UK-F 27 Relocating to Singapore in mid-Jan help please!

[kaz2204]

Hi,

Firstly sorry if this has been posted up before...I'm moving over to Singapore in mid-jan, my employment has been approved...yehhhh

I'm currently in the UK and will be moving over on my own and wont know anyone!

Some things I could do with some on help / advice:

A- I have received the email confirmation and letter of appointment to sign from HR, just wondered how long does an employment pass get approved? Should I wait till I have received this before I resign from my current employer in the UK? Or just hand my notice in as soon as I've received my contract / signed the letter of appointment.

B- I've looked around and searched for places to share a flat or condo with but most replies I get are...your welcome to view? I'm pretty much stuck with finding a place to move straight into once I get off the plane and I don't fancy transferring a deposit without signing a contract to lease? Im not bothered about viewing i just need a place to move into temp like 1-2months until i'm settled a bit, then look for a more long term place. Will it be a good idea to get a hotel for the first couple of days then find somewhere in that period? Or does anyone know any good sites / friends needing a room mate?

I'm happy to pay up to $1500per month, but not sharing a room (because i know a few advertise 2people sharing a 1bedroom). Or I was considering getting an agent but I don't know how much they cost? Do they charge loads?

C- meeting people, is it best to meet new faces through here, I have posted a few times and not really got much response I suppose there are some stalkers on here and ppl are a bit cautious. I would be! Where do most expats hang out is it Clarke quay, Robertson quay, orchard road?

Thanks for reading my post and looking forward to hearing from you!

Thanks,
Kaz

[zzm9980]

I came to this thread thinking "UK-F 27" was some new interesting naval vessel being stationed in Singapore by the US or UK. Oh well.

Since I'm here...

A) It really depends. It can be 1 business day to 2 months, depending on the position, your qualifications, and numerous other factors. Generally the more money you're being paid and more years of experience and less dodgy your school (unless you're making enough to qualify for P1, then no one cares), the faster. Provide details on profession, salary, years of experience, race, etc, and we can give you a slightly better ballpark.

Do not resign your current position until you have the "In Principle Approval letter" from MOM.

B) Your company isn't giving you at least a month of temporary housing in a Service Apartment? Check your offer letter. That's pretty much the standard. Legally, you cannot enter a lease until you have your employment pass approved. If they're not, you should look for a cheap service apartment for a t least a few weeks so you can look around. Your best bet is to look at Service Apartments near Paya Lebar MRT/Joo Chiat Rd. There are a few 'cheaper' options around there that are still livable. Be very wary if it is in Geylang on a 'Lorong' (street) with a number under 30. Something like "Geylang Lorong 12". Those are most likely hourly motels that you won't want to spend a day in, let alone weeks.

C) Orchard Rd is all shopping. The few bars well known bars there would not be ideal for a 27yr old female. (Google 'orchard tower'). Clarke, River, Robertson Quay is a good area. Club St near Chinatown is good. River Valley is good. There are options. Don't worry about meeting people until you get here and secure your room.

$1500 should get you your own room in an apartment. It will not get you your own place.

[offshoreoildude]

You'll struggle a little to build a social circle. The locals won't take to your for the first 20 years in case you're a tourist and your expat friends will keep disappearing..... you probably won't find a boyfriend either for some time (the asian girls are way too easy). However I've heard good things about hanging around boat quay (Prince of Wales and Mungo?) for single expat women. Join in the clubs you can, get out at any opportunity and never say no.

[nakatago]

You'll struggle a little to build a social circle. The locals won't take to your for the first 20 years in case you're a tourist and your expat friends will keep disappearing..... you probably won't find a boyfriend either for some time (the asian girls are way too easy).

The subcontinentals would not be in short supply though.

[offshoreoildude]

You'll struggle a little to build a social circle. The locals won't take to your for the first 20 years in case you're a tourist and your expat friends will keep disappearing..... you probably won't find a boyfriend either for some time (the asian girls are way too easy).

The subcontinentals would not be in short supply though.

OP could be anglo-indian.... (and pretty hot too if that's the case).

[kaz2204]

Thanks for replying!! Helps me a lot.

I managed to get the letter of appointment and ill be starting pretty soon!
They are looking into service appartments for me.

Im going to have to hand my notice in now really because the start date is the in a months time and i need to give one months notice in my current employer! Just hope the EP gets approved! The company said it should take upto 2weeks.

I'll have to try and blend in then as my orgin is chinese but ill hopefully meet people once i get out there i suppose! It would probably be like anywhere in the world.

Thanks again! Kaz

[offshoreoildude]

Thanks for replying!! Helps me a lot.

I managed to get the letter of appointment and ill be starting pretty soon!
They are looking into service appartments for me.

Im going to have to hand my notice in now really because the start date is the in a months time and i need to give one months notice in my current employer! Just hope the EP gets approved! The company said it should take upto 2weeks.

I'll have to try and blend in then as my orgin is chinese but ill hopefully meet people once i get out there i suppose! It would probably be like anywhere in the world.

Thanks again! Kaz

EP's are not guaranteed at all and are somewhat out of your employers control..... however if there is AIP letter I guess you're ok.

[kaz2204]

Whats the waste sitution the employment pass doesn't get aproved?

They say you have to have the right qualifications, skills and experience. Ill be working within the construction industry. Ive got an architectural engineering degree and over 5years exp. could i possbile be rejected?

Thanks, karen

[kaz2204]

Sorry typo! Its this dam phone! *worst not waste!

[offshoreoildude]

Whats the waste sitution the employment pass doesn't get aproved?

They say you have to have the right qualifications, skills and experience. Ill be working within the construction industry. Ive got an architectural engineering degree and over 5years exp. could i possbile be rejected?

Thanks, karen

There's a lot of qualified SC architects.....

[zzm9980]

Whats the waste sitution the employment pass doesn't get aproved?

They say you have to have the right qualifications, skills and experience. Ill be working within the construction industry. Ive got an architectural engineering degree and over 5years exp. could i possbile be rejected?

Thanks, karen

What's your monthly salary? What is your race? Sorry to be blunt, but Singapore discriminates. If your *base* salary is under S$8k/month and/or you're not Caucasian or Chinese, I'd say there is enough uncertainity that you shouldn't give notice until you have the in-principal approval letter from MOM in your hand. (Or PDF in inbox).

[kaz2204]

It will be less then 8k per month. Im fill chinese but british born. My parents are from HK and i have the HK id to go there.

Does that make any difference? The thing is if i wait for my visa il miss my start date in SG because I have to work a months notice.

Should I take the risk? Im a bit stuck now!

[bro75]

I suggest do not resign without an IPA (In Principle Approval letter) from MOM since this is not guaranteed. Just give a heads up to your future employer, that after you get the IPA, you will need to give 1 months notice to your current employer before resigning. If the future employer is not reasonable with this, maybe you need to think whether this is a good employer for you. Or you can also pay your current employer in lieu of the notice period you need to give (if that is acceptable).

[zzm9980]

It will be less then 8k per month. Im fill chinese but british born. My parents are from HK and i have the HK id to go there.

Does that make any difference? The thing is if i wait for my visa il miss my start date in SG because I have to work a months notice.

Should I take the risk? Im a bit stuck now!

BBC from HK is probably more of a positive than negative. Salary is decent, borderline P1 pass. You *should* get it, but I would still not give notice until you have the IPA. Most Singaporean firms that hire foreigners should be familiar with this situation and completely understanding to your hesitancy to give notice prior to receiving the IPA. Just call your new HR and talk to them about it. My start date in Singapore changed three or four times due to this.

[Strong Eagle]

Whats the waste sitution the employment pass doesn't get aproved?

The worst case is that the company will appeal the reject of the employment pass, and that appeal will not be successful. In that case, the company cannot hire you.

EP's are usually granted/refused with 10 days or so of application. I would not serve notice with current employer until you know you have your Approval in Principle letter.

I say this because of all the tightening of "foreign talent" over the last year, and the continued noises coming out of the gahmen.