PEP for Newcomer: it can happen

[nzmarkj]

I just thought some of you would be interested, I've just been issued my PEP after arriving here in May and not having a job. I waited before I got here before I applied, I was on a Dependants Pass initially, but was advised the job search would be a lot easier if I had a PEP. I had filled out the questionnaire on the MOM website and it said that I had a good chance of recieving a pass. The process itself went relatively smoothly. I applied for my Singpass at the community centre, but submitted the forms at the post office. The MOM wanted some additional documents such as payslips, an annual tax return and the company website of my former employer, plus the original degree certificate and an academic transcript. These I scanned through and the pass was issued within a few days. Overall the process took about four weeks. I don't know if occupation has anything to do with it, I am a Program Manager in the IT indusrty. What I am learning about Singapore is that if you comply with the requirements and have the documents, most things are processed very quickly. If you don't, well, that's another story.

Now I am off to find some gainful employment.

[x9200]

Yes, but why do you find it that surprising? If you fulfilled the requirements including the salary level than what did you expect, a rejection? If you read through this board you will find hardly any posts that describe the situation of somebody's complying to all what was requested and being turned down.

[sundaymorningstaple]

[nzmarkj]

Well, I had heard from various HR people that a PEP is not necessarily granted, and their opinion is that it is dependant on whether a particular occupation is in demand, as well as meeting the education and income criteria. So, I just wanted to make sure people were not discouraged from applying if they think they may meet the criteria. On being surprised it was granted...perhaps the real issue is that I was surprised I had managed to accumulate all the required documents. We have taken to carrying a box with us with everything in it if we ever want to apply for something: we even had to produce a marriage certificate once because my wife's name on her birth certificate was different to that on her passport. It took us three goes to apply for a Citibank credit card, first time we forgot the salary slips, second time we had the slips, but we are paid US dollars into a US bank account, so another letter was required from the employer stating that that was the case. An academic transcript from somewhere you attended in 1989 in London is a difficult thing to arrange. I even have my high school reports on me now. Their prediction is eerily true, if only I could have applied myself rather than being distracted for past 30 years, who knows what I could have achieved

[zzm9980]

Their prediction is eerily true, if only I could have applied myself rather than being distracted for past 30 years, who knows what I could have achieved

Ain't that the truth. If only I knew then what I know now, I might be running my own two-bit island city!

[Mi Amigo]

Their prediction is eerily true, if only I could have applied myself rather than being distracted for past 30 years, who knows what I could have achieved

Haha, that sounds so eerily familiar. Are you sure they didn't give you my reports by mistake?