Page 1 of 1

PR marrying work pass holder - need advice

Posted: Mon, 16 Apr 2012 8:10 pm
by dependent
I realize that I should probably speak to a lawyer, but I am currently overseas, and hope for some advice before I return.

I am PR and want to marry a Filipina work permit holder (IC number begins with "N", if that tells you what type).

When we marry, does she automatically get a visa (I doubt that it would be PR), maybe dependent's pass?

The MOM site says "P1, P2, Q1 Employment Pass holders, and S Pass holders with a fixed monthly salary of at least $2,800 may apply for Dependant’s Passes for their: spouses " - but that does not mention PR.

If I do have to go that route, I may have shot myself in the foot. A few years back I sunk my life savings into a business and have been paying money in, rather than drawing out. I do take a salary of $1k/month but only so that I can make minimum CPF contributions.

If I have to pay myself $2,8k I can, of course. But would that have to be backed up with a tax return? If so, I have to wait another year & don't want to do that.

I have a few $100k liquid cash lying about, if that helps.

Can anyone advice? We want to get married ASAP. We could wait a year, I suppose, but we also want to start a family and if she becomes pregnant they will repeal her work pass.

As I said, I will see a layer when I return in a few weeks. In the meantime, can anyone advise?

Posted: Mon, 16 Apr 2012 8:26 pm
by sundaymorningstaple
The absolute FIRST thing that should be done is for the girl to apply for permission from MOM to get married. If that isn't done first, before getting married, she will NEVER be allow to stay in Singapore except on a Work Permit. If that job dries up, out she goes. You can do a search here for my posts in this regard with my Nephew's case (who lives with me along with his 4 year old daughter as his wife has been banished to the 'peens.

Going to a lawyer will only aggravate matters. In fact, it will piss off MOM and things will go downhill from there. Anyway, there is absolutely nothing a lawyer can do. A word to the wise from someone with first hand knowledge of the perils of what you are attempting to do. We've have MP, Mayors and other various and sundry government officials involved, but when it come to ICA and MOM, lawyers cannot do anything.

Posted: Tue, 17 Apr 2012 7:47 am
by dependent
Thanks very much for your reply!

As to lawyer, I wasn't going to ask them to approach the MOM, just to explain the situation to me. I have read some horror stories on this board (and you have my sympathy for your case; I am just praying that the same won't happen to me).

When she applies for permission to marry, what worries me is that I declared such a low income (the company accounts say a nominal salary of $10k/month with $9k deferred but, as a Pte Ltd, they are unaudited, so all that I can "prove" is what is on my income tax return - $1k/month).

I can start to truly pay myself more, but worry that I might have to wait until next April & tax filing before I "qualify". That is, is there is an income qualification for PRs.

OF course, we can marry in Phils or UK, but that doesn't mean she will get permission to live here - and we both want that.

Her job, at least, is safe.

Posted: Tue, 17 Apr 2012 9:25 am
by sundaymorningstaple
If love is there, time won't change anything. You'll just have to be careful not to knock her up in the meantime as that can really through a spanner in the works. It would be better to take the time to get it right rather than gamble and end up with endless headaches.

Believe me.

Posted: Tue, 17 Apr 2012 9:29 am
by sundaymorningstaple
If love is there, time won't change anything. You'll just have to be careful not to knock her up in the meantime as that can really through a spanner in the works. It would be better to take the time to get it right rather than gamble and end up with endless headaches.

Believe me.

ICA and MOM will NOT bend protocols. They cannot be seen to do this as it would cause massive headaches if it got out, and it would get out. In fact, you can try, but I think you will find that you may well have problems even finding a lawyer who will attempt it. I doubt even Subhas Anandan would take it on. (if you could afford him).