Relocation contract and housing questions

[richie303]

Hi,

I am waiting on a decision on a job I have applied for in Singapore, I understand a fair amount about the place, however, I have a few questions and hoped you may be able to assist.

My initial contract will be for 6 months but the wage very good so these questions relate to that.

- I understand I can apply for a Permanent Employment Pass once I have taken up a contract in SG and my wages over 7K pcm. Is this likely to be accepted witin 6 months?

- I will be looking at renting a condo unit, I understand all the costs and have no problem, I also understand the tenancy is usually 1 or 2 years. I have read up about the diplomatic clause which allows you out after 1 year on a longer contract, what about if I find myself out of work and have to move after 6 months, am I likely to have an issue with leaving a rental agreement i.e. will i cost me 6 months + 2 months notice if I leave?

- My wife will be coming over, if she works on a DP (she's skilled and could get an EP in her own right, but she will come as a Dependant initially) if I don't get an extension will her DP be revoked and work be stopped? (I assume yes, but want to check options)

Anyone know of any good shipping companies for Scotland to SG?

Thanks in advance

Richie

[sundaymorningstaple]

Hi,

I am waiting on a decision on a job I have applied for in Singapore, I understand a fair amount about the place, however, I have a few questions and hoped you may be able to assist.

My initial contract will be for 6 months but the wage very good so these questions relate to that.

- I understand I can apply for a Permanent Employment Pass once I have taken up a contract in SG and my wages over 7K pcm. Is this likely to be accepted witin 6 months?

Yes theoretically, No in reality under the current run-up to the elections.

- I will be looking at renting a condo unit, I understand all the costs and have no problem, I also understand the tenancy is usually 1 or 2 years. I have read up about the diplomatic clause which allows you out after 1 year on a longer contract, what about if I find myself out of work and have to move after 6 months, am I likely to have an issue with leaving a rental agreement i.e. will i cost me 6 months + 2 months notice if I leave?

Yes. Even with a dip clause, the penalties are rather stiff if still on the first years of a two year lease (possibly must have a minimum of a two year lease to get a dip clause - but I could be wrong here, so maybe another of our readers will have more info there - I'm a home owner so don't know)

- My wife will be coming over, if she works on a DP (she's skilled and could get an EP in her own right, but she will come as a Dependant initially) if I don't get an extension will her DP be revoked and work be stopped? (I assume yes, but want to check options)

If she's on a Dependent's pass, yes it will be revoked as it is tied to your EP. However, if she manages to find a job in her own right and get's her own EP, then she is not tied to you and should you lose your job, she could, in theory apply for a DP for you.

Anyone know of any good shipping companies for Scotland to SG?

Can't help you there.

Thanks in advance

Richie

[richie303]

Thank you SMS, this certainly helps with some of my questions, I now know the risks I am taking with housing, and I will make sure that my wife gets an EP on her own right rather than on a DP, this way ensuring we don't have too many issues if my contract doesn't extend immediatly.

Is it typical for Tenants to do a 1 year tenancy option on a condo or is this harder to find? What about HDB for the same question? I may look for a cheaper place if I cannot guarantee my contract after the first 6 months until I know what is happening, I expect I will spend time networking whilst there anyway to hopefully find work after if I am not extended.

Also anyone who knows of any shipping companies I would be grateful. Rather than posting seperate topics!

[Mad Scientist]

Thank you SMS, this certainly helps with some of my questions, I now know the risks I am taking with housing, and I will make sure that my wife gets an EP on her own right rather than on a DP, this way ensuring we don't have too many issues if my contract doesn't extend immediatly.

First you must have the EP Approval in Principle prior your arrival and get your wife DP which is pegged to your EP. Arrive here then if she wants to work using her DP , she needs to get a Letter of Consent (LOC) from MOM. Otherwise go with SMS advise get EP for her. She can get the DP to convert to EP once it is approve. Make sure you have one foot in the door b4 doing EP for her. To have EP by herself is much safer as suggested by SMS.

Is it typical for Tenants to do a 1 year tenancy option on a condo or is this harder to find?
Yes this is quite norm for 2 yr contract . You may find one but I would be inclined for you to rent a Service Apartment for a month here and start looking. You may not like what you see in the website

What about HDB for the same question? I may look for a cheaper place if I cannot guarantee my contract after the first 6 months until I know what is happening, I expect I will spend time networking whilst there anyway to hopefully find work after if I am not extended.

HDB housing is much cheaper. Go with my above suggestion first

Also anyone who knows of any shipping companies I would be grateful. Rather than posting seperate topics!
Not sure now but we use Maersk when we shipped goods from Hamburg to SG. Quite prompt.
However if you do not need to bring alot of stuff since furniture and electrical goods here are relatively cheap and maybe nasty. I would be incline to just bring two bags of light clothes and get over here first. Get all stuff here will be more economical. You will pay an arm and a leg to get a 20 foot container here. Top of my head about $6 to $7K. You will spend half on getting the basic amenities which will be rather economical. I say this as your contract is only 6 months unless you are certain of your employment future in SG

[richie303]

Thank you SMS, this certainly helps with some of my questions, I now know the risks I am taking with housing, and I will make sure that my wife gets an EP on her own right rather than on a DP, this way ensuring we don't have too many issues if my contract doesn't extend immediatly.

First you must have the EP Approval in Principle prior your arrival and get your wife DP which is pegged to your EP. Arrive here then if she wants to work using her DP , she needs to get a Letter of Consent (LOC) from MOM. Otherwise go with SMS advise get EP for her. She can get the DP to convert to EP once it is approve. Make sure you have one foot in the door b4 doing EP for her. To have EP by herself is much safer as suggested by SMS. Great MS, fantastic information, I knew about the DP and the LOC but I never knew the LOC could be converted to a EP! She is a 15 year served podiatrist in the UK with specialism in Diabetes and Biomechanics, this is a pretty saught after area in Asia due to the high rates of diabetes (due to diet) So I think she should find it not too difficult to find work, she has had offers but her wage would be lower than mine so we never took them, simply left them open for future use!

Is it typical for Tenants to do a 1 year tenancy option on a condo or is this harder to find?
Yes this is quite norm for 2 yr contract . You may find one but I would be inclined for you to rent a Service Apartment for a month here and start looking. You may not like what you see in the website
I will be seeking a month in a hotel/serviced apartment from my employer when I get over, they have stressed they will assist with this if all goes well. I stayed in a Serviced Apartment before at Dover Parkview last year, may angle for that, it was fairly nice!

What about HDB for the same question? I may look for a cheaper place if I cannot guarantee my contract after the first 6 months until I know what is happening, I expect I will spend time networking whilst there anyway to hopefully find work after if I am not extended.

HDB housing is much cheaper. Go with my above suggestion first
Yes, I know this, but, I have seen that I can maybe get a Exec 3+1 bed HDB in somewhere like Bedok Northfor around what I'd be looking on an older condo up north a little, this is tempting, it's all a matter of location over facilities, I am happy without the facilities, but my wife/kids would love a pool at least so may be a struggle!

Also anyone who knows of any shipping companies I would be grateful. Rather than posting seperate topics!
Not sure now but we use Maersk when we shipped goods from Hamburg to SG. Quite prompt.
However if you do not need to bring alot of stuff since furniture and electrical goods here are relatively cheap and maybe nasty. I would be incline to just bring two bags of light clothes and get over here first. Get all stuff here will be more economical. You will pay an arm and a leg to get a 20 foot container here. Top of my head about $6 to $7K. You will spend half on getting the basic amenities which will be rather economical. I say this as your contract is only 6 months unless you are certain of your employment future in SG
Yes, this has been mentioned to me, I think we would just ship the personal and irreplaceable stuff and maybe the small expensive stuff and buy the furniture when over there!

The difficulty is if we decide to outright move over we are going in with both feet! I know there are risks involved but we have assessed and we are willing to take them, so even though it's initially a 6 month contract the likelihood on extention depends on my ability to deliver and the project status, which is relative to the other people but it's a very large project, also, I have a number of good contacts in the area of work I am in already and will develop my network whilst over there and between saving, my wife's work (should she get any) and my ability to get another job fairly quickly we're taking the chance!

[Mad Scientist]

richie303

Sounds like you have sorted out most of it. Good for you

Come here with both eyes wide open so to speak.

Let the wife comes here under your DP and get the process of applying for EP once settled down will be my path going forward.
If she is what you say she is good at, if you have the dough look to setup a company here . Invest in setting up a private limited company. This will look even better in the employment pass, PR etc. I always encourage people to go this route as it take away all the worries of Pass Renewal etc. Nothing sounds more satisfying than working for yourself.

Government swimming pools are close by in many neighbourhoods . BTW six month contract is like a walk in the park, you will not feel it so best to keep your both feet on the ground and see where it takes you before sinking your roots here.

I have no doubt you will do well from the sounds of it.

For the wife look at National Kidney Foundation and all its related bodies, she can start from there. There is one Chinese Foundation that has the juice to have their own Kidney Clinics around the island. I just cannot recall their Charity Name. Look for them too
Alternatively look at Ministry of Health website for related vacancies.

If I have not said it , "Welcome to Singapore, It is a FINE CITY "

[richie303]

richie303

Sounds like you have sorted out most of it. Good for you

Come here with both eyes wide open so to speak.

Let the wife comes here under your DP and get the process of applying for EP once settled down will be my path going forward.
If she is what you say she is good at, if you have the dough look to setup a company here . Invest in setting up a private limited company. This will look even better in the employment pass, PR etc. I always encourage people to go this route as it take away all the worries of Pass Renewal etc. Nothing sounds more satisfying than working for yourself.

Government swimming pools are close by in many neighbourhoods . BTW six month contract is like a walk in the park, you will not feel it so best to keep your both feet on the ground and see where it takes you before sinking your roots here.

I have no doubt you will do well from the sounds of it.

For the wife look at National Kidney Foundation and all its related bodies, she can start from there. There is one Chinese Foundation that has the juice to have their own Kidney Clinics around the island. I just cannot recall their Charity Name. Look for them too
Alternatively look at Ministry of Health website for related vacancies.

If I have not said it , "Welcome to Singapore, It is a FINE CITY "

Cheers MS

Update - I took second interview this morning (1300 SG time) and was offered a position 6 month then rolling contract should be around 2 years work on the project (it's a biggy) so the strict 6 month contract is not strictly true, however, if I fail then it will be no more than 6 months.... It's on my head

Great information on the pools and such, and appreciate the concern, I am used to short contracts in the UK, 3-6 months is general here so will work around that in SG too!

I think you have the definition of Podiatrist wrong She deals with feet! a foot doctor I suppose you may call it But do you think setting up a private clinic would be worthwhile? I may consider it!

Cheers once again!

Richie

[Mad Scientist]

Sorry mate on your wife's job description.

Not sure if podiatrist qualification needs to be registered at the Singapore Medical Council. A check with this governing body is worth the visit.
Nonetheless , have a scan on this kind of service in SG, if you can hop on or piggy back a private clinic or hospital to gain a foot in SG, yeah go for it. Once in if it is viable, do it yourself .
I am on contract work when I was a young man hopping from one country to another between 9 month to a year.I do understand your situation.

You'll be alright if you have done this for sometime

Let us know if you need any assistance

[richie303]

**UPDATE**

So I have been offered the position and my EP has been approved today, so I'll be coming over for about 15th September to start on the 20th.


Really chuffed! My wife has done an interview too!

Richie

[singaporeflyer]

- I understand I can apply for a Permanent Employment Pass once I have taken up a contract in SG and my wages over 7K pcm. Is this likely to be accepted witin 6 months?

There is nothing called as a Permanent Employment Pass in Singapore. Are you referring to the Personalised employment Pass - Even in this case it is issued only once for 5 years time. It has few conditions tied up with it

OR

Are you referring to the Permanent Residence?

[ksl]

**UPDATE**

So I have been offered the position and my EP has been approved today, so I'll be coming over for about 15th September to start on the 20th.


Really chuffed! My wife has done an interview too!

Richie

I used Pickfords to send 150 cubic in 2008, The rate was around 75 pound per cubic.

You can check the association for your wife.
http://www.podiatryassociationsingapore.com/

Setting up your own clinic maybe a good idea actually! You can also contact the clinics on the list for available positions.

[BigSis]

**UPDATE**

So I have been offered the position and my EP has been approved today, so I'll be coming over for about 15th September to start on the 20th.


Really chuffed! My wife has done an interview too!

Richie

Congratulations - I hope you enjoy Singapore

[richie303]

Cheers BigSis!

I expect to be over on 20th now to start on 27th, due to delay in G50 clearance.... Oh well - I'll still be able to watch the F1!