2010, again it was rejected at may2010 but the letter they never said anything the date period.My wife got the student pass on May2010(8month course) before a week of PR rejection letter. I am holding S Pass(expire sep 2010).My company ready to renewal.
My Question is Shall i apply again july2010 with my wifes details.

It is not hard to see why ICA rejected his permanent resident application second time, pretty fast (just in 2 months). Although ICA clearly stated to reapply 2 years later, he chose not to take ICA seriously and reapplied just after 8 months. He greatly risked his future chance to get Singapore PR.

Currently it is advised in online forums that anyone considering Singapore PR should wait for the elections of 2011. Since many Singaporeans think Singapore PR intake should be reduced or more difficult to get, Singapore Government would continue to keep PR criteria tighter and will not increase the number of approvals. Although there is no guarantee that the criteria will be eased and more PRs will be approved after the elections of 2011, it is still better to wait now. However if everyone is listening to this advise, then there will be a rush to ICA after the elections and it will really be difficult to float up top among all these rushers and get PR.

So 2011 also does not look like the best year to apply for PR. This does not mean you should not apply if you meet all minimum criteria, have good qualifications and - more important -you really plan to permanently reside in Singapore. This just means that those days of PR approval with relatively loose criteria has long gone and the best time to apply for PR is a date after you make sure that very less works against your application. So if you have room for improvement (i.e. only worked here 1 year, Employment Pass is Q Type, etc) improve first as much as you can then apply. You will have more chance and you will probably wait less to get your PR.

Related articles:
Singapore PR (Permanent Residency) 2012 outlook
Singapore PR Rejected? Appeal or not?
Singapore PR (Permanent Residency) rejected? What to do?
Number of Singapore PRs down in 2011
Sharp decline in chances of getting Singapore PR

Singapore PR (Permanent Residency) rejected? What to do?

As we have written before Singapore PR approval criteria is tightened since 2009 and it got really hard to get Singapore PR recently. It seems like 2011 will also be tight and the criteria will stay tight for a while since Singapore public and government opinion is that in the past few years too many PRs are approved and a significant number of these does not have enough qualification to contribute to Singapore society. Also, financial crisis of 2008 shrinked qualified manpower requirement significantly.

What to do after rejection? The first thing you need to realize is that Singapore PR is there to enrich Singapore workforce with badly needed skills. So your PR application should show that you are a good candidate to contribute to Singapore. Second, even if you are actually someone with those badly needed skills, there is a quote based on total number of applications, race, industry, education level, etc. So if enough number of applicants are better qualified than you, your application would be rejected.

The first thing you can do after rejection is to appeal. But if you cannot demonstrate significant new facts or a material change in circumstance (i.e. a significant salary, job position or work pass upgrade) there is a little chance that your appeal will work. Some people appeal to ICA with a company support letter from their employer but this also does not have so much effect alone. Your appeal will probably go to the desk of the officer, who have rejected your application in the first place and well, put yourself in his shoes and think what would you do if you see an appeal which is done just to appeal.

What you should do is wait for at least 6 months (practically one year) and apply again. But occasionally, ICA (Immigration and Checkpoint Authority) will state a reapplication period, for example they say "reapply after 2 years". Unfortunately if this is the case, the best way to increase your approval chance in your next application is to wait for the stated period end.

Number of Singapore PRs approved per year (2001 - 2010)

Some people do the opposite and reapply PR 6 months later even if it is clearly stated that they should reapply 2 years later. What these people usually get is a rejection after a couple of months with the same statement to reapply 2 years later and extend the waiting period to 3 years!

Do not forget, there are a lot of people out there who applies for Singapore PR to have an extended and hussle free stay in Singapore without any intention to actually permanently reside in Singapore and integrate into Singapore society. You can see these kind of people 5 years after their application asking questions like "I got my PR 5 years ago and left for USA/Australia/bla bla and it is about to expire now can I extend it?" in forums. These people, called PR collectors, tend to fly away from Singapore to USA or Australia and behave their PR as a spring to jump to these countries.

So be sure that you improve your qualities to contribute to the society before applying again and try to do the following:

1. Wait for the stated reapplication period! If ICA states that you should apply 1 year later they mean it and I do not think they will like to see your new application just 6 months later. This will just look desperate and what kind of benefit Singapore can have from a desperate person?
   
   
   
2. Try to find a new job with increased salary, better work pass, a better position, etc.
   
   
   
3. Do regular charity. Show that you are not a selfish foreigner just enjoying what Singapore gives and you actually care people here and contribute to the society.
   
   
   
4. Have you ever paid tax before applying PR? If not wait for at least one tax payment before reapply. But I do not mean just paying a tax is a significant change in your qualifications and will significantly increase your chance. I always think paying tax in a country is a bond between you and that country and looks good in terms of your integration.
   
   
   
5. Learn a local language, i.e. Chinese, and certify yourself with this language. Since virtually all Singaporeans speak English, most foreigners just waste this opportunity to learn a local language while surrounded with great practice chance! And it is also a significant sign that you are working hard to integrate into the society.
   
   
   
6. Do not just socialize in the limited space of your homeland community. Socialize with locals, other foreigner groups.
   
   
   
7. For more information google "Singapore PR rejected" and carefully read the advices of experienced residents of Singapores in the forums.
   
   
   
8. Last but not the least do not make stupid comments about ICA, Singapore, ICA officers, etc. with your emotional mood after rejection! I see a lot of people doing this in their facebook pages, in forums, etc. Do not forget, world is small, Singapore is really small! 

See Part 1: Singapore PR Rejected? Appeal or not?

Related Articles:

• Best time to apply for PR in Singapore

Singapore PR Rejected? Appeal or not?

If your Singapore PR (Permanent Residency) is rejected recently, you are not alone. Singapore PR is an important step to immigrate to Singapore and rejection is a heart breaking experience after long months of waiting and maybe witnessing less qualified people getting approval. But nowadays it is though to get Singapore PR. Since 2009, fewer applications for Singapore PR and Singapore Citizenship are approved.

This is because in late 2009, Singapore Government decided to tighten the criteria for PR and citizenship, to better manage the inflow of foreigners. And they immediately took action! In 2008, 79,200 Singapore PR applications were approved. PR approval numbers sharply dropped down to 59,500 in 2009. This trend continued in 2010 and The Government granted only 29,265 permanent residents, more than a 50% drop compared to 2009. It is almost certain that this trend will continue in 2011 Singapore PR applications.

2010 numbers point to the lowest PR intake in at least five years:

The sharp drop in PRs is a result of the tightening of immigration policy in 2009 to better manage the inflow and quality of new immigrants, said Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng on Monday.

A policy change that drew clearer distinctions between the benefits citizens and PRs enjoy also 'underlines our principle that Singaporeans will enjoy priority over non-citizens', he said at the Singapore Perspectives 2011 conference organised by the Institute of Policy Studies.

Source: The Straits Times  Jan 18, 2011

Number of Singapore PRs approved per year (2001 - 2010)

It is also interesting to note that the number of Singapore permanent residents has almost doubled in the last 10 years, from 287,500 in 2000 to 541,000 in 2010:

Most of the increase is accounted for by immigrants from Malaysia and the Indian subcontinent, according to census data released by the Department of Statistics yesterday.

The share of Indians in the PR ethnic mix climbed from 14.9 per cent in 2000 to 20.4 per cent this year. In absolute numbers, they more than doubled, from 42,700 to 111,000.

The share of Chinese in the PR ethnic mix dropped from 76.1 per cent to 61.4 per cent, although the total number increased from 218,800 to 332,000.

For PRs of Malay ethnicity, the share dropped from 4.1 per cent to 3 per cent, although actual numbers went up from 11,800 to 16,000.

Most of the ethnic Chinese PRs in Singapore hail from Malaysia.

Source: The Straits Times Sep 1, 2010 

This looks like sharp drop but Singapore is still one of the least stringent country in the  world in terms of approving PR. As far as I know Australia PR or Canada PR are more difficult.

Singapore is considered one of the best cities to live in Asia and many aspire to make this country their home forever by applying for Singapore Permanent Residence or Singapore Citizenship. While Singapore’s immigration policy remains open, the government wants to make sure that it takes in good quality candidates who can be better integrated into the Singapore society and who can contribute economically. There is no formula that guarantees success of an application. Each application is approved on a case-by-case basis.

Source:  GuideMeSingapore 

Singapore PR approval criteria, naturally, is not open to public and subject to change depending on the foreigner policies of The Government at a given time.  But there are some known factors playing significant role in approval or rejection.

For example although it is theoretically possible to apply to PR just after receiving several pay slips, it is wise to wait at least 6 months to 1 year and it is better to pay tax. When I see someone just arriving Singapore and working several months apply to Singapore PR, I always think that "giving Singapore PR to this guy has more good to him then to Singapore". Probably Immigration Officers feel the same when they see such an application on their desk. And do not confuse them with the typical government employees in your homeland, Singapore Government jobs are so attractive that very bright people compete for them and get them.

Refer to Guide Me Singapore PR articles for more information. They have valuable information there:

The first question that typically comes to the mind of majority of the work pass holders: when can I apply for my Singapore PR? Theoretically, you can apply for Singapore permanent residence the day you start working in the country as an EP holder. However, one of the requirements is to provide salary slips that go back six months from your Singapore employer which means should wait at least six months.

In practical terms, how soon you can apply for PR status also depends on the type of work pass you are holding and the unofficial annual quota set by the government. If you are holding a P1 pass, your chances of approval are high if you apply after 1 year. If you are holding a P2 pass, you are likely to have a good chance if you apply after 2 years. If on the other hand, you are holding a Q or S pass, it’s recommended that you apply after 3 years to have a decent chance of approval. Also, make sure you are in good terms with your employer at the time of filing your PR application. One of the sections in the application form is to be completed by the employer. 

Source: Guide Me Singapore  Singapore Permanent Residence – PTS Scheme 

So what to do after rejection? Although there is an option of appeal after rejection, it will have very little effect on the decision if something about you did not change dramatically since your application (i.e. a significant pay increase, an upgrade in work permit, etc.)   But this does not mean you cannot try again. It is important to wait for the period stated in the rejection letter. If they say apply 2 years later, wait for 2 years. But before 2 years time if you have a significant upgrade in job, company, salary, etc. you may apply again after 1 year. If no time period is stated in the letter, you need to wait at least 6 months (from the date of the rejection letter) before trying your chance again.

Singapore PR approval also depends on timing of the application. Do not forget that this is designed to benefit Singapore and there are quotes for races, professional skills, etc.

Yes race is important. Singapore wants to keep its race balance. If Singapore approves more applications from a certain race and the proportion of this race increases for a period, ICA would probably be more selective on this race for the following period of time until desired balance is achieved again. For example Indian PR's rate increased from 14% to 20% percent probably due to Singapore's desire to be competitive in IT in pre 2008 boom times. It is probably now harder for an Indian to get PR compared to a Chinese or Malay if everything else is equal.

Currently we are in the following years of high PR intake period (2005 - 2008). And The Government as well as Singaporeans think that they need to slow down the intake.

See also Part 2: Singapore PR (Permanent Residency) rejected? What to do?.

Related Articles:

• Best time to apply for PR in Singapore
• Sharp decline in the chances of getting Singapore PR
• Sharp decline in chances of getting Singapore PR

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