Singapore Expats

Hi all

I'm looking for some confirmation. I am a US citizen and will be arriving into Singapore in a month to start a job there. My company (via local firm) is in the process now of applying for my EP. We can't do it electronically (we just opened a Rep Office and don't have SingPass yet) so estimated time for completion is 5 weeks as per MOM site. I won't be able to get all the EP paperwork to them until Nov 25 at the earliest, which means I'll receive my IPA after my arrival in Singapore.

So in reviewing the ICA site (http://www.ica.gov.sg/page.aspx?pageid=95) I won't have an "onward ticket". Will I be blocked from entry? I've been to SG before, but always on a business trip with onward ticket and typically only stayed a few days. But this time it's different.

Any recommendations?

Thank you!

In years gone by, it wasn't really a problem if you were coming from the west and had, say, a job offer in hand even though no IPA was approved yet. (I came waltzing in on a Tourist Visa and stayed here 11 years before getting an EP. Although I worked for a company based in Singapore all my work was offshore (Oil). However, today, between TSA and terrorists (not much difference between the two from what I've been told) it would probably be a good thing if you did buy a return ticket and after getting your IPA, canceling the return journey (might cost you $150 for the cancellation, but it's better than possibly getting turned back at the immigration desk here in Singapore after a 24 hour journey from the US). Or buy a one way ticket with a stop in Singapore and an open onward journey to say KL. Then after getting your EP, continue on to KL for the weekend and return on a single fare (or take the bus down). As it will all be new, I'd just bite the bullet and look at the cancellation fee as a cost of getting a contract in Singapore unless you are a glib talker.

CAtoSing wrote:Hi all

I'm looking for some confirmation. I am a US citizen and will be arriving into Singapore in a month to start a job there. My company (via local firm) is in the process now of applying for my EP. We can't do it electronically (we just opened a Rep Office and don't have SingPass yet) so estimated time for completion is 5 weeks as per MOM site. I won't be able to get all the EP paperwork to them until Nov 25 at the earliest, which means I'll receive my IPA after my arrival in Singapore.

So in reviewing the ICA site (http://www.ica.gov.sg/page.aspx?pageid=95) I won't have an "onward ticket". Will I be blocked from entry? I've been to SG before, but always on a business trip with onward ticket and typically only stayed a few days. But this time it's different.

Any recommendations?

Thank you!

officially, you "MAY" be refused entry, but if you can have some proof of EP submission etc, shouldn't be an issue, and with a US passport, very rare to have entry refused !

Alternate, is to get a 1 year Ticket with an open return.

Interesting. Thanks for the feedback. I thought I'd be smooth sailing, but sounds like I may have to do some more work on my end.

Couple of things I forgot to mention (will these any difference, good or bad)?

1. I'll be coming with my family (all US citizens) - wife and two kids. All will have their DP application submitted along with my EP.
2. I will also have the following with me: Receipt for EP/DP application fees from Singapore Post and print out the status of the application from MOM.

Thanks

CAtoSing wrote:Interesting. Thanks for the feedback. I thought I'd be smooth sailing, but sounds like I may have to do some more work on my end.

Couple of things I forgot to mention (will these any difference, good or bad)?

1. I'll be coming with my family (all US citizens) - wife and two kids. All will have their DP application submitted along with my EP.
2. I will also have the following with me: Receipt for EP/DP application fees from Singapore Post and print out the status of the application from MOM.

Thanks

Just to ask, is it not safe to wait and travel after your EP is approved? You and your family can enter SG as visitors as long as you have a valid return ticket, but you should not be starting to work till the EP is approved. Hope you are aware of it. The 2 points that you have mentioned would not make any difference for them to grant you a visitor visa.

CAtoSing wrote:1. I'll be coming with my family (all US citizens) - wife and two kids. All will have their DP application submitted along with my EP.
2. I will also have the following with me: Receipt for EP/DP application fees from Singapore Post and print out the status of the application from MOM.

Thanks

as long as you have those, you are good.

It's not like ICA will kick you out without a return ticket

Your problem "maybe" the airline you are taking refusing boarding, as some airlines are wary of returning the passenger back if entry is denied

Personally, you should have next to zero issues, and carrying proof of pass application etc, is good enough

If your pass has been approved before you reach, ICA will know, once they scan your passports !

Welcome to Singapore

I assume your rep office has been approved by IE Singapore? https://roms.iesingapore.gov.sg/

If yes, passes should be a shoe-in... if not...

Yes, RO has already been approved a couple of weeks ago and I will bring the letter of approval with me.

Thanks for the feedback everyone!

+1 to what Squirrel said. Your biggest difficulty will be getting your boarding pass at the airport without a return ticket or a residence visa.

Both Singapore air and Cathy Pacific had been rather diligent about checking this every time I travel.

Just a word of caution to the OP: at this point your EP is not approved yet, so it will be best to treat it that way. You may take it as a "given" that you will get it, and indeed your chances are high, but I would say these days it is not 100%. All it needs is for the MoM officer who works your case to think that this job can easily be done by a local.

tldr: better have a plan B, just in case.

AngMoG wrote:Just a word of caution to the OP: at this point your EP is not approved yet, so it will be best to treat it that way. You may take it as a "given" that you will get it, and indeed your chances are high, but I would say these days it is not 100%. All it needs is for the MoM officer who works your case to think that this job can easily be done by a local.

tldr: better have a plan B, just in case.

being a cynic, even without EP, OP can still come here what and visit Singapore

and in this case, it is a Representative office !!!

ecureilx wrote:

AngMoG wrote:Just a word of caution to the OP: at this point your EP is not approved yet, so it will be best to treat it that way. You may take it as a "given" that you will get it, and indeed your chances are high, but I would say these days it is not 100%. All it needs is for the MoM officer who works your case to think that this job can easily be done by a local.

tldr: better have a plan B, just in case.

being a cynic, even without EP, OP can still come here what and visit Singapore

and in this case, it is a Representative office !!!

I only said this because OP was planning to already move to SG with the whole family without having an IPA in hand. Sure, always good for a vacation - I think above suggestion was on point to have an open-end return ticket in hand instead of a fixed-date one with no refund

AngMoG wrote:I only said this because OP was planning to already move to SG with the whole family without having an IPA in hand. Sure, always good for a vacation - I think above suggestion was on point to have an open-end return ticket in hand instead of a fixed-date one with no refund

still that should be a chance for a family vacation

Just kidding .. I am sure before he leaves his paperwork will be all fixed !!!

Thanks for all the comments, everyone.

At this point, changing the plans/dates is out of the question. So I am going to come in armed with the RO approval letter, the Sing Post "fees paid" for the EP/DP, my employment contract, letter of approval from boys' school showing acceptance, address for serviced apt where we'll stay first few weeks, print out of EP/DEP applications, ... and a smile

Then, hope for the best

I'll update the post on Dec. 24. All going well, I'll do that from Singapore already!

Verify with the airline you will be traveling on that they will permit you to board.