Can anybody Assist me getting around this Dilemma ??

[Mark12345]

Good Day,

Myself and my wife both qualify for a PEP work visa in Singapore. We have all of the documentation that is required and would like to apply for the PEP work Permit.

The embassy in South Africa does not deal with any work permits.

The Ministry of Manpower told us that we need to provide a local address in Singapore since the "Approval in Principle Letter" can only be posted to a local address in Singapore.

The documents must also be handed in at any SingPost office.

Any recommendations on what to do, other than flying there for a months holiday and hoping it will be approved in time ??

Is their perhaps any agencies their that helps Singaporeans to obtain visa's for other countries ??

RSA Embassy is a no go...

Kind Regards,

Mark

[carteki]

Did you search the forum? Question has been asked and discussed before.

[zzm9980]

Man, I really need to setup a small firm to start handling PEP applications for people.

S$1500 to handle the whole process
S$100 per question that can't be answered by a forum search
S$75 per forum search

[the lynx]

Man, I really need to setup a small firm to start handling PEP applications for people.

S$1500 to handle the whole process
S$100 per question that can't be answered by a forum search
S$75 per forum search

Think you should charge those the other way round. That's how agents make money.

[Mark12345]

Ja, what a joke...

You see you are going to get f'ed in the A...yu move closer and guess what...you get f'ed in the A...

Best response was from the consular, "We are not a post office for SA citizens"...mouseholes...

Anycase thank you very much, we will pay the $1700, ouch...

[the lynx]

Not sure if Singaporean PO Box will help but you should look for a friend/relative in Singapore who is willing to let you use their Singapore address.

[Mark12345]

Thought about the post box, yet I will have to go there to empty it...

seeing as we don't know ANYBODY in Singapore, and can't trust strangers over the internet, we'll just have to pucker up and pay...

we have found a company which seems legit, Singapore Government registration number and all, which we will use...

Thank you very much for your help.

Its much appreciated. (",)

[zzm9980]

Thought about the post box, yet I will have to go there to empty it...

seeing as we don't know ANYBODY in Singapore, and can't trust strangers over the internet, we'll just have to pucker up and pay...

It's a pickle. No doubt about it.

'Strangers on the Internet' also need to be wary, because if you do anything to rub MOM or ICA the wrong way they have trouble themselves later.

[beppi]

Despite the completely unreasonable reply by the OP (and my opinion that he should be denied a Singapore visa just for that):
I think making a PEP requirement out of knowing somebody in Singapore with a mail box and legs to go to a post office is completely legitimate!

I once offered my help for a PEP application to somebody out of goodwill, but when I asked for reimbursement of my expenses and time (MUCH less than the $1700 above) he also became unreasonable. Never again! (Except, of course, for real friends.)

[the lynx]

Despite the completely unreasonable reply by the OP (and my opinion that he should be denied a Singapore visa just for that):
I think making a PEP requirement out of knowing somebody in Singapore with a mail box and legs to go to a post office is completely legitimate!

I once offered my help for a PEP application to somebody out of goodwill, but when I asked for reimbursement of my expenses and time (MUCH less than the $1700 above) he also became unreasonable. Never again! (Except, of course, for real friends.)

You mean this case? http://forum.singaporeexpats.com/ftopic85033.html[/url]

[beppi]

Correct!
Thankfully we have a Lynx to do the legwork when I am too lazy to look for and link to an old thread ... Thanks!

[the lynx]

Correct!
Thankfully we have a Lynx to do the legwork when I am too lazy to look for and link to an old thread ... Thanks!

Haha the truth is that I was doing the search and pasting the link using my mobile (which is very very limited). Luckily I still remembered the thread Plus I was very bored and was waiting for my commute so I guess the hassle was a good time-killer.

[Strong Eagle]

If the OP has read the other thread, then he/she knows that I have helped before. I am troubled by my sense of the OP, and therefore have not reached out to do it again.

OP... have you considered asking a CPA firm in SG to be your registered SG address? I could publish the address of my CPA... she'd probably consent to being your SG address.

But again, as I have noted, look carefully at your PEP application. The person who is your local address also has to sign as guarantor... can you see how this might slow people up?

[Mark12345]

Good Day,

Thank you for the offer to Help. I am not entirely sure what a CPA is ??

In any case, you can understand our concerns about sending our docs to strangers over the internet. If you have lived in Africa, you will understand exactly. Also timing is a issue as we would like to get this done asap.

We will thus pay the $1200 and make use of a registered company. Its a rip off I know, yet we believe its the safest route and fastest route as it seems they deal with the MOM on a regular basis and should have some contacts there.

Should anything go down, we can impose wrath of the MOM and place the entire companies staff on welfare...(",)...

Thanks again.
Mark van Mars

[sundaymorningstaple]

yet we believe its the safest route and fastest route as it seems they deal with the MOM on a regular basis and should have some contacts there.

Using an agency is neither faster or safer than any other method, as long as you have followed the directions. Also, this is not SA. Contacts there do not help in a normal application. This isn't a 3rd world country and doesn't work on graft or who you know. But it is much more expedient than waiting around for some individual who you don't know and doesn't have a financial interest in doing it either.