EP Renewal Quandary

[randomluser]

Hi all,

Bit of a quandary. My EP is gonna be up for renewal soon, in fact our company's relocation/immigration contractor already (tried) to initiate the procedure.

They found out that they cannot continue the application because I've got another application pending. This is actually the PEP that I haven't collected. Because I don't know if I should collect it.

I've seen word on this forum that folks are better off with EPs than PEPs. I feel particularly in that category because I got a "grandfathered" PEP and I have till Jan 1 2015 to show a $12K/month salary.

So.. do I cancel the PEP and let the company apply for another EP? or do I take the PEP?

The veterans might be wondering why I got the PEP in the first place. Well after all the hue and cry I got jumpy. I also have a PR application that's been pending for 8 months now..

As to the particulars.. Pinoy, P2, 4 years (will be my 4th tax return this year), large MNC. Married, wife also Pinoy, P2, just got EP renewed. Also large MNC. Aggregate income ~ $200K PA. No kids.

[sundaymorningstaple]

And that, my friends, is exactly what we've been on about here for years, about being greedy. Eventually, it comes back to bite you in the arse. Now you are between a rock & a hard place.

You can try to cancel/withdraw the PEP application if you are positive that you cannot meet the 12K/mo income figure by 2015 but you still stand a chance of not being able to renew your EP after that but you won't know that until you cancel the PEP. Damned if you do and damned if you don't. And as far as your PR application is concerned, I don't think I'd worry about that one at all considering the backlash against Pinoy's currently on the Little Red Dot.

If you make it through, I feel you are going to be lucky.

Couple of questions. You state you have been a P2 for 4 years with an MNC Employer. Hasn't your income passed the P1 threshhold of 7/8K/mo yet? If not, you may find yourself with no renewal as each renewal should show a corresponding increase of salary as part of the new "criteria" for renewal. Both increment and experience/age will play a part of getting renewed now. Good Luck.

[randomluser]

Thanks SMS.

I didn't really expect another answer

I'll probably get the PEP. If the PR doesn't come through in the next few months, will have to make other plans. Another EP or the PEP won't matter in that case. My peers back home are doing fairly well and I could rejoin them, but there are a few things about Singapore - safety and traffic! - that can't be found elsewhere that isn't Nordic.

Although I do object about the greedy characterization It is difficult to do long-term planning on an EP and I otherwise followed all the rules in applying for PR (in retrospect, I heard PR's were still easy to come by in 2009 and I wonder if I'd have gotten one if I hadn't followed the rules). As for the P1 vs P2.. my actual income is almost at "new" PEP level. But it's because of the variable. I have gotten increments but I'm still a hair under P1 on base. It is darn unlikely for me to make "new" PEP on base by 2015.

[sundaymorningstaple]

I'll probably get the PEP. If the PR doesn't come through in the next few months, will have to make other plans. Another EP or the PEP won't matter in that case.

Might still be sticky as the PR apps, as I'm sure you have read, have been taking anywhere from 6 to 15 months to final determination. Good Luck. Seriously. It's hard to make a Plan B with so many irons in the fire, as it were.

[Wd40]

OP, I am in similar situation like you but a bit of difference:
Pep approved and have time until jun16th to actually get it issued.
Current EP doesn't expire until aug 22nd
PR application pending since 9months and 9 days.

In my case I will surely take the pep before the expiry date, the only reason I haven't yet taken it is I am waiting for my pr result. You see my family is 3 of us and the cost to take up pep is $450 and then I don't want to spend the same amount again for the PR.

But if my pr doesn't come before the pep expiry date I wil take it up.

I don't subscribe to the theory that taking up pep now will be bad for getting converted to EP 2 yrs later. My view is 2 yrs later the chances of EP renewal will be same.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Considering the continued tightening up of criteria every couple of months or so, I hope youare right. But somehow I think.a lot will have a rude awakening. Good luck.

[randomluser]

I'm thinking along the same lines Wd40.

Get the PEP now, I will have ~ 2 years to either get that big raise, or prepare to up stakes.

If what SMS says is true that in at most 15 months I will know if I get PR or not - then there still is enough time. That will be end of 2013.

If after 15 months it's still pending (or, rejected) then the writing is on the wall and there's no use bellyaching about it.

I will still have enough time to implement Plan B before Jan 1 2015.

[Wd40]

In my case, I have already given up on this country as my long term home. I am now living here on a month by month basis. 2 years on PEP is more than enough for me.

[randomluser]

Sorry to hear that WD40, but completely understandable. I'm not quite at that level yet - but my lease is still ongoing for another year and my COE expires in 2015. Seems more and more that 2015 is the end of the road.

[ripplevan]

Even with the pinoy backslash, you should check on your pending PR application. Whether a EP or PEP, you still have the problem of maximum 6 mths if you are out of a job.

[randomluser]

Well.. just got the dreaded thin letter from ICA.

Time to start plan B. Am just grateful that I have enough time to do so. Relocating again is gonna be a b****.

[sundaymorningstaple]

That sucks, but you already knew the writing was on the wall. As you said, at least it gives you time to create a Plan B. Good Luck. Any chance of your EP being renewed?

[Wd40]

That sucks, but you already knew the writing was on the wall. As you said, at least it gives you time to create a Plan B. Good Luck. Any chance of your EP being renewed?

He has mostly probably already collected his PEP or has initiated the process.

OP, feel sorry for you man. Although the result isn't shocking, yet considering your salary levels its surprising.