Time between IPA to Travel Approval (EP GRANT)

[SingaporeEP]

Hi,

Starting a new thread here as I need some inputs before I speak to employer.

I'm outside Singapore (India) and prospective employer is applying for EP. I expect a wait time of 8-12 weeks. MNC employer, management role, paid above the required EP criteria.

If application approved, I understand the IPA is valid for 6 months and I will have to seek entry approval during this time. my notice period is 2 months, and if I resign as I seek IPA my employer will start seeking entry permit. Note that I will have to resign from current job, due to long notice, while we apply for entry permit.

My question is

1) What if entry approval is not approved even after I have served my notice in current job? will I be jobless during the transition from IPA to Entry Approval? Since my EP starts from the day I land, technically the employer can't even onboard me virtually in system?

Since entry approval are difficult currently, am I supposed to sit jobless between the IPA grant and entry approval to Singapore?

If some expert can please point out a solution or best approach I can take. Should I ask employer for remote onboarding on joining date, but since I won't be on EP then, would it be legal to onboard and start work while having IPA, before landing?

Any other ideas for people who have faced similar situation, any ideas if entry approvals will be granted this year atleast, since my IPA might be valid till October.

[smoulder]

The IPA is valid for 3 months off the top of my head (maybe someone else will confirm this piece). It allows you to enter Singapore - what you will show the immigration officer at changi Airport. From your entry into Singapore, you have 30 days to apply for an employment pass (the physical card valid for 2 years which will serve as a multiple entry pass). Once you enter Singapore, you will most likely report to work within a couple of days. Your employer will probably provide you with further info on the formalities you have to complete in order to get to the approved pass.

Retain the white immigration card when you fly in /pass through immigration at changi Airport. You will need to hand this over when you complete your employment pass formalities.

Ideally, you shouldn't quit your job until you get your approved IPA. Once that is approved, unless there are some extraordinary circumstances, the approval of the employment pass should be just a formality.

The difficulty in approvals that you refer to is basically approval of the IPA and not the pass.

[SingaporeEP]

Thanks Smoulder!

It helps to understand the IPA to EP cycle.

My concern still remains: if I get IPA but the ICA entry approval is delayed (since I can't fly in with just IPA from India currently), I would be sitting jobless between the period from IPA to EP.

Has anyone been in same situation, where they have IPA and waiting for ICA entry approval to start their job? Any clues when will they start giving entry approval to non essential services?

[smoulder]

Sorry, not sure what's the exact situation at this point. Are there no flights at the moment? I don't think immigration approval has stopped.

[SingaporeEP]

Well Smoulder, unfortunately from India, there are limited flights and only people I know, who successfully managed to get entry approval, are nurses and healthcare staff. But then, I know a very small sample.

Let's hope I get an immigration approval soon after IPA, I would hate to sit jobless waiting for this. Let's hope I get the IPA first

[Veralder]

I think the immigration approval hasn`t stopped. But according to the current situation, you have to have a strong reason to travel there. I wasn`t allowed to go further than the check-in desk until I presented all the documents proofing the test, accommodation and work contract (but I was coming from Europe, so maybe the rules were others, you have to check the entry regulations for India). Are there actually flights now? Because even if you get a get a fast card program, you have to find a flight. As a know, India is banned now on almost all the routes because of the pandemic situation. Wish you a good road without any issues!