Jobs and Visas in Singapore

[Jell]

Greetings,
I am planning to move to Singapore mid-march to work in IT as QA lead and I wanted to ask a few questions in the hope someone can give me some feedback.
I don't have a degree but have been in QA for 10 years working in banking, Telecoms and most recently, Oil industry. Will not having a degree affect my visa application ?
if I do actually get a job and it's contract, is it difficult to set up a company there ?
If I do not get a job before I move and I apply for a 6 mths visitors pass.. can I reuse this if I get a job in the meantime with proper visa ?
Does anyone know the turnaround time from visa application to visa issue ?
Can I goto Singapore on a tourist visa and apply for visitors pass while I'm there ?
Many thanks !
Jell

[jpatokal]

Greetings,
I am planning to move to Singapore mid-march to work in IT as QA lead and I wanted to ask a few questions in the hope someone can give me some feedback.
I don't have a degree but have been in QA for 10 years working in banking, Telecoms and most recently, Oil industry. Will not having a degree affect my visa application ?

Yes, but 10 years experience should be enough to overcome it.

if I do actually get a job and it's contract, is it difficult to set up a company there ?

You need to be a permanent resident of Singapore (or team up with one) to set up a company.

If I do not get a job before I move and I apply for a 6 mths visitors pass.. can I reuse this if I get a job in the meantime with proper visa ?

You can't work with a visitor pass, you need an employment pass for any type of paid work. Your employer will arrange this if you're hired.

Does anyone know the turnaround time from visa application to visa issue ?

Varies greatly. Usually days, but can be weeks or months.

[Jell]

thanks for your helpful information..
Has anyone applied for the EPEC before ?I have seen the EPEC I can apply for which is a little scant in allowing me to enter my work experience.
It asks for degree information.. again I don't have one I have a cert in programming.. and the work experience part is basically 'have you work experience' and that's it.. I'm going to apply for this anyhow if I don't get a job in the meantime but am a little nervous that I will be turned down.
I'm just wondering how successful are applicants for this type of visa.
jell