When do you add value to Singapore?

[serve_the_servants]

In almost every post on this forum, the same issue returns: proving MOM that you add value to Singapore and do something that a local can not do.

Having said that, I read that 75% of Singaporeans have suitable Bachelor Degrees.

When do you add value?

Like almost all posters here, I have a master degree. I am holding a Master in Business Administration and a Master in Information Management, both from a global top-50 university (recognized by MOM) and various IT certificates like Prince2 and ITIL.
I have 4 years of full-time experience as a IT mid-level manager and Technology Consultant within the same company. My income is S$8k before taxes. I am aiming for a 3500 / 4000 job in Singapore so my net income is the same as in the Netherlands (50% + tax). Income is not the main drive for me, I want to 'get inside' Singapore first.

I did a 6 month internship in Singapore in 2005.

From your HR experience with MOM, does my profile have a good chance to get an EP once I receive a job offer? Do I have a reasonable chance to get employed during today's turmoil? (given the fact that I will apply as many job postings as possible every day with a 'good' resume and cover letter)

Almost all job postings require bachelor degrees. Both a local and I have that, masters are hardly required. This way it is still difficult to do something different than a local because we both have the same required academic level?

Thanks!

[carteki]

Couple of options:
1) Apply for a PEP visa - this is a personalised work visa and means that the company doesn't have to apply on your behalf. Details are on the MOM website. You have 6 months from date of approval to take it up.
2) Apply for EPEC (I think) It lets the employer know that the govt has assessed you and found that you qualify for a work visa. There is no guarantee however that with this you will actually get the visa.

[serve_the_servants]

thnx,

I think I go for PEP. I have one problem, due to the low Euro, my income now is lower than 7k (6500 from 8400 in april).

Given my profile, still worth a try? I heard that they not require salary slips during the application.

If I have 6 months to pick it up, I can first apply for jobs at a tourist visa, go to malaysia for a week, come back for 90 days and pick up the PEP after that giving me another 6 months to find a job, to give me more time to find a job. Is this correct?

[nakatago]

Just note that the PEP may be good for five years but it's a one-shot thing. When it expires, you either be a PR or use an EP. So, it depends on where you see yourself five years from now.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Just a note on the PEP, the minimum income level to apply would be SGD 7K. Nothing less. The MOM needed a "cut-off" point somewhere. It's for no other reason. So if it's less than 7K it's a no go. That's why it says a "minimum" of 7K and not "around 7K". Additionally, that income figure must be "basic" salary without overtime or commission and must have occurred no more than 6 months before the date of the application.

[Saint]

Just note that the PEP may be good for five years but it's a one-shot thing. When it expires, you either be a PR or use an EP. So, it depends on where you see yourself five years from now.

Still don't know if that will be possible. I've got a feeling that towards the end of the 5 years you will be invited to become PR, reverting back to an EP will not be offered.

[carteki]

Still don't know if that will be possible. I've got a feeling that towards the end of the 5 years you will be invited to become PR, reverting back to an EP will not be offered.

Why do you have that feeling?

[carteki]

Just a note on the PEP, the minimum income level to apply would be SGD 7K. Nothing less. The MOM needed a "cut-off" point somewhere. It's for no other reason. So if it's less than 7K it's a no go. That's why it says a "minimum" of 7K and not "around 7K". Additionally, that income figure must be "basic" salary without overtime or commission and must have occurred no more than 6 months before the date of the application.

I agree with you that the minimum income required is $7k, but the reason for the decline below 7k in recent months is due to (extreme) exchange rate movements (assuming all is basic). There is a possibility that this will be taken into account in the assessment.

[nakatago]

(Post redacted after SMS's reply)

I guess the answers will just have to come to those who deserve it, huh?
Hint for those who are looking for answers: Longevity

[sundaymorningstaple]

I try not to use that as most here are under 6 months or trying to plan how they think they are going to dupe the government here. I don't bring it up as it usually just muddies the waters.

[serve_the_servants]

Does the 9% economic growth in Singapore during 2010 (while the world is at 1-2%) ease the policies a bit towards EP's? I read on Channel Asia that there is an increase in jobs right predicted over 2010-2011.

Thanks on the update on PEP btw, all posts regarding it are from 2009, was unknown about its current status.

[sundaymorningstaple]

The economy and the EP/PR/Citizenship thing is unrelated to the economic growth. The economic growth figures are a figment of SingStats imagination anyway. That's why the always have to adjust it downward after every quarter. It's mostly PR campaign. The squawk by locals has been that foreigners have been taking their jobs....

Regardless of how the economy is doing. And there is an element of truth to it but it was brought about by the government itself. They wanted the economic data to always look good, so when they couldn't get the locals to work smart (efficiently) to increase productivity, the went the other way, importing foreigners for a pittance to do the jobs and while actual efficiency wasn't any better, the bottom line was due to the much lower wage cost. This led the gahmen to closing one eye on their requirements (the guidlelines were still there but they were lax in enforcing them). Now with elections and a recent bad recession, the voters has the PAP worried of a backlash vote against the current gov't. Hence the tightening up on all foreigners. This, I feel, will not change until the elections are over at the earliest.

So, while related, an increase in the economy only looks good on paper, but the people have suffered a long time and it's going to take a while for that to subside.