Singapore has always been an attractive country for people looking to pursue a new life with better opportunities, but applying for Permanent Residency (PR) in Singapore can feel like navigating a maze, which can cause some PR applications to go awry as people may not know what went wrong in their applications. Thus, some people may enlist the help of an immigration consultant to help in their case.
What is an immigration consultant?
An immigration consultant is a skilled professional who offers advice and step-by-step guidance to individuals looking to move to a different country. These experts possess in-depth knowledge of the various immigration policies, regulations, procedures, and criteria, making them well-prepared to assist you throughout the process. Immigration consultants provide customized advice tailored to your unique situation and objectives. They also have access to resources that can help streamline the immigration process. Additionally, they may offer valuable insights on a range of services, including relocation, visa applications, and other related issues.
Why should you hire an immigration consultant?
- Expert Advice: Immigration consultancies have individuals with many years of experience, and thus know the ins and outs of the PR application process. This means they can guide you through each step.
- Specialised Staff for Each Case: Certain immigration consultants have a team of staff that is able to provide specialised documents for their own case. For example, SGTI generally provides a financial portfolio manager that helps to provide the right investment advice, and a copywriter that can write a unique and strong cover letter for their case when working with their clients.
- Family Immigration and Dependent Visas: Furthermore, consultants can assist with providing dependent visas or any other matters related to family immigration such as a Long-Term Visit Pass or aiding in sponsored PR applications, which can save you time and effort and ensure your family can immigrate together in a hassle-free manner.
- Organized Documentation: Most immigration consultants help you gather and present any necessary documents, making sure nothing is missed. For example, SGTI offers to provide a master checklist for your own convenience to ensure that all the required documents are submitted, and ensures all the documents will also be vetted on the consultancy’ side.
- A Time-Saving, Customized Strategy: In a PR application, a consultant can highlight your strengths and address any weak points in your application to make your application more attractive. Furthermore, a consultant can handle the nitty-gritty details, saving you time and reducing stress.
- Ongoing Support: Consultants keep track of your application’s progress, as well as follow up after the application is processed. For example, SGTI will assist in the post-application process by aiding for the next actions to do once the PR application is accepted. In the case that the PR application is rejected, SGTI will work with you to provide a proper one-time appeal.
However, are there any reasons why you shouldn’t hire an immigration consultant?
In every basket, there will always be some bad apples.
Certain immigration consultants will be dishonest in their practices, with some claiming 99.9% success rates, having special connections to ICA, and using dishonest and urgent methods to hard-sell (such as claiming someone should come down for a free consultation but prompting them to make payment immediately during the session).
99.9% success rates are impossible. No immigration consultant can claim to have guaranteed approval rates, as ultimately the decision lies in ICA’s hands. The same is true for having special connections. Even if one were to have connections, Singapore would have no tolerance for corruption.
If you decide to hire an immigration consultant, make sure to look for good reviews as well as refer to friends’ testimonials to make a conclusion. Furthermore, an agency that is transparent with their pricing is something to look out for.
Stay away from immigration consultants that make lofty claims such as ‘99.9 success rates’, special connections to ICA. You should also stay away if they use urgency to force you to employ their services, or if they hesitate to provide proper proof of their credentials/experience when asked.
Conclusion
Hiring an immigration consultant means having a knowledgeable ally in your corner, making your PR application smoother and increasing your chances of success. If you’re serious about becoming a permanent resident in Singapore, a consultant’s expertise can be invaluable. However, you should always do your due research and be aware of any warning signs before hiring an immigration consultation.
If you are someone that wants to understand how to optimise your PR application for the best possible chance for approval, you can contact SGTI for a consultation. We will be honest with our consultations, and even for individuals that might not have the highest chances of success, SGTI will not make any false promises or boldly claim that we can guarantee success while still providing advice that can best improve your chances.
