Singapore Expats

PEP application from abroad

Moving to Singapore? Ask our regular expats in Singapore questions on relocation and their experience here. Ask about banking, employment pass, insurance, visa, work permit, citizenship or immigration issues.
Post Reply
Alexei
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 14
Joined: Fri, 24 Apr 2009 11:20 pm
Location: New York

PEP application from abroad

Post by Alexei » Mon, 19 Mar 2018 1:44 am

Hi all,

Apologies in advance if this Topic was already addressed in the past but I could not find the information I need.

I am currently living in the us and wish to apply for the pep. I have checked requirements and it should be fine.
However I am a bit lost with the application process.

Based on the details found on mom (http://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permit ... pplication)
Can you please confirm if:
- I can only deposit my application at sing post? Is there no other online process?
- Same question with the $70 fees that need to be paid at sing post.

I have friends in Singapore that I can use as local contacts but wondering if I have to send all my documents to them so that they process the application for me. Or would you recommend going through an agency?

Thanks in advance for your help!

bcheng74
Chatter
Chatter
Posts: 172
Joined: Sun, 10 Apr 2016 5:18 pm

Re: PEP application from abroad

Post by bcheng74 » Mon, 19 Mar 2018 6:26 pm

Do you have a job offer from Singapore?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Alexei
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 14
Joined: Fri, 24 Apr 2009 11:20 pm
Location: New York

Re: PEP application from abroad

Post by Alexei » Mon, 19 Mar 2018 6:33 pm

No job offer. Currently interviewing and anticipating.
Does this change anything with regards to my application? Requirements do not mention job offer.

Thanks in advance

bcheng74
Chatter
Chatter
Posts: 172
Joined: Sun, 10 Apr 2016 5:18 pm

Re: PEP application from abroad

Post by bcheng74 » Mon, 19 Mar 2018 8:22 pm

Alexei wrote:No job offer. Currently interviewing and anticipating.
Does this change anything with regards to my application? Requirements do not mention job offer.

Thanks in advance
So you expect to come to Singapore without a job but a PEP so that you can stay here for six month to find a job? I am not sure if this is the principle of offering PEP. From my experience, PEP are usually offered to EP who is already in Singapore.

Any PEP? You can share your experience.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Alexei
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 14
Joined: Fri, 24 Apr 2009 11:20 pm
Location: New York

Re: PEP application from abroad

Post by Alexei » Mon, 19 Mar 2018 8:26 pm

Thanks. I will definitely not move to SG without a job. Just being proactive not to have to wait for 2 months before starting my new job.

Thanks again.

bcheng74
Chatter
Chatter
Posts: 172
Joined: Sun, 10 Apr 2016 5:18 pm

Re: PEP application from abroad

Post by bcheng74 » Mon, 19 Mar 2018 8:36 pm

That's the case, then you should get a job offer and ask your prospective employer to help you apply PEP directly.

bgd
Manager
Manager
Posts: 1684
Joined: Wed, 25 Jul 2007 4:09 pm

Re: PEP application from abroad

Post by bgd » Tue, 20 Mar 2018 9:29 am

You can apply for a PEP from abroad. The salary requirements are higher. No requirement to already have a job here.

Alexei
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 14
Joined: Fri, 24 Apr 2009 11:20 pm
Location: New York

Re: PEP application from abroad

Post by Alexei » Tue, 20 Mar 2018 10:32 am

Thanks bgd.
I am ok with requirements. My initial questions were on the process itself which is not really clear from mom website. See my first post.

Let me know if you can clarify.
Thanks in advance!

bgd
Manager
Manager
Posts: 1684
Joined: Wed, 25 Jul 2007 4:09 pm

Re: PEP application from abroad

Post by bgd » Tue, 20 Mar 2018 1:31 pm

I don't know the detail of the application, mine was quite a few years back. And I think it was free. But don't use an agency is the general advice, money for nothing.

You can apply from abroad but then you have to submit over the counter in Sg. Sounds like not all the dots have been connected there.

I would see if you can use your friends to submit and pay on your behalf. You would need to provide them with all the documents.

Alternatively you could contact SingPost and see if they have an alternative option for you.

User avatar
Strong Eagle
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 11758
Joined: Sat, 10 Jul 2004 12:13 am
Answers: 11
Location: Off The Red Dot
Contact:

Re: PEP application from abroad

Post by Strong Eagle » Tue, 20 Mar 2018 8:20 pm

In a previous life I submitted a PEP application over the counter at SingPost for a fellow in the USA. He sent his documents to me and I ran on down the street for him. He got his PEP and he bought me dinner for my efforts.

You could ask around on this board if someone would submit your application to SingPost and see what happens.

However, I am struck by the following:

a) A PEP makes sense if you are planning to come over cold and find employment, although both the 6 month limit on a job hunt and the salary levels required definitely place constraints on you.

b) If you've got an employer willing to hire you, then you don't need a PEP as the employer can simply apply for an EP.

Good luck.

Alexei
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 14
Joined: Fri, 24 Apr 2009 11:20 pm
Location: New York

Re: PEP application from abroad

Post by Alexei » Tue, 20 Mar 2018 8:43 pm

Really appreciate both feedback.

I was thinking of proceeding with a friend in sg. Definitely deserves a good dinner for the effort.

I lived in Singapore 10y ago and had an ep. As I qualify for pep this would give me more freedom if I want to change job as EP is linked to your employer. That’s at least my rationale.

Thanks again

The Ref
Chatter
Chatter
Posts: 376
Joined: Wed, 19 May 2010 11:37 pm

Re: PEP application from abroad

Post by The Ref » Wed, 21 Mar 2018 10:14 am

I think your actual chances of getting a PEP without residing here and having an existing job are quite low.

I would add to that, depending on your race and experience, it may not be worth your time.

If you get an offer, companies expect to do the paperwork for an EP and it is most likely less time than your preparations to move here.

The rules on PEP are getting harder every few years because they are only offered to people who the Government thinks will benefit Singapore, not people who want to use the system.

So:
What is your experience? (Field, years, etc)
What is your Race and citizenship?
Where do you currently live?

bgd
Manager
Manager
Posts: 1684
Joined: Wed, 25 Jul 2007 4:09 pm

Re: PEP application from abroad

Post by bgd » Wed, 21 Mar 2018 10:50 am

The Ref wrote:I think your actual chances of getting a PEP without residing here and having an existing job are quite low.
You think? It's principally income based now and targets highly paid professionals. Provides flexibility and allows Sg companies to make use of (probably) experienced individuals. It only lasts for 3 years so the transient exec can move on or take the EP/PR route. That's where Sg would take in the other factors.

I've known quite a few people, me included, who got PEP with no issues. Some recently. Admittedly all were EP, but I don't see why a non resident would find it any harder.

User avatar
sundaymorningstaple
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 40554
Joined: Thu, 11 Nov 2004 1:26 pm
Answers: 21
Location: Retired on the Little Red Dot

Re: PEP application from abroad

Post by sundaymorningstaple » Wed, 21 Mar 2018 12:18 pm

Sorry, Ref, but have to disagree here.

If they are making 18K/mo as a basic salary within the 6 months prior to the application, they stand a chance of success. However when they get here they have only 6 months to find a job after that, no more PEP. They must also make at leas 144,000 annually, regardless of when they get here or when you get the job so one best hope they find a job PDQ because if you get here in Jan-Feb and you don't find a job until 1 July that job will have to have an basic wage (before allowances/bonuses/commissions) of at least 24K/mo basic (in order to fulfill the 144,000 requirement for the year).

For all intents and purposes, they are getting an LTVP for 6 months to allow them to find a position. At least that is how I'm reading the current guidelines.....
Eligibility and requirements for Personalised Employment Pass
Eligible high-earning foreign professionals can apply for a Personalised Employment Pass. Pass holders have greater job flexibility than with other work passes. However, they need to meet certain requirements to hold the pass.

Who is eligible

You can apply for a Personalised Employment Pass (PEP) if you are:

An overseas foreign professional and your last drawn fixed monthly salary overseas was at least $18,000. Your last drawn salary should have been within 6 months before you apply.
An Employment Pass holder earning a fixed monthly salary of at least $12,000.

Who is not eligible

You are not eligible for the PEP if you are:

An Employment Pass holder under the sponsorship scheme.
A freelancer or foreigner who intends to work on a freelance-basis.
A sole proprietor, partner or where a director is also a shareholder in an ACRA-registered company.
A journalist, editor, sub-editor or producer.
Note: You are not allowed to start a business or conduct any form of entrepreneurial activity while on a PEP. If you intend to do so, you should apply for an EntrePass.

Requirements of the pass

To keep holding a PEP, you must:

Not be unemployed in Singapore for more than 6 months at any time. Otherwise, you will need to cancel the pass.
Earn a fixed salary of at least $144,000 per calendar year, regardless of the number of months you are in employment.

Notify us of the following:

When you start or leave a job.
If you change your contact details, such as local contact person or address.
Your annual fixed salary. You need to declare it to us by 31 January of every year.
SOME PEOPLE TRY TO TURN BACK THEIR ODOMETERS. NOT ME. I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW WHY I LOOK THIS WAY. I'VE TRAVELED A LONG WAY, AND SOME OF THE ROADS WEREN'T PAVED. ~ Will Rogers

Post Reply
  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post

Return to “Relocating, Moving to Singapore”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 7 guests