Potential Relocation from UK to Singapore

[ShouldBeFun]

Hi All,

First off my apologies if this has already been asked on the forum or the information is on this site but I couldn't find it and I have a little question about the type of visa required for a potential relocation to Singapore.

My employer asked earlier this week if I would consider relocating to Singapore for 1 - 2 years in a management role for our APAC businesses. This would be based in Singapore but I'd be required to visit other APAC countries such as China, Japan, Taiwan, Korea and India as well as visits to the US and UK during this period.

I was looking at the visa options and it looks as though I would require an EP visa but I was wondering if anyone knew of any problems with me leaving Singapore and returning for short visits to these countries on a regular basis?

Cheers!

[zzm9980]

Hi All,

First off my apologies if this has already been asked on the forum or the information is on this site but I couldn't find it and I have a little question about the type of visa required for a potential relocation to Singapore.

My employer asked earlier this week if I would consider relocating to Singapore for 1 - 2 years in a management role for our APAC businesses. This would be based in Singapore but I'd be required to visit other APAC countries such as China, Japan, Taiwan, Korea and India as well as visits to the US and UK during this period.

I was looking at the visa options and it looks as though I would require an EP visa but I was wondering if anyone knew of any problems with me leaving Singapore and returning for short visits to these countries on a regular basis?

Cheers!

Yes, you'll have problems. It will probably work for the first 6 months since you're from the UK and I assume caucasian (if you're not, you'll have even less success - in Singapore discrimination is abound). You'll need an EP, and it shouldn't be a problem for your company to get for you. They actually have an office here right?

Note that Singapore will not give you an APAC travel card, only to their citizens, so you'll still need visas for China and India.

[Saint]

I was looking at the visa options and it looks as though I would require an EP visa but I was wondering if anyone knew of any problems with me leaving Singapore and returning for short visits to these countries on a regular basis?

Cheers!

Think ZM9980 might have not quite understood what you were asking. As long as you have an EP there is no issue with making business trips within the region, US and the UK. Singapore is used as a Regional Office for many companies which naturally involves employees undertaking regular business trips

[JR8]

I read the OP's post first one way, and then the other.

But I think Saint has it right. If you're SG-based and on an EP, then no, there is no issue at all with travelling. After all SG promotes itself as the business hub within South East Asia, and jobs here tend to involve travel, often a lot!

[zzm9980]

On second pass, then yes. I'm now not sure what the OP was asking. I was assuming OP was asking about what visa he required for Singapore, and that's how I answered. If OP is asking about the other countries, then Saint's answer is probably sufficient, although every country is different and you may or may not be breaking laws in each of those countries by visiting.

[Mi Amigo]

Yeah, I think Saint's interpretation is what the OP was asking but it would be good if they could confirm that.

ShouldBeFun, as regards the EP itself, this needs to be applied for by the entity in Singapore that will employ you. Does your employer already have a presence here? If not, they will need to establish a company of sorts. A representative office is a common starting point, although there are significant restrictions in what such an operation can do.

More info on EPs, etc. here:

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

The key point to keep in mind is that you shouldn't finalise your plans to move here until you are sure that an EP has been secured (i.e. until you are are in possession of an IPA (In Principle Approval) letter). If you've been reading this board for a while you'll be aware of the increasing difficulty in securing these passes. Basically the company will need to demonstrate that you are bringing skills and experience to the role here that cannot be obtained from the local talent pool.

Good luck.

[ShouldBeFun]

Thanks for your replies and apologies for any confusion.

We already have an office in Singapore which will be my base and today I had a meeting with our UK HR who have requested that HR in our Singapore office start the EP process for me.

If this is granted then once I relocate I'd just need to apply for visa's for the countries that I am visiting while based in Singapore.

The position has already been advertised locally in Singapore but they couldn't fill it for one reason or another.

Hopefully this answers your questions and again thanks for replies as I really appreciate it!