Changing jobs on EP

[PrimroseHill]

What do I have to do in the event that I change jobs? Do I have to start the process all over again with MOM? Or do I merely inform them of the changes in employers?

[the lynx]

What do I have to do in the event that I change jobs? Do I have to start the process all over again with MOM? Or do I merely inform them of the changes in employers?

MOM will know anyway. Your current employer will need to inform MOM to cancel and your new employer will need to apply for your work pass all over again.

[zzm9980]

Just let the new company apply for the new EP. MOM will make sure the old pass is cancelled.

How long have you been here now? If I recall, you were in P1 salary range. I'd suggest applying for a PEP to just make everything easy for you.

[sundaymorningstaple]

OP, you do realize that there is no guarantee that you will receive a new EP? The process, as you know, is a two part process. While you were found suitable the first time, so was your employer. Now, the process starts again. You will likely be fount suitable, but you do need to hope that the new employer will be found okay and can justify hiring a foreigner for their position.

I reckon applying for a PEP is a good idea, but I'm just wondering how easy that is going to be to get now. We are seeing a lot being rejected now. Good luck.

[zzm9980]

I reckon applying for a PEP is a good idea, but I'm just wondering how easy that is going to be to get now. We are seeing a lot being rejected now. Good luck.

If I recall, OP is Malaysian Chinese and makes buckets of cash (but keeps her car in Malaysia to save money!), so maybe she can just apply for PR straight away. There have been a few other Malaysian Chinese posting recently making $10k+/month salary and getting their PRs in ~6months.

[sundaymorningstaple]

I reckon applying for a PEP is a good idea, but I'm just wondering how easy that is going to be to get now. We are seeing a lot being rejected now. Good luck.

If I recall, OP is Malaysian Chinese and makes buckets of cash (but keeps her car in Malaysia to save money!), so maybe she can just apply for PR straight away. There have been a few other Malaysian Chinese posting recently making $10k+/month salary and getting their PRs in ~6months.

The only problem is, she's talking about getting a new EP. This is something different than applying for PR. One is from ICA while the other is from MOM. ICA would probably grant the PR, as you have noted. Thing is, she hasn't indicated she even wants or would consider it. MOM handles the rest of 'em, and there where the company comes in.

[revhappy]

...

[PrimroseHill]

Thank you all for your helpful replies. I haven't yet submitted my application for PR. You guys advised me to wait for at least 6months if not 2years, so I haven't applied.
Whilst I am Malaysian, I don't live in Malaysia and I did not end up leaving my car in Malaysia either. The hassle and mountain of bureaucracy, not worth it.
Reason for asking about the EP, is that I may have to look for another position. Of course, perferably, ideally I would like to stay at my present employment.
Well, fingers cross, here's to hoping either (a) I apply and get a PR super duper quick and that solves the problem or (b) I stay where I am or (c) another job offer.
What is the PEP?

[zzm9980]

Thank you all for your helpful replies. I haven't yet submitted my application for PR. You guys advised me to wait for at least 6months if not 2years, so I haven't applied.
Whilst I am Malaysian, I don't live in Malaysia and I did not end up leaving my car in Malaysia either. The hassle and mountain of bureaucracy, not worth it.
Reason for asking about the EP, is that I may have to look for another position. Of course, perferably, ideally I would like to stay at my present employment.
Well, fingers cross, here's to hoping either (a) I apply and get a PR super duper quick and that solves the problem or (b) I stay where I am or (c) another job offer.
What is the PEP?

I was just joking about the car. I remembered your username because of a thread about the car.

PEP is personalized employment pass. It is roughly equivalent to a P1, except you can change jobs as much as you want, or even not work for up to six months. It is valid for five years and cannot be renewed. It might be a very good option for you if you haven't applied for PR yet. If you're on a P1, you should be approved for PEP without issue.

(I'd also recommend waiting as long as possible on PR; for some reason I thought you've been here a lot longer).

More info here:

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

[Strong Eagle]

Just let the new company apply for the new EP. MOM will make sure the old pass is cancelled.

How long have you been here now? If I recall, you were in P1 salary range. I'd suggest applying for a PEP to just make everything easy for you.

I don't think this is good advice.

a) Why use the "safety net" of a PEP when an EP is available?
b) I know someone at the end of their 5 year PEP who has also just been laid off. It's a one time deal. What now is anybody's guess.

[revhappy]

Now, I can argue both ways on whether you should apply for PEP or not and there is no right or wrong:

Why you shouldnt apply

Most companies have a notice period of 1 month when they layoff people. Companies usually do this in 2 ways:
1)They give you a notice of 1 month and let you come to office and work for a month and at the end of it pay you 1 months salary
2)They give you a notice of 1 month but tell you stay at home, so in effect it is a 1 month paid vacation, they still pay you 1 month salary at the end of it.

So in both the cases your EP wont be cancelled immediately, you still have a month to go and apply for PEP.

Why you should apply

You never know when the PEP scheme will be stopped. You keep waiting to use the PEP as a trump card, but when the economy really deteriorates, the PEP may no longer be an option. Granted that it is anyways for 5 years. But 5 years is still good enough considering that the market now is even worse than what it was during the height of the financial crisis.

So again, I am not sure whether you should apply or not. I guess it depends on how bullish or bearish you are about your own prospects

[zzm9980]

SE has a good point, I guess it depends on your long term plans. Knowing OP plans to apply for PR eventually, she doesn't really "Wtf do i do in 5 years" drawback SE mentioned. Of course to other readers, make sure you consider that.

I personally figured when I applied if I was still here in five years I'd have applied for PR by then. Who knows what the future brings though...

[PrimroseHill]

SE has a good point, I guess it depends on your long term plans. Knowing OP plans to apply for PR eventually, she doesn't really "Wtf do i do in 5 years" drawback SE mentioned. Of course to other readers, make sure you consider that.

I personally figured when I applied if I was still here in five years I'd have applied for PR by then. Who knows what the future brings though...

Exactly, zzm. I plan to still be here after the 5years PEP period and by then, hopefully, I would have applied for PR already.

Changing jobs isn't by choice, sometimes, it is due to cirumstances. Well, if the worse comes to worse, PEP application is it then.
Question - if I leave, I suppose, my EP will be cancelled immediately. Am I given a grace period to find another job, thus reapplying for an EP?

[the lynx]

SE has a good point, I guess it depends on your long term plans. Knowing OP plans to apply for PR eventually, she doesn't really "Wtf do i do in 5 years" drawback SE mentioned. Of course to other readers, make sure you consider that.

I personally figured when I applied if I was still here in five years I'd have applied for PR by then. Who knows what the future brings though...

Exactly, zzm. I plan to still be here after the 5years PEP period and by then, hopefully, I would have applied for PR already.

Changing jobs isn't by choice, sometimes, it is due to cirumstances. Well, if the worse comes to worse, PEP application is it then.
Question - if I leave, I suppose, my EP will be cancelled immediately. Am I given a grace period to find another job, thus reapplying for an EP?

You will have the bog standard of 30 days SVP after your EP is cancelled. That should give you time to pack up/move house/income tax clearance etc or to await new EP application (but remember the latter has high variable in duration)

[sundaymorningstaple]

On, one added thing. The bog standard SVP cannot be extended if it's the one granted on cancellation of the EP. You would have to leave the country and then return (don't mean to JB & back).