The Reasons Why Your PR Applications Are Rejected

Applying for Permanent Residency (PR) in Singapore is a major step for many people, especially to the expatriates who wish to make Singapore their long-term home. However, many applicants are surprised when their PR application is rejected by Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA).

The question often remains on people's minds: why did their PR application get rejected, as the reasons sometimes are not always clearly stated in their rejection letter? ICA does not publicly disclose the exact criteria for how they were used for evaluation. There are several common factors that might influence the outcome.

In this article, we explore the most frequent reasons why your PR application gets rejected in Singapore.

Need help with your PR application? Reach out to HCS Immigration for professional advice and guidance.

1. Not Meeting Eligibility Criteria

Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has clear and strict guidelines on who is eligible to apply for Singapore Permanent Residency. Not every foreigner automatically qualifies, and generally, professionals holding an Employment Pass(EP), S Pass or Personalised Employment Pass (PEP) as well as individuals who are married to Singapore citizens, fall within the eligible categories.

If you do not fall under these categories, your application will likely be rejected. Even if you qualify, ICA also looks at your job stability, salary, CPF contributions, and tax records to assess whether you can support a long-term life in Singapore. Meeting the basic criteria alone does not guarantee approval.

2. Incomplete or Inaccurate Documentation

Your PR application is a formal submission where precision is crucial. ICA meticulously reviews every single detail, and any error in your Form 4A or supporting documents can be a major red flag that undermines your credibility. Even minor mistakes can lead to the rejection of an otherwise strong profile.

Common documentation that weakens an application includes -

Conflicting information - discrepancies between documents such as salary figure on your application form that does not match your official payslip or IRAS tax statement.

Incomplete Submissions - Forgetting to upload a single required document from ICA’s official checklist.

Poorly Prepared Documents - Submitting expired passports, documents without official English translations or unreadable documents

These inaccuracies and mistakes can make you appear careless or even dishonest, which can hurt your credibility with ICA and thus lead to your PR application being rejected.

3. Inadequate Economic Contributions to Singapore

Singapore’s government prioritises applicants who can contribute significantly to the nation’s economy. ICA looks closely at your job and income to decide if you are a good long-term fit for the country.

Here’s what they check:

Income Level - Your income is benchmarked against the industry average. A low salary for your age, qualifications and industry can potentially weaken your profile.

Tax contributions - Your history of paying income tax to IRAS will demonstrate your direct financial contribution.

CPF contributions - Consistent and timely contributions to your CPF account by your employer are clear indicators of stable employment.

If your income is low, your employment is unstable, or your CPF and tax contributions are limited, ICA may see other applicants as better economic contributors. When it comes to this specific key factor, candidates with stronger financial profiles are more likely to be approved.

4. Insufficient Duration of Stay in Singapore

ICA considers how long you have lived and worked in Singapore when reviewing your PR application. If you have been in the country for just a short period of time, then your commitment may be seen as uncertain and reduce the chance of your PR application getting approved.

Most of the successful applicants have lived in Singapore for 2 to 3 years of continuous stay with stable employment. A longer stay shows that you are serious about making Singapore your longer-term home and allows ICA to assess your job stability, integration into society and overall contribution.

5. Family Profile and Background Check

If you are applying under the Family Ties Scheme, ICA reviews not just you but also your spouse and dependents. They look at factors such as employment stability, income level, and overall financial resources.

If your spouse or dependents have unstable jobs or weak financial support, it can reduce your chances of approval. ICA wants to ensure the whole family can support themselves and integrate well into Singapore society.

6. High Volume of PR Applications

Each year, Singapore receives a high volume of PR applications, reflecting its status as a desirable place to live and work. The selection process is designed to be both thorough and fair and ensures that ICA gives careful consideration to every applicant.

While having a strong profile is important, ICA’s primary focus is to identify individuals who can contribute positively to Singapore’s economy and society in the long run. The goal is to select candidates who will integrate well and are committed to making Singapore their home and ensure a strong and cohesive community for the future.

What Do You Do After Your PR Application is Rejected?

If your PR application is rejected, don’t lose hope. Instead, use this as an opportunity to strengthen your profile before reapplying by focusing on the following:

• Allow for Strategic Timing Between Applications - The period between applications is valuable for strengthening your profile and demonstrating a deeper commitment to Singapore. Our experienced consultants evaluate your individual situation to advise on the most strategic timing for reapplication and maximising your potential for success.

  
  

• Focus on strengthening your profile - Try to focus on building stable employment and increasing your contributions and showing consistent tax records.

  
  

• File an appeal if necessary - if you believe your rejection was due to missing documents or information then you can submit an appeal to the ICA. To help with this, our consultants can review your case with you to find any errors or even discover any new infomation that would justify an appeal and advise on your best next step .

  
  

Get Professional Guidance with HCS Immigration’s PR Rejection Support

If you are unsure why your PR application was rejected or need professional guidance, consider using HCS Immigration’s Rejection Support Consultation service, where we will help identify weaknesses in your application and provide tailored advice to strengthen your next submission. Check out our service page here.

Conclusion

In conclusion, getting PR in Singapore is highly competitive, and understanding why a PR application is rejected is the first step to improving your chances. By strengthening your professional profile, integrating into the community, and ensuring accurate documentation, you can increase your likelihood of success in future applications.

For more professional guidance, reach out to us here at HCS Immigration to get personalised advice and support for your PR journey.