Just got my Singapore COC while residing outside Singapore (in a South Asian country). So writing this short article for anyone planning to do the same.
I stayed in Singapore btw 2008-2013. And I applied for the COC from outside Singapore. Here is a step-by-step.
You do not need to provide COC as part of your application.
Yes ! You submit your express entry application, and then afterwards IRCC will issue you with the Singapore COC request letter which you will then submit as part of your SG COC application package. I was issued issued with the request letter 2 months 10 days after the submission of my application.
Be prompt when you receive the request letter.
You will be given 60 days to get the whole job done. Getting COC while residing overseas is a hassle. If the request letter has been issued by the High Commission of Canada then you have 30 days !
First you appeal
In my case, my appeal was accepted within 24 hours (however on the SPF website it says the following: >>"You will be notified of the appeal outcome within 5 working days."<<). You will need (i) scan of your passport size photo, (ii) scan of your Singapore ID card, (iii) IRCC/ High Commission request letter, (iv) scan of your passport, (v) plus any supporting letter - in my case I attached a letter of degree conferment from the Singapore university which I attended to make my application stronger.
Then you apply
After the successful appeal, now you can apply. After you apply, in my case I was sent with a fingerprint request letter within 36 hours by email.
The fingerprint business
For those residing outside Singapore
Bear in mind that there is a format for fingerprint (with the title INDUSTRIAL IDENTIFICATION). At the time of writing this thread, the form/format can be downloaded online from:
https://www.police.gov.sg/~/media/coc_sample_of_fingerprints.pdf
https://www.police.gov.sg/~/media/spf/files/e-services/form_coc_sg.pdf
https://www.police.gov.sg/sgsecure/~/media/coc_fingerprint_form.pdf?la=en
If the link is broken good luck with your search. The SPF is good with the email, email them and ask them to tell you the format of fingerprint. They tend to reply within 3-5 days for straightforward non-annoying emails.
Authorized centre: These include police station in your home country, commissioner of oath, justice of peace, notary public. If you are residing overseas please get your fingerprint at one of these centres only with relevant stamps/ signature of the centre.
Courier/ Post your fingerprint
Send your fingerprint along with a letter which will be emailed to you. Alternatively the receipt of your payment can also be attached. Bear in mind that the information on website is not always promptly updated. You need to be careful with courier/ postal service - it would be suicide if you choose a snail-pace postal service.
I sent by speedpost tracking, and was checking online postal tracking and police certificate online tracking on a daily basis, here are the stat:
In my case the letter was received by SPF on the 7th calendar day after sending.
After the letter is received by SPF it enters a queue and was opened after another 4-5 working days. After your letter is opened now this is when your application processing time of 5 working days start. In my case my COC was approved on the 5th working day.
COC Issued-Queued-Sing Post
After the COC is approved, it will be printed and then be sent by postal service. Between the issue date and the letter being received by the Singapore Post there is a time of 3 working days. You will receive an email from SPF saying that the letter would be delivered to you in 2-3 weeks (this is a rough estimate, you are not obliged to believe this).
If you have a friend/ relative in Singapore, you can also choose "collect by proxy" option wherein your friend can collect the COC on your behalf, scan it and then email you. Your friend will need relevant authorization letter as well --- I did not go for this so I am not the best person to share info on this.
Sing Post Registered Mail
Contrary to whats being told by other on the forum that it takes ages to receive the letter, I received the letter on the 5th working day (I live in a South Asian country) - this shows that the letter is delivered within reasonable time. Secondly they send the letter to you by registered mail (so you dont have to worry about the letter getting lost). You get to know about the registered mail tracking number when you receive the letter (not sure if this information can be obtained by sending SPF an email).
In summary
In total it took me 40 days (head-to-tail) to receive the letter, after being issued with the COC request letter by IRCC. I was utmost prompt in my action, and nothing went amiss with the postal delivery services. In some circumstances due to delays in postal delivery be prepared for delay of another 5-10 days, and hence an estimation of 45-50 days to receive the COC while residing outside Singapore is very practical.
I stayed in Singapore btw 2008-2013. And I applied for the COC from outside Singapore. Here is a step-by-step.
You do not need to provide COC as part of your application.
Yes ! You submit your express entry application, and then afterwards IRCC will issue you with the Singapore COC request letter which you will then submit as part of your SG COC application package. I was issued issued with the request letter 2 months 10 days after the submission of my application.
Be prompt when you receive the request letter.
You will be given 60 days to get the whole job done. Getting COC while residing overseas is a hassle. If the request letter has been issued by the High Commission of Canada then you have 30 days !
First you appeal
In my case, my appeal was accepted within 24 hours (however on the SPF website it says the following: >>"You will be notified of the appeal outcome within 5 working days."<<). You will need (i) scan of your passport size photo, (ii) scan of your Singapore ID card, (iii) IRCC/ High Commission request letter, (iv) scan of your passport, (v) plus any supporting letter - in my case I attached a letter of degree conferment from the Singapore university which I attended to make my application stronger.
Then you apply
After the successful appeal, now you can apply. After you apply, in my case I was sent with a fingerprint request letter within 36 hours by email.
The fingerprint business
For those residing outside Singapore
Bear in mind that there is a format for fingerprint (with the title INDUSTRIAL IDENTIFICATION). At the time of writing this thread, the form/format can be downloaded online from:
https://www.police.gov.sg/~/media/coc_sample_of_fingerprints.pdf
https://www.police.gov.sg/~/media/spf/files/e-services/form_coc_sg.pdf
https://www.police.gov.sg/sgsecure/~/media/coc_fingerprint_form.pdf?la=en
If the link is broken good luck with your search. The SPF is good with the email, email them and ask them to tell you the format of fingerprint. They tend to reply within 3-5 days for straightforward non-annoying emails.
Authorized centre: These include police station in your home country, commissioner of oath, justice of peace, notary public. If you are residing overseas please get your fingerprint at one of these centres only with relevant stamps/ signature of the centre.
Courier/ Post your fingerprint
Send your fingerprint along with a letter which will be emailed to you. Alternatively the receipt of your payment can also be attached. Bear in mind that the information on website is not always promptly updated. You need to be careful with courier/ postal service - it would be suicide if you choose a snail-pace postal service.
I sent by speedpost tracking, and was checking online postal tracking and police certificate online tracking on a daily basis, here are the stat:
In my case the letter was received by SPF on the 7th calendar day after sending.
After the letter is received by SPF it enters a queue and was opened after another 4-5 working days. After your letter is opened now this is when your application processing time of 5 working days start. In my case my COC was approved on the 5th working day.
COC Issued-Queued-Sing Post
After the COC is approved, it will be printed and then be sent by postal service. Between the issue date and the letter being received by the Singapore Post there is a time of 3 working days. You will receive an email from SPF saying that the letter would be delivered to you in 2-3 weeks (this is a rough estimate, you are not obliged to believe this).
If you have a friend/ relative in Singapore, you can also choose "collect by proxy" option wherein your friend can collect the COC on your behalf, scan it and then email you. Your friend will need relevant authorization letter as well --- I did not go for this so I am not the best person to share info on this.
Sing Post Registered Mail
Contrary to whats being told by other on the forum that it takes ages to receive the letter, I received the letter on the 5th working day (I live in a South Asian country) - this shows that the letter is delivered within reasonable time. Secondly they send the letter to you by registered mail (so you dont have to worry about the letter getting lost). You get to know about the registered mail tracking number when you receive the letter (not sure if this information can be obtained by sending SPF an email).
In summary
In total it took me 40 days (head-to-tail) to receive the letter, after being issued with the COC request letter by IRCC. I was utmost prompt in my action, and nothing went amiss with the postal delivery services. In some circumstances due to delays in postal delivery be prepared for delay of another 5-10 days, and hence an estimation of 45-50 days to receive the COC while residing outside Singapore is very practical.
