Singapore Expats

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It seems to me that since the Dutch guy is the one with the employment pass, you ought to be approaching the Dutch embassy with this question. Why the Oz emabassy?

Hi, I have a mate that had some issues with bringing her maid from Jakarta to Sing, and the MOM were absolutely useless over the phone. (stay with me here, this is relevant...). Once she actually went to the MOM offices in person....hey presto, issue solved. Over the phone she couldnt get a straight answer, but in person they were efficiency personified, the correct paperwork was produced, and completed and her issue was sorted. So maybe worth going to the MOM in person. I'm presuming you've only tried over the phone so far.....? Anyway, hope this helps.

zzz

i would say, don't worry too much. You are linked to a caucasian with a EP, his company is willing apply for LTSVP, in a few months, you will probably be thinking "well, it was easy after all". It is stressful on the moment of course, but usually everything gets solved and you get what you want.

Try the Dutch embassy first, its a good suggestion, they should give the letter with no problem.

Don't blame the MOM too much, blame the Aus Embassy for not providing the service.. once you have the letter, MOM won't make any problem and you'll get your pass as easy as 1,2,3...

The Aus embassy stopped producing these letters a long time ago because they are no longer required by MOM.

To get my partner her LTSVP, the only confirmation MOM required was a statutory declatation by the EP holder (me) regarding our defacto status. You can make this at any comissioner for oaths (check the SG yellow pages). I only required my passport to identify myself and paid only $30 to get this statement certified.

AussieNewToSing wrote:
Am still hoping someone here has been thru this experience...I am desperate to get a job also to use the library...You need a proper pass to even borrow a book in this place!..I am not complaining about Singapore.. Everything else is so efficient.

No, of course you're not complaining, yet you punctuated your statement with an exclamation mark as if it's the most presposterous thing in the world!

Well what do you expect? You would be utilising a public facility meant first and foremost for Singapore's own citizens and permanent residents paid for in part by the taxes they contribute. Right now, you have nothing save your claim that you're in a defacto (or whatever they call it in your part of the world) relationship and even your own high commision isn't exactly helpful to you as an Aussie citizen. Yet, Singapore's supposed to bend over backwards just to accomodate you ASAP?

Reality check: Even in Canada, anyone without a SIN (social Insuarance No) isn't allowed to become a member of the public library and borrow any books, so this isn't a unique situation particular to Singapore. Why don't you try your High Commission's resources or the British Council (they have a library I'm sure) in the meantime while getting your papers together. A little patience might come in handy too. Singapore's one of the most efficient places in the world that I know of but there are certain procedures and protocol set in place. The whole common law "marriage" thing is something new to this part of the world that the local govt is having to deal with, with the influx of western foreigners working here. Try and understand this before that ugly attitude of entitlement sets in permanently.

zzz

[quote="AussieNewToSing"]Thanks for the bitchy reply...Last time I checked this was a website for expats, old and new who are trying to navigate their way thru a new country...

Judging by the amount of posts you have made you have been here some time..Do you rant at all the new comers who have a little whinge? Does it make you feel better getting so pissed off at people...

Redundant question. If you were able to make out that I've been here for sometime, then you'd also know that I reserve my special rants for people who need to be brought down a peg or two. People who think the world owes them a living for just being.


Reality check: Common law marriage...I am engaged.. You have heard of the term... Last time I checked when a man puts a ring on a womans finger- she is engaged...Anticipating marriage...It must just be an Australian custom...

No! Really? Jeez, thanks for setting me straight and here I am, married for 17 years and all.

Public Library: My Fiance pays plenty of tax...As will I when I get a pass and start work...

What? No acknowledgement for the alternate suggestions I offered for borrowing books in the meantime? As for the latter part of your statement, we shall see. A little humility goes a looong way. Try not to ruffle too many feathers along the way and remember this is Singapore and things may be done differently from back home.


Try and understand this before that ugly attitude of BITTERNESS sets in permanently!!!!

You appear to suffer from a lack of reading comprehension skills. Other than that, good luck with your life. You're going to need it.

AussieNewToSing wrote: Reality check: Common law marriage...I am engaged.. You have heard of the term... Last time I checked when a man puts a ring on a womans finger- she is engaged...Anticipating marriage...It must just be an Australian custom...

Public Library: My Fiance pays plenty of tax...As will I when I get a pass and start work...

Try and understand this before that ugly attitude of BITTERNESS sets in permanently!!!!

Hope you enjoyed the extra !!!!

You have a rather peculiar way of engaging other here. You type with an attitude and when you got called you try to bite back instead of taking it for what it is - advice. Additionally your attitude about your de facto or Fiance (which is it in reality?) Are your engaged or in a de facto relationship. There is a big, big difference. However, in the eyes of the Singapore government, it just appears you are shacking up and that's why they aren't in any hurry to welcome those kinds of relationships the the City-State. They try to minimize what they see as "unwholesome" relationships so as not to corrupt the locals (Yes,..... I know, they watch TV, yadda, yadda, yadda) That is beside the point. You already know, from your very first post here the day or two before your arrival, that by reading this forum that, yes there is a way and no, you just cannot waltz in here a demand what "you" feel is the way it should be. You are in Singapore and not in a liberal western country. You would do well to remember that before jumping on others for trying to tone you down a wee bit. If you carry on like that in front of a Government Agency, it may well be even longer before you get is sorted (if at all).

And frankly, that is only the 2nd time a several years that I've ever seen Global Citizen get the hackles up. You did come across the wrong way. (you almost pushed my button last week as well over your fiance's blog) Why? Because you didn't bother to read the Stickes and FAQ's. Protocol goes a lot further in Asia that BS, jumping up and down and stomping your feet in tantrums.

Promise.

sms

Can I just butt into this conversation and show my ignorance by asking what is a "common law marriage"?

common law or de facto just means two people are living together but not in a wedded state. Or in cruder terms, shacking up. However, there are common law marriages that are considered legally married after a period of time (at least in a couple of states in the US - Virginia is one I believe). If you have a child in that state, you will be considered as married when it come to that child's welfare.

In most places, it's just a nice name for "living together without being legally married" or "living out of wedlock".

On the other hand, being engaged does not necessarily mean living together. Matter of fact, in all cases it doesn't mean that at all.

Being engaged doesn't actually guarantee that you will marry, in my opinion.
Defacto basically means that you have being living together for an extended length of time.
Good luck OP! You're going to need all the help you can get with your attitude.

zzzzz

You are the sage of this site

SMS, you old sage, you!


As for Global Citizen: Nicely said.

AussieNewToSing, the best advise I can give, and I am repeating this from other's, is to not expect Singapore to be like any otehr country. Just like Holland ( ) is not like Hong Kong etc.

Common law relationships are new to Asia and are not a legal entity in many countries in Europe either. Likewise, being engaged is proof of nothing aside form the 'fact' that your fiance bought you 'a stunning diamond ring'.

It is amazing the quality of cubic zirconiums on the market.


Truly, you will hate it in Singapore if you continue with your aggressive attitude, and this in turn will make your diamond-giver Dutch-boy a very unhappy Gouda-Guy and mess up his/your time here.