Advice for moving to Singapore from UK to be with boyfriend

[gvear]

Hi

I am hoping to be able to move to Singapore by the end of 2012 to be with my boyfriend, also British. We don't wish to marry, yet (especially for such an unromantic reason, as gaining entry to a country!) , so I need to be able to gain a work permit. I currently work for a large national media group in the UK, but we don't have any affiliations with any Singapore businesses, so I will need to apply directly to media groups, such as Singapore Press Holdings to gain employment. It is not clear from their site whether one already needs a Singaporean work permit to apply for jobs.
Does anyone have any advice about working in the media in Singapore, and the most advantageous way of job searching, without a work permit in place?

Many thanks

[zzm9980]

Unless you qualify for and receive a PEP (google "singapore mom pep") then you won't have a work permit/visa before applying for a job. You apply for the positon, if you're accepted, then the employer applies on your behalf.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Hi

I am hoping to be able to move to Singapore by the end of 2012 to be with my boyfriend, also British. We don't wish to marry, yet (especially for such an unromantic reason, as gaining entry to a country!) , so I need to be able to gain a work permit. I currently work for a large national media group in the UK, but we don't have any affiliations with any Singapore businesses, so I will need to apply directly to media groups, such as Singapore Press Holdings to gain employment. It is not clear from their site whether one already needs a Singaporean work permit to apply for jobs.
Does anyone have any advice about working in the media in Singapore, and the most advantageous way of job searching, without a work permit in place?

Many thanks

First of all, there is no way to have a "work permit in place". You have to have a firm job offer and the company has to apply for your permit as they have to act as your sponsor. The only way around that is with the PEP as noted by zzm9980. Unless you are currently earning in excess of the equivalent of 8K SGD, you cannot qualify for the PEP. Additionally, even if you do have the requisite income level, there is no guarantee that it will be approved. Qualifying does not mean you are entitled to it, only that your application will be accepted for consideration. It's a small but critical difference that a lot of applicants seem to overlook.

So, you look for a job like you would anywhere, if you get an offer, the employer will apply for your working pass. Oh, the work pass is only good for THAT employer. If you want to change jobs, you will have that work pass cancelled and a new application will need to be submitted by the new employer. That means you may or may not get the new work pass and it's a two part process. Both you and the employer must pass scrutiny.

[gvear]

Thanks to both you you for your replies. I did think that was the case about needing to be accepted for a job before being eligible for a pass. Well, i'll start applying.

Thanks again

[Mad Scientist]

Long Term Visit Pass - Before you apply
Eligibility

P1, P2 Employment Pass holders may apply for Long Term Visit Passes for their:

Common-law Spouse
Unmarried daughters above 21 years of age
Handicapped children above 21 years of age
Stepchildren under 21 years of age
Parents and parents-in-law




http://www.mom.gov.sg/foreign-manpower/ ... fault.aspx

[gvear]

Thanks for mad scientist. Yes, I think i'll have to move in with my boyfriend on just a tourist basis for three months, and then leave for a week and come back to get the six month pass, as it seems that one needs to prove that you've been cohabiting for more than three months

[JR8]

Thanks for mad scientist. Yes, I think i'll have to move in with my boyfriend on just a tourist basis for three months, and then leave for a week and come back to get the six month pass, as it seems that one needs to prove that you've been cohabiting for more than three months

There could be a problem with that, if you have not already lived together in the UK. Because I don't think living together in SG for 6 months is a particularly persuasive argument to be allowed to continue to live together in SG. It might appear an arrangement-of-convenience.

The other thing is border running is certainly against the spirit of the immigration laws, if not illegal. You might get lucky and get 6 months after a one week's break (or you might not). But I'd not want to be the one trying to pursuade ICA to grant me an LTVP on the basis of six months cohabitation in Singapore on SVPs!

[sundaymorningstaple]

Actually, the co-habitation must have taken place prior to arriving in Singapore. Time together here is not counted.

[gvear]

Hmm, yes. I think we were misinformed. Well, it certainly looks riskier than I first thought. Thank you very much for making things clearer. I think my boyfriend and I have some seriously discussions on the horizon!

[ringo100100]

Time living together in Singapore was counted for me. I applied for a LTSVP for my partner and we have only lived together in Singapore. You need to prepare a Statutory declaration on your relationship and have it witnessed by a commisioner of oaths ($20) and then apply online.

I think the key is that your boyfriend is P1 holder, earns enough money and is from a good company who are prepared to sponsor the pass. I submitted one (1 month ago) and it was approved the same day.

But also note, i've been here 6 years and with my GF for 2.5 years. Im not sure if they are stricter because he will be new.

[JR8]

Well well that's different isn't it!

[zzm9980]

Time living together in Singapore was counted for me. I applied for a LTSVP for my partner and we have only lived together in Singapore. You need to prepare a Statutory declaration on your relationship and have it witnessed by a commisioner of oaths ($20) and then apply online.

I think the key is that your boyfriend is P1 holder, earns enough money and is from a good company who are prepared to sponsor the pass. I submitted one (1 month ago) and it was approved the same day.

But also note, i've been here 6 years and with my GF for 2.5 years. Im not sure if they are stricter because he will be new.

What kind of pass was your GF on to have been here for 2.5 years? Student. employment, multiple SVPs, etc? I'm curious if that factored into it at all. Your situation as described won't help a lot of others because they'll have a challenge keeping their partner here for that long.

[sundaymorningstaple]

I'm more curious as to what was stated in the Statutory Declaration. Seeing is was accepted by ICA........