URGENTLY NEED HELP AND ADVICE FOR MY GIRLFRIEND TO STAY

[chuichui]

I REALLY APPRECIATE SOME HELP AND ADVICE FOR WHAT TO DO TO HELP MY FOREIGN GIRLFRIEND STAY IN SINGAPORE.

HERES THE SCENARIO

IM A SINGAPOREAN CITIZEN AND I OWN 2 RETAIL SHOPS IN SINGAPORE DOING SMALL BUSINESS. IM REGISTERED AS BUSINESS AND NOT A COMPANY FIRM.

MY GF AND I RECENTLY SETTED UP A RETAIL STORE HERE AND SHE INVESTED IN MY BUSINESS.

BUT I CANNOT GET HER NAME REGISTERED IN THE BUSINESS AS SHE IS A FORIEGNER AND RCB TOLD ME TO APPLY A AIP EP FIRST AND WHEN ITS APPROVED THEN I CAN GET HER NAME INTO A PARTNERSHIP.

I WENT AHEAD AND SEEK OUT SOME EMPLOYMENT AGENCY AND THEY TOLD ME THE MOST IMPORTANT CRITIRIA FOR AIP EP IS THE QUALIFICATION .

BUT MY GF ONLY STUDIED TILL MIDDLE SCHOOL IN HER COUNTRY ( WHICH IS JUST OUR SECONDARY SCHOOL AND NOT O'LEVEL QUALIFIED)

SO SHE DO NOT HAVE HIGH QUALIFICATION.

2ND OPTION I HAVE IS TO APPLY A WORK PERMIT FOR HER.
BUT SINGAPORE REGULATIONS IS AS SUCH THAT I MUST HAVE 3 LOCAL EMPLOYEES THEN I CAN HIRE A FORIEGN WORKER.

IM ONLY HANDLING THE STORE MYSELF AND HENCE I DONT HAVE ANY WORKERS AT THIS MOMENT.

SO WHAT CAN I DO TO GET HER TO STAY HERE AND OPERATE THE BUSINESS TOGETHER WITH ME?

I REALLY NEED HELP ON THIS AS I SEEK EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES AND THEY SAY WITH HER QUALIFICATION ITS NOT POSSIBLE THAT I CAN HIRE HER AND GET THE AIP EP.

CAN I STILL GO AHEAD AND APPLY THE AIP EP FOR HER AND UNDER EMPLOYMENT OF MY RETAIL STORE?WHAT THE CHANCES LIKE OR WHAT ELSE CAN I DO ?

I REALLY HOPE SOMEONE HERE COULD HELP ME OUT IN THIS SITUATION URGENTLY.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

[Strong Eagle]

Perhaps your friend should consider applying for an Entrepass... an 'entrepeneur's pass'. See:

http://www.mom.gov.sg/MOM/CDA/0,1858,12 ... --,00.html

for all the details. Essentially, your friend submits a detailed business plan which includes investment, etc. Rather than focusing on educational credentials, the entrepass focuses on the potential for success in the business, and the ability of the person(s) making application to invest in and run the business.

My own sense of the approval procedure is that the plan needs to demonstrate how you will eventually employ more Singaporeans. It is only my guess but if your plan simply displaces others it will not get approved, but if you show a three year plan that shows you will be hiring clerks, etc., or will be paying corporate taxes, then maybe your application will be viewed more favorably.

[yoongf]

If taking the Work Permit route.. beware of it's implications later on if marriage is attempted. Need approval before can marry...

http://app.rom.gov.sg/internet/reg_info ... onfirm.asp


Actually.. if the relationship is firm.. consider marriage? Solves a lot of issues upfront.

Alternatively.. find a company willing to hire her as their employee?

[Bafana]

As a citizen you can sponser her as your defacto or commen law spouse for a LSVP from Immigration or MOM.

Best bet go to Immigration on Victoria Street and join the que to ask an immigration officer exactly what you need to do to sponser her.

Good luck and I hope you and your GF are happy.

[chuichui]

thank u guys for all the adivces.

but what is defacto or commen law spouse for a LSVP from Immigration or MOM.

pls help me on this

thanks

[Bafana]

thank u guys for all the adivces.

but what is defacto or commen law spouse for a LSVP from Immigration or MOM.

pls help me on this

thanks

Defacto or common law means that you have lived togethor as a man and women in the married sense but have not been formaly married

LSVP - Long Term Social Visit Pass

MOM - Ministry of Manpower

But as you are a Singaporean go to Immigration Office on Victoria Street

[chuichui]

hi thanks. so how long can she stay using the long term social visit pass?

and if i declared defacto will it cause any trouble or anything consequences in our future concerning business or whatsoever?

pls help me out

thanks

[Bafana]

The immigration department gan only give up to a 1 year LSVP - MOM on the otherhand can issue a 2 year LSVP but you need to be an expat to get an LSVP for you common law spouse.

The immigration department typically gives no more then 6 months at a time and usually 1 month at a time - They can be really tough so make sure you have all of your information at hand. BTW try and get a female and/or younger officer as they tend to be more understanding.

As for defactoe spose and your business I have no idea.

[chuichui]

hi bafana,thanks for qucik reply

but im a local singaporean male citizen here.
u mention that i can only be an expat to get the lsvp for my hong kong gf?

and when lvsp expires, i will have to get another again?

im planning to get marry in 2 years time so i hope the lvsp can help me out by opting defacto to mom or immigration.

can i have your email so that i can contact u further . pls help me out on this .

thanks

[Bafana]

As a citizen u can get her a LSVP through ICA on Victoria Street and yes you will need to get her a new one when the old one expires.

email: well that would be telling would'nt it