Singapore Expats

Been here 2 weeks....

Moving to Singapore? Ask our regular expats in Singapore questions on relocation and their experience here. Ask about banking, employment pass, insurance, visa, work permit, citizenship or immigration issues.
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ChrisCowps
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Been here 2 weeks....

Post by ChrisCowps » Mon, 10 May 2010 11:22 pm

..and just moved into my apartment at Savannah condo Park.

Been surprise at how easy everything was including getting the EP without a medical and sorting out things like cable tv etc.

Liking the Singapore experience so far and cant wait for the family to join me in the summer..!!

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sundaymorningstaple
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Post by sundaymorningstaple » Tue, 11 May 2010 12:35 am

Welcome to Singers! Hope you continue to have a good run here. :)
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

februus
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Re: Been here 2 weeks....

Post by februus » Tue, 11 May 2010 8:17 am

ChrisCowps wrote: Been surprise at how easy everything was including getting the EP without a medical and sorting out things like cable tv etc.

Liking the Singapore experience so far and cant wait for the family to join me in the summer..!!
I agree, moved here 6 weeks ago and was amazed at how polite and easy the whole EP process was made. Also came ahead of the family (they are here now) expecting trouble that never materialised

x9200
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Post by x9200 » Tue, 11 May 2010 8:50 am

It is like this practically with all the governmental institutions. At least from my experience. As long as you are on the beaten track and fall into a standard case category the procedures are reasonable and people friendly and helpful. It is easy to open up your own company, it is easy to pay taxes, all the procedures are friendly. Also, they are focused to let you do the things right and not to punish you if you make some obvious mistakes. This is so different from some European countries where tax or other authorities would nail you down if they only manage to prove something was not done according to the procedures.

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aster
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Post by aster » Tue, 11 May 2010 10:27 am

x9200 wrote:This is so different from some European countries where tax or other authorities would nail you down if they only manage to prove something was not done according to the procedures.
Not just European but Western countries in general.

Also, what a huge contrast this country is to Dubai, where you can step in sh!t for practically anything and the authorities will look at the tiniest of things to get you in trouble. Just recently a guy and girl arrested and sent to prison... for kissing in a restaurant. Normal people sent to jail for ordinary medication prescribed back in the UK just because it's not on Dubai's magic list. On top of that technically you're not allowed to be in any public place (sidewalks included) after consuming alcohol.

Thank God we live here in Singapore. :)

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Post by raden888 » Wed, 12 May 2010 2:04 am

Welcome to SG...Things can be very efficient here if you have something they want :D
aster wrote:


Also, what a huge contrast this country is to Dubai, where you can step in sh!t for practically anything and the authorities will look at the tiniest of things to get you in trouble. Just recently a guy and girl arrested and sent to prison... for kissing in a restaurant. Normal people sent to jail for ordinary medication prescribed back in the UK just because it's not on Dubai's magic list. On top of that technically you're not allowed to be in any public place (sidewalks included) after consuming alcohol.


DUH Aster.. UAE is not Singapore and the UAE is a Muslim nation with Syariah law.I suppose because of the majority expat crowd there,people tend to forget. Respect the local customs and you will be fine! :wink:

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aster
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Post by aster » Wed, 12 May 2010 10:25 am

raden888 wrote:UAE is not Singapore and the UAE is a Muslim nation with Syariah law.
Exactly why I would steer well clear of that place.

I enjoy Egypt though, much more civilised and a great place to spend time in.

NBB2
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Re: Been here 2 weeks....

Post by NBB2 » Tue, 18 May 2010 1:27 pm

ChrisCowps wrote:..and just moved into my apartment at Savannah condo Park.

Been surprise at how easy everything was including getting the EP without a medical and sorting out things like cable tv etc.

Liking the Singapore experience so far and cant wait for the family to join me in the summer..!!
I think what you got was the in-principle EP, Chris. With this you'll be asked to go have a medical. SMS, can you confirm this? I.e. isn't a medical always required?

But, yeah, the whole settling down and arranging all the formalities thing, it's a breeze here.

Welcome :)

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sundaymorningstaple
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Post by sundaymorningstaple » Tue, 18 May 2010 1:37 pm

Actually, not any more. Depends on which country you are coming from. If one of the Asean countries, almost always, but if coming the the US, UK, Aus and a few others, you only need to fill out a medical declaration, unless they suspect something. You know, like having lesions all over the body e.g., the last stages of AIDS etc. or coughing up blood while at the interview...... :o
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

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nakatago
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Post by nakatago » Tue, 18 May 2010 2:10 pm

sundaymorningstaple wrote:Actually, not any more. Depends on which country you are coming from. If one of the Asean countries, almost always, but if coming the the US, UK, Aus and a few others, you only need to fill out a medical declaration
For the benefit of others checking this thread, I'm from an ASEAN country and I wasn't required a medical checkup, just signed a declaration. P2 pass. Hence the 'almost' up there.
"A quokka is what would happen if there was an anime about kangaroos."

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Vaucluse
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Post by Vaucluse » Tue, 18 May 2010 2:59 pm

Singapore public services are second to none, in my very humble opinion . . . and that includes Oz, the US, HK and much of Europe . . . let alone the half-wits who pay to get into a government job in most of SEAsia
......................................................

'nuff said Image

maddyhunt
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Post by maddyhunt » Thu, 20 May 2010 10:51 pm

hey guys, just for your info that the medical examination depends on the pass category that is issued by MOM. Usually P1, P2 passes are not required to go for a medical examination. But those under Q1 category are required to go for medical examination irrespective of the country you come from.

just my 2 cents/

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24601
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Post by 24601 » Tue, 25 May 2010 3:07 pm

I didn't need a MOM medical (UK) but I did have to do one for work which apparently is pretty common though it was fairly basic....
Life in a box is better than no life at all... I expect.

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Post by JayCee » Tue, 25 May 2010 4:59 pm

24601 wrote:I didn't need a MOM medical (UK) but I did have to do one for work which apparently is pretty common though it was fairly basic....
Same here

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24601
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Post by 24601 » Wed, 26 May 2010 7:56 pm

Went to MOM to do my biometric data and registration today. Amazingly quick (was in and out in 5 minutes) Thinking of shipping over a few of the employees from the UK passport office to learn a thing or two! Did have a curious incident with a female employee though who grabbed me as I came in and told me I was so beautiful her heart skipped a beat! (Bare in mind I'm female!) Made a rather sharpish exit as she was insisting I couldn't leave until I gave her my number. Well I suppose that is extremely 'friendly' customer service anyway!
Life in a box is better than no life at all... I expect.

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