Agency comparison guide
How to compare an immigration agency in Singapore
Compare agencies by the work they commit to in writing, who performs it, how fees are triggered, and whether the applicant remains in control of declarations and submission.
No private agency decides or influences the result.
ICA makes PR and citizenship decisions. ICA's application pages expressly state that it has no affiliation with external migration agencies or commercial entities claiming to be specialists or partners.
An agency's legitimate role is preparation: interpreting the published route, checking documents, identifying inconsistencies, organising agreed work, and helping the applicant understand the submission process.
Compare these terms line by line
01
Application route
The quote should identify PR or citizenship, the ICA eligibility category, sponsor role, and included family members.
02
Deliverables
Look for a document list, consistency review, written feedback, review rounds, and a defined pre-submission check.
03
Reviewer accountability
Know the role of the person responsible for the file and who answers substantive questions.
04
Applicant control
You should review all answers, retain credentials, make declarations, submit, pay ICA, and respond directly when required.
05
Commercial fee
Record the amount or calculation, payment trigger, exclusions, extra applicants, added work, and rejection treatment.
06
Government fees
ICA fees should be separately identified and never presented as an agency charge.
07
Outcome claims
Reject guaranteed approval, “inside access,” hidden scoring claims, or statistics without verifiable methodology.
Pier's terms to compare
Initial assessment
The initial profile assessment is free and carries no obligation to proceed. It reviews the application category, document gaps and preparation steps, with a recommendation to apply, complete specific preparation first, or check a different route. It does not predict approval.
Advisory fee
If a client proceeds after the free assessment, Pier Immigration's advisory fee is payable only if and when ICA approves the application. If ICA rejects the application, no Pier advisory fee is owed. The engagement scope is agreed in writing before advisory work begins.
Written scope
The engagement scope is agreed before advisory work begins. Applicants retain responsibility for authentic records, declarations, credentials, ICA submission, and government fees.
Read the detailed fee policy, process, and evidence standards.
Immigration agency FAQs
Is a private immigration agency affiliated with ICA?
No. ICA states that it has no affiliation with external migration agencies or commercial entities claiming to be immigration specialists or partners, and it does not endorse private consultancy providers.
How should I compare immigration agencies in Singapore?
Compare the exact application category, named reviewer role, included records, review rounds, applicant responsibilities, fee trigger, exclusions, and evidence standards in writing.
Should an agency hold my Singpass credentials?
Applicants and sponsors should retain control of their credentials, review the form, provide declarations, and submit through ICA themselves.
What fee details should be written down?
The written terms should state the commercial fee, when it is payable, included applicants, added work, refund or rejection treatment, and that ICA government fees are separate.
Evaluate advisory support
Compare Pier on the written scope.
Start with a free assessment, then decide after the proposed work and fee terms are clear.
Book a profile assessment