Open a Sole Proprietorship on a DP and getting the LoC

[singaporeoz]

I understand exactly where you are coming from, but I was hoping an experienced IT Professional with 20 yrs experience might be encouraged. As previously mentioned, anyone can get an IT Diploma and call themselves an IT Specialist, buts its a lot harder to show 20 yrs of experience and the knowledge that comes with it. I was hoping that might go in my favour. Seems not. I'll see what official response I receive and see if I can do anything about it. If not I'll have to further consider my options. I don't really want to sit around for 2 years or more in Singapore unable to get decent work or freelance now and again. Thanks for your responses guys.

[Strong Eagle]

As previously mentioned, anyone can get an IT Diploma and call themselves an IT Specialist...

This is exactly what you are up against, and there are slathers of these kind of folks floating around. It's worse than that. With technical call centers leaving Singapore in droves and more and more businesses moving to the "delivery boy" model of onsite support (replace, don't fix), there is a glut of these folks seeking employment. Little wonder the gahmen considers these folks a sort of "protected class".

That's why creating a differentiator between yourself and the hoi polloi is essential. You'll really have a much better chance if you can figure out how to employ some IT techs, or work your way into a MNC, or develop a remote services company that serves other countries out of Singapore.

I don't see how you will succeed if the gahmen perceives that you're going to be standing on the fourth floor of Sim Lim Square, hawking used PC's and repair services.

[singaporeoz]

I have received a response from MOM. From what they have said the reason for rejection this second time was due to the fact that they saw I still had the company incorporated as well. They have said I can apply for consideration of appeal if I show an ACRA business profile that I am no longer a director of the company. So on the face of it it sounds more of a rejection based on a technicality than a refusal as such. I am simply striking off the company instead, this seems easier for a company that has not traded since incorporation. Lets hope upon doing that they will give me my LOC for the sole proprietorship based on the merits of my initial application and there are no other resulting issues.

I guess its all very simple when you know if and why!

PS. I hope they can see that I won't be hawking in Sim Lim Square. Couldn't think of anything worse in fact.

[chunkycarrot]

hi,

i hope all of you are having great start for 2016. i have been DP for 8 years and been on LOC from previous employer. been looking at this thread for a couple of days and managed to set-up my SP along the way. the only thing now is to apply for LOC. i used to see the LOC form at the MOM website back in the days. but today is nowhere to be found. i have read from an employment agency (EA) website that LOC for SP can only be processed by EAs starting June 2015. i wonder how true. is there anyone who recently had LOC approved without EAs help? the website EA is below http://www.letterofconsent.com/ i find it quite expensive

for those who managed to apply for LOC themselves, I would be happy if you can share the LOC forms sent by MOM.

[Maxman]

Read through the posts by StrongEagle an myself over the last couple of months and you should be on your way. Exec summary: you can do it yourself, it will just take longer as you can only do it with hard copies (paper based) instead of digital. Mine took 4 - 5 weeks last August / September. Through an agency it should be processed in 1 or 2 weeks I think.

[sanjivvohra]

After mucking around for weeks trying to figure this out by visiting various websites, light dawned and we checked the forums for advise and voila! all our questions answered. This is a great place to seek answers and thank you everyone for the advise in these forums.
My wife set up the SP and we are applying for the LOC for her. Contacted the MoM by mail and received the application form and undertaking letter with advise on what else to submit. The application has to be sent by post to MoM. You don't need to go through a 'consultant'.
Update when we hear back from MoM.....

[sanjivvohra]

Not good news. Received a very crypted response from MoM that 'we regret to inform you that your application is unsuccessful ' No further details provided.
Did everything required, but still.....
Guess we will try again in a few months time.
Any guidance will be appreciated.

[singaporeoz]

Better news for me.

After reapplying under the sole proprietorship, showing the company I initially registered is now deregistered, I can happy say I nearly pooed my pants when I checked online that the status for my recent Letter of Consent application is now 'ISSUED'. Lets hope it opens up great opportunities!

Good luck to everyone else!

[Strong Eagle]

^^^^^^

Great news!

Congrats and good luck.

[sanjivvohra]

Better news for me.

After reapplying under the sole proprietorship, showing the company I initially registered is now deregistered, I can happy say I nearly pooed my pants when I checked online that the status for my recent Letter of Consent application is now 'ISSUED'. Lets hope it opens up great opportunities!

Good luck to everyone else!

Great to hear it! Wonder what went wrong with our application?

[sundaymorningstaple]

Maybe where you are from originally? I don't know. They have their own scorecard that they hold very close to their chest.

[BARIRUMBLES]

Can someone please direct me to the LOC application form on the MoM website?

[sundaymorningstaple]

LoC applications can only be filled out by employers. Employers must be registered with the MOM EPOL or WPOL sites in order to apply for the LoC (Applied for directly online via EPOL).

So first of all, you need to get a SingPass. You can do it on line or visit a SingPass counter and have it done immediately - instruction in the link below....

https://www.singpass.gov.sg/singpass/re ... structions

Then you need to register for EPOL/WPOL

http://www.mom.gov.sg/eservices/services/ep-online

Once you have completed those, then you can apply for the LoC via the EPOL site for which you will need the SingPass to gain access. Additionally be sure to get the 2Fa token from SingPass (or you can use your smart phone) as all government sites that will be requiring SingPass entry will need the 2Fa token

[BARIRUMBLES]

Thanks - I have done all those things already but couldn't access the LoC application form.
I emailed MoM and received the following reply (With LoC application and undertaking letter attached)

The correct pass for foreigners looking to start new businesses in Singapore should be the EntrePass. The entry and renewal criteria are focused on the company.

A Letter Of Consent (LOC) is meant for you to be an employee of a company.

Notwithstanding this, if you feel strongly about the merits of your case, you may mail in the following documents to Ministry of Manpower, 18 Havelock Road, Singapore 059764 for our assessment:

1) A completed and signed copy of the attached LOC application form (attached);
2) A clear copy of your business’ ACRA Business Profile;
3) A detailed description of (i) your job duties, (ii) venue where you will be performing your duties and (iii) reasons why you are not applying for Entrepass;
4) The attached undertaking letter, signed by you.

Note: We usually discourage Dependant’s Pass (DP) holders from setting up companies this way, because the pass is designed for dependants. This may lead to problems later on. One of the most common problems is that your LOC is linked to your DP, which is in turn linked to your family member’s Employment Pass (EP). If the EP is cancelled for any reason, both the DP and LOC will be cancelled as well. This may affect your business operations. That is why we strongly encourage you to consider applying for an EntrePass instead.

Submitting LoC on Thursday... fingers crossed

[BARIRUMBLES]

I should also mention that the undertaking letter is a disclaimer stating the following:
- I'm aware that my LoC is tied to my DP
- If DP is cancelled I will not be able to continue running the business as I will have to leave Singapore
- I am a one-man operation and will not be hiring any employees
- I will need to cancel this LoC if I later choose to apply for EntrePass