Questions about a possible relocation to Singapore

[Hudak-Budak]

Long story short, my girlfriend works for a global consulting firm that has a position opening up in Singapore starting around May 1 that they are looking at her for. They would get us a corporate apartment and pay for the relocation (two benefits most don't receive). Here is some other information:

-The job is supposedly for 6-8 months, but with the scope of the project, it will most likely last about a year and a half.
-I will be going with her.

Now, with that information and the departure date being relatively close, what are my options? I would like to be employed in Singapore, but do I have a realistic chance at that? I'm assuming it would be better to try to set something up before I got there, but is there any chance of arriving and then looking for jobs? Are there many jobs for people who only speak English?

Also, I took the little assessment on the MOM site and it said I would qualify for either an Employment Pass or an S Pass...is either of these better than the other? How long does it usually take to get these things? Is a May 1 departure date cutting it too close?

Thanks in advance for any help you can give me!

[boffenl]

I'm sure you could find something quickly if you're not too picky. Most folks only speak one language here--Singlish, so your English will be just fine. With the continued exodus of expats, there are some nice positions here is you have connections. I'd say try to land something before you arrive, but you can also probably get something here too. Check out the career services offered by the American Association here in SG. Good luck!

[Hudak-Budak]

Thanks for the reply! My next question would be about what kind of visa I would do best getting. My girlfriend will be working there and her company will take care of hers. Would it be in my best interest to get a dependant pass so I could at least go with her and look around, or should I start off trying to get an employment pass? I don't really want to settle for a tourist visa, as she will be there for quite a while and I would like to stay as long as she does.

EDIT: I would probably have to go with the LTSVP rather than the Dependant pass with the current situation.

[boffenl]

Not sure what that visa is. My husband came on a dependant pass, opened his own company and got a waiver from MOM. Now we have PR (since January) so it's much easier to job hunt and movve around. Good luck!

[sundaymorningstaple]

Also, I took the little assessment on the MOM site and it said I would qualify for either an Employment Pass or an S Pass...is either of these better than the other? How long does it usually take to get these things? Is a May 1 departure date cutting it too close?

Thanks in advance for any help you can give me!

You would probably come on a normal Tourist Visa and then apply for a LTSVP (you do not qualify for a dependants pass as you are not married). If you do not have a job, you may be able to find something if you have pre-qualified yourself. It would be better if you had the time to apply for an EPEC (Employment Pass Elgibility Certificate) as that way, you would know that you CAN be hired here. (the online facility is only a guideline and not ironclad). Once you have an EPEC then you will still need an employer in order to get a Working Visa. However, you could also, income levels permitting, investigate getting a PEP. You would need to be able to furnish tax returns to support the claims of earning 7K/mo for the past 3 years, but it is another consideration.

Anyway, once here, if you can find an employer willing to hire you, then the employer files for your work visa. It is only good for that employer so if you leave, you lose your work permit.

Having said all that, depending on your education & experience you may still not be able to find work as having the qualification is only half the story. The employer must be able to show cause as to why they need to hire a foreigner to the the job if there are suitable locals able to do the job. So it's not always easy. With the current economic problems it's getting harder and harder.

sms

[Hudak-Budak]

sms, thanks a lot for the insight. I would even be willing to go there with her and volunteer somewhere for the duration of my stay. When I get back to America, it'd be nice to have something on my resume rather than a gaping hole, so that would be another option if I could be employed somewhere.

[sundaymorningstaple]

There are lots of trailing spouses that do just that. volunteering for some of the charities here.

[utami]

Hey,

I used to live in Philly. Let me know if you have anymore questions that have not been answered. What kind of philanthropy are you into?