Singapore Expats

I was a SPR for about 10 years, but cancelled it when I moved to another country.

My circumstances have recently changed with my employer in Bangkok now downsizing operations there. My family and I are also uncomfortable with the security situation in Bangkok at present.

Accordingly, I am now considering returning to Singapore. I know that if I return and re-applied for SPR that I need to replenish my CPF account with the amount withdrawn plus interest when I cancelled SPR.

However, if I return under EP status am I still required to replenish my CPF account?

Thanks, Mark

mark5335 wrote: However, if I return under EP status am I still required to replenish my CPF account?

Thanks, Mark

Technically, no.

However, the gahmen have a long memory so it would remain to be seen if they would actually give you an EP. Be prepared for the worst would be the best advice I could give you.

sms

Thanks sms. Do you think my case would be stronger if the job I've applied for is a SE Asia Regional managment position with a foreign bank with a higher than average salary (say, $30,000 per month). The reason I ask is that there may be fewer locals qualified for such role compared with say, a job with a local company paying $10,000 per month.

Thanks, Mark

It's anybody's guess. The MOM/gahmen love to make examples of people who appear to be abusing the system. Withdrawing your CPF and leaving and now coming back on an EP "normally" would not happen. No doubt they would probably need the expertise but it would be interesting to see how the MOM would go in the current climate here and your previous "track record" as a PR abuser (what they are calling it currently - pretty bad backlash against PR's at the moment due to a lot of abusers). Wish I could be of more help.

mark5335 wrote:Thanks sms. Do you think my case would be stronger if the job I've applied for is a SE Asia Regional managment position with a foreign bank with a higher than average salary (say, $30,000 per month). The reason I ask is that there may be fewer locals qualified for such role compared with say, a job with a local company paying $10,000 per month.

Thanks, Mark

Mark

If I am not wrong when you returned the SPR, there is a form for you to sign stating if you return you have to return your CPF $$$ back . The second part is if I can recall it is something along this line. "Ex-SPR who returns are not assured of working in SG or becoming a resident again".
Can remember the exact words but it is telling you that even you returned the CPF $$$ back that does not mean you can get a job here.
You will be dealing with three agencies CPF, MOM and ICA. All work differently and in tandem with one another.
MHO your chance is as good as zero. Sorry but I know for a fact that salary increment is not the single factor in considering your application

MS

I have a couple of mates who were in the exact same situation and are now back working on an EP. So it is possible.

Saint

Like I said "NOT ASSURED" as priority will be given to others . More so in these days.
Not making this up but close friend , an ex-SPR who return his PR status to go to OZ but did not work out and has been trying to go back to SG for almost three years now.

Can I know when your mates got their EP back.?

Were they SPR b4 or otherwise ?

One of them was PR and worked in a very specialised area. His company's contract wasn't renewed so no work so went back to UK. It was actually the ICA who advised him to give up PR and take out CPF. Over 2 years ago, so before the downturn, company got big contract here again so sent him back to Manage it.

Saint wrote:One of them was PR and worked in a very specialised area. His company's contract wasn't renewed so no work so went back to UK. It was actually the ICA who advised him to give up PR and take out CPF. Over 2 years ago, so before the downturn, company got big contract here again so sent him back to Manage it.

Ah.... Saint
see that is the different. ICA advise him not the other way round.In this case it is in their record.
Moreover the company must have made huge investment doing business here which rather make sense for him to get approve for EP
Make sense now.
What I do know if you give your SPR on your own accord chances are very slim

Thanks for the update
MS

Mark - would be interested in the outcome. Please can you keep us posted.
Thanks
Kim

Thanks to all for your valuable comments.

The potential employer whom I'm in discussions with have indicated the option to be located in either of SG, HK or Sydney. They would in fact prefer that I be based in Sydney. I think I may ask that they apply for an EP for me in SG and if it's rejected I will relocate from Bangkok to Sydney instead (I have Australian citizenship).

If I recollect correctly, in the letter I provided to CPF seeking funds withdrawal, I mentioned that my current Singapore employer at the time, a huge US MNC, was transferring me to Bangkok which is whom I still work for. However, the choice to cancel SPR and withdraw CPF was purely my own.

mark5335 wrote:Thanks to all for your valuable comments.

The potential employer whom I'm in discussions with have indicated the option to be located in either of SG, HK or Sydney. They would in fact prefer that I be based in Sydney. I think I may ask that they apply for an EP for me in SG and if it's rejected I will relocate from Bangkok to Sydney instead (I have Australian citizenship).

If I recollect correctly, in the letter I provided to CPF seeking funds withdrawal, I mentioned that my current Singapore employer at the time, a huge US MNC, was transferring me to Bangkok which is whom I still work for. However, the choice to cancel SPR and withdraw CPF was purely my own.

Mark

This is what my concern is. Unlike what Saint's mate, where ICA advise him to surrender to go back to UK and reapply after the company reassign back to SG after that which was totally fine.
In your case as ICA has a very very long memory and what they would be thinking is you are abusing the system although you are not.
Have a go with ICA see what they say.
If you are the CEO of a company and bringing huge investment here and will be employing hundreds of Sgers then you do not even have to step out of your house to get the PR back, they will come to you with a red packet and a bouquet of flower if need be.

MS

sundaymorningstaple wrote:It's anybody's guess. The MOM/gahmen love to make examples of people who appear to be abusing the system. Withdrawing your CPF and leaving and now coming back on an EP "normally" would not happen. No doubt they would probably need the expertise but it would be interesting to see how the MOM would go in the current climate here and your previous "track record" as a PR abuser (what they are calling it currently - pretty bad backlash against PR's at the moment due to a lot of abusers). Wish I could be of more help.

I know so many friends who withdrew CPF and came back later on. Did you make this all up when you sleep?

I have no doubt you do. Most trolls do.

tkuanhoo wrote: I know so many friends who withdrew CPF and came back later on. Did you make this all up when you sleep?

Please tell me how they came back and under what circumstance. I am very interested to know. Please tell me in details as I am all ears and eyes
Date, year, everything as it might cleared up many of my suspicions

Thanks

MS