EP or no EP that is the question?

[naylera]

Okay here's the senario...
UK citizen has 90 days visa for Singapore which seems to permit certain type of business.
The US company UK citizens works for and is paid by has registered a branch with office in Singapore and has 3 Singapore employees already and with three more to be hired in next 4 months.
UK citizen being sent to Singapore to assist, mentor, attend meetings, etc. for up to 6 months but will travel regularly during this period to other Middle East and Asian countries for meetings.
Does this UK citizen have to obtain an EP to be legally working in Singapore? I really don't think that all the foreign business people I see around have gone through the correct process to ensure they are leagally working?
The advantage of an EP seems to offer more favorable renting options...

Any advice, pointers etc much appreciated
Andrea.

[the lynx]

Okay here's the senario...
UK citizen has 90 days visa for Singapore which seems to permit certain type of business.
The US company UK citizens works for and is paid by has registered a branch with office in Singapore and has 3 Singapore employees already and with three more to be hired in next 4 months.
UK citizen being sent to Singapore to assist, mentor, attend meetings, etc. for up to 6 months but will travel regularly during this period to other Middle East and Asian countries for meetings.
Does this UK citizen have to obtain an EP to be legally working in Singapore? I really don't think that all the foreign business people I see around have gone through the correct process to ensure they are leagally working?
The advantage of an EP seems to offer more favorable renting options...

Any advice, pointers etc much appreciated
Andrea.

Will you be residing in Singapore during that 6-month period?

If yes, then you certainly need an EP.

I guess that alone should be sufficient. Maybe others can chip in for more advice.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Okay here's the senario...
UK citizen has 90 days visa for Singapore which seems to permit certain type of business.
The US company UK citizens works for and is paid by has registered a branch with office in Singapore and has 3 Singapore employees already and with three more to be hired in next 4 months.
UK citizen being sent to Singapore to assist, mentor, attend meetings, etc. for up to 6 months but will travel regularly during this period to other Middle East and Asian countries for meetings.

Does this UK citizen have to obtain an EP to be legally working in Singapore? I really don't think that all the foreign business people I see around have gone through the correct process to ensure they are leagally working?
The advantage of an EP seems to offer more favorable renting options...

Any advice, pointers etc much appreciated
Andrea.

Please define "assist"

Short of obtaining a proper Employment Pass your only option would be the following but this is limited to 60 days and it specifically indicates that you would need an employment pass if longer.

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

[v4jr4]

After 90 days, without EP, I don't think that going to another place (let's say Johor Bahru) for 1-2 days and come back to Singapore for another 90 days is a good option.

[Strong Eagle]

Okay here's the senario...
UK citizen has 90 days visa for Singapore which seems to permit certain type of business.
The US company UK citizens works for and is paid by has registered a branch with office in Singapore and has 3 Singapore employees already and with three more to be hired in next 4 months.
UK citizen being sent to Singapore to assist, mentor, attend meetings, etc. for up to 6 months but will travel regularly during this period to other Middle East and Asian countries for meetings.
Does this UK citizen have to obtain an EP to be legally working in Singapore? I really don't think that all the foreign business people I see around have gone through the correct process to ensure they are leagally working?
The advantage of an EP seems to offer more favorable renting options...

Any advice, pointers etc much appreciated
Andrea.

My view is that

a) If you are living in a hotel or Serviced Apartment
b) Retain a permanent home address in your home country
c) Are paid in your home country
d) Are not performing revenue generating tasks

You should not have an issue. There is no limit to the number of times you can enter and leave Singapore. Business travel between countries is very common. In reverse, I traveled to Malaysia almost weekly for more than a year. I was never once asked to provide any evidence of work permits.

You might only run into issues, if you stay a long time between visits out of the country. Others who have done this merely state that they are consultants working for a client with offices all over the place... which in my case was true.

It is a bit of a gray area... and I know many people who are in and out all the time. Of course, if your business card lists you as a manager/senior manager with a Singapore address, you might have some explaining to do.

However, if you are going to be paid by the registered office in Singapore you will need an EP.

[togeorgemathew]

My view is that

a) If you are living in a hotel or Serviced Apartment
b) Retain a permanent home address in your home country
c) Are paid in your home country
d) Are not performing revenue generating tasks

You should not have an issue. There is no limit to the number of times you can enter and leave Singapore. Business travel between countries is very common.

I agree Strong Eagle - clearly written.