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relocating from UK - some VERY basic questions!
Posted: Sun, 03 Jul 2011 6:50 pm
by victoria_plum
Hi there
My boyfriend has been offered a job in Singapore, which he's likely to accept, but needs to iron out the finer details first... I am thinking about going with him, but literally know nothing about the practicalities! Could anyone please help me answer:
- Would I be able to live in Singapore, based on my bf working and living there?
Would I be able to work? (I am a Personal Assistant with a lot of experience but no university degree.)
I am concerned about being socially isolated - but assuming if I make the effort, I can hook up with other ex-pats?
The humidity! Would I get used to it eventually or is it a case of just dealing with it?
How would healthcare work? Is it a case of being covered by medical insurance and then just visiting a Doctor/Dentist
Apologies these are pretty basic questions, but any advice/words of wisdom would be hugely appreciated
)
Thanks all,
Vicky
Posted: Sun, 03 Jul 2011 7:49 pm
by durain
here's the very basic answer...
no
no
yes
yes
yes
Posted: Sun, 03 Jul 2011 10:20 pm
by JR8
Hi VP,
Durain gave the long and short of it.
So the one to focus on would seem to be getting to SG in the first place. The difficulty you face is that SG gives dependent's passes to spouses, but being a 'girlfriend/boyfriend' is not enough. If you could establish that you are your BFs 'common law wife', via shared mortgage, bills, utility accounts etc then you could have a shot at it from that angle...
- You could explore getting a job there in your own right. But as with US visas you would need to establish that you were bringing in a skillset that does not already exist locally.
- You might consider entering SG as a student on a student visa.
- You could visit for up to 90 days on a Social Visit Pass. These can sometimes be extended, but don't get ideas that you're going to play this route into some form of semi-permanent residency.
Good luck.
Posted: Sun, 03 Jul 2011 11:17 pm
by longstebe
Just get married.
Posted: Sun, 03 Jul 2011 11:26 pm
by JR8
longstebe wrote:Just get married.
More like $$$.
You're single Stebe aren't you?
Posted: Mon, 04 Jul 2011 3:46 am
by victoria_plum
thanks all - suspected I was onto a losing streak, but good to hear it from those in the know! Vicky
Re: relocating from UK - some VERY basic questions!
Posted: Mon, 04 Jul 2011 3:52 am
by kitkats
victoria_plum wrote:Hi there
My boyfriend has been offered a job in Singapore, which he's likely to accept, but needs to iron out the finer details first... I am thinking about going with him, but literally know nothing about the practicalities! Could anyone please help me answer:
- Would I be able to live in Singapore, based on my bf working and living there?
Would I be able to work? (I am a Personal Assistant with a lot of experience but no university degree.)
I am concerned about being socially isolated - but assuming if I make the effort, I can hook up with other ex-pats?
The humidity! Would I get used to it eventually or is it a case of just dealing with it?
How would healthcare work? Is it a case of being covered by medical insurance and then just visiting a Doctor/Dentist
Apologies these are pretty basic questions, but any advice/words of wisdom would be hugely appreciated
)
Thanks all,
Vicky
Have you been to singapore? You will not be able to just move here. You probably need to get married, engaged.
It is not easy to find a job in singapore, you need a special skill set or a degree.
You might be able to climatized after a few months unless you really like the cold weather.
If you are sick and need to see a doctor, you have to pay between 30-50 singapore dollars to see a doctor. I am not sure about hospitalization.
All the best to you!
Posted: Thu, 14 Jul 2011 12:53 am
by Windward
I'm kind of in the same boat as the OP, but I'd be the boyfriend with the job.
My girl and I can likely establish common-law marriage without too much of a fight (been living together for years, sharing bills, etc.), but (if the job comes through) there is a ring in her future anyway.
Between an engagement and a common-law what are the chances of her picking up a PR?
She's a high school science teacher and will be looking for a gig there, but don't know how long that could end up taking, of course.
Posted: Thu, 14 Jul 2011 1:04 am
by JR8
Windward wrote:I'm kind of in the same boat as the OP, but I'd be the boyfriend with the job.
My girl and I can likely establish common-law marriage without too much of a fight (been living together for years, sharing bills, etc.), but (if the job comes through) there is a ring in her future anyway.
Between an engagement and a common-law what are the chances of her picking up a PR?
She's a high school science teacher and will be looking for a gig there, but don't know how long that could end up taking, of course.
A common-law spouse on a DP getting PR? Well, I'm no visa expert but maybe if you can wait '20-30 years' you have a chance. No honestly I AM no expert, but you're really be stretching out hope on that one IMHO.
A gig?... a rock concert? Debate is more productive without jargon others won't understand.
Posted: Thu, 14 Jul 2011 1:10 am
by Windward
JR8 wrote:Windward wrote:I'm kind of in the same boat as the OP, but I'd be the boyfriend with the job.
My girl and I can likely establish common-law marriage without too much of a fight (been living together for years, sharing bills, etc.), but (if the job comes through) there is a ring in her future anyway.
Between an engagement and a common-law what are the chances of her picking up a PR?
She's a high school science teacher and will be looking for a gig there, but don't know how long that could end up taking, of course.
A common-law spouse on a DP getting PR? Well, I'm no visa expert but maybe if you can wait '20-30 years' you have a chance. No honestly I AM no expert, but you're really be stretching out hope on that one IMHO.
A gig?... a rock concert? Debate is more productive without jargon others won't understand.
Fair enough on the PR question and answer. She'll like to hear "well, looks like we need to get married for you to stay with me."
As for the "gig", apologies for possible confusion. Merely meant it to reference a job. I'll keep the slang and jargon in mind.
Posted: Thu, 14 Jul 2011 1:22 am
by JR8
Windward wrote:
Fair enough on the PR question and answer. She'll like to hear "well, looks like we need to get married for you to stay with me."
Why would the girlfriend of a guy moving from US/East Coast to SG for a few years work even be considering seeking PR? (I mean I could understand if you're from CA hehehe). Doesn't add up, unless perhaps you are sub-continentals
As for the "gig", apologies for possible confusion. Merely meant it to reference a job. I'll keep the slang and jargon in mind.
Yeah when discussing issues like visas and so on, keep it totally clear, otherwise you're just confusing a proportion of people who might help you.
Good luck