Singapore Expats

Hello,

I am being transferred to Singapore from the US with my current employer. I am in my mid 40's and have been a senior executive in software companies for 15 years, with a 26 year professional work history.

However, I never finished college and have no degree. My Singapore wage will be above the S$20K a month mark (I'm trying to be factual, but reading this I am quite embarrassed and sound arrogant, but I thought my first post should be factual to get honest responses. Sorry if it comes across poorly).

Frankly, I am nervous that not having a degree may hurt my chances of getting an EP, and I am well into the process of packing and scheduling my move. My company has only just asked me to complete the application form, and I am struggling with what I should do.

Any thoughts, feedback, or insight would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

- Frank

If you are being transferred from your parent company to your branch here. There is nothing to worry about as your branch company in SG will have supporting document for MOM to substantiate your transfer. Fill up your application to the best of your knowledge. If your salary is more than $7K , you will get a P1 pass by MOM. This pass is a different class by itself and what the SG Gahmen is looking for
MOM will decide if your application requires further vetting or otherwise. Generally you should not face any issues. I may be wrong here
Getting EP Approval in Principle usually face obstacles when applicant has no job in SG and waiting for MOM to approve then look for a job or future employer here has to show cause why local cannot be employed compare to hiring a Foreign Talent
for more info do a search here under the profile link or go to www.mom.gov.sg

OP will be making more than 20k a month...I think he'll be fine

Inland revenue will ensure that he's allowed to come! (just kidding - but if they were consulted, I'm sure that they would do so). Singapore Inc. loves Tax $$$'s

Thank you all very much for your help, I feel much better. So that I am 100% clear, not having any higher education on my application should not raise too many objections with the approval folks? The last thing I want to do is lie and then have to produce something I don't have...like a degree.

Thank you again for your help!

- Frank

McViddles wrote:Thank you all very much for your help, I feel much better. So that I am 100% clear, not having any higher education on my application should not raise too many objections with the approval folks? The last thing I want to do is lie and then have to produce something I don't have...like a degree.

Thank you again for your help!

- Frank

high pay >>>>>>> degree

First, thank you all very much for your replies, support and advice. I greatly appreciated it.

I have been approved for a P1 EP and have received my "in-principal approval" letter. But of course, I was a bit concerned when reviewing how ominous the language is in the letter. Especially the declaration that I have not omitted any information or misrepresented any information. This concerns me because my employer simply put the name of my high school as my highest level of education, but did not put the words "high school" after the name of the school. They also selected "diploma" as the qualification. I do not want MOM to think I am pulling a fast one.

So, I called MOM today and provided them with my FIN number and they pulled up my approval. I let the officer know that I did not have a college degree, but only a high school diploma. She then told me that the application was approved based on having a "diploma". It was a little difficult to get her to understand that it was a high school diploma, not a university diploma. And I left the call feeling more uneasy.

I did some research, and it seems that Asian countries use "diploma" and "degree" interchangeably. I simply do not want to pack, move, arrive in Singapore only to have MOM send me home because they thought I was trying to pull the wool over their eyes.

Am I being paranoid? How else should I present or phrase my education to MOM on a call to ensure we are talking about the same education level? I am probably worrying about nothing, but this is a big move for me, and I have never worried about my education in my 26 years of work. What does MOM consider a diploma?

Thank you all again, and I am sorry for bugging you again.

- Frank

i think the 20k SGD paycheck for 26 years of experience will speak for itself

McViddles wrote: Am I being paranoid? How else should I present or phrase my education to MOM on a call to ensure we are talking about the same education level? I am probably worrying about nothing, but this is a big move for me, and I have never worried about my education in my 26 years of work. What does MOM consider a diploma?

Thank you all again, and I am sorry for bugging you again.

- Frank

Frank,

Chill. You are in good shape. I'm also a Yank with only a High School Diploma. With the right income, they are cool with the lack of "formal" certificates as they presume any company who would pay that kind of money as already pretty much done all the vetting for them. You have the proverbial degree in life! You'll be fine. They are used to Yanks with diplomas and actually understand what you are referring to just by your nationality.

sms

Hi Frank and all,

If anyone would mind sharing their employer's names or point me in the right direction to them I would greatly appreciate it.

I've worked in Singapore before and my wife is from there. We'd like to return but me being a US citizen means I need to find an expat job. I've progressed quite a bit since then (10 years ago) and have 2 advanced degrees. I'm also in the IT field, currently working in the Oil & Gas industry.

It seems that finding an expat job in Singapore that is the right fit, with the right conditions is very difficult.

Cheers,

Sam

Hi Sam,

I work for the PeopleSoft division of Oracle. I know they are always looking for good people. http://www.oracle.com/us/corporate/careers/index.html

BTW, thank you so very much to the folks on this site. I feel so much more comfortable on my relo. I wish I could find a way to pay you back. Perhaps a beer, dinner, BBQ?

Thanks again!

Frank

I too dropped out of uni (in order to do something useful with my life ), and that did not stop me getting skilled migrant visas to Singapore, Japan and the US .

Indeed you can apply for a Singapore EPEC based upon being a graduate, OR having had a skilled migrant visa from another 'major' country. I suppose the logic is that if you were considered good enough by the latter, then you're good enough for SG.

I'd tread a little easy on calling MoM/ICA etc and them getting your records up unless you are 100% sure you're not at risk of putting your foot in it. I try to remember the aphorism 'a lawyer never asks a question that they do not already know the answer to'...

You sound ready to rock McV and something of a good egg, good luck with the move and hope ya stick around...

Frank,

If they ask you to produce a diploma, just show them the paper. My boyfriend was once asked for his diploma and he responded that he doesn't have it with him since it's on a frame hanging in his parents' place. he he he!

Good to know you got your IPA (In Principle Approval). Your IPA is as good as the EP. Just relax. There's other things to think about (like what stuff to bring over here, which area to pick for an apartment, etc).

Now about that treat... BBQ is out unless you get a place where they actually allow you to use a grill out in the open. Dinner? Ah, sms... how many registered users are here? Seriously, enjoy the move. Singapore has its good and not-so-good sides.

Cheers,
A_G

abc

Hey people, I too have the same 'problem' as you.
I've been offered a relocation to singapore within the company, will earn about 15k.
Got no degrees, but about 12years experience.
Should I be worried?