Visa...Accepted in Singapore

We began the process of gaining legal status with the country of Singapore a few months ago when the decision was made to move to Singapore instead of Australia.

One of the most interesting thing we have had to deal with was the visa process. We obviously need a visa to be in the country for longer than 90 days, you need it to work here and more importantly you need it for the movers to ship out stuff!  In doing our research and talking to the folks in human resources, we learned that it should be easier to get a work pass for Raegen and hopefully Amy in Singapore than Australia, so we were off to a good start.

As part of the visa process Amy and I discovered that Singapore required us to show validation of common law status in order for her to get a visa.  We found this out in our last few days in Phoenix so we jumped through hoops with life insurance, health care, bank accounts, notary, etc.  So as of 16:41 Phoenix local time 30 Jan 2014 there is a document that shows that Amy and Raegen are common law married. Please wait until the real thing to send presents as it’s far too expensive to ship over a new Maserati.

After filling all of the paperwork our applications were submitted online to the government. In the meantime, we were on our way to Singapore. Since we had two one-way tickets to paradise (Singapore) and we did not want issues in customs. Therefore we bought tickets to Malaysia in 2 months so we did not appear to be squatters.  Once we got the visas we would cancel these tickets.

A few days later we received preliminary approval of a P1 type EP (employment pass) valid for 24 months and Amy a LTVP (long term visitor pass) that was valid for the same period of time. We also learned that we didn’t have to get a medical examination or a blood test (to check for HIV/AIDS).

Up to this point we believed Amy would get a DP (dependent pass) versus a LTVP but they did not issue her one.  What we found in our investigating is that a DP pretty much has the same rights (i.e. none) and Singapore does not recognize any domestic partnerships therefore that’s why Amy was granted the LTVP, but it’s still better than nothing. Here is what we have determined the following about the LTVP pass:

• It allows Amy to stay in the country for 24 months without having to leave every 90 days (Amazing)
• The pass will allow Amy to go through a different customs process when entering the country (same as Singaporeans & people with an EP.) And after the last trip, we can say it was pretty awesome!
• Basically Amy cannot sign any paperwork for cable, cell phone, etc. It all has to be done by the EP holder. (Hence the "Can you hear me now?" blog post)
• It is not a work visa. So when she finds a job the hiring company will have to complete the application for an EP. (Which theoretically should be easier since she already has a LTVP.)

With the approval of the passes, our next step is to go to the Employment Pass Services Centre (EPSC) to do our biometric screening.  Sounds really scary, but they just took our thumbprints and photo.  Emigra Singapore met us at the EPSC. Our appointment was scheduled for an hour and we were in and out in about 15 minutes. (It could have been quicker if we would not have been joking around with the ladies who helped us.)  We celebrated being approved with a nice dinner…after all how often do you have to go through a process like that? We then waited about 5 days and we have our physical passes. It’s official. 

So now we both have local cellphones and the next adventure is getting into a home, having a bed to sleep in and TV to watch. In the meantime, Amy is on the job prowl. So if you know anyone who is looking for a well-qualified, LTVP holding American, we are accepting applications.

Until then,

Amy & Raegen

PS- a big thank you to the MI Group Relocation Services and Emigra for all of their help with this process. They made a complicated and intimidating process a little less painful.

Our letters of approval, the official cards and the rep from Emigra and the EPSC who made it happen!