"I paid $7,500 for my Singapore PR application and got rejected. Was I scammed?"
Over the last 6 years of running a Concierge in Singapore for expatriates, I've spoken to many people who wanted to apply for Singapore Permanent Residency and heard countless stories of applicants getting completely ripped off by individuals and unethical companies in Singapore.
I've heard many stories of success, but mostly failures, in their quest for the elusive Singapore PR Status.
So that's what we're going to be talking about today - the types of immigration companies in Singapore that are actually award-winning, and the types that are simply set up for profit.
Any company that tells you they can definitely get you approved as a Permanent Resident in Singapore is 101% lying to you, because, well, no one in Singapore (other than the PM and the President Her Excellency) can guarantee approvals when it comes to Singapore PR.
A simple proof check with the consultant or the company should be enough to prove the legitimacy of the company.
IASG, Singapore's only award-winning immigration agency (Best Immigration Consultancy 2020 by APAC Insider), is the only firm in Singapore with close working relationships with the ICA. Their Managing Director, Mr Masood Mustafa, was previously employed by the ICA and Ministry of Manpower (MOM), as well as the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) of Singapore.
Immigration consultants like those at IASG would be able to answer every question you have, no matter how complicated, and their consultants are highly trained in Singapore's immigration laws and are able to recommend a clear route towards attaining an applicant's PR, regardless of the applicant's status.
If you're going to get someone to help you with your Permanent Residency application, get a company that is competent.
How Singapore PR Applications are Assessed
It is important to first understand how Singapore PR applications are assessed by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA).
Each application for Singapore Permanent Residency is assessed holistically, based on the applicant's credentials, contributions to Singapore, commitment, ties of kinship, level of integration into society, among other things. It is never only about a single area of an application, as some people with a high monthly income or net worth may think.
Each application is also, well, completely at the mercy of the ICA.
I've seen people who are Prime Movers under an S-Pass get approved, and people who are Managing Directors of big banks and construction companies not get approved. I've also seen people with undergraduate degrees get rejected, while people with Diplomas and below get approved.
And in reply to the title of this post, well the good news is, no - you weren't scammed. Some companies in Singapore do charge higher than others for varying levels of work. But in my opinion, if the person you're speaking to isn't able to answer your questions thoroughly and comprehensively, (like progressive CPF, exact tax rates for PRs, etc) leave the office. They're not immigration consultants, they're salespeople.
Till the next article,
Shaun Bryant
Singapore 101 Host
