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Another PEP Question

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darce
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Another PEP Question

Post by darce » Fri, 21 Aug 2009 1:59 pm

My husband and I are considering a move to Singapore, or, rather, an attempt to move to Singapore. My husband would work, and I'd stay at home with our son and do some writing. I've been reading up on the EP and the PEP, and was wondering if he should try for a PEP now, before he has a job lined up, and before we're even living in Singapore, to make him more competitive on the job market? From the research I've done it appears that he meets the requirements. I realize that the PEP is a one-time, 5-year thing, but at this point in time our primary goal is to get to Singapore and get a job.

We're currently living in the US, but do have a local "contact person" (a family member) for potential PEP applications, etc. Should we pursue a PEP if we're not there yet? Or should we just wait until (we hope!) a job offer comes along and he can apply for an EP? If he does get a PEP, it appears that he has to go pick it up/go through the process in person in Singapore? We're living in the USA now, he has a job, and we can't afford (both in terms of time off from work and in cost of potentially multiple trips back and forth) to go to Singapore, officially get the PEP, and then wait to see if any actual jobs, or at least serious job interviews, come through. If he were to be granted a PEP is there a time limit to how soon you have to apply for it in person, or could he then put PEP-eligible (or PEP-pending?) on his resume/applications?

Any insight or suggestions (on the PEP, or on other strategies) would be much appreciated. We're still learning our way around and exploring our options, and are trying to figure out the most likely way to get ourselves to Singapore.

ep1
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PEP

Post by ep1 » Sat, 22 Aug 2009 2:22 pm

Employers are the one who sponsor EP for foreigners and PEP is personalised EP that is given once and valid for 5 years. So if you were thinking of moving out here without a job, PEP would be the right work permit that you are looking for.

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sundaymorningstaple
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Re: PEP

Post by sundaymorningstaple » Sat, 22 Aug 2009 3:18 pm

ep1 wrote:Employers are the one who sponsor EP for foreigners and PEP is personalised EP that is given once and valid for 5 years. So if you were thinking of moving out here without a job, PEP would be the right work permit that you are looking for.
Actually, this is not true in all cases. Depending on educational qualifications, it might be better to apply for an EPEC which is good for a year to look for a job. This would then not completely blow your odds out of the water. I personally would only take up a PEP AFTER finding an job and being granted an P1 EP. But, each to their own. Both have their merits, but as is noted, the PEP is a once only affair and if you use and use up the first 6 months without finding a suitable positon, you are dead in the water and the PEP is gone (even if it is for 5 years it's only valid for 5 years as long as you can maintain the required income levels. IF you qualify for the EPEC, then you have 12 months to look for that first job. Again, that is providing your finances hold out during that time.

Personally? I'd wait until I had a better handle on the economy both at home and here. Remember, while Singapore bounces back rather quickly if the US spiral down again, Singapore will follow VERY quickly.

Decisions, decisions, decisions!
SOME PEOPLE TRY TO TURN BACK THEIR ODOMETERS. NOT ME. I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW WHY I LOOK THIS WAY. I'VE TRAVELED A LONG WAY, AND SOME OF THE ROADS WEREN'T PAVED. ~ Will Rogers

darce
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Post by darce » Sun, 23 Aug 2009 2:26 pm

Thanks for the input. I had forgotten to factor in the fact that the PEP could expire before the 5 years if we dipped below the requirement levels for any extended time. We'll take a look at the EPEC, and will continue for now trying to find a job with a company willing to hire an American and sponsor an EP. Lots to think about.

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