De-facto visa - how does this work?

[dirtybristolian]

Hi,

My boyfriend has secured a 3 year secondment through his firm (his firm have offices in London and Singapore, in fact all major ports) and we are looking to move out there at the end of March all being well.
We have been researching visa's on the MOM website for myself (his firm are sorting his visa out) and I am wondering what the criteria are for being assessed as a common-law spouse, i.e that i could go de-facto on his visa and look for work whilst we are out there.
We have been together for over 3 years, living together for the past 2 years. would this be considered a common law marriage in Singapore or would we need to provide further evidence that we are in a 'serious' relationship and marriage is on the cards, but at some point in the future.

I am a little nervous that I would give up my job in the city of London (PA to 2 senior managers in an Insurance firm) and then sit on my backside for 3 years getting bored whilst my boyfriend went off to work.

any help would be greatly received.
We are attending the 'Welcome Singapore' event in London which is run by MOM on 6th Jan...so hoping we might get some solid answers then.

[carteki]

Hi, It is likely that you will get a dependants pass. The criteria for a common law spouse has been extensively discussed in the forum so do a quick search. This will allow you to work on receipt of a "letter of c (something)" from the MOM and no visa is required
If you don't get the DP, you can then apply for a long term visit pass. This will not allow you to work and you will not be able to undertake paid employment unless you obtain one in your own right. There are a number of volunteer opportunities here though, so you won't be idle.
Good luck