Two Month stay, what to do??????

[lively1nc]

I will be staying in Spore for a two month assignment and it is my first time. Should I set up a bank account, get a mobile phone, use credit card as opposed to cash, etc... Any information on a short stay would be greatly appreciated.

[jpatokal]

I will be staying in Spore for a two month assignment and it is my first time. Should I set up a bank account, get a mobile phone, use credit card as opposed to cash, etc... Any information on a short stay would be greatly appreciated.

Are you actually employed in Singapore, or just abusing a tourist visa and getting paid overseas? Most banks won't let you open an account without proof of local residence, but search the forum for exceptions. Credit cards are widely accepted, but you'll get screwed on the exchange rate and you still need some cash for the local corner shops. Getting a local SIM card definitely makes sense though, you can pick up a prepaid card in any 7-11.

Generic "welcome to Singapore" info:
http://www.singaporeexpats.com/guides-f ... -expat.htm
http://wikitravel.org/en/Singapore

[lively1nc]

JP- Thanks for the info. I actually have an internship lined up for just two months due to me going to China to do my study abroad this fall. i am not sure what it is that you are refering to but I will be staying in a Serviced Apartment and was just trying to save my parents some money on the exchange. Any help on that would be appreciated. Should I just use an ATM and get my cash that way? Will I not be able to get a bank account if I have a letter proving my employment?
Thanks!

[Asian_Geekette]

JP- Thanks for the info. I actually have an internship lined up for just two months due to me going to China to do my study abroad this fall. i am not sure what it is that you are refering to but I will be staying in a Serviced Apartment and was just trying to save my parents some money on the exchange. Any help on that would be appreciated. Should I just use an ATM and get my cash that way? Will I not be able to get a bank account if I have a letter proving my employment?
Thanks!

lively,
If you do get to open an account with a local bank, how long will you keep it open? Most banks charge a certain amount of money once you close the account within a certain period from the time you first opened it (i.e., 6 months from the time you opened it).

Check how much will your own bank charge if you withdraw money using the ATM card they issued you when you're in Singapore.

[lively1nc]

Are you actually employed in Singapore, or just abusing a tourist visa and getting paid overseas?




I am going to be staying just shy of two months? I sure this board is probably sick and tired of seeing people ask for the same information all of the time, but I am really disappointed in the lack of information provided from all of you. The Moderator blasts me for some lame attempt of accusing me of abusing a tourist visa? What’s up with that? If you are supposed to help people, then why can’t you just answer some simple questions? I am a college student doing an internship who is going to be over their trying to better my chances for a future. This is the second time I have posted with the same results. No help? First time was about finding somewhere to live. Why do all of you spend time here if you are too good to help those of us who really need information? I just wanted to know the most economical way for me to spend my time there, have fun, communicate with my parents and friends back home, and how to bank or procure cash to live on.

Anybody who would like to provide me with some helpful information would be greatly appreciated.[/quote]

[sundaymorningstaple]

Are you actually employed in Singapore, or just abusing a tourist visa and getting paid overseas?

I am going to be staying just shy of two months? I sure this board is probably sick and tired of seeing people ask for the same information all of the time, but I am really disappointed in the lack of information provided from all of you. The Moderator blasts me for some lame attempt of accusing me of abusing a tourist visa? What’s up with that? If you are supposed to help people, then why can’t you just answer some simple questions? I am a college student doing an internship who is going to be over their trying to better my chances for a future. This is the second time I have posted with the same results. No help? First time was about finding somewhere to live. Why do all of you spend time here if you are too good to help those of us who really need information? I just wanted to know the most economical way for me to spend my time there, have fun, communicate with my parents and friends back home, and how to bank or procure cash to live on.

Anybody who would like to provide me with some helpful information would be greatly appreciated.

JohnnyReb,

get you dander down a bit! He asked a logical question as we don't try not to either encourage what are technically illegal acts and we don't want to be seen as abetting such actions. If you bothered to read the rest of his post however, you will note that he did give you considerable information without waiting for an answer regarding his initial question. Once you realize the cachet of this little red dot in SE Asia, you will understand why all types of people want to come here and will do all sorts of things to attain it. Recently we had one that wanted to rent just a post office box to transship moneys (laundering) from online gambling activities as it seems to be not quite allowed in the good ole US of A. He was actually a US citizen and living in Thailand.

Yes, sometimes we do get a bit ascerbic due to people asking the same questions over and over again without using the forum search functions. They found this site probably using google or yahoo so what's stopping them from using the same skillset on the forum? I think you need to cut us some slack. We donate a considerable amount of time policing (I hate that phrase) these threads to keep them readable and not loaded with spammers and trolls. We do this for free and we all work at full time jobs as well. AND we are human as well.

From another south of the mason-dixon line resident.

sms

[muratkorman]

Don't be angry with the moderators, they try to keep the order in this forum and avoid suggestions for illegal acts.

It is not worth opening a bank account for just 2 months. Using credit card is better than drawing cash from ATM as you will pay extra fee for each withdrawal. I don't agree that you will be screwed with exchange rates when you use your credit card. They first change the SGD amount to USD and from USD to your currency. SGD against USD is stable and if your currency doesn't fluctuate too much, you won't have any problem.

Get a prepaid card for mobile.

Don't bring chewing gums. They are considered seeds of evil here

Enjoy your 2 months in Singapore.

[jpatokal]

I am going to be staying just shy of two months? I sure this board is probably sick and tired of seeing people ask for the same information all of the time, but I am really disappointed in the lack of information provided from all of you. The Moderator blasts me for some lame attempt of accusing me of abusing a tourist visa? What’s up with that?

It's not a blast, it's a genuine question. If you're not getting paid locally and/or are not employed legally, you will find it difficult to open a bank account and there isn't really much reason to do so either.

And murat, if you read the small print on your credit card, you'll note that they take a 1-2% cut and then apply a bad exchange rate. Take a few transactions on your last bill and compare the rates to what xe.com says -- you may be surprised.

[sundaymorningstaple]

And murat, if you read the small print on your credit card, you'll note that they take a 1-2% cut and then apply a bad exchange rate. Take a few transactions on your last bill and compare the rates to what xe.com says -- you may be surprised.

Ain't it the truth! That emergency trip I had to make to maryland last month bit me good! Fortunately I paid the airline tickets using a US VISA card and paid it when I got to my home there. But the other bills on a local Visa really bit once you look at the exchange rates AS WELL AS the surcharge that they charge for overseas transactions (not part of the exchange rate).

[lively1nc]

I am sorry to get all worked up over this and want to extend an olive branch to all. It is just frustrating for me to try and figure out how it all works and be able to conserve money while I am there. Would it be wrong to send some money to a co-worker who lives in the red dot and have them dole it out to me while I am over there? This seems to be my biggest dilemma because my pay will be direct deposited in my US account. I was going to use a credit card to pay my Serviced Apartment all at one time due to the increase in Taxes that will take place in July. Do you all think that is a good idea or not?

Once again, sorry, and thanks for your help!

[muratkorman]

I know that different conditions may apply on credit cards depending on the country. In my case, I have a Turkish Visa Card obtained from a Turkish Bank. There is no commission applied for transactions (including overseas) and the exchange rates are daily rates which are reasonable. My bill is being paid in Turkey from my Turkish account.

I only use it for transactions more than 100 SGD, but until now I didn't have any problem with it.

Perhaps it would be better for Lively1nc to check his credit card terms and conditions before using it.

[Strong Eagle]

I am sorry to get all worked up over this and want to extend an olive branch to all. It is just frustrating for me to try and figure out how it all works and be able to conserve money while I am there. Would it be wrong to send some money to a co-worker who lives in the red dot and have them dole it out to me while I am over there? This seems to be my biggest dilemma because my pay will be direct deposited in my US account. I was going to use a credit card to pay my Serviced Apartment all at one time due to the increase in Taxes that will take place in July. Do you all think that is a good idea or not?

Once again, sorry, and thanks for your help!

A wire transfer is your most viable option, unless someone comes to visit you and brings cold hard cash. For a two month stay this would be the best. Bring US $9,999 with you when you come. Have a friend come visit and bring some more.

You can open an account at Citibank with only a passport but the monthly fees are pricey. You can also open an account at UOB with only a passport provided that a current account holder provides you with a letter of recommendation. I did this for an employee who go pais in Singapore but always worked offshore.

[lively1nc]

I would hope that I dont spend $9999.00 US in two months. If I brought cold hard US cash would that be better than trying to get cash from an ATM or using my credit card? I hate to have that much cash sitting around.

[muratkorman]

It is very easy to exchange money through exchange offices. There are so many all around Singapore and their rates are reasonable. I never tried exchanging money in a bank, but I suppose these offices provide better rates.

[gardawg9]

I was in Singpapore four weeks ago and just rechecked my credit card statement and they charged me 3%. It is a citibank credit card based out of the US. Does anyone know of any US based cards that don't charge a fee? Moving to SG in a couple of weeks.