HELP!!! Singapore COC (Certificate of Clearance)

[kelly8711]

Hi everyone,

I am in urgent situation. I really appreciate your help in advance.



I have applied EE under CEC on May 10th, 2017 and on July 21st 2017, I just passed medical exam and got requested for Singapore COC.

I stayed in Singapore since 2002 to 2006 under study permit (Student pass),
and because I stayed 7 months more after my 18th birthday, I was asked to get a COC.
So I checked SPF website, but it only says I need FIN number in order to apply for COC, as a non-Singaporean.


But the thing is, it was waaay long time ago! and I only attended high school!!! No work permits were given!!!
I returned my old student pass when I left Singapore, no copy of it, and even contacted my high school if they have my record but the answer was no.
I was too young and my brother was taking care of me at that time so I was ignorant how important those documents could be.
Anyways, there is no way I can't find my old FIN number, and my brother even called several government departments in Singapore and they said the records will be deleted after 5 years or some period after the permit is expired.

.........and I still need Certificate of Clearance.


So my questions are;
1. Is there any way I can apply for COC without knowing my previous FIN number? If so, how?

2. Do SPF accept my application if I walk-in and drop it? (I searched that they discontinued walk-in services)

3. If I mail my documents to SPF office without my FIN, would it get rejected at the end?

4. I did not possess any work permit, was only studying for my stays in Singapore, so I wonder what would happen if I just submit a letter of explanation instead.

5. Or would SPF issue a sort of official letter of rejection of my application?

6. Where do you get the fingerprints done? I am in Vancouver, and I really can't find where I should go for.


Anyone with similar situation or experience??!!?? Please please please!! Your help is gratefully appreciated!!

 

[canada_eagle]

Hi everyone,

I am in urgent situation. I really appreciate your help in advance.



I have applied EE under CEC on May 10th, 2017 and on July 21st 2017, I just passed medical exam and got requested for Singapore COC.

I stayed in Singapore since 2002 to 2006 under study permit (Student pass),
and because I stayed 7 months more after my 18th birthday, I was asked to get a COC.
So I checked SPF website, but it only says I need FIN number in order to apply for COC, as a non-Singaporean.


But the thing is, it was waaay long time ago! and I only attended high school!!! No work permits were given!!!
I returned my old student pass when I left Singapore, no copy of it, and even contacted my high school if they have my record but the answer was no.
I was too young and my brother was taking care of me at that time so I was ignorant how important those documents could be.
Anyways, there is no way I can't find my old FIN number, and my brother even called several government departments in Singapore and they said the records will be deleted after 5 years or some period after the permit is expired.

.........and I still need Certificate of Clearance.


So my questions are;
1. Is there any way I can apply for COC without knowing my previous FIN number? If so, how?

2. Do SPF accept my application if I walk-in and drop it? (I searched that they discontinued walk-in services)

3. If I mail my documents to SPF office without my FIN, would it get rejected at the end?

4. I did not possess any work permit, was only studying for my stays in Singapore, so I wonder what would happen if I just submit a letter of explanation instead.

5. Or would SPF issue a sort of official letter of rejection of my application?

6. Where do you get the fingerprints done? I am in Vancouver, and I really can't find where I should go for.


Anyone with similar situation or experience??!!?? Please please please!! Your help is gratefully appreciated!!

Do you have your old passport ? FIN would be a stamp in it.

 

[kelly8711]

Do you have your old passport ? FIN would be a stamp in it.

No.... they didn't stamp on it... I checked all pages....

 

[canada_eagle]

No.... they didn't stamp on it... I checked all pages....

If you brother is in Singapore he could go to the police station where they process the COC to see if they have a way for you to apply. Else you will have to try calling the police folks who process it and talk to them about it.

Meanwhile you should start documenting all the effort you are making with date, maybe times and people/departments you are contacting to try and get your PCC. If you absolutely cannot get a PCC you will have to write a letter of explanation detailing the best effort you did to get the PCC and why you could not get it. You will then submit this LOE. You could also consult a reputed lawyer at this point to get more inputs.

 

[kelly8711]

If you brother is in Singapore he could go to the police station where they process the COC to see if they have a way for you to apply. Else you will have to try calling the police folks who process it and talk to them about it.

Meanwhile you should start documenting all the effort you are making with date, maybe times and people/departments you are contacting to try and get your PCC. If you absolutely cannot get a PCC you will have to write a letter of explanation detailing the best effort you did to get the PCC and why you could not get it. You will then submit this LOE. You could also consult a reputed lawyer at this point to get more inputs.

Thank you for your advice,

Unfortunately my brother is in Vietnam but he will call ICA & SPF for me later today. (It is Monday there)
At the same time my parents are searching my room in Korea for any evidence of student pass or anything haha
I wish if I can go to Singapore and deal with this matter but my post graduate work permit is expiring in mid of August and bridging open permit which I have applied hasn't been approved yet, so I think it is a bit dangerous to leave Canada at this point.

But I think I will have to write a LOE at the end with the proof of my efforts for COC....
I have submitted PCC for Canada (I've been here for 10 years now) and South Korea (my home country) instead though.

Anyhow, thank you again and please wish me luck :X fingers crossed!

 

[alzs-]

I am on the same boat. My husband lived in Singapore in 2005 and has no record of his FIN. I wrote a LOE explaining the situation and added the following documents (almost a 30-page document):
1. Proof of communications with SPF stating that without FIN it's impossible to get a COC
2. Proof of communication with the university he attended showing they have no record of his FIN
3. Proof of communication with the entity that issues the FIN (I don't recall the name) saying that they can't disclose information like that
4. Copy of his old passport with the Singaporean stamp without the FIN

We asked on the LOE to be excused from providing this PCC.

So far we have cleared medicals and no request has been made for this PCC.

In parallel, we are contacting law firms to see if an attorney could help, but answers have been negative so far. If it comes down to CIC still demanding the COC, I think a trip to Singapore will be needed.

 

[kelly8711]

I am on the same boat. My husband lived in Singapore in 2005 and has no record of his FIN. I wrote a LOE explaining the situation and added the following documents (almost a 30-page document):
1. Proof of communications with SPF stating that without FIN it's impossible to get a COC
2. Proof of communication with the university he attended showing they have no record of his FIN
3. Proof of communication with the entity that issues the FIN (I don't recall the name) saying that they can't disclose information like that
4. Copy of his old passport with the Singaporean stamp without the FIN

We asked on the LOE to be excused from providing this PCC.

So far we have cleared medicals and no request has been made for this PCC.

In parallel, we are contacting law firms to see if an attorney could help, but answers have been negative so far. If it comes down to CIC still demanding the COC, I think a trip to Singapore will be needed.

Hi!

I actually have read your thread a couple of days ago while I was searching for any similar cases as me.
I wanted to know more about how you are dealing this matter, but was unable to find further more...
Anyways I really appreciate for sharing your case with me.

My brother just called SPF and ICA and SPF said, as you know, they must have FIN to process COC
and ICA said if the person comes they can provide FIN right away. Damn! No proxy or relatives allowed.

I was going to get an official letter from ICA or SPF that they can't revoke FIN again (I thought it was like that),
but now I think I must go to Singapore to get that stupid FIN. &^%$#%$@ For that stupid 6 digit number!!!

Good luck for you, and wish me luck too.

I am looking for tickets now and may fly on Thursday 27th if possible.

 

[kennerve]

Hi everyone,

I am in urgent situation. I really appreciate your help in advance.



I have applied EE under CEC on May 10th, 2017 and on July 21st 2017, I just passed medical exam and got requested for Singapore COC.

I stayed in Singapore since 2002 to 2006 under study permit (Student pass),
and because I stayed 7 months more after my 18th birthday, I was asked to get a COC.
So I checked SPF website, but it only says I need FIN number in order to apply for COC, as a non-Singaporean.


But the thing is, it was waaay long time ago! and I only attended high school!!! No work permits were given!!!
I returned my old student pass when I left Singapore, no copy of it, and even contacted my high school if they have my record but the answer was no.
I was too young and my brother was taking care of me at that time so I was ignorant how important those documents could be.
Anyways, there is no way I can't find my old FIN number, and my brother even called several government departments in Singapore and they said the records will be deleted after 5 years or some period after the permit is expired.

.........and I still need Certificate of Clearance.


So my questions are;
1. Is there any way I can apply for COC without knowing my previous FIN number? If so, how?

2. Do SPF accept my application if I walk-in and drop it? (I searched that they discontinued walk-in services)

3. If I mail my documents to SPF office without my FIN, would it get rejected at the end?

4. I did not possess any work permit, was only studying for my stays in Singapore, so I wonder what would happen if I just submit a letter of explanation instead.

5. Or would SPF issue a sort of official letter of rejection of my application?

6. Where do you get the fingerprints done? I am in Vancouver, and I really can't find where I should go for.


Anyone with similar situation or experience??!!?? Please please please!! Your help is gratefully appreciated!!

@kelly8711

ICA will be your best location to get your information. They are not that helpful over the phone, but it will be a best if you can do a walk in. Bring along all your past passports and all sorts of identity you have with you.

Next, head to cantonment in the morning (although they are open the whole day) and talk to the officer. Tell them that you need a COC but do not hold a FIN number. If i never remember wrongly, they do have a form for you to fill up. I manage to do a walk in and do a non digital finger print on the same day.

Which school did you study in Singapore. The school will have some sort of records. Put it this way, if I am able to pull up my tertiary education after being there for more than 10 years (meaning to say they have my education records), I do not see why and how the school is not able to provide you these information. As long as you are a student in the school, they will have your file that contains all the records including your study permit.

Hope this helps.

 

[kennerve]

I am on the same boat. My husband lived in Singapore in 2005 and has no record of his FIN. I wrote a LOE explaining the situation and added the following documents (almost a 30-page document):
1. Proof of communications with SPF stating that without FIN it's impossible to get a COC
2. Proof of communication with the university he attended showing they have no record of his FIN
3. Proof of communication with the entity that issues the FIN (I don't recall the name) saying that they can't disclose information like that
4. Copy of his old passport with the Singaporean stamp without the FIN

We asked on the LOE to be excused from providing this PCC.

So far we have cleared medicals and no request has been made for this PCC.

In parallel, we are contacting law firms to see if an attorney could help, but answers have been negative so far. If it comes down to CIC still demanding the COC, I think a trip to Singapore will be needed.

@alzs-

1. Do a screen shot of SPF website that they require a FIN number. Anyway, for FIN number, you will need to be on an E-Pass or S-Pass or Work Permit to have this number. Without these 3, there is no FIN number. The other alternative is your passport number.
2. Again, same as Kelly case, the school must have your documents. Else they are accepting students "illegally"? which school were you studying in?
3. FIN number comes from Ministry of Manpower (MOM). Again, they will issue to the 3 passes only in #1.

 

[alzs-]

@alzs-

1. Do a screen shot of SPF website that they require a FIN number. Anyway, for FIN number, you will need to be on an E-Pass or S-Pass or Work Permit to have this number. Without these 3, there is no FIN number. The other alternative is your passport number.
2. Again, same as Kelly case, the school must have your documents. Else they are accepting students "illegally"? which school were you studying in?
3. FIN number comes from Ministry of Manpower (MOM). Again, they will issue to the 3 passes only in #1.

We did all that, no record of his FIN. He attended Insead.

Anyways our application is in progress. Cic has not so far requested the COC. Worst case scenario he will fly there to sort this out. No such a cheap trip considering we live in Brazil.

 

[michellini]

I was in Singapore during 2002-2003 on a student pass and now I cannot find it either!!!
Luckily my mom found the FIN (start with G) on one of the papers back home (Vietnam). I am in Canada now and applying for EE under FSW. I was searching around the forums to see if anybody can shed some lights. Is the FIN enough or do we need the student pass document. Now that I read that you said the study permit was returned, I might have returned that as well because my mom cannot find anything else. The question is should I apply EE now and uploading a document saying "I need the official request for Singapore PCC" or should I apply for appeal using my ITA? Can someone please advise.

 

[canada_eagle]

I was in Singapore during 2002-2003 on a student pass and now I cannot find it either!!!
Luckily my mom found the FIN (start with G) on one of the papers back home (Vietnam). I am in Canada now and applying for EE under FSW. I was searching around the forums to see if anybody can shed some lights. Is the FIN enough or do we need the student pass document. Now that I read that you said the study permit was returned, I might have returned that as well because my mom cannot find anything else. The question is should I apply EE now and uploading a document saying "I need the official request for Singapore PCC" or should I apply for appeal using my ITA? Can someone please advise.

I think it is a choice you have to make, wait for the COC before doing your application, meaning your application is submitted later or wait for the letter, meaning your PR process might get delayed.

However, if you do submit your application without the PCC and with the LOE, I still recommend applying for the COC with your ITA. The reason being IRCC gives your 2 months to upload your COC and the process of appeal, application, sending fingerprints and receiving overseas mail will make those 2 months a bit short. You can simply the submit the COC as soon as they do the ADR if you manage to get it with the ITA.

 

[kelly8711]

Hi everybody,

Thank you for sharing your thoughts, I really appreciate it.

For last few days I was extremely stressed out that I might need to visit Singapore for this stupid 7-digit number FIN, but
Luckily!!!! I was able to figure out my FIN!!!!!!
I had no idea when I provided my student visa information to my high school, but THANK GOD! They had my FIN.
My brother made many phone calls to the school and the school asked him to provide documents to prove that I was their student
so I e-mailed my last transcript, high school diploma and current ID along with high school student card.
(So interesting, I have all these past documents but no FIN.)
It is a bit awkward though that they gave me only 6-digit instead of 7-digit number, but I tried to match it with G in front (since it was study visa) and the last letter using NRIC/FIN validator. I might be wrong, but still I think it is better than knowing nothing.
Anyways, @kennerve , thank you so much. You were right, the school had the info.


I will share my timeline for Singapore COC just in case.
July 21th, 2017 - Got request letter from CIC for Singapore PCC (or COC)
July 24th, 2017 - Fingerprints taken and figured out FIN from my high school in the evening, and applied for COC appeal
(I am non-Singaporean, so had to put appeal first)

My brother has a non-Singaporean friend who recently applied for COC too and she told him that it took around 2 business days to get the appeal approved, and around 5 days to get COC.
One business day just passed for me, so still waiting for the appeal get approved.
Fingers crossed :X

and @michellini ,
The COC appeal asked for NRIC or ID proof as you may know of.
I used my BC driver's license, UBC student card, high school student card, and my university student card with all my pictures on as the proof for NRIC/ID because as I mentioned my student pass is gone for good.
I also used the official letter from CIC (not ITA) as the proof for COC request.
Some said they got their application approved with ITA, but some did not so I just waited until I got the letter.

I will update again how COC application goes.

 

[canada_eagle]

Hi everybody,

My brother has a non-Singaporean friend who recently applied for COC too and she told him that it took around 2 business days to get the appeal approved, and around 5 days to get COC.
One business day just passed for me, so still waiting for the appeal get approved.
Fingers crossed :X
.

Congrats on finding your FIN. My wife and my appeal done on 14 Jul 2017 took about 6 business days. So don't panic if your appeal is not approved in 2 days.

 

[kennerve]

@kelly8711 Wonderful that you have found your pin. The next worry you should have are the phone bills as you have been calling international call for quite a bit.. hahahahaha...

For some knowledge, FIN number in Singapore can start with letters "T", "F" or "G" depending on your status in the country.

@alzs- I am not sure what stage you are at but if you are submitting at EE stage, without PCC is fine. You will need the ITA from IRCC anyway to apply for the PCC.