Fiancee relocating to Singapore. Advice needed...

[x9200]

... MoM is not going to f*ck with MNC's that hire locals and are a significant contribution to the Singapore economy... it's not going to happen. They ask for an EP, they will get it...

From my experience is exactly like that and it goes even beyond EP, for example LTVP for the spouses not formally married. No problem. All arranged at HR level.

[sundaymorningstaple]

SE, much as changed since you departed. With the MOM's Job Bank, if the position being offered, (and that includes the necessity of importing an intercompany transfer) is less than the proscribed maximum for Jobs Bank, you cannot even apply for the pass as the online application will require you to categorically state that you have duly posted the position online to Jobs bank for the minimum period of 2 weeks before offering it to non-Singaporeans. In fact, you cannot proceed to the next page of the application without first attesting to said fact. It's getting rather difficult now for the middle-management types across the board.

[sundaymorningstaple]

In fact, it's pretty much a standing joke here now. As they cannot advertise for foreigners per se until they have done the Jobs Banks for two weeks, most foreign job seekers are using the Jobs Bank to see what positions are being offered to the locals by MNCs and then sending their CV direct to the MNC just before the ending of the two week period that way their CV is on the table about the time they are really ready to get down to business.

[BBCWatcher]

Are we actually disagreeing, Strong Eagle, or are you looking for a disagreement where none exists?

....And I agree also with the subsequent replies.

[Petar B]

@Strong Eagle, so what you say is that if the company has a position that can offer it is more likely for the things to happen rather that not. This is good news...

[Petar B]

Hey guys,

I have another question that you may be able to help. If my fiancee holds an employment pass are we allowed to get married in Singapore? We may not be able to do so in our home country as she is supposed to leave in less than a month.

So are we able to get married in Singapore or we should travel back to our home country in order to do so?

Thanks!

[x9200]

Yes. You can get married via ROM (google) or in your embassy if your country regulations allow this.

[Petar B]

Thanks. The main info that I found if we are both foreigners is:

If both parties are foreigners, at least one party (not both) must have resided in Singapore for 15 continuous days before filing a notice of marriage. Example: a person entering Singapore on 1 August will have to stay there continuously from 2 to 16 August, and the earliest date to file a notice of marriage is 17 August.

I guess this means that we can get married and then I can apply for a dependant pass as she meets the following requirements (taken from MOM site):

Hold an Employment Pass or S Pass.
Earn a minimum fixed monthly salary of $5,000.
Are sponsored by an established, Singapore-registered company (usually your employer).

Is there anything else that we should be aware of? Checking in case my work transfer does not go well and I get to work for the Kuala Lumpur office.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Be aware that if you marry here, ICA may just view it as a 'marriage of convenience' so that you can stay here on the dependent pass. You don't want that to happen. Not saying it will, but it is something that many have found out the hard way.

[Petar B]

That's a fair point and I've thought of it myself. Considering that we are together for more than 10 years and we got engaged a couple of months before she received the offer it certainly won't be a 'marriage of convenience' since we would like to stay together. But is there a way to discuss this with the ICA? How can we prove to them that we are not marrying only for me to stay in Singapore?

[x9200]

I would say, be prepared for it regardless you get married in Singapore or anywhere else. The best you could prove it with would be, for example, shared banking account (with a history, not just opened), or utility bills under both names but some old photos or plain tickets for traveling together may also help. If ICA rejects the application I believe you may appeal and that would be the time you show the proof of cohabitation or something else.

[Petar B]

OK, good to know that they may be open for discussions. We have tons of photos from trips, vacations, and even from high school and the graduation prompt

[JR8]

...if you have any pix of your families together (parents and/or siblings), I think that can perhaps underline the point that it's an established/accepted relationship.