Singapore Expats

Hello! My fiancé and I are moving to Singapore in February because of my job. My company is looking to set him up with a job in Singapore as well (through head hunters) but I'm a bit worried because he does not have a degree. He has worked in sales (most currently at a digital marketing media company) for over 10 years. Singapore seems to be very degree oriented. Will he have a tough time finding a career here?


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He will have a very tough time. Many companies will be loathe to even consider him, even with experience, because they are already aware that a) MoM casts a stern eye on people without degrees, and b) they would have to pay him a lot more than a degreed person in order to get the EP... the minimum salaries are higher.

Beyond the governmental approval issues, I expect he'll have a hard time getting interviews because he's not local and doesn't know the local market, and also because "digital marketing media" is still a foreign concept for so many local companies.

But I make enough to qualify him for a dependent pass. Does that change anything? He has only been working in digital media for the past year, but he has 10 years of sales experience otherwise. I'm just trying to find out if it's plausible to support us both on a salary of $115k a year (Singapore dollars). We will have our rent paid for by my company, however.


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Dependent pass is generally for family members. Once you will be married - then yes, he may get one. Is he a Caucasian?

For 2 people, $115k is more than enough for good living especially if your housing is going to be paid.

We will be married before we go, so he will be my husband. Will he have more luck in finding a job if he has a dependent pass? Yes he is Caucasian - why do you ask? Just wondering...that makes a difference?


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It appears for some categories of local employers having a Caucasian as a front sell person could add to what they see as prestige,* but generally even with the DP don't be too optimistic. Firstly, local employers would still prefer to hire SCs and PRs. Secondly, if I am not mistaken, MoM is tightening their criteria also for the letter of consent (LoC). LoC is needed for a DP holder to work for a specific employer. Years ago it was almost like automatic approval, now we see also the LoCs being rejected.

*) not sure if this is still valid or just got reversed with growing xenophobia among the locals

It is not impossible to be hired without a degree in Singapore. But your fiance must show exceptional skills and if there are industry certificates/awards that he can show , maybe it would help with getting the approval from both the employer and MOM. Just being resident in Singapore (through a DP) will help in the job search because he will not be constrained by time and he will be able to go for face to face interviews easily. Having said that, it will be tough. Good luck to both of you!

OP, bottom line is that if you two are married and your spousal unit has a DP issued under your EP, then you are much better off than trying to find a job for a fiance so that you can live together.

He has no worries about longer term residency and better, he will have the time to start meeting people and building networks that may eventually lead to a job and/or free lancing (see also the threads on free lancing as a DP).

Thanks all for the input...can't wait to visit in January.


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