Question about changing jobs once in SG

[ayang1]

Hello,

I'm looking for advice and feedback on my options for a situation I have.

Quick Background:
I'm an American currently residing in Singapore on an EP P1. I've been here since July 2011. Base salary is a bit over 9200/month, not including ~40% annual bonuses. I work in a niche IT specialty for a "very famous" financial MNC. (you can see I've used the search ) I'm also here with a wife and one yr old who have DPs. Both my EP and DPs were approved within 48 hours of submission without any request for additional docs.

My former employer in the states (another "very famous" MNC) approached me about a position in Singapore. It would be a 30-40% raise on base, so of course I'm interested.

My questions arise from having an EP/DPs, and the best way to proceed if I were to accept an offer. I've identify two potential routes, and this is where I hope the forum can provide feedback on both:


1) Apply ASAP for a PEP. I've read MOM's page on the PEP:
http://www.mom.gov.sg/foreign-manpower/ ... fault.aspx

By their page, I easily seem to qualify. However, this doesn't necessarily translate into the "news on the ground", so I don't know if I would easily qualify now.


2) Allow the new company to apply for a new EP P1 pass, following the timeline outlined in the second post of this thread:
http://forum.singaporeexpats.com/ftopic80772.html


If I were to first go the PEP route, is there an average timeline for approval on those? Or at least, is it closer to the 48 hour turn around I got on my P1, or would it be closer to these multi-month or year PR applications I see threads on?

If the PEP is applied for and not approved in time, or even denied, would it likely negatively impact future applications with MOM for the new EP?
I've realized via search thats hard to answer, but I'm hoping some of the HR people on here might have anecdotal experiences in this.

I notice on my IC that my job title doesn't exactly match what it really is. I realize actually have no idea what my EP/DP applications look like, since the firm my company uses for visas gave me a very generic application to fill out for these. Should I request a copy of exactly what was submitted to MOM, or would very minor discrepancies not cause an issue?

Lastly, in my situation, which option would you choose?

[BillyB]

The second company can apply for an EP while you are still in your current employment. If it gets granted, you simply leave your current employer and activate the new employer EP In-principle approval.

PEP apps can take anywhere from 2-3 days to 2-3 months. You might be vetted if your details aren't consistent - as you'll be the one completing the application and there could be inconsistencies - but it's nothing to worry about. If it's refused - you just stay on your existing EP. There should be no issues in the future provided there is no BS on either application.

Only you can answer your last question.....

[nutnut]

I've been in a similar position myself and opted to get a PEP, it took only 1 week to progress, my salary and situation was similar.

If you go for option one, bear in mind, when you cancel the EP to pick up your PEP, you will need to cancel DPs for wife and kids and they can take up to 7 weeks to process a new one, so ensure they get a 90 day stvp when you cancel not 30 days.

Just a FYI.

Good luck, it's a good situation to be in!

[ayang1]

I've been in a similar position myself and opted to get a PEP, it took only 1 week to progress, my salary and situation was similar.

If you go for option one, bear in mind, when you cancel the EP to pick up your PEP, you will need to cancel DPs for wife and kids and they can take up to 7 weeks to process a new one, so ensure they get a 90 day stvp when you cancel not 30 days.

Just a FYI.

Good luck, it's a good situation to be in!

Thanks! I'm definitely excited, we'll see if everything pans out. I am happy with my current position, so if things don't, I'm still in a good spot.

Questions:
1) Did you also have your P1 for an equally short time? One of my concerns is that only 6-months is too short of a window to apply for a PEP.
2) Can I re-apply for DPs at the same time I apply for PEP? Or do I need to wait for PEP to be granted. My company did DPs after my EP last time, but that was for different logistical reasons...

EDIT: After posting, I actually read the PEP application. (Sorry, should have done that first). It asks for full details on current family members with DPs. Does this mean the one application will automatically issue them new DPs if PEP is approved?

[nutnut]

Come to think of it, I got my EP when I first got here and I had the DPs on my EP for my kids (wife had a job) and then when I got my PEP I hadn't received the DPs for my kids so couldn't transfer them on the PEP application (you following?) So I had to go a long way around, yours should be fine.

As for 6 months being too short, I had a P1 pass for 5 weeks and I was granted a PEP. Should be OK if they haven't tightened up, this was a couple of years ago now!

[sweetgazebo]

well ... well ... well ... you definitely have all the criterias to apply for a PEP and I bet without a doubt MOM will approve immediately. My PEP apps took less than 2 weeks (back to back fr online submission to verbal approval over the phone); I collected my IPA the 2nd week of the verbal approval.

Unless you don't know any local who's willing to stand as sponsor I don't see why the timeline should be a concern.

1) Apply ASAP for a PEP. I've read MOM's page on the PEP:
http://www.mom.gov.sg/foreign-manpower/ ... fault.aspx

By their page, I easily seem to qualify. However, this doesn't necessarily translate into the "news on the ground", so I don't know if I would easily qualify now.

If I were to first go the PEP route, is there an average timeline for approval on those? Or at least, is it closer to the 48 hour turn around I got on my P1, or would it be closer to these multi-month or year PR applications I see threads on?

If the PEP is applied for and not approved in time, or even denied, would it likely negatively impact future applications with MOM for the new EP?
I've realized via search thats hard to answer, but I'm hoping some of the HR people on here might have anecdotal experiences in this.

Lastly, in my situation, which option would you choose?

[ayang1]

Thanks for the advice everyone.

I applied online for PEP. The whole process really only took about 15 minutes. I assume they just mostly look at the information they already have from EP and DP. The whole section on DP was literally three questions:

Are there any DPs associated with this applicant?
Do you wish to associate the DPs with this PEP application?
Do you wish to associate ALL DPs with this PEP application?

So I said yes to all three, and that was it. Hopefully it goes smoothly. It appears based on how you answer certain questions, they ask more or less. Since I seemed to 'tick' everything they're looking for, I hope it goes smooth.

Just have to wait a bit longer because of CNY...

[nutnut]

Yes, don't expect anything this side of February I'd say!

[ayang1]

Hi everyone,

Just want to update that I received my PEP IPA today in the post. It was issued 31/1/2012, so approximately seven working days for approval. I find it interesting that the "PEP Application" online still shows a 'PROCESSING' status...

[ayang1]

Also got a "LOL" that the IPA informs me that if I take a Bar or Lounge hostess position, I need to notify the local police branch. Bar/Lounge "Hosts" (since I'm a guy) are exempt??