Singapore Expats

Dear moderator pls don't flame me - I did check diligently that this has not been discussed in this forum...

Question: I am considering a job offer based in Singapore, and I am wondering how I can bring my partner to Singapore.

We have signed the French equivalence of the civil union (PACS), so the French embassy will probably have no problem to issue a "common law partnership" letter. But then has Mr Lee Kuan Yew managed to influence the MOM to be more flexible to attract homosexuals into the city state?

In case this is important: I can choose between the P1 pass or PEP, and my partner is French.

Any advice/experience would be most welcomed!

accidenttourist wrote:Dear moderator pls don't flame me - I did check diligently that this has not been discussed in this forum...

Question: I am considering a job offer based in Singapore, and I am wondering how I can bring my partner to Singapore.

We have signed the French equivalence of the civil union (PACS), so the French embassy will probably have no problem to issue a "common law partnership" letter. But then has Mr Lee Kuan Yew managed to influence the MOM to be more flexible to attract homosexuals into the city state?

In case this is important: I can choose between the P1 pass or PEP, and my partner is French.

Any advice/experience would be most welcomed!

I guess I should assume you did your homework but just in case:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_rights_in_Singapore

P1/PEP pass is a pretty strong card in your hand but you should be aware that even heterosexual common low marriages are not that easily accepted in here.

You are welcome to choose any type of pass your employer is able to qualify you for. Your partner, on the other hand, will only be allowed a normal 30-90 SVP. Getting your partner a LTVP or Dependent's pass will be virtually impossible here as the government doesn't recognize the unit as a family unit in the first place. Your partner will have to qualify for their own employment pass in their own right. Otherwise, they will be treated as a normal visitor.

SMS is right unfortunately.

We were in the same situation coming from London.
A lot of advice is given verbally but nothing on paper or websites. The SG High commission in London informed me of a few cases. Nothing is publicised in case more " of us " decided to move here !
I can pm you on that.

I had to travel once every 30 days. We created a company with my partner who had the EP and with the help of a lawyer I was granted an EP r 2 years.
Nothing is as black or white ...
Bonne Chance

Hi we are about to go through the same thing so benefitting from any of your learnings would be great, can you pm me please if you don't mind sharing learnings?

this is interesting, i've missed this out and it's my first time reading the entire thread

prompted me to do some googling and read on civil union and registered partnership, and voilà: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recognitio ... _Singapore

no rights no nothing, not a crime if done consensually in private

also note the right hand column is ever so helpful for those always on the move

watch that space though. singapore being uniquely singapore and always with the "first in asia" attitude, i won't be surprised that it will be recognised here few yrs down. the community here is ever expanding anyways, so it make sense..

Hi there Brittany,
I don't think Singapore is 1rst in Asia for attitude.Religion plays a far too important part in people's life , not as in some neighbouring countries.
Things will not move as quickly as some people would like to think.
Hypocrisy is the order of the day . I would love to be proven wrong !

accidenttourist wrote:... I did check diligently that this has not been discussed in this forum...

Umm, I asked this question last year so perhaps a more diligent use of the search facility might help?

http://forum.singaporeexpats.com/ftopic ... t=same+sex

It CAN work, but you need to understand that the laws here are different, and remember we're still all guests in this country here unless we decide to become PR AND renounce original country citizenship!!

It's not what we think is good, but it's respecting the cultural, legal, and local customs. Our same sex friends come and stay with us, and their general idea is that the LRD has a pretty vibrant S/S culture, albeit hidden. In terms of working, each to their own merit as a number of greater minds than ourselves have said.

It's up to the individuals concerned - you can get a lot of punishment in other countries for S/S acts. It comes back down to how much you are prepared to respect the country you wish to live in. Go to Iran, drink alcohol in private? etc. etc.

Anyway, that's just 20c worth! Not sure if it's of much help, but happy to contribute nonetheless.

As it happens whilst the question was asked before it wasn't actually answered only debated. Clearly some people have been successful and have tips on how to approach the issues that have not yet come out in the posts but perhaps might from pms.

The quickest way to get a loophole closed in Singapore is to publish it.

Indeed SMS is right better keep it hush hush , things are happening, done in a certain way.
Fascinating and frustating. Thanks to the Brits for their laws .

accidenttourist wrote:Dear moderator pls don't flame me - I did check diligently that this has not been discussed in this forum...

Question: I am considering a job offer based in Singapore, and I am wondering how I can bring my partner to Singapore.

We have signed the French equivalence of the civil union (PACS), so the French embassy will probably have no problem to issue a "common law partnership" letter. But then has Mr Lee Kuan Yew managed to influence the MOM to be more flexible to attract homosexuals into the city state?

In case this is important: I can choose between the P1 pass or PEP, and my partner is French.

Any advice/experience would be most welcomed!

Hi Accidenttourist,

My partner and I are exactly in the same situation as you were back in November.

I was wondering if you wouldn't mind sharing your experience with me and my partner. We are currently in Fontainebleau and I am about to accept to move in Singapore. So I would really appreciate having your viewpoint especially regarding your partner's situation now and how you did when you moved...

Thanks much for your help in advance
A "compatriote", future expat in Singapore !

curzio159 wrote:

accidenttourist wrote:Dear moderator pls don't flame me - I did check diligently that this has not been discussed in this forum...

Question: I am considering a job offer based in Singapore, and I am wondering how I can bring my partner to Singapore.

We have signed the French equivalence of the civil union (PACS), so the French embassy will probably have no problem to issue a "common law partnership" letter. But then has Mr Lee Kuan Yew managed to influence the MOM to be more flexible to attract homosexuals into the city state?

In case this is important: I can choose between the P1 pass or PEP, and my partner is French.

Any advice/experience would be most welcomed!

Hi Accidenttourist,

My partner and I are exactly in the same situation as you were back in November.

I was wondering if you wouldn't mind sharing your experience with me and my partner. We are currently in Fontainebleau and I am about to accept to move in Singapore. So I would really appreciate having your viewpoint especially regarding your partner's situation now and how you did when you moved...

Thanks much for your help in advance
A "compatriote", future expat in Singapore !

Hello Curzio159 and Accidenttourist,

I'll be in the same situation in a few weeks from now. Would you mind sharing with me the information you've got?

On my side, the Singaporean Ambassy in France told me that there is no discrimination and that the LTVP can also be obtained for same-sex couples...

Given the former posts above, I hope that this remains true.

Best regards

werder wrote:Indeed SMS is right better keep it hush hush , things are happening, done in a certain way.
Fascinating and frustating. Thanks to the Brits for their laws .

Well knowing the British law, does help, as you know there is bound to be a cock up. Did I say that, Ooops coincidence