Plan of action upon arrival

[JR8]

For the benefit of others, here's an update.
Went to DBS, UOB, and OCBC. The last one opened an account for me.

All of them said that even though the requirement for foreigners to open an account may be stated on their respective Web sites may be met, it is still subject to approval.

Sorry, I'm getting lost by now. What did OCBC do for you that the others wouldn't?

[conversant]

For the benefit of others, here's an update.
Went to DBS, UOB, and OCBC. The last one opened an account for me.

All of them said that even though the requirement for foreigners to open an account may be stated on their respective Web sites may be met, it is still subject to approval.

Sorry, I'm getting lost by now. What did OCBC do for you that the others wouldn't?

They actually opened an account for me.

[JR8]

For the benefit of others, here's an update.
Went to DBS, UOB, and OCBC. The last one opened an account for me.

All of them said that even though the requirement for foreigners to open an account may be stated on their respective Web sites may be met, it is still subject to approval.

Sorry, I'm getting lost by now. What did OCBC do for you that the others wouldn't?

They actually opened an account for me.

Ok let me rephrase that. Why wouldn't the others open an account for you?

[sundaymorningstaple]

What's the matter JR8, too lazy to go back and read the thread?

He's currently here on a bog standard Social Visit Pass. Now days you need AT LEAST an AIP to do so or in a lot of cases some confirmed type of residency pass, e.g., EP, WP, LTVP, DP, etc...

[JR8]

What's the matter JR8, too lazy to go back and read the thread?

He's currently here on a bog standard Social Visit Pass. Now days you need AT LEAST an AIP to do so or in a lot of cases some confirmed type of residency pass, e.g., EP, WP, LTVP, DP, etc...

I tried to re-read the thread again last night, but the monitor was acting up, going all blurry on me So, thanks for the recap.

It's curious because the OCBC site specifically states that non-SGns need to bring along their EP/WP to open an account. I'm not used to SGn institutions working around their stated requirements.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Yeah, I'm aware of that as well, we use OCBC as our corporate account. But the also reserve the right to ad lib if the feel like it. Guess they felt like it. But I don't think we can take that to mean everybody will "get lucky".

[conversant]

It's curious because the OCBC site specifically states that non-SGns need to bring along their EP/WP to open an account. I'm not used to SGn institutions working around their stated requirements.

One flat out refused due to lack of a long-term visa.
Another said they could if I were setting up a business, but not otherwise.
All of them asked about a long-term visa, but said that they do open accounts even without one, but it is ''subject to approval".

...also reserve the right to ad lib if the feel like it. Guess they felt like it. But I don't think we can take that to mean everybody will "get lucky".

Except for where I was flat out refused, each of the front line people took my passport and went to the powers that be to obtain said approval. I also felt that they used a 'visual credit check' and based their judgment on intangibles as well.

I was impressed by how each case was handled, whether it worked in my favor or not because I felt satisfied with each answer and understood their point of view since they took the time to explain themselves.

[conversant]

Please help with these further questions. Thank you.

What type of a pay cut am I looking at compared to the salary in the U.S.?

I ask because they always ask for 'expected salary' and the advertised salary for the position is many times lower than the USD translated to SGD one from before.

Does it reflect negatively on you if your expected salary is lower than your last-drawn salary? I know it would be if it were in the same country.

Are you under obligation to disclose your last-drawn salary? If not, what answer do you give when asked?