Moving for 4 month in Singapore, need advices.

[somewhereinlpasadena]

Hi everyone,

This is a very informative and helpful forum. I am currently doing my M.S in Industrial design in the United States, and I will be spending next Fall (from mid- August to Mid- December) studying at INSEAD Singapore as part of an exchange program between our 2 schools.
My question has two parts:
1/ I need recommendations on where to live. I am coming with my girlfriend and idealy we would like to find either a studio or a one bedroom with a budget of no more than Singapore $3000. What is commuting like? Is it better to take the train, rent a moped, etc... ( I have a motorcycle license )

2/ My second question is about my girllfriend. Ideally, she would like to either work, maybe a part time job, or take classes (maybe something cultural as it will be her first time in Asia, or flower related, she has a flower business in the U.S), in a community type college?, so that she can keep herself busy as well. We have a couple of month before leaving, and we really want to set-it up as best as possibe. I have lived in South East Asia before, and I am aware of how everything needs to be in "order" to do anything, especially in Singapore. Any suggestions? would it be a good idea to contact the Singapore consulate/embassy for suggestions as well?

cheers.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Do a thorough search of this forum using the search engine just below the profile link at the upper right side of this page. After reading reading the numerous posts about both of your questions, If you still have a specific question, then ask. Both of your questions have been answered in detail a number of times in the past year alone.

moderator

[beppi]

If you come on a less-than-6-months visa, you cannot rent residential property and are limited to hotels and serviced appartments. You'd probably have to double your budget to afford one!
Even if you have a longer visa, it is next to impossible to find whole units rented out for less than a year (fixed term, no termination possible, is the norm in Singapore!), thus in that case you're limited to a sublet room (with luck, but within your budget) or again hotels and Serviced Apartments.

Your girlfriend cannot work on SVP (given for 30 or 90 days on entry). She also should not do visa runs, thus either renew the visa at ICA before it expires or leave and only return after a longer time (a month or so).
For courses, Community Centres are good - enquire at your local one for schedules, cost, entry requirements, etc.

[somewhereinlpasadena]

Thanks for the kind reply. I did do a search before posting, but most thread I
found didn't really fit my needs. Not to say that laws changes all the time. What is true yesterday isn't always true today.

If you come on a less-than-6-months visa, you cannot rent residential property and are limited to hotels and Serviced Apartments.

I will be coming with a student visa. INSEAD is used to getting student for a 4 month period, and past students seem to always find apartments to rent, so I am not sure that this rule apply for students...?
Thank you for the tips on visas and community centers, I will check into it. This is a good start.

cheers.

[JR8]

I will be coming with a student visa. INSEAD is used to getting student for a 4 month period, and past students seem to always find apartments to rent, so I am not sure that this rule apply for students...?

It does apply equally to everyone. I have a sneaking suspicion that students doing short-let apartments are doing so illegally. As you can imagine, with the rules as stated, and the obvious cost implications, there is a grey-market in unapproved (i.e. illegal) short lets.

Why not ask INSEAD though, since they must be up to speed on what their students arrange. I.e. simple question, what legal options are there for accommodation for a stint of 4 months? I wouldn't be surprised if they stick their heads in the sand and 'act blur' in response to that one...

[sundaymorningstaple]

Or, they have a special arrangement with the MOE and ICA so talking to the school would be a good idea. Also, when you find out, I would appreciate it if you could update us as well so we can correct our stance if there is an arrangement.

Thanks,
moderator

[x9200]

IMHO this is not the length of the stay that determines the legal ability to rent an apartment/room but type of the pass and the student pass among the other (WHP, TEP etc) seems to be valid:

http://www.singaporeedu.gov.sg/doc/res/stb_students.pdf
http://www.singaporeedu.gov.sg/htm/stu/stu0309a.htm

[carteki]

IMHO this is not the length of the stay that determines the legal ability to rent an apartment/room but type of the pass and the student pass among the other (WHP, TEP etc) seems to be valid:

In another post Therat posted the following:

http://www.ura.gov.sg/homeowner/landtit ... operty.htm
4. Residential properties like apartments, flats, condominium units and landed houses are approved for residential purpose in accordance with the residential zone in the Master Plan. These residential properties or their individual rooms within the premises should not be rented out on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. Such short-term occupancy, with transient occupiers, creates disturbances and inconveniences to other bona fide residents in the development. Premises that are approved for residential use are for longer term stays of 6 months or more.

But the govt seems to turn a bit of a blind eye to this.

[sundaymorningstaple]

After reading through the two PDF files it would seem it is still governed by the length of time as there is a clear distinction between short courses/stays and long courses and where they can stay. Unfortunately I still cannot find a definitive answer there either. But because there IS a distinction I would have to assume that there are limitations where the short term student can rent.

[x9200]

IMHO this is not the length of the stay that determines the legal ability to rent an apartment/room but type of the pass and the student pass among the other (WHP, TEP etc) seems to be valid:

In another post Therat posted the following:

http://www.ura.gov.sg/homeowner/landtit ... operty.htm
4. Residential properties like apartments, flats, condominium units and landed houses are approved for residential purpose in accordance with the residential zone in the Master Plan. These residential properties or their individual rooms within the premises should not be rented out on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. Such short-term occupancy, with transient occupiers, creates disturbances and inconveniences to other bona fide residents in the development. Premises that are approved for residential use are for longer term stays of 6 months or more.

But the govt seems to turn a bit of a blind eye to this.

Thanks, I missed this one but it sounds more like a guideline than the law. I could not find a single reference in my earlier links pointing out to this restriction and for example, WHP, explicitly mentioned on the MOM website as valid for residential rentals, is for the periods up to 6 months only. Anyway, seems a bit gray area indeed.

[somewhereinlpasadena]

Hi Everyone,

I wanted to give you an update of my experience so far...

The Visa I am getting is a student pass (SOLAR)? Apparently you are allowed to bring your "partner" along with you as long as your partner's name is on your student pass application. As far as lodging, I will have to give you another update ( I will know next week) but it doesn't seem to be a problem either, except for the prices...
My biggest concern right now is to find something interesting for my girlfriend to do while we are in Singapore...

cheers.

[somewhereinlpasadena]

IMHO this is not the length of the stay that determines the legal ability to rent an apartment/room but type of the pass and the student pass among the other (WHP, TEP etc) seems to be valid:

http://www.singaporeedu.gov.sg/doc/res/stb_students.pdf
http://www.singaporeedu.gov.sg/htm/stu/stu0309a.htm

Thank you for those links by the way, very informative...

cheers.