UK National with 5+ yrs in QA/Test (Software) looking to move

[ukqa]

Hi all,

Just as a preface to this: I've done some looking up on the forums and the general advice is if I wanted to move, my best chances are to look for an MNC and ask for a transfer so I am aware of this.

viewtopic.php?f=15&t=141716&p=849134&hi ... re#p848989
viewtopic.php?t=112185
viewtopic.php?t=139644
viewtopic.php?t=123200

I'm writing to ask about how likely I'd be able to get an EP. I have plans to relocate to Singapore with my partner, who is a Singapore PR, at end of 2024. I am a 27yo Software Tester/QA Analyst with 5 years of experience in manual testing and 2 years in automation and am a British citizen.

I have a few questions:

• What are the general job prospects for someone with my experience in Singapore at the moment, nationality aside?

• In my research I can see that there's been a trend of Singapore putting more focus on hiring locals with the addition of COMPASS to the E-Pass and the increasing salary requirements for the E-Pass. Is there any appetite for companies to hire foreigners given this?

Some other considerations:

• I was recently made redundant due to company financial woes - this necessitates me finding a job in this year and I have seen articles listing that job stability is something an employer would look at.

• My job is not in the Shortage Occupation List.

• I am of Vietnamese descent and am familiar with the culture.

I acknowledge that the most likely answer is that it will be impossible to find a job without going through an MNC, but was hoping to see if the climate has changed since the above posts were made.

Thank you guys in advance!

[jalanjalan]

You can't really put nationality aside. You'll likely have a tough time getting an EP with that level of experience, and note the salary levels (you've probably read this but here it is again in case):
https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permi ... ligibility

One thing you have going for you is your partner (does this mean spouse?) is a PR, and can apply to sponsor you for a LTVP (note the criteria - they have to be working here):
https://www.ica.gov.sg/reside/LTVP/appl ... ident-(pr)

after which you can apply for a work pass:
https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permi ... ued-by-ica

All this is not a guarantee of course.

[ukqa]

Thanks for the advice. I will take the above into consideration, it is very appreciated.

As a sidepoint - if I were to find a job at an MNC, should I make my intentions to relocate clear from the start, or only start doing so closer to the relocation date? By the time I intend to do so, I would have been working for a year.

[jalanjalan]

Thanks for the advice. I will take the above into consideration, it is very appreciated.

As a sidepoint - if I were to find a job at an MNC, should I make my intentions to relocate clear from the start, or only start doing so closer to the relocation date? By the time I intend to do so, I would have been working for a year.

Make your intentions clear to your employer? that would really depend on them and the nature of your position I suppose. If you want to be relocated, better look out for a position that states that as a possibility from the outset.

[Lisafuller]

Thanks for the advice. I will take the above into consideration, it is very appreciated.

As a sidepoint - if I were to find a job at an MNC, should I make my intentions to relocate clear from the start, or only start doing so closer to the relocation date? By the time I intend to do so, I would have been working for a year.

Would be wise to make your intentions clear from the get go, so as to avoid wasting time.

[Lisafuller]

Hi all,

Just as a preface to this: I've done some looking up on the forums and the general advice is if I wanted to move, my best chances are to look for an MNC and ask for a transfer so I am aware of this.

viewtopic.php?f=15&t=141716&p=849134&hi ... re#p848989
viewtopic.php?t=112185
viewtopic.php?t=139644
viewtopic.php?t=123200

I'm writing to ask about how likely I'd be able to get an EP. I have plans to relocate to Singapore with my partner, who is a Singapore PR, at end of 2024. I am a 27yo Software Tester/QA Analyst with 5 years of experience in manual testing and 2 years in automation and am a British citizen.

I have a few questions:

• What are the general job prospects for someone with my experience in Singapore at the moment, nationality aside?

• In my research I can see that there's been a trend of Singapore putting more focus on hiring locals with the addition of COMPASS to the E-Pass and the increasing salary requirements for the E-Pass. Is there any appetite for companies to hire foreigners given this?

Some other considerations:

• I was recently made redundant due to company financial woes - this necessitates me finding a job in this year and I have seen articles listing that job stability is something an employer would look at.

• My job is not in the Shortage Occupation List.

• I am of Vietnamese descent and am familiar with the culture.

I acknowledge that the most likely answer is that it will be impossible to find a job without going through an MNC, but was hoping to see if the climate has changed since the above posts were made.

Thank you guys in advance!

The easiest path would likely be through an MNC, though it is not the only way.