Starting A New Internet Business In Singapore

[noble383]

Hey all!!
Sorry if this has alrady been covered but I have searched everywhere without success.

I am moving to Singapore with my girlfriend in the next month or so. We both have jobs and therefore employment passes are waiting for us.

If I wanted to start a separate internet business whilst working (only a leisure social networking site that requires subscibers) would it be straightforward to do it, or would I need to go through hoops to get it set up??

Also if I didnt take up my employment pass when I get there, and was on a dependants pass, could I set up the business relatively easily??

Any help gratefully received....Thanks

[jpatokal]

Nothing stopping you from setting up a site and running it, but as an EP holder you cannot legally set up a company or "work" for anybody other than your official employer.

[noble383]

Thanks for the reply.

So basically I would need to apply for the Entrepass in my own right to be able to run it. I dont think I would qualify for a dependant pass either as I am only engaged and not married.............

How likely is it to get an Entrepass for internet businesses? There is nothing like it in Singapore, but I guess its not what they would class as a specialist skill?

[sundaymorningstaple]

Not likely. Read the requirements for the pass on the MOM site.

[jpatokal]

So basically I would need to apply for the Entrepass in my own right to be able to run it.

How were you planning to make money off the site? As long as hosting, advertisements, payment gateways etc are outside Singapore, you can mint all the cash you want without working in Singapore and violating your EP conditions. (Taxes are a different kettle of fish.)

[noble383]

The site is basically a dating site, so would be through subsciption. It is not just another mass produced profile site, it is different to anything in Singapore already and I know the Government's SDU are promoting dating agencies to up the low birth rate.

I know that like some other sites, I could base it anywhere and scoop cash out of the Singapore system, but my plan is to have local events for local members etc and actually integrate it into Singapore with a perosnal touch which is much more difficult when you're not a local site. I would need to be liaising with local PR, events people etc.

I have also looked at the 'representative company office' but again dont think that would be viable.

It's a tricky one but may have to wait for 9-12 months to get PR and may set it up outside Singapore initially-at least it could gain some sort of profile. Just seems mad that they are happy for me to do that and take money out of the system, than offer a sound business locally that everyone can benefit from.

[aster]

Get the business started now, get the site rolling, and if it's profitable and making money then I don't see why an EP+DPs wouldn't go through almost a year down the road.

I set up a company here before I even thought about moving to Singapore, and had no trouble getting a EP several months down the road (albeit a P1 pass - maybe that makes it easier).

[noble383]

Thanks for the advice.

I think I am going to start it initially in the UK and then move it over, this way I can have the best of both worlds for the first 6 mths to a year.

I cant start it until at least mid June, as it is still being built and had a 4-5mth timeframe.

[tengatango]

we have started a new business recently and we hope to get more exposure for the online business. Any suggestions as to how we may be able to do that without too much investment?

Also, we are also on the lookout for opportunities to market the products - hope someone here knows who we can connect with. Appreciate it.

That wasn't the way to do it. Guaranteed. - removed by moderator