30 per cent of EP/S-Pass rejected this year

[phantom_opera]

Figures released by the Government on Monday showed how its stricter policy on foreigners has led to more work pass applications being rejected, and fewer new citizens and permanent residents being taken in each year.

Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean disclosed that since immigration policies were tightened in late 2009, the number of new permanent residents (PRs) has dropped from an average of 58,000 per year from 2004 to 2008, to 28,500 per year from 2010.

From Jan 1 to July 31 this year, 30 per cent of foreigners applying for an Employment Pass (EP) and S Pass to work here were rejected.

This was an increase from the 26 per cent rejection rate for the whole of last year, said Acting Manpower Minister Tan Chuan-Jin in Parliament, although he did not give the absolute number of applications in both years.

[proper-t]

Figures released by the Government on Monday showed how its stricter policy on foreigners has led to more work pass applications being rejected, and fewer new citizens and permanent residents being taken in each year.

Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean disclosed that since immigration policies were tightened in late 2009, the number of new permanent residents (PRs) has dropped from an average of 58,000 per year from 2004 to 2008, to 28,500 per year from 2010.

From Jan 1 to July 31 this year, 30 per cent of foreigners applying for an Employment Pass (EP) and S Pass to work here were rejected.

This was an increase from the 26 per cent rejection rate for the whole of last year, said Acting Manpower Minister Tan Chuan-Jin in Parliament, although he did not give the absolute number of applications in both years.

What happened to PRs in 2009? What's the actual number?

If they include 2009 numbers, will it skew the average tremendously I.E Average from 2009 onwards instead of 2010 onwards?

Why use rejection rate for EP? What are actual numbers? Notwithstanding a higher rejection rate, a larger number of applicants still results in more applicants beng accepted.

e.g
30% rejection of 100,000 still means 70,000 accepted vs 26% of 70,000 which translate to acceptance of 51,800 which overall means still an addditional 18,200 EPs right?

[carbuncle]

whichever number that makes it look better for the policy maker will be used.

eg '2 dollars off' (10 bucks goods) sound better or '20% OFF!!' ?

[proper-t]

Only speak the 'good' stuff

[Nman]

less peoples rental fall

[proper-t]

is it really less?

NEW PRs are still coming in an at average of 28.5K a year.

NEW citizens are still coming at an average of 18.5K a year

New EPs ???? Dunno because real figures not provided


All he is saying is that growth rate has slowed but it is STILL growing which means absolute population will still increase !!!

[phantom_opera]

In 2011 we have 532k SPRs

Singapore Permanent Residents ('000)
532.0
Annual Growth (%)
-1.7

[phantom_opera]

2000 (Census) 4,027.9 3,273.4

2011 5,183.7 3,789.3

Singapore residents increased by 500k (15.3%) from 2000 to 2011, since birth rate below replacement rate, I suspect 400k SPRs was imported during 2000-2011 and another 100k SCs last few years

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.

[proper-t]

In 2011 we have 532k SPRs

Singapore Permanent Residents ('000)
532.0
Annual Growth (%)
-1.7

Thanks but if you add 2009 figures for PRs to 2010/11, wouldn't the average increase significantly?

[phantom_opera]

One very important factor is that the new SPRs/SCs they take in majority are productive workers in their 20's or early 30's that are in need of housing

Those EPs/S-Pass/students non-residents fill the HDB rental units, 100k new SCs fight for BTOs, 400k SPRs fight for resale flats


24,633 public flats changed hands last year, a 24 per cent drop in volume over 2010, and the lowest resale volume in the past 10 years.

Let's assume 25k resale HDBs transacted per year, to clear the 400k SPRs (assume 150k families), it will take 6y .... 2017/2018 is the year .. and this assumes no new SPR growth at all

[proper-t]

yep, you have hit the nail on the head. The million dollar question is - are we building enough accommodation for them ?

Are we just clearing the backlog? There is still the annual intake to be taken care of even if we can clear the backlog. We haven't stop taking in FT/PRs/new citizens completely.

[phantom_opera]

we are clearing backlog but I bet those 300k SPRs or 100k SCs are not very rich people, it takes time for them to save enough for the high HDB COV or mass market condo 20% downpayment ... therefore don't expect price to skyrocket anytime soon

there will be rare cases that the new citizen who brings rich daddy to pay for 1m HDB

[proper-t]

we are clearing backlog but I bet those 300k SPRs or 100k SCs are not very rich people, it takes time for them to save enough for the high HDB COV or mass market condo 20% downpayment ... therefore don't expect price to skyrocket anytime soon

there will be rare cases that the new citizen who brings rich daddy to pay for 1m HDB

Yep, tend to agree somewhat. PRs maybe not so rich but new SCs, I think would be of higher networth as I believe that Gahment is super selective now. I remember that last time, a person could obtain citizenship by investing x amt of $$$ here so I assume that networth plays a part.


Whilst they are clearing backlog, new PRs (28.5K) + new SC (18.5K) + new EP (???) will still be adding to that number for every year they take to eliminate the backlog demand.

[radha08]

end of day they can say and do what they want...we all..LL

[richwang]

-1.7

Shocked by the numbers in 2008.
The local born is only 30k-40k in a year.

No wonder people are so angry.
Please read the Sunday Times chief Editor's article, it is interesting that he pointed out the recent unhappiness was not caused by those cheap foreign labors, but caused by those higher quality PRs from China and India who can afford private condos and cars.

Thanks,
Richard

[august]

30% rejected still means a success rate of 70%... very high for any nation.

[Laguna]

we reject Singaporean to the U, and accepts PRC with free accommodations, tution, food etc.....and no string....

A lot of these rejections still get into top uni in Australia....what went wrong?????????????????????????????????

[Mr.Keh]

less peoples rental fall

30% rejected means 70% approved and working here already. Should be more people and not less....

[Regulators]

What about stopping PRs from renting out HDBs? When is that law going to be passed? From what i understand, they are still allowed to sublet out their units for not more than 5 years

[carbuncle]

they just changed it to that, don't think will amend again anytime soon