Singapore Expats

I bet this is the most popular question asked on this forum! But I still would like to get some feedback from people who actually had my experience.

I'm about to graduate from my Master's program this September at the University of Toronto, Canada and I've accepted an offer from Broadcom in Singapore (an American multinational company) as an IC design engineer in the analog/mixed signal group. My annual pay is SGD $55,000 plus the stock options plus the relocation package which seems to be a fairly good deal. The HR has already applied filed my EP application and now I'm just waiting for MoM's decision.

I'm a little paranoid and pessimistic here about getting this EP so I'd really appreciate any feedback about similar cases, especially the successful cases!!

To be precise, I'd like to know what my chances are in getting the EP and how long does it usually take (2 weeks, 3 weeks).

Your feedback is really appreciated.

Right off hand, I'd say the words, "IC design engineer" are magic words that will open the gates to an EP for you.

Now I don't know what goes on in the mind of MOM but I'd put down a sizeable bet that you will get yours.

Singapore is heavily into the electronics business in manufacturing and faces increasing pressure from lower cost producers. One of the responses of the Sing government is to move upstream... to the design phases. They are doing this in all sorts of areas including electronics an biotech. They have realized that specialized talent is needed and have made attractive offers to companies to relocate their upstream business here.

Should take 2 weeks or so.

Strong Eagle, your reply really made my day !!

However, another thing that concerns me is that my application is already sent to MoM and technically I don't have my Master's degree yet. Of course I have sent all the transcripts for my Master's and a letter from the University stating that I'm expected to graduate Sept. (i.e., before my official start date in Singapore).

So, should be worried about beurcracy in handling EP application? Of course I don't mean any offence to the Singaporean government and agencies nor do I mean to be sarcastic of the rules but as you said, you can't tell what's going on the mind of MoM.

MOM is filled with some of the best and brightest from Singapore universities. Yes, they have papers to push and checkboxes to check so everything does have to be done by the book. And, I doubt you will have a problem... if they cared, they would check your credentials.

Just remember that at the bottom of it all, Singapore is looking for ways to improve the economic status of Singapore all the time. Highly skilled people with specialized skills are in demand.

joeyatsingapore wrote:I'm about to graduate from my Master's program this September at the University of Toronto, Canada and I've accepted an offer from Broadcom in Singapore (an American multinational company) as an IC design engineer in the analog/mixed signal group. My annual pay is SGD $55,000 plus the stock options plus the relocation package which seems to be a fairly good deal. The HR has already applied filed my EP application and now I'm just waiting for MoM's decision.

I agree with SE. You've got the salary, you've got the big company applying for you, you've got the degree, you're in a sexy industry -- unless you've confessed to an axe murder in your application, you should be a shoo-in.

jpatokal wrote: I agree with SE. You've got the salary, you've got the big company applying for you, you've got the degree, you're in a sexy industry -- unless you've confessed to an axe murder in your application, you should be a shoo-in.

Nope, no criminal record that I know of!!

Anyways, I'm really glad to know that. I sure hope to hear back from MoM soon.

On a different point, why don't the mod for this forum pin a topic about success/failure stories of getting an EP. This way people would get a feeling of how the process goes.

I'm in the same boat. Waiting for EP approval, same salary range, college grad with a globally-recognized professional designation. Although I'm in the Finance/IT industry...

Kinda anxious but employer said I shouldn't worry about it.

wow!
never expected to run into a fellow UofT grad!
congrats on the job.
a big thank you to everyone on this forum. i will check out the aforementioned agencies.
I am a recent grad from Univ of Toronto, Canada. I'm in India now and I have been trying to land a job in singapore for a while now.. but its hard applying from abroad - I got only two replies and even those folk vanished.

any help/advice on landing a tech oriented job? (consulting, bus process analysis, requirements engineering etc)

Thanks

Yeah awesomearpit, UofT rocks!

I'm in the same boat. Waiting for EP approval, same salary range, college grad with a globally-recognized professional designation. Although I'm in the Finance/IT industry...

Kinda anxious but employer said I shouldn't worry about it.

I'm anxious about too jomni, especially that I'm really not experianced about EPs to Singapore so I have no idea what to expect. Hopefully it will turn out fine. And I personally know one person who went with the same process.

I've just been informed that MOM sent their acknowledgment letter to my employer, so I should be hearing very soon, I hope.

Finally, I've got it. Three weeks of boiling anticipation.

Singapore, here I come.

Just wondering Joey, how is life in Singapore compared to Toronto?
I recently got my EPEC and will be arriving shortly..

Congrats joeyatsingapore on your EP!

awesomearpit: Life is a lot different in Singapore than Toronto... But I think if you like Toronto lifestyle, then you'll love Singapore for sure... Oh, and minus the whole snow factor and -40 degrees temp. hehe anyways, by the way, how is job hunt? Did you manage to find anything?

I didn't think I would come across UofT grads... I'm a grad of UofW and just got my EPEC approved.. Will be going to Singapore shortly in the next month... Hopefully lucky enough to be able to secure a job while I'm there...