Singapore Expats

Hi all,

Myself and partner (girlfriend) Imogen lived and worked in Singapore for a year between Sep 2015 - Sep 2016. I was an Architectural Assistant at the time and Imogen an English Teacher. At the time we both loved Singapore but I wanted to return home for a year to complete my training. Over the past year Imogen has been working in journalism and marketing.

Now that I am an architect we are both desperate to move back to Singapore but we are facing a number of issues with Imogen's EP and we're not sure if we are able to come back. Any help would be appreciated. Here are the facts:

Imogen has a first class degree in foreign languages (Italian and Russian) but wants to return to her hold post as English language teacher. She was on a monthly salary of 3300 SGD back in 2015. She does not have a TEFL or PGCE so she is somewhat restricted when it comes to teaching positions. She has however had 2 job offers BUT they are not willing to stretch to 4000 SGD and as a result MOM will not grant her an EP.

We have set our hearts upon returning to Singapore in January and would really appreciate any help and guidance on what our options may now be.

Thank you in advance,

Rico & Imogen

Can you find a job first and Imogen come out on an LTVP? Can Imogen look in the school systems for other jobs? Most International Schools advertise positions online.

Can Imogen get TEFL of PGCE? Seems to be the barrier that can be addressed...


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Hi both, thank you for your replies.

Unfortunately it takes almost 3 years to obtain a PGCE and a TEFL will may still not help her reach the 4000 SGD EP limit.

I have thought about taking the first step and going out there but there is still too high a risk that Imogen will still not find work. We also brought our Singaporean dog back to the UK and will need to bring her back with us again so this is an particularly expensive risk.

We have run our own MOM tests and although Imogen has been denied an EP, it says that she could apply for an s-pass. This said the company that have offered her a job have not offered her this option. Is there a reason that they might have not pursued this option? Are there an specific disadvantages for expats who hold s-passes?

Imogen has so many skills, she's an excellent writer, linguist, top rated teacher and enthusiastic marketer. It's so disheartening that not a single one of the job applications for careers other than teaching come back to her (and she's sent hundreds). Any advice on breaking down the barriers to getting her into one of these companies and a foot in the door?

Thanks again for your replies and comments.

Rico & Imogen

S-pass is issued on a quota basis... x s-passes for y Singaporeans... EP does not have this dependency. For this type of work, one S-pass worker would be allowed for every four citizens. S-pass requires that a monthly levy be paid, a function of the percentage of S-pass employees and costing as much as $650 per month per S-pass.

S-passes are generally issued as "skilled labor". The company may be worried that the job will be considered professional and the S-pass will not be granted. Hard to say.

It will be very hard to break into the Singapore job market from everything that I have seen.

Possible to study TEFL or PGCE in Singapore, getting a student visa? Otherwise how about working in translation?


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IF you can get out here then Imogen can use a D/LTVP-LOC to get a job. The barriers are far less in that case and you know she can get a job - it's just the MOM barrier - that disappears with an LOC.

PNGMK wrote:IF you can get out here then Imogen can use a D/LTVP-LOC to get a job. The barriers are far less in that case and you know she can get a job - it's just the MOM barrier - that disappears with an LOC.

Assuming, of course, that the country from which they are emigrating recognizes common law marriage, and that the embassy/consulate/high commission will issue a letter to that effect.

Strong Eagle wrote:

PNGMK wrote:IF you can get out here then Imogen can use a D/LTVP-LOC to get a job. The barriers are far less in that case and you know she can get a job - it's just the MOM barrier - that disappears with an LOC.

Assuming, of course, that the country from which they are emigrating recognizes common law marriage, and that the embassy/consulate/high commission will issue a letter to that effect.

With a name like Imogen I'm sure she's from some liberal, living in sex type country

PNGMK wrote:With a name like Imogen I'm sure she's from some liberal, living in sex type country

Poster's first language may not be English, for that matter