Original academic records for EP

[Incassable]

Hi,

I just received my "in-principle approval letter" for my EP, but it states that I will need to bring original documentation of my educational certifications as that may be requested upon arrival in Singapore.

I have a problem with that as I am currently located in Asia and would need to return to the U.S. in order to get original/certified university records.

I currently have a printout of my university record/transcript as it is listed on the internet, but I don't have an original.

My question is; are they really going to require to see the original certification or will the university transcript that I printed out suffice? If it matters, the university transcript is what I originally submitted with my EP application.

Thanks

[kaurikid]

Unfortunately there is a lot of false documentation in Asia, the easiest thing to do is to pay for the university to print a copy and certify it is a true copy.

[Incassable]

Thanks for the response. It is not a matter of paying for the copy or not; as I said in the original post, the problem is that they are requiring me to physically be present to request the certified copy.

I am in the China, they are in the U.S.; I really don't want to have to take a detour to the U.S. on my way to Singapore just to obtain a certified copy if it is not even really needed.

So my question is still whether anyone has direct experience with having their documentation checked when changing from an IPA to an EP and if so, did they really require the documentation to be 'original' certified copies.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Yes. At least when I got mine I had to go back to the State Board of Medical Records in the US for John Hopkins in Baltimore to get a certified copy of my birth Certificate.

But that was almost 20 years ago. Now days it would seem that they let just about anybody become PR. Don't have a clue about today however.

[tilly]

MY EP was approved with scanned copies of the documents as I was applying while still in NZ. Don't know if this helps cos it sounds like you don't have a copy at all, but just so that you know scans were accepted in my case.

[Strong Eagle]

You will require an original diploma and transcript or certified copy. Had to provide them for my EP. Both returned.

I have a hard time believing that the university cannot process a certified copy request via the post, email, or a phone call. What backwater uni did you attend (joke, I hope).

In the alternative, request transcripts as you would for applying to another school and have them sent to MOM.

[Incassable]

Thanks for the responses.

Tilly, just so I am clear, when you arrived in Singapore, you did not need to submit original copies? I have also submitted copies and have successfully obtained my 'in principle approval,' but I am being told that I need to have originals on me when I get to Singapore "in the event" that they request them.

So I am assuming that they did not require that you present the original certified copies when you arrived/went to MOM office to get your actual EP pass? Is that correct? I can present the copies of the transcripts with no problems and even log onto the Uni's webpage to show them my records on their own computer screen.

Strong Eagle; you would certainly think from the university's antiquated policies, they are backwater. I am from the South which should explain EVERYTHING.

In actuality, I need records from three different schools; two of which make it relatively easy (request via fax and FedEx to me anywhere in the world) and a third that is not willing to offer even an inch of flexibility to their antiquated policies.

Well, maybe an inch of flexibility, but no more: I can mail them a formal request in writing to have my transcript mailed via USPS to an address in the U.S., but based on my experience with dealing with them before, that has a turnaround time measuring in the decades (plus add the Chinese mail system to the equation puts it possibly to centuries).

Unfortunately that means that if I truly need this orginal document prior to starting my job in two weeks, I really need to 'swing by' the East Coast of the U.S. just to get a piece of paper that simply states the same thing that I have already submitted and gained In Principle approval on. If it is truly needed, I am happy (well, not the right word, but you get the idea) to do it.

If the chances are high that I will not need to submit further documentation to change from an IPA to an EP, then I would love to avoid the 20 hour flight x 2 that is associated with getting the original copies (which is an oxymoron to begin with).

Again, thanks for any insight.

[rnb]

my husband did not have to present the original documents when he went to get the employment pass last month (i was there with him at the MOE). the MOE webpage also indicates that copies are needed (not the originals).

since you seem to be running out of time, can't you just get here, get the medical exam done, go and apply for the EP, and if they insist on seeing the originals, book that detour to the US? you do have about a month to process that EP.