A 49-year-old applicant (grade 10 at 60%, printing-technology diploma from 1994, ~28-year study gap) shared a study-permit approval for a graphic-design diploma in PEI — PPR arriving about a month after lodging, through the Singapore VAC.
What the discussion added:- Non-SDS is not a death sentence — sometimes it's faster. Members noted the file wasn't SDS (the VAC used isn't in the SDS category) and that in this period non-SDS files were at times processing faster than SDS ones. The Singapore visa office's reputation for delays made the quick approval more notable.
- The program continued the old credential. A graphic-design program logically extends a printing-technology diploma — the 28-year gap was covered by continuous work (evidenced through ITRs), making the study plan coherent despite the age.
- Self-filing worked. The applicant filed the visa personally and used a consultant only for the college admission — evidence that a mature, well-documented file doesn't require an agent.
The practical takeaway: age and long gaps are survivable when the finances are complete (fees + GIC + funds + ITRs) and the chosen program visibly continues your existing trade. Non-SDS routing alone shouldn't discourage an otherwise coherent file.