Waiting for LOC and getting a bit paranoid...

[redsnap]

Hello all,

I am waiting for my LOC approval and heard that MOM has been stricter lately with giving out those as well. Well, I got an offer from a company on the third of June (company also sent out the LOC application by email on that day) and have not heard anything yet. I read it takes about a week to approve LOCs and I am getting a bit scared.

I was offered a Marketing position at a German company, salary 3000, with 13 salaries and different bonuses throughout the year. I really do not care about the money part much, but the company is great and I like the job description, but I know the salary matters for the LOC approval, right? The LOC only said the base salary, and nobody disclosed the 13 salaries or bonuses on the LOC application.

I don't think my position could be easily replaced by a Singaporean, because I need to communicate with the German headquarters and design marketing material in German (I am an Austrian citizen, btw). But how does the MOM know that fact, since there is no job description in the application for the LOC, only personal data, salary and all that.

I know it does not help much to get paranoid and I just need to chill out and wait, but I am just not that kind of person, lol. So any input, good or bad, is appreciated!

[AngMoG]

Is LOC different from EP, in that applications are done via email, and not via their EPOL?

In any case, I think leaving out all those facts did not help your case for sure. You may still get the LOC, but at that salary, they would be worried that you are replacing a Singaporean.

I would say, if they reject, just appeal, and include all that information that you mentioned in supporting documents:
- 13th salary, including calculation what your effective guaranteed monthly salary is (annual salary / 12). Bonuses do not count.
- Job Description
- Supporting letter from the company pointing out that this job requires German business communication skills, and that you fit the overall JD nicely
- If possible and applicable (i.e., if this job was advertised), supporting documentation showing that no SC/PR applicants did fit the bill.

[sundaymorningstaple]

The "replace a Singapore" does not come in the equation in the case of LoC. Generally only thing that has changed is that the salary is high enough and the person is "qualified for the position" but doesn't need to meet MOM's qualifying academic criteria. The normal "required because a Singaporean is not available" doesn't enter into it either as the whole reasoning behind the LoC is to ensure the primary pass holder (EP holder) is able to work given that they are the ones needed by the country (in theory).

[redsnap]

Generally only thing that has changed is that the salary is high enough and the person is "qualified for the position" but doesn't need to meet MOM's qualifying academic criteria.

Thanks for clarifying, do you have any idea what "high enough" means and are there any ranges that you can give? Aren't Dependent Pass holders notoriously low-balled, even when they are qualified and have all the necessary skills, because they have to be happy that they found anything at all? So basically, low paying positions cannot be filled by DPs?

I am a little frustrated, I mean on one side yes, I am happy that the opportunity exists that I can even get a job, but on the other side we would have not even considered coming here if it wasn't for the possibility of getting a LOC.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Well, please don't take this the wrong way, but anybody who takes up an overseas position with a spouse in tow, should have though about the "what if" considering the only one who was offer a job is the EP holder. The fact that they even HAVE a LoC is mind boggling. One should always make sure the overseas position is comfortable on a single salary of the EP holder as any more than that is pure speculation.

So, at this point, you can only wait & hope. Good enough? It's an unknown quantum as the new "restriction" for the LoC is not published, nor is it likely to be. But yeah, they don't want high school graduates from overseas taking jobs that only pay 1500/month. There are also certain industries where you cannot get an LoC as well. Some are published, other are not. The changes are recent so we don't have enough anecdotal evidence to assemble any sort of data ranges yet.

[redsnap]

Thank you for clarifying and getting back to my post. We were well aware about the possibility of me not getting a job and we have a plan B, which is moving where we can both work. We are financially secure, we would never make a big step like this move without making sure we are fine with the one salary. We are not living in a fancy schmanzy condo or eat chili crab at Jumbo's every night. We are here for the long haul, my husband is on a local contract, I am not just looking to keep myself busy for a year or two. We know it is a risk and yes I am really thankful that the LoC exists. I didn't mean to annoy you with my statements. I just feel a little anxious, I really want this job and stumbling over it in only a few weeks since I have been here is really great. I read the hardest part is getting the job offer and not the LoC...

I would be interested to hear from anyone who has been in my shoes before and waited for the LoC.

[sundaymorningstaple]

I'm not annoyed. Why should I be. I just give the skinny as bluntly as I can. I don't try to blow smoke.

It used to be the hardest part was just getting the job offer. In fact, usually you would have to educate the prospective employer on the whole concept of the Letter of Consent as most knew nothing about it. It's only recently that getting the LoC has become dicey as well. Used to be a one day affair, now it takes several days and often comes back as rejected but as I pointed out, we don't have enough data to make any judgements on probabilities or guidelines at the moment.

[redsnap]

Hello all,

I just wanted to tell you that my LoC was approved! It took about 2 weeks. I would encourage others to share their experiences, it is very hard to find any current information about the LoC process online and others that look for information would greatly benefit from any leads.

If anyone has any questions about my LoC process, I would be happy to share what I know.

[SaraDahlia]

Hi All,

My company applied for LOC on 1 July and now is still under review on 20 July. I work previously and my tax has been cleared on 5 July. The company get back to me that the LOC status is "We need inputs from other agencies to process this application. In most instances, the outcome will be available in 4 weeks' time. Some cases may take longer." Is it really that long? Any one encounter this before?

[sundaymorningstaple]

Yes.