Permanent Residency (PR) in Singapore Should Keep Families Together
The permanent residency offered in a country is usually to retain talent, yet it can also be critical to ensure a future for a family unit. Often foreigners that live and work in another country would require work permit or visas to be renewed after a certain period to continue staying in the country legally. Such a process is burdensome if the person has a hectic work schedule, not to mention some countries process renewing visas take forever. Permanent Resident (PR) status is more likely an option for foreigners who have fallen in love with the country they work and reside in, as it allows them so much more freedom than having only a visa to have renewed every other time. It also allows them to retain their homeland citizenship while enjoying the benefits of earning a living in Singapore.
Current PR Requirements
As a country that welcomes just about anyone to stay and contribute adequately to Singapore, Singapore’s PR criteria are among the easiest to have approved. Several aspects of the requirements can be improved. One of the requirements for a foreigner that wishes to obtain a Singapore PR is as early as after two years of working in Singapore. That said, it comes with several standard criteria such as valid identification, salary earnings, current occupation, and translated required documents.
Suggesting for Better Support
Though it may seem like the requirements are straightforward, some quarters prefer that the requirements should be stricter so as though to only give PR status to those who have significantly contributed to Singapore. Among the suggested prerequisites for the Immigration and Checkpoint Authority (ICA) to also include the type of accommodation that the foreigners are staying in. The type of accommodation foreigners currently own or live in can also be a measure of living sustainability while earning a living in Singapore. Another aspect of improving the approval of PR status is that the ICA should conduct face to face interview with the family with a member applying for a Singapore PR status. Such a meeting gives the ICA a better perspective of who will be better off with the PR status. The family members can provide better information on whether the PR status applied is necessary to the entire family unit. It is only fair that family units that have a foreigner family member are kept together even if the salary earned may not be up to par.
Permanent Residency for Family in Prosperous Singapore
As such, a PR status should be given not only to those who are paid well but also to family units that live a simple life, yet happily together. Singapore is a prosperous country that has attracted so many foreign workers, be it through work or marriages. It is relatively a safe country for all levels of society. It is also reasonably stable in terms of politics, leading to a responsible government outlining policies for the greater good of the country currently as well as the future.
