Hi there, I'm a 28 year old English solicitor (1PQE). I want to move to Singapore because my Malaysian boyfriend is also a lawyer and has just began working for a law firm out there (he holds an EP - not sure which type). I have applied to about 13 law firms and trust companies since May but have not been having much success. This is despite the fact that I have worked for Chambers & Partners listed firms albeit in private client (tax & trusts) which is quite a niche area. I am therefore about to apply for an EPEC once I have all of the required documents ready. I have studied at one of the universities on the selected institutions list. Has anyone applied for this recently and what has the outcome been? I'm worried that with the current economic climate my application for EPEC will not be successful.
I have also looked into applying for an LTVSP but unfortunately, it looks as though you have to apply as a connected person to an EP holder, therefore I would need to apply as a common law spouse to my Malaysian boyfriend. Is my understanding correct? Furthermore, the Malaysian embassy would have to make a statement stating that we are common law spouses under Malaysian law. Has anyone had experience of bringing in/applying for LTVSP where you and your partner have different nationalities.
I am really scared that I will not be able to join my boyfriend in Singapore and would much appreciate any advice anyone could give me about job hunting in Singapore and applying for EPEC.