Re-entry to Singapore from UK

[Geraint-Jay]

Hi all, I wonder if anyone can offer some guidance for someone who needs to return to the UK for a family funeral and then return to Singapore after a week of being in the UK. I am on an Employment pass so I assume I will need to do the 14 day SHN at dedicated facilities? Or can this be done at home?

Someone at the MOM office told me I need to make an application 1 month in advance via my employer to get approval for re entry, but this timeline won't be possible as I may need to fly back to the UK next week. Does anyone know how I can find out whether this is flexible for extenuating circumstances?

I appreciate there may have been some articles about this previously but I'm struggling to find up to date discussions about it. Has anyone gone through it so far?

Any feedback would be much appreciated,
Thanks
G

[bgd]

As far as I know, if travelling from the UK you can't yet isolate at home, it has to be a govt facility.

And as a heads up, I know of someone who was in the same situation and returned a few weeks back. I don't know anything about his pre trip arrangements but on return he had to spend 14 days in a govt facility. It was one of the better hotels but he was confined to his room, couldn't smoke and the food was bad. He wasn't impressed by the whole experience.

[Geraint-Jay]

Ok thanks for the info. Presuming that the hotel is something I would need to pay myself? Along with the testing costs? I've read about these bills being close to $2k plus $200 tests - is this around the same ball park for your colleague?

It sounds like the UK are about to enter another lockdown so not sure if that changes the situation, I don't want to be stuck there..

[PNGMK]

I would do the funeral via zoom. I've done two now. It's not so bad.

[martincymru]

1. I presume Sg allow you to leave Sg. In Wales you are not allowed to travel at all.
2. Sg may not allow you back in (you could maybe fly from England to Dubai or HK or ?),wait a while and see if Sg opens a green lane with said country.
3. Dubai this week starting accepting UK citizens (test on arrival; no quarantine). Seems likely that Sg will open up too in next couple months (test at origin and destination). Realisation that travel/trade will never recover if have to quarantine.
4. Aside, evidence that test at origin and destination results in very few infected cases coming in. The risk/impact is manageable.

[Geraint-Jay]

"2. SG may not allow you back in" What is this based on? I wasn't aware of people being refused re entry - I have a company and family that live here - are people really being refused entry completely?

[martincymru]

"2. SG may not allow you back in" What is this based on? I wasn't aware of people being refused re entry - I have a company and family that live here - are people really being refused entry completely?

no hard evidence I am aware of but Sg can change the rules..... anytime....for anybody...especially if infections in UK rise exponentially

[therat]

precautionary measures change depend on how the covid19 goes and how UK goes.
further more you need to get MOM approval before return

quote from
https://www.mom.gov.sg/covid-19/advisor ... cted-areas

Actions for employers to bring pass holders (work pass holders and their dependants) from overseas into Singapore
As we resume activities in phases post-Circuit Breaker, find out what are the current work pass requirements.

All pass holders (work pass holders and dependants) must obtain entry approvals from the relevant government agencies to enter Singapore.

[martincymru]

"you need to get MOM approval"
apply whilst in Sg or UK?

[TropicalExpat]

I have heard from friends that employees were not being allowed in automatically earlier this year as Singapore was struggling to cope with both domestic infections as well as returning Singaporeans/PRs. However, the information I have received from in the last couple of months is that EP holders are finding it a lot easier to get entry into Singapore, with almost no delay or rejection of approvals

The domestic situation is better controlled, and there are fewer Singaporeans/PRs returning.

In any case, you have to pay the $2k to stay at the hotel in any case and for any health treatment, so you'd be on the hook.

I don't know what your thoughts are on COVID, but given the totally out of control nature in the UK, I'm not sure I'd be heading there, even if it's for a funeral...
[disclaimer - I believe COVID is real]

[martincymru]

this captures my thoughts:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xHp5fohzLQ

[singaporeflyer]

I have heard from friends that employees were not being allowed in automatically earlier this year as Singapore was struggling to cope with both domestic infections as well as returning Singaporeans/PRs. However, the information I have received from in the last couple of months is that EP holders are finding it a lot easier to get entry into Singapore, with almost no delay or rejection of approvals

The domestic situation is better controlled, and there are fewer Singaporeans/PRs returning.

In any case, you have to pay the $2k to stay at the hotel in any case and for any health treatment, so you'd be on the hook.

I don't know what your thoughts are on COVID, but given the totally out of control nature in the UK, I'm not sure I'd be heading there, even if it's for a funeral...
[disclaimer - I believe COVID is real]

You can ask your HR to apply for you re-entry to SG, provided you will return within 30 days. As re-entry can be applied only for the next 30 days.

Also, there are many countries like India, Phils, etc from where SG is controlling entry of non SC/PR because of the high number of COVID cases from there. So, in case the same happens to UK and if you don't have the entry approval, you will find it difficult to re-enter SG.

[PNGMK]

"2. SG may not allow you back in" What is this based on? I wasn't aware of people being refused re entry - I have a company and family that live here - are people really being refused entry completely?

Some EP/DP/LTVP holders have been stuck for months waiting for approval to return. I fully expect UK based folk to end up in the same situation shortly.

[Geraint-Jay]

Thank you everyone for your advice and thoughts and after serious thought, I have decided not to go back to the UK. It just seems like an operational nightmare and lots of time and cash and risk involved.

Crazy times that it's come to this. Makes you feel a little isolated given your best efforts, you still can't leave!

[BigginHill]

Thank you everyone for your advice and thoughts and after serious thought, I have decided not to go back to the UK. It just seems like an operational nightmare and lots of time and cash and risk involved.

Crazy times that it's come to this. Makes you feel a little isolated given your best efforts, you still can't leave!

If you feel you would later regret your decision, I'd go - an acquaintance of mine recently went back to Italy for his father's funeral & came back a couple of weeks ago.

Apart from the upfront hassle of SHN in a hotel, it all went pretty straightforward. (Entry Approvals are generally approved easily these days - very different from Mar-Jun)